Old WDW park maps?

[liznboys]

This weekend my mom gave me a BIG map of the Magic Kingdom from 1979! It's SOOOOOO cool!!!! It's 3 feet by 2.5 feet. I'm going to have it framed and hang it in our playroom (which has a Pooh theme right now, and I think I'm going to slowly turn it into a WDW theme! )

Does anyone collect old park maps? What do you have? I wonder if my map is worth anything? I would never dream of parting with it though!

 

[Eeyore's Pal]

I don't have any old maps, but I have seen old maps listed on eBay. I don't recall the selling prices, but it was more than a few dollars each. I'm sure it depends on the age, and the condition. You might try a search to just get an idea.

 

[flyinglizard]

Hello liznboys in Maryland!

Yeh, the old park maps are very cool! I've been collecting them since our first trip to WDW in 1974. I also collect DL maps, but I don't have the 1958 one.

The maps were updated every few years to reflect changes to the parks. By comparing them in chronological order, you can get a feel for the transitions that occurred in the parks.

In the past year, the prices on eBay have come way down so if you want to add to your collection, I really do think this is a good time to do it. Without doing much research, I think you can probably get the early WDW maps for under $10.00.

My favorite of all, is a 4 foot by 5 foot map of WDW from 1971: vinyl on masonite that was part of the decor in the Poly and Contemp rooms when those hotels first opened. Very hard to find in good condition, and very hard to ship.

You might consider taking the map to a pro and having it dry-mounted onto foam board. The process will minimize the folds. Be sure to tell them to use acid-free everything!

 

[liznboys]

Thanks to both of you! You are both in Maryland too, cool. Seems like there are quite a few Marylander's on the DIS!

I just searched on ebay and found a couple maps that interested me. I had to sift through all the Pins that came up too. I just typed in "Disney Map". Is there a better way to search for them on there and get ALL of the ones listed?

Thanks for the advice about having my map framed. Is that an expensive thing to do? I've never had anything professionally framed, I have no clue about it. Since you are in Maryland, are there any good places to go?

Thank so much for your help!!!!!

 

[flyinglizard]

Sorry, I can't recommend any place in Maryland, it's been years since we had anything framed. But beware of the places in the malls, they have a BIG rent bill to pay every month!

Without doing any research, there were three maps from WDW I find interesting: The first was 1972-76; second shows additions to Tomorrowland in 1977 and the third shows Big Thunder in 1979. There may be more but I was never interested in the newer ones.

Disneyland has a lot of maps, each adding revisions to the original from 1958. They still were interesting through the 90's.

Now is a great time to buy Park maps on eBay. They are really devalued right now. Try advanced search, Disney Map, using "words to Exclude"... pin and pins. Use Disneyland map to look for those maps and exclude the same words.

 

[wdw4us2]

Hi Liz,

I love to collect the early WDW maps. It's fun to look at them and see how WDW was "way back when"!

My oldest WDW map is from 1971. I've had it framed and it's right above my computer desk. It's my favorite because it reminds me of my first trip there in 1972.

There's one for sale on ebay right now (NOT my auction) - item number 2244044701. The current bid is still low, so maybe you can add this one to your collection.

Good luck!

 

[liznboys]

Originally posted by flyinglizard
Sorry, I can't recommend any place in Maryland, it's been years since we had anything framed. But beware of the places in the malls, they have a BIG rent bill to pay every month!

Without doing any research, there were three maps from WDW I find interesting: The first was 1972-76; second shows additions to Tomorrowland in 1977 and the third shows Big Thunder in 1979. There may be more but I was never interested in the newer ones.

Disneyland has a lot of maps, each adding revisions to the original from 1958. They still were interesting through the 90's.

Now is a great time to buy Park maps on eBay. They are really devalued right now. Try advanced search, Disney Map, using "words to Exclude"... pin and pins. Use Disneyland map to look for those maps and exclude the same words.

Thank you so much for your help, I appreciate it!!

 

[liznboys]

Originally posted by wdw4us2
Hi Liz,

I love to collect the early WDW maps. It's fun to look at them and see how WDW was "way back when"!

