FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Spaceship Earth construction

In the late 1960s, Disney acquired 25,000 acres of barren swampland in Florida. Over the next four decades, the company transformed it into the world's leading theme park resort.

It wasn't an easy job. Miles and miles of drainage canals were built, millions of trees, shrubs and other plants were introduced and entire lakes were excavated. Four enormous theme parks were eventually built, along with two water parks, a shopping and entertainment district and dozens of huge hotels.

We're all familiar with images of the finished theme parks. But what did Walt Disney World's attractions look like while they were being constructed? We've dug out a series of stunning photographs that show how the enormous structures were put together, and put them into a single article that shows how 40 years of intense development led us to where we are today.

Magic Kingdom

Walt Disney World's first theme park, the Magic Kingdom, opened in 1971. It is a virtual clone of the original Disneyland in California, but on a larger scale - Disneyland covers 85 acres, whereas the Magic Kingdom sprawls across 107 acres.

To enable Cast Members to move around the park without being seen, a series of tunnels, known as "utilidors", were built underneath the park. To do this, soil excavated from the Seven Seas Lagoon in front of the park was used to build up the level of the park.

Before:

Here's a look at Cinderella Castle as it was being built. The castle stands at 189 feet tall, compared to Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland which is just 77 feet tall. Both castles used "forced perspective" techniques to make them appear larger - as each gets taller, its width gets smaller. No stonework was used to create Cinderella Castle, despite its appearance. The building's shell is made out of fiberglass.

Liberty Square construction (4)

 

The next few photos show the Rivers of America (a false waterway that winds its way around Frontierland and Liberty Square), as well as the Haunted Mansion and the Hall of Presidents in Liberty Square.

Liberty Square construction (2)

 

Liberty Square construction (3)

 

Liberty Square construction (5)

 

Haunted Mansion construction

 

After:

And here's a look at the finished product...

Cinderella Castle

Haunted Mansion

Space Mountain

Here's a look at one of the first major additions to the Magic Kingdom's line-up: Space Mountain. The ride opened in 1975, and you can see images of both the exterior and interior below.

Before:

Space Mountain construction (2)

 

Space Mountain construction (1)

 

Space Mountain construction (4)

 

Space Mountain construction (3)

 

Space Mountain construction (5)

 

After

Space Mountain

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

In 1980, a second "mountain" opened at the Magic Kingdom. The enormous Big Thunder Mountain required 650 tons of steel, 4,675 tons of "mud" and more than 9,000 gallons of paint to construct.

Before:

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad construction

Image: State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory
 

After:

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (7)

Image: Sam Howzit
 

Splash Mountain

Splash Mountain joined the Magic Kingdom's line-up in 1992. More than 65 Audio-Animatronic characters populate the attraction, with the concrete flume winding for more than 2,600 feet.

Before:

Splash Mountain construction (1)

 

Splash Mountain construction (2)

 

After:

Splash Mountain

 
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

Comments

Absolutely amazing. Thank you so much for sharing. My first time to the Disney World parks was in 2000. Ever Since, I have been to all the parks hundreds of times. I'm just amazed how it all came together. Fascinated with the history of Disney. I have already been to MK 3 times this week. :) it's crazy, but I love it. Thanks again.

Very cool. (Correct the bold heading "Spash Mountain" to "Splash.").

Great article with some great photos!!!

Great article. One request which others might appreciate also: when possible, be more specific in your photo citations. For example, if I want to find a specific photo you have here credited to Tom Simpson's Flickr site, I have to wade through his 3,000+ untagged, barely organized pile of photos to get to it. A link straight to the actual photo would be awesome!

Otherwise, keep up the great work! I visit your site many times a week.

-Jim

Hi i am a visitor from the UK and I will just say you never grow up Disney is just great.

View More Comments

Add new comment

About Theme Park Tourist

Theme Park Tourist is one of the web’s leading sources of essential information and entertaining articles about theme parks in Orlando and beyond.

We are one of the world’s largest theme park guide sites, hosting detailed guides to more than 80 theme parks around the globe.

Find Out More About Us...

Plan Your Trip

Our theme park guides contain reviews and ratings of rides, restaurants and hotels at more than 80 theme parks worldwide.

You can even print them.

Start Planning Now...