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

[auger]

I literally grew up at WDW. My dad was the choral director at one of the Orlando high schools, and from the opening day ceremonies, he was invited to bring his chorus groups to participate in all kinds of events there. Of course, our family got to go too!!

We were there from the beginning, and went often as a family. Once we kids were old enough, we went on our own.

As a high schooler, I was able to participate in Candlelight, the grand opening of Thunder Mountain, the first Annual Easter parade, and I even got to do a concert in the Tomorrowland theater with our HS choral ensemble.

I have watched WDW change over the years; some for the better, some for the worse. I miss Mr Toad, 20,000 Leagues, The Walt Disney Story, If You Had Wings, Flight to the Moon, the Skyway, and so many other long gone attractions. But, we have gained a lot of great attractions as well.

The biggest thing I miss is the slower pace and lighter crowds of the old days. I remember when the characters could simply walk freely around the park and greet kids (and adults) at will. People were polite and waited their turn back then; no mob scenes!! Those days are gone now, and so are the polite people.

Oh, for the days when things were so much simpler!!!

 

[beccasmom]

We first visited in June 1981. I believe Fort Wilderness was there. So was Discovery Island. We stayed at the CR for many of our first trips. I wish I could remember what the room rate was back then!

We had a grand time back then and continue to enjoy every trip. We are at WDW now and it is so wonderful to be in my Laughing Place!

 

[michsig]

I love reading all of these posts!

 

[clc053103]

First trip was 1979, I was 9 years old, sister was 11. Stayed at the Poly. We loved Tangoroa Terrace. Our fancy dinner was at the Golf Resort restaurant, and we went to the stage show at Top of the World at Cali Grill, and the luau. We also ate aboard the Empress Lily. My sister and I would split off from my parents (I wouldn't dream of letting my son do this at that age!) and roam the parks alone, repeatedly riding Space Mountain and If you Had Wings. We also did River Country and Discovery Island. The only thing we did off site was Wet n Wild. We went several more times before my dad passed, and every time he would say "never again" and how after the Army he swore he would never wait in a line again....yet he always went back.

I can still remember the video that played on the TV- at the end she sang a terrible song with the only lyric being "Walt Disney World" repeated and said " I hope you have a wonderful time at.....Walt Disney World. Bye bye!" We watched it over and over. Now my son loves to watch Stacy!

 

[DVCismyhappyplace]

Our first trip was in 1977. We stayed at Fort Wilderness. I remember being AMAZED by the place. We definitely filled an entire week. We spent a day at River Country (Fort Wilderness didn't have a pool), we spent at day at Discovery Island (remember that?), we hung out at the beach at Fort Wilderness AND then we got our ticket books and headed over to the Magic Kingdom for a couple of days.

 

[chartle]

Our first trip was in 1977. We stayed at Fort Wilderness. I remember being AMAZED by the place.

What amazed us was (there the same year)

• the cost - 10 times what we usually paid, $35 or so per night
  
• that we had to make reservations and that at 8 months out they were booked up - made ressies for the next summer
  
• that all the spots seemed to have 6 feet of jungle between each site - which I understand is no longer the case
  
• the comfort stations had A/C - so much better than a pit toilet

 

[monkistan]

August 1981, I was 5. We stayed at the Howard Johnson's in Kissimmee, I think. We'd gone on vacation with family friends. They stayed at the Contemporary. I remember, more than anything else, being amazed at the arcade at the CR. And the monorail running through the hotel. It was like the future.

I can't say I remember much about the trip aside from being amazed at the CR and jealous that we were at HoJos.

I have pictures of a very happy child though. I think we also did character breakfast at the Empress Lily in Lake Buena Vista.

Our touring plan was as follows: Go into the park and head left. My dad believed that everyone else would be heading right. So for most of my life I've still gone, Adventure Land to Tomorrow Land. That's just how it was done!

 

[luvthemouse71]

August 1981, I was 5. We stayed at the Howard Johnson's in Kissimmee, I think. We'd gone on vacation with family friends. They stayed at the Contemporary. I remember, more than anything else, being amazed at the arcade at the CR. And the monorail running through the hotel. It was like the future.

I can't say I remember much about the trip aside from being amazed at the CR and jealous that we were at HoJos.

I have pictures of a very happy child though. I think we also did character breakfast at the Empress Lily in Lake Buena Vista.

Our touring plan was as follows: Go into the park and head left. My dad believed that everyone else would be heading right. So for most of my life I've still gone, Adventure Land to Tomorrow Land. That's just how it was done!

We always go left too...

 

[SmallWorld71]

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.

We stayed at the campground in 1980 ( I remember our site was on ****oo Boulevard, LOL!). It was freezing cold that year too! and we actually had to spend our first couple of nights in a hotel instead of camping.

 

[chartle]

We stayed at the campground in 1980 ( I remember our site was on ****oo Boulevard, LOL!).

****oo Boulevard

OK what got filtered?

 

[SmallWorld71]

This got me thinking - a lot of people say that they know they have arrived when they turn Stacey on, on the TV. Or, when they see the sign with Mickey and Minnie.

For us, we knew we had arrived when we could turn Walt Disney World radio on, in the car!

 

[JimmyV]

We went every summer from 1972-1984 with the exception of 1976. My avatar picture is either from the '72 or '73 visit. Each visit was between 4 and 5 days. We stayed in a park view room in the Contemporary most of the time, but if we couldn't get a room there for every night of the trip, we supplemented with other arrangements. We stayed at the Golf Resort and Howard Johnson's in LBV to name a few. As my younger brothers got bigger, we transitioned into Lake Side Villas in LBV and to Treehouses for more space.

I have great memories of the early years, when my parents would hire a Disney employed babysitter at night while they went to the Top of the World dinner show. We would put on our cute little suits with clip on ties and eat at the Gulf Coast Room in the Contemporary and the Trophy Room at the Golf Resort, two of the finer dining options at WDW back then. We always came back to the room mid-day to swim and I probably threw my arm out playing Skeet Ball in the Contemporary Arcade. We had a tradition of going to breakfast once each trip at the Poly, where the special French Toast made its debut early on. Lots and lots of memories and lots and lots of pictures!

 

[SmallWorld71]

****oo Boulevard

OK what got filtered?

Oops! Let me try this: Boo Boo Boulevard - as in Yogi's buddy.

 

[chartle]

Oops! Let me try this: Boo Boo Boulevard - as in Yogi's buddy.

*** oops Darn spacebar right?