Ever wonder which rides and shows in the Magic Kingdom were Walt Disney World opening day attractions? Read on for a brief overview and history!
Disney World opened on this date (October 1st, 1971) 54 years ago. It’s pretty incredible to look back at what was there originally and see how much it’s grown!
When it first opened, of course, it was much smaller than the 4 parks, 2 water parks, resorts, and shopping/dining complex we have now. Magic Kingdom was the original theme park in Florida, and it’s changed a lot since it first opened in 1971.
4 years ago Disney World celebrated its 50th anniversary. I went down for the occasion, as I’d never visited the parks for a major milestone before. Ever wonder what it’s like to visit Disney World on a big anniversary?
Picture this: a virtual queue for exclusive merchandise that was full at least an hour before the park even opened. A line for popcorn buckets that twisted the entire way around Tomorrowland and into Fantasyland. An hour and a half wait past your pick-up time for your mobile order lunch to actually be ready.
Before you say, “That sounds awful – I’d never visit during an anniversary like that!” I’m here to tell you that I actually had a fantastic, and (mostly) low-stress day. The reason?
I made it my goal to experience all of the “opening day attractions” that I could.
I wasn’t there for merchandise or popcorn buckets. I wanted to be in Magic Kingdom on the day, and I wanted to embrace its roots as much as possible by exploring some of the original stuff still there. Turns out I was in the minority, because the actual rides themselves had low wait times all day (everyone was spending hours in the popcorn bucket line, apparently).
Since I did a little research to decide which attractions would fit the bill, I thought today would be a good time to share a brief background on these opening day attractions!
Country Bear Jamboree
Location: Frontierland
Based on: N/A (original attraction)
Attraction type: Audio-animatronic show
Out of all the opening day attractions at Disney World, the Country Bear Jamboree is the only one that was both a completely original attraction for Florida, and also popular enough to later be added to other parks (including Disneyland for a long time).
The show very recently saw some major changes and is now known as the “Country Bear Musical Jamboree.” While the bears are the same, they have completely new outfits and sing entirely different songs than what they were singing back in 1971. Those old hits, including “Blood on the Saddle” and “All the Guys Who Turn Me On Turn Me Down” were replaced in July 2024 with popular Disney tunes.
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
Location: Fantasyland
Based on: Dumbo (1941)
Attraction type: An aerial spinner with a lever that moves your Dumbo-shaped vehicle up and down.
Dumbo the Flying Elephant was *almost* an opening day attraction in Disneyland too – it opened about a month after Disneyland did in 1955.
The version in Magic Kingdom got a major refurbishment in 2012 with the introduction of New Fantasyland. At this time a second spinner was introduced (doubling capacity for the ride), and an interactive queue was added.
Hall of Presidents
Location: Liberty Square
Based on: Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln
Attraction type: Audio-animatronic show
This show begins with a short film, and then audio-animatronic figures of all the US Presidents are revealed. A new one is built and added to the show each time we get a new president. Abraham Lincoln and George Washington both have short speeches during the show, and the current President recites the oath of office (this has been recorded by the actual President for each new one since Bill Clinton).
Haunted Mansion
Location: Liberty Square
Based on: Haunted Mansion attraction in Disneyland
Attraction type: Dark ride
When the Haunted Mansion was first designed for Disneyland, it was going to be a walk through attraction. It was later switched to the Omnimover we know, where you ride in a Doom Buggy. Though there are Haunted Mansions in several Disney parks, they each look very different from the outside (and some, on the inside).
In Florida, the Haunted Mansion in located in Liberty Square and as a result it has a more colonial style architecture. The Florida Haunted Mansion also has an extended, interactive outdoor queue that was added in 2011.
It’s A Small World
Location: Fantasyland
Based on: 1964 World’s Fair attraction
Attraction type: Dark boat ride
It’s A Small World actually didn’t start its life in Disneyland OR Disney World – it was created by Walt and his Imagineers for the New York World’s Fair in 1964. After the Fair the attraction was moved to Disneyland, and a version was created for Disney World when it opened in 1971.
The catchy song on the ride was written by the Sherman brothers, who also wrote the music for Mary Poppins, The Carousel of Progress, and The Tiki Room, amongst other things.
Jungle Cruise
Location: Adventureland
Based on: Jungle Cruise attraction in Disneyland
Attraction type: Boat ride
The Jungle Cruise is another one that was a Disneyland original and brought over to Florida. There are a few ways that the attractions differ, though the major one is that the Disney World Jungle Cruise includes a trip inside the temple. Every year at the holidays the ride gets rethemed as the “Jingle Cruise.”
Mad Tea Party
Location: Fantasyland
Based on: Alice in Wonderland (1951)
Attraction type: spinning tea cups
The Mad Tea Party was an opening day attraction at Disneyland as well, so it could be considered a true “Disney original.” The California attraction is uncovered, while the Florida version added a roof over head. Florida’s version also has a large tea cup in the center, where the Dormouse pops out every so often.
Prince Charming’s Regal Carrousel
Location: Fantasyland
Based on: Cinderella (1950)
Attraction type: Carousel
When the carousel first opened, it was called “Cinderella’s Golden Carrousel” (I guess she has since put it under the care of Prince Charming, as the name change happened in 2010). The physical structure of the carousel itself actually dates back to 1917. Disney designers completely revamped it and gave it new life for the opening of Disney World.
Swiss Family Treehouse
Location: Adventureland
Based on: Swiss Family Robinson (1960)
Attraction type: walk through
The Swiss Family Treehouse is yet another attraction that was originally in Disneyland. The one in Magic Kingdom has stayed mostly the same since it opened in 1971, while the Disneyland version has gone through some changes throughout the years and is now known as the Adventureland Treehouse.
It’s a walkthrough, go at your own pace attraction, where you’re just exploring the treehouse. Keep in mind that there are 116 steps involved, but if you can manage it there’s a great view at the top.
Tomorrowland Speedway
Location: Tomorrowland
Based on: Autopia attraction in Disneyland
Attraction type: Vehicles driven around a guided track
When this attraction first opened it was called the Grand Prix Raceway. It was renamed the Tomorrowland Speedway, which was changed to the Tomorrowland Indy Speedway, before going back to just the Tomorrowland Speedway. If it looks like the cars are zooming by, don’t worry – they only hit a speed of about 7mph.
Enchanted Tiki Room
Location: Adventureland
Based on: Enchanted Tiki Room in Disneyland
Attraction type: Audio-animatronic show
The Enchanted Tiki Room has historical significance, as the tiki birds are the first major audio-animatronics to exist. When it first opened in Florida it was named the “Tropical Seranade.” It also went through a major (temporary) change in 1998, when Zazu from the Lion King and Iago from Aladdin took over and it became “The Enchanted Tiki Room: Under New Management.”
This was a fairly unpopular change, although I will admit it was popular with this 90s kid right here! So when a fire in 2011 caused them to need to do more remodeling, they changed it back with one slight name change. It is now officially called “Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room.”
Walt Disney World Railroad
Location: Stations on Main Street USA, Frontierland, and Fantasyland
