Disney World Timeline

Planning

1963

Walt Disney starts planning on the Florida project - a DisneyLand East, but with the addition of his Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow.


Land Acquisition

1965

Disney starts acquiring land through series of shell companies

1966

The Reveal

The Orlando Sentinel figures out that its Disney; a meeting with the governor follows


The "Sales Pitch"

early-1967
After Walt's death, the company gives a pitch to the state

Fowler & Potter start work

mid-1967
Admiral Joe Fowler and General Joe Potter get to work on planning and construction.

Construction Begins

Late 1967
Construction on the behemouth that would become the resort starts, and transforms the land.
1970

The Preview Center Opens

the Magic Kingdom Opens

1 Oct 1971

Podcast: a look back at opening day
1 Oct 1982

Epcot Opens


Podcast: Epcot Stories
Podcast: Epcot opening audio

The "Disney Decade" starts under Michael Eisner

1989
10 years of so much growth.
May 1, 1989

The Disney/MGM Studios Opens

A real, working movie studio and a theme park.

The Animal Kingdom Opens

Apr 22, 1998
The Animal Kingdom Opens. On Earth Day! Dragons. Dinosaurs. Real Animals.

Dave's Disney View Podcast


Dave's Disney View is a podcast about WDW, and includes a lot of historical items, and my personal views about the resort (good, bad, and sometimes a bit controversial). I also include a segment called "one little spark" wherein I present a timely topic about life outside of the theme parks that I think merits some attention.
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Here are the 5 most-popular videos in the series:








Disney World Historical Hilights

Podcasts and Videos on various historical topics

iOS apps

Dave's Pressed Penny app for iPhone/iPad (its FREE!)

WDW Videos

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Musings & Ramblings

As you might expect, this is a fan site, and in no way affiliated with the theme park operators. Some might say that I am somewhat of a Disney World expert, having been to the park hundreds of times....but that doesn't mean I have any inside scoop or that I work for the company.

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