Walt Disney World’s 15th Birthday Celebration (television)
Walt Disney World’s 15th Birthday Celebration (television) Betty White and Bea Arthur were the hosts for this two-hour special on the Disney Sunday Movie, airing on November 9, 1986. Directed by Marty Pasetta. Entertainers included Diahann Carroll, Ray Charles, The Everly Brothers, The Monkees, Emmanuel Lewis, Dolly Parton, and Harry Shearer. President Reagan, Senator Edward …
See moreWalt Disney World Village
Walt Disney World Village New name in 1977 for Lake Buena Vista Village, which had opened in March 1975. A large outdoor mall, with specialty shops all built by Disney designers. See Downtown Disney Marketplace.
See moreWalt Disney World—Phase I (film)
Walt Disney World—Phase I (film) Film prepared for a Florida press conference held on April 30, 1969.
See moreWalt Disney World Railroad
Walt Disney World Railroad Attraction in Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World, opening October 1, 1971. The four locomotives are the Walter E. Disney, the Roy O. Disney, the Lilly Belle, and the Roger Broggie, all discovered in the Yucatan where they hauled freight and passengers. (Lilly was Walt Disney’s wife, and Broggie was …
See moreWalt Disney World Marching Band
Walt Disney World Marching Band Formed in 1971, the band performs concerts in Town Square and occasionally at Fantasy Faire in Fantasyland, as well as in various parades.
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Walt Disney World Speedway
Walt Disney World Speedway Built in a corner of the Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom parking lot and dedicated on November 28, 1995, the one-mile racetrack is used for various speed events, beginning with a Formula Ford 2000 support race on January 26, 1996, and the Indy Racing League’s Indy 200 on January 27. Beginning …
See moreWalt Disney World Resort
Walt Disney World Resort Opened near Orlando, Florida, on October 1, 1971 with the Magic Kingdom and two hotels. After the success of Disneyland in California, Walt Disney was besieged by suggestions for a second park. Everyone wanted this new park to be built in their hometown—especially when observing the growth of the eonomy of …
See moreWalt Disney World Happy Easter Parade (television)
Walt Disney World Happy Easter Parade (television) The first of many annual television specials aired on ABC on April 7, 1985. Directed by Paul Miller. Hosted by Rick Dees and Joan Lunden. Only in 1986 did the Walt Disney World Easter Parade appear as part of The CBS Easter Parade (March 30, 1986), which switched …
See moreWalt Disney World Inside Out (television)
Walt Disney World Inside Out (television) Series on The Disney Channel, premiering June 7, 1994. Stars Scott Herriott in a wacky, witty, offbeat look at life in Walt Disney World. A new version of the show, featuring J.D. Roth and Brianne Leary, with commentary by George Foreman, began December 12, 1995. One show a month …
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Walt Disney World Golf Classic
Walt Disney World Golf Classic Beginning in its first year, 1971, Walt Disney World, at the urging of then-Disney president and golf enthusiast Card Walker, sponsored the Walt Disney World Golf Classic. It has been an individual tourney each year, except for 1974 to 1981 when it served as the venue for the PGA Tour’s …
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