OPENING-DAY ATTRACTIONS
BY MARIA SALERNO
The opening of WDW brought us so many attractions that we still enjoy today , but these five are our all-time favorites to come out of that fateful day in October 1971 .
Hall of Presidents
Walt Disney debuted the extraordinarily lifelike Great Moments with Mr . Lincoln exhibit at the ’ 64 World ’ s Fair . When audiences left the theatre questioning “ Was he real ?” Walt knew he had to bring this Audio-Animatronic creation into his park . Imagineers honored Walt ’ s vision by ensuring an attraction at Walt Disney World featured every historical figure who was present at the Philadelphia Convention . The Hall of Presidents is the most frequently updated attraction at WDW . It receives a brand new Audio-Animatronic of the sitting president every four or eight years .
Jungle Cruise
On opening day , Magic Kingdom successfully transported its guests into the worlds of yesterday , tomorrow , and fantasy through its state-of-the-art attractions . Jungle Cruise was ( and still is !) one of the most immersive of them all . When you board the boat , the outside world is masked by dense foliage , lifelike animals , and … the hysterical narration of the Jungle Cruise Skippers . This combination of whimsy , reality , and humor has captivated guests since opening day . Jungle Cruise has seen some recent story changes to stay socially current , but it still remains a classic attraction and a guest favorite 50 years later .
Peter Pan ’ s Flight
Intended to open with the park , this flight was delayed just a couple of days , but it ’ s iconic , so we ’ re keeping it on the list anyway ! Peter Pan ’ s Flight brought an entirely new ride system to WDW . With a suspended Omnimover ride system , Imagineers created realistic sightlines and forced perspective from an overhead vantage point — something never before attempted . This new vantage point for guests was fascinating enough , but floating in a ship was something opening-day guests had only dreamed of ! The end product told the classic tale so perfectly that the attraction is relatively unchanged to this day .
" it ’ s a small world ”
Walt wanted WDW to be a place where families could all have fun together . The most fascinating element of “ it ’ s a small world ” was not the dozens of dolls in gorgeous hand-sewn costumes or the sets and artwork designed by Mary Blair . It wasn ’ t even the iconic song penned by the Sherman Brothers . The most important and outstanding element of “ it ’ s a small world ” on opening day was the fact that this harmonious world was completely inhabited by children . Walt knew that the future of the world was in the hands of the children ; “ it ’ s a small world ”’ depicts his whimsical vision .
Haunted Mansion
The allure begins on the approach to the eerie Hudson Valley mansion . You step into the doors of the darkened house , enter the stretching room , and become enraptured by the Ghost Host ’ s narration … and the story begins . The Haunted Mansion is an enchanting education in masterful storytelling : memorably simple music , stunning sets , a chilling narration , and the Omnimover ride system . Every element of this attraction comes together into a perfectly synonymous story . Each corridor we pass through tells a different piece of the tale that weaves seamlessly from room to room , creating what is , even today , a true masterpiece of storytelling .
PREVIOUS PAGE : Haunted Mansion has consistently been one of Disney ' s most popular attractions . PHOTO BY JUDD HELMS