Calling all those who visited WDW when it was 1 park & 3 hotels...

[Phatoomch]

First visit in 1980, second in 1988.

Back then we treated it like any other theme park - first trip went for one day (MK) second trip, Epcot had opened so we went for two days.

I prefer it now because it is so big (plus I love DHS & AK), it makes better sense to stay on property and get completely immersed in the magic

 

[DisneyMim]

Thanks for the memories. Yes I remember when. We couldn't afford to stay onsite then. I remember going into MK and seeing the Poly and CR and thinking WOW I'll never be able to afford to stay there!! I was totally blown away. It's not surprising to me that we were one of the first people to buy into DVC back in 1991. We had come a long way!! Yes I think the pace was a lot more laid back then, but then we never got into the commando type vacation style. One of my memories is having dinner at the Crystal Palace. It was a cafeteria place back then and I remember walking in and seeing all the glass and thinking it was such a beautiful place. That chicken dinner I had will always stay in my mind and every time I walk pass the Crystal Palace I think of our first time there. We've gone so many times over the years that it has been wonderful to watch how WDW has evolved. Sometimes I do think back on the early days very fondly, but I think it has just grown to be better and better. I do hate the crowds though, not so much years ago, but I guess that comes with the progress.

Thanks for the memory and Enjoy The Magic!!

 

[auntfrannie]

My first on-site visit we stayed at the Golf Resort. I really wanted the Polynesian but back in those days it booked a year in advance.

I remember the buses had different colored flags that designated the destination.

 

[Marshay]

This is for those of us old enough to have visited Disney World when the only park (other than River Country) was the Magic Kingdom, and the only three on-property hotels were the CR, the Poly, and the Golf Resort (although I believe the campgrounds also existed). That's the way it was when my brother and I first visited, as children, in 1980. On our first visit, we stayed at the Golf Resort. On our next two, we stayed at the Polynesian (and by the third visit, EPCOT had opened). As I've said in a previous post, even during those first visits, we thought The World was the most magical place on earth. We could not believe such an incredible place existed....

Me, too! We first went in 1977, then every 3 years thereafter until 1990s.

Stayed at CR and Poly, as well as several Knights Inn and Days Inn, depending on how much we had saved up.

We would stay a week and it was wonderful. When Epcot opened, it was so exciting and new that I felt I was not in another state or country, but another world.

We'd always go to River Country, shopping at Lake Buena Vista (now DTD) and rent the Water Mice boats....and go off property to Silver Springs, Cypress Gardens, Circus World, St. Augustine, Busch Gardens and Daytona Beach or Tampa.

Many good memories! I miss the Skyway.

 

[Bill3]

Spring break,1978-colder than blue blazes(that's cold), stayed at Yogi Bear CG. People were all mad YB because of the cold, lots wanted refunds. We had 3 kids under 6and were totally blown away by the entire experience. We became lifelong Disneyfilesand bought into DVC in 96, our kids and grand kids love it(almost as much as LW and I). Remember my daughters loved the People Mover and the Carousel, and my son the submarine ride. I loved CountryBears and the MSELP, my wife loved Small World. After that it's been almost always on-site. One of our better choices in life.

 

[Nohal]

First went in 1973 it was our honeymoon. We stayed at the Sheridan Olympic Village which was just outside the main entrance and has been closed for years. As others have said you needed to make reservations over 1yr in advance to stay inside the park. I remember the tickets for the rides and always buying more E tickets which I think were 90 cents. I also liked the swan boats and 20,000 leagues under the sea. I also recall that there were supposed to be more hotels on the monorail (I think originally there were supposed to be a total of 5) one of which was supposed to be called the Mediterranean. We also went to Busch Gardens and Cypress Gardens but I think we spent 2 or 3 days in the park. Tonys Town Square was a different restaurant hosted by one of the food companies and had great breakfasts. Disney has sure come a long way since then.

 

[North of Mouse]

This is for those of us old enough to have visited Disney World when the only park (other than River Country) was the Magic Kingdom, and the only three on-property hotels were the CR, the Poly, and the Golf Resort (although I believe the campgrounds also existed). That's the way it was when my brother and I first visited, as children, in 1980. On our first visit, we stayed at the Golf Resort. On our next two, we stayed at the Polynesian (and by the third visit, EPCOT had opened). As I've said in a previous post, even during those first visits, we thought The World was the most magical place on earth. We could not believe such an incredible place existed.