My oldest WDW map is from 1971. I've had it framed and it's right above my computer desk. It's my favorite because it reminds me of my first trip there in 1972.

There's one for sale on ebay right now (NOT my auction) - item number 2244044701. The current bid is still low, so maybe you can add this one to your collection.

Good luck!

Yes, I saw that auction last night when I was looking. I actually tried to win one last night but got out bid at the last second. Do you know what a good price to pay for these old maps is? I have no clue if they are worth $5, $20 or more...?? The one last night went for $11.50 If I'm remembering correctly. It was an early 1970's one.

Thanks for all your help!

 

[mmouse52]

My first trip to WDW was 6/7/52, My 20th birthday. I have the map dated 1971 which I also have all of my check marks on to the places we went to. The Polynesian Hotel was ever so beautiful. I still continue to go there. I have my map framed around 2 years now and it hangs in my den. (check marks and all). Those were the days....

 

[wdw4us2]

Originally posted by liznboys
Yes, I saw that auction last night when I was looking. I actually tried to win one last night but got out bid at the last second. Do you know what a good price to pay for these old maps is? I have no clue if they are worth $5, $20 or more...?? The one last night went for $11.50 If I'm remembering correctly.

Liz,

I think the price depends on the condition. If it has no bold fold lines, I'd pay up to $20 for it (depending on the shipping charge). You might want to wait till the last minute of the auction to bid if you want to avoid being sniped at the last second.

Good luck!

 

[liznboys]

Originally posted by wdw4us2
Liz,

I think the price depends on the condition. If it has no bold fold lines, I'd pay up to $20 for it (depending on the shipping charge). You might want to wait till the last minute of the auction to bid if you want to avoid being sniped at the last second.

Good luck!

Thanks! Yeah, I did bid at the last minute before the auction ended, which is what I always do on ebay auctions... but the other bidder had set a higher limit and I kept uping my bid but didn't get it high enough in time! LOL! Better luck next time. Thanks again for your help, much appreciated!

 

[flyinglizard]

Liznboys - In May of 1998, I sold a 1971 WDW Map on eBay for $32.75. It was in excellent condition.

Since then, eBay has supplied a lot of demand, and prices for most Disneyana have gone down.

Think for a minute... the map is 33 years old and has been kept in reasonably good condition all those years. It has historic value, and sentimental value to anyone who was there back then. Yet the selling price of the auction you mentioned ($11.50) was less than the cost of some new WDW pins. Doesn't make any sense to me! But for whatever reasons, take advantage of eBay NOW!

Don't be so timid with your $2 and $3 dollar raises. The auction winner got a bargain because the map should go for about $20.00 minimum and obviously, his bid was probably near that. Since you were the only other bidder, and ran out of time, he made out like a bandit!

When you go after an item, take a minute to see what same or similar items have sold for recently on eBay. If you bid accordingly, you may win, and at a bargain price!

 

[liznboys]

Originally posted by flyinglizard
Liznboys - In May of 1998, I sold a 1971 WDW Map on eBay for $32.75. It was in excellent condition.

Since then, eBay has supplied a lot of demand, and prices for most Disneyana have gone down.

Think for a minute... the map is 33 years old and has been kept in reasonably good condition all those years. It has historic value, and sentimental value to anyone who was there back then. Yet the selling price of the auction you mentioned ($11.50) was less than the cost of some new WDW pins. Doesn't make any sense to me! But for whatever reasons, take advantage of eBay NOW!

Don't be so timid with your $2 and $3 dollar raises. The auction winner got a bargain because the map should go for about $20.00 minimum and obviously, his bid was probably near that. Since you were the only other bidder, and ran out of time, he made out like a bandit!

When you go after an item, take a minute to see what same or similar items have sold for recently on eBay. If you bid accordingly, you may win, and at a bargain price!

Thank you for the advice!!! It does make sense that these old maps should go for a higher price, for sentimental value alone! I'll do better next time, thanks so much!!!!!