Magical Half-Century

Stories Celebrating Walt Disney World’s First 50 Years

Fifty Years of Fun

Walt Disney World officially opened its magical doors on October 1, 1971. In the half-century that has followed, Disney World has grown from one theme park and two resort hotels to an all-encompassing vacation destination that includes four major theme parks, two water parks, and more than 20 resort hotels and 200 restaurants. Notwithstanding that almost continuous change, one thing has remained constant since opening day: magic.

It is hard to imagine that even Walt Disney could have imagined the significant impact that his “Florida Project” would have on millions of people around the world.

This book celebrates a half-century of magic, and is filled with stories that honor the history and legacy of Walt Disney World, including:

The strong connection between Washington Irving’s classic story “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” and Walt Disney World.
A history of alcohol (real and imagined) in the Magic Kingdom.
The story and secrets behind the new pinnacle of Disney Imagineering, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.
The hottest topic in the Disney fan community today: Disney’s use of intellectual property-based attractions in the parks.
The stories behind Disney’s most secretive group: the Society of Explorers and Adventurers.

Happy birthday, Walt Disney World

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