Sometimes, now, when I contrast WDW of then with the enormity of WDW of today, I'm amazed. The funny thing is, even back then, without all of the options available today, we managed to fill an entire week easily. We spent multiple days casually touring the Magic Kingdom, devoted the better part of a day to River Country, and had a "do-nothing" day or two, during which we hung out by the pool, rented the boats on Bay Lake, played at the CR arcade, etc. We also made it a point to take in the only two dinner shows I can remember back then, the Luau and the HDDR.

How about those of you who also visited during those simpler times? Did you similarly fill a week or more? Was the pace of your vacations back then considerably slower than it is now? Do you think of WDW now as an entirely different place in light of its current enormity, or, rather, as merely an extension of the earlier, simpler version. Is bigger always better? And do you ever smile to yourself, knowing that you "knew Disney back when..."?

I apologize for the rambling nature of this post, but would love to hear your thoughts...

Oh yes, what great memories!!! Our first experience was in 1972 and we camped in our brand new Volkswagon Camper at FW. What an exciting time.
The campground was not as large as it is now, and only had a small "check-in" area. There was a steam train we used to love to ride (our son, also dh loved it!)

We could afford only two nights/3 days, but we definitely made the most of them. We were very young, one child, and had only "one speed" - wide open
We went to the DT (Buena Vista) at one of the hotels and watched Disney Movies, then they moved them to the Contemporary off the food/game room.

Went to MK one day (loved 20,000 leagues under the sea), another day went to River Country/Discovery Island (2 events - one price). River Country was such an exciting place. Discovery Island with the bird shows, reptile show (would never watch, dh & son would) and the paths around the island. It was very hot and humid in the summer there, but still loved it!

Also, would go down to the beach and play/swim - was safe then and allowed (same water as RC)

We are glad that we "grew up" with WDW, so are not intimidated by the "hugeness" of it now - can see how "newbies" would hardly know where to start.

We went back many, many times since then, and our children are grown and visit with their children, and we all have very special memories of those days.

My DH & I go often now, and next trip scheduled is Nov/Dec. We still prefer FW, but many different types RV's later, we now "camp" in our MH.

 

[luvthemouse71]

We would spend in a week in Orlando. We would go to MK for a few days and fill the rest of the time with secondary attractions such as Circus World (Boardwalk and Baseball), Seaworld, Mystery Fun House, Gatorland and other places on I-Drive. We would also spend a day at The Disney Village (DTD) boating and shopping.

Oh, I forgot about Mystery Fun House, Circus world and Cypress Gardens! I looked through old pics and found out the hotel we stayed at was called Court of Flags..

 

[wendywoo]

.


Also, would go down to the beach and play/swim - was safe then and allowed (same water as RC)

Yes, remember being able to swim behind the Poly!

Oh, I forgot about Mystery Fun House, Circus world and Cypress Gardens! I looked through old pics and found out the hotel we stayed at was called Court of Flags..

Oh how we loved Cirus World!! Forgot about it!! Thanks for the memory!

 

[amberpi]

I can't remember before Epcot, but I DEFINITELY remember when it was Epcot, and the Poly and CR. CR was my dad's fave and when the GF was opened we stayed there too. When DHS and the Swan and Dolphin opened we stayed there as well, when the BC/YC opened I don't think my folks ever went back to a monorail resort. They are Epcot lovers through and through and I definitely got that from them (and I'm 33!). We usually stay Epcot, unless we get a deal on a monorail. I can't imagine doing WDW outside of that cluster of resorts, but sometimes it's all about what you were raised with!

 

[newcomer52]

Having visited DL when I was 12 in 1964, I was hooked. When WDW opened, I just hoped I could visit it one time. In 1980 my husband was sent to a convention in Orlando and I went along. We spent a day and a half at Disney World and I was thrilled. Since we were staying off site at the convention hotel, I then was hoping that I would just get to stay on-site one time. In 1990 he was sent to another convention, this time at the Contemporary! We took our three young kids and stayed a week. What great memories! Needless to say, I have now been back many times, stayed at all but a few of the resorts and own DVC. Those early days got me for life!

Jeralyn

 

[pixiegirl14]

We visited my uncle in Bradenton in 1978, I was 2. I honestly don't remember anything but we have plenty of pictures. My favorite is one of my parents holding me at the entrance to Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse. My kids don't even know that movie

 

[fitzperry]

I have such fond memories of trips during that time. The first was in October (I think) 1971, very shortly after the park opened. Stayed at the CR. I was only 4 but I remember the trip well--particularly thinking that staying in a hotel that a train went through was the greatest thing ever. I also remember being in the first boat that went out for what must have been 20,000 Leagues' official opening. Of course, I thought it was a real sub.

