Today, October 1, marks 55 years since Walt Disney World officially opened in 1971!
Magic Kingdom wasn’t the only place welcoming guests that day. Disney’s Contemporary Resort and Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort also opened on October 1, 1971, and both are still welcoming guests 55 years later. Together, the park and two resorts made up the heart of the brand-new Vacation Kingdom of the World.
— Vintage Walt Disney World map from the 1970s; credit: RetroWDW
With that anniversary in mind, one of the new 55th anniversary T-shirts sent me down a Magic Kingdom history rabbit hole. The back lists attractions from the park’s earliest days, giving us a pretty fun excuse to see which are still around, which have changed names, and which have disappeared completely.
While some have received updates over the years, the Jungle Cruise, Swiss Family Treehouse, Haunted Mansion, “it’s a small world,” Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Mad Tea Party, Walt Disney World Railroad and Main Street Vehicles all date back to October 1, 1971.
Cinderella’s Golden Carrousel is still spinning in Fantasyland, although it was renamed to Prince Charming Regal Carrousel in 2010.
A few others remain in some form… Tropical Serenade eventually became Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room after spending more than a decade as The Enchanted Tiki Room – Under New Management.
The original Country Bear Jamboree closed in 2024, but the bears remain in Grizzly Hall with the new Country Bear Musical Jamboree.
Others have disappeared from the park completely. Mickey Mouse Revue closed in 1980, with Mickey’s PhilharMagic now occupying the Fantasyland theater. Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride closed in 1998 to make way for The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, while Snow White’s Scary Adventures lasted until 2012. The Penny Arcade, Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes, Mike Fink Keel Boats, and Frontierland Shootin’ Gallery are also gone. The Shootin’ Gallery had one of the longest runs of the bunch, surviving until June 2024. The Main Street Cinema is included on the list, which still stands today as a gift shop.
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea was one of the most ambitious attractions from Magic Kingdom’s opening era. It opened on October 14, 1971, taking guests aboard Nautilus-inspired submarines for an underwater Fantasyland adventure. The attraction closed on September 5, 1994, and Disney eventually removed its massive lagoon in 2004. Today, part of that space belongs to Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid.
Admiral Joe Fowler Riverboat joined the Magic Kingdom lineup on October 2, 1971, just one day after opening day, and cruised the Rivers of America until Disney retired it in 1980. Its sister ship, the Richard F. Irvine, continued sailing and eventually became the Liberty Belle.
In 2025, Disney closed the Liberty Square Riverboat, Tom Sawyer Island and Rivers of America to make way for the new Cars-themed Frontierland expansion. The Admiral Joe Fowler may have disappeared decades ago, but now the waterway it once traveled has become part of Magic Kingdom history, too.
The Penny Arcade, Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes, Mike Fink Keel Boats and Frontierland Shootin’ Gallery round out several more experiences from those early years that have since disappeared.
Fifty-five years later, while we’ve said some sad goodbyes, you can still experience a good amount of the Magic Kingdom that visitors encountered in 1971. Which one is your favorite opening day attraction?
