Today, October 1st, 2014, marks the 43rd anniversary of the opening of Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando Florida. My feeling is that WDW Dedication Day should be a national holiday. Unfortunately, my phone calls to my Congressperson never got returned. So, I will celebrate in my way through a little retrospect and history of what led up to this glorious grand opening 43 years ago.

It is well known to any Disney fan that Walt was very upset on how commercialized the area surrounding Disneyland had gotten. He vowed that next time he would buy enough land to isolate his parks from the outside world. You see, Walt was all about the story and he wanted his guests enveloped into it, so they can experience the magic. Well, if you are riding the monorail and you can see downtown Anaheim it ruins the experience. So, the search began for an ideal location where the temperature was bearable, and the land was cheap but accessible.

Orlando was ideal. Major highways were heading in all four directions, cheap land and a temperate climate. In 1964 and 1965, Walt and his brother Roy created dozens of dummy corporations and sent unknown associates down to start making land deals. Land was bought for $100 an acre. The townspeople could not figure out who was buying up all this good for nothing swamp land. By the time the news broke Walt had scooped up around 30,000 acres of land. The last acres were selling for around $100,000 because the seller was no fool.

Then the sad day came that saw the passing of Walt Disney in 1966. There was speculation that the Florida project would never see the light of day. Lucky for all of us, Roy O. Disney came out of retirement to oversee the first phase of the project. Building commenced in 1967 with an open date scheduled for October 1st, 1971. The Magic Kingdom opened on time along side The Contemporary Resort, The Polynesian Village Resort and Fort Wilderness. Two months after seeing his brother’s dream become a reality, Roy passed away as well.

So, as we spend the day showing gratitude for all that Walt Disney has brought us lets remember the immortal words of Roy O. Disney’s dedication speech 43 years ago today.

“WALT DISNEY WORLD is a tribute to the philosophy and life of Walter Elias Disney and to the talents, the dedication and the loyalty of the entire Disney organization that made Walt Disney’s dream come true. May Walt Disney World bring Joy and Inspiration and New Knowledge to all who come to this happy place…a Magic Kingdom where the young at heart of all ages can laugh and play and learn — together.”

Happy WDW Dedication Day, Disney Addicts!

-Hi, I’m Alan, and I’m a Disney addict