4 or 5 years later we rented an rv and stayed at Fort Wilderness with my parents' best friends and their kids. The rv broke down en route and we ended up in a hotel in LBV for a couple of nights. When we went to check out of the campground we discovered that in all the confusion we'd overstayed our reservation by a day! I still can't believe no one realized it. Great trip, despite all the mishaps. We were there for at least a week and were certainly never bored. I remember spending a day at River Country, which was loads of fun.

Thanks for the trip down memory lane!

 

[Belleofthehouse]

Our first trip was in 1976. It was our first family vacation! We stayed at the Golf Resort. I remember getting a really bad sunburn at River Country and my mom scouring the stores for Noxzema to ease the pain. Boy times have changed. We went back in 1982, just before Epcot opened up. We stayed again at the Golf Resort! I remember showing up at the gate with no reservations. They had room for us

Noxzema...we lived with that stuff! Never left home without it!

Our first trip was in 1979 and we stayed at the Poly. I remember:
-the luau (my dad was pulled on stage for part of the show)
-River Country (specifically the water slides and something like a zipline, I think)
-taking the ferry from the Poly to somewhere

I was our first plane trip and we filled the seven days with things to do!

 

[AudreyLovesTheMouse]

I think my first trip with my mom was 1977 or 78. There was technically less to do in the World, but it was still enough to fill my whole week with MAGIC. I REALLY miss River Country... Mr Toad's Wild Ride... the photo studio that dressed you up and took sepia portraits (is that still there, I don't think so)... the Tiki Room (I'm sooo glad it's kind of back to it's original form). I'm worried about some of the classic rides, especially Carousel of Progress.

 

[delaneyc52]

First time we did stay off site --- that was December '71 just after MK first opened. And oh yes ... we had to go to Cypress Gardens which I was very unimpressed with!!! For me, I was just completely in love with Magic Kingdom. The following year, saved enough for a few days at the Contemporary.....that was it! Been going at least once a year every since. I so miss River Country and the Skyway.

 

[sdzman]

Besides the Poly and Contemporary, the DTD hotels were the places to stay back in the day.

The Royal Plaza was a top notch hotel, Michael Jackson would stay in a suite there when he visited WDW.

I remember the Travel Lodge which is now the Wyndam I believe. They had a "sleepy bear" as their mascot, he would often be around for photo ops. There was also an awesome ice cream parlor in the lobby.

I also recall the Disney Inn which is now SOG I believe. It had a subtle Snow White and the Seven Dwarves theme to it.

 

[chartle]

Besides the Poly and Contemporary, the DTD hotels were the places to stay back in the day.

and the campground

 

[RabFlmom]

Spent a day at the MK spring break 1972 during my first year of teaching. I remember I even bought a beautiful red Firebird to drive down in and it arrived at the dealers 2 days before the trip. Then I again in 73. I remember the park being open till something like 2 or 3AM and it was just more magical than during the day. There was an old piano at one of the restaurants in a pavilion outside and a man was playing at that hour. There were no character meet and greets they just roamed the park and it was hard to get just your group in the picture with the character. My favorites back then was Country Bear Jamboree and the Haunted Mansion. We usually went to Daytona Beach and the Space Center , but if it was rainy on the East coast we headed West to the Gulf and Busch Gardens. Then in 1975 we came down for the Apollo-Soyuz Launch and went to the MK and SW that year too. The Bi-Centenniel Parade was awesome. I think it is still my favorite Disney Parade. Shamu Show at SW even had a Bicentenniel show.
That was the trip that got me to move to Florida. I had to live here to watch rockets launch!

A couple more remembers ....

1. Who remembers the country Concerts after the park closed that they used to have 6 or so different groups performing at different places in ther park. Who did you see?

2. Who went to the first MVMCP when it was a 1 night a year party ? Then the next year they added a couple nights? Do you still have your free portraits and pins?

3. Did you go to the MK for their 15th year anniversary? Remember they gave out prizes as you entered. What did you win? Anyone win one of the 15 cars they gave away?

 

[Jdismom]

The first time my family went was the summer of 1976. Everything had a patriotic theme - afternoon parade, character's costumes. We also stayed at the Royal Plaza. It was so hot that River Country was our favorite day. We went again in '83 after Epcot had opened and stayed at the Dutch Inn, which I think was also on Hotel Blvd. near Royal Plaza. We never did go on 20,000 leagues, which I regret after having become Disney-obsessed.