Fifty five years ago today, on October 1, 1971, Walt Disney World opened its gates in Central Florida. Back then it was just Magic Kingdom and two resort hotels, Disney’s Contemporary Resort and Disney’s Polynesian Resort. Today it’s four theme parks, two water parks, Disney Springs, and dozens of resorts, and it’s become a part of so many of our lives.
To mark the milestone, Walt Disney World President Joe Schott shared a message with guests in the My Disney Experience app this morning:
“Today, we celebrate 55 years of The Most Magical Place On Earth.
Thank you for including Walt Disney World in your lives. Here’s to the memories we’ve made together and all that’s still to come.
Wherever your journey takes you today, make it a magical one!”
Joe Schott, President, Walt Disney World
The message comes with a new 55th anniversary logo. It shows Cinderella Castle inside a classic Mickey silhouette, framed by a bold “55,” with Tinker Bell and a pennant reading “Florida” at the top and fireworks bursting on either side. Its retro look calls back to the resort’s early days, and the matching collection is already showing up on 55th anniversary merchandise across the parks.
For many of us, Walt Disney World isn’t just a vacation spot. It’s where we’ve celebrated birthdays, honeymoons, and first trips with our kids and grandkids, and where we’ve made memories we still talk about years later. A big part of the magic is the people who make it happen every day. We just saw two opening day Cast Members model the new 55th anniversary merchandise, which is a wonderful reminder of how far the resort has come since 1971.
If you’re in the parks today, take a moment to soak it all in. If you’re celebrating from home, we’d love to hear your favorite Walt Disney World memory. When was your first visit?
Happy 55th, Walt Disney World. Here’s to many more!
Stay tuned to The Main Street Mouse for more!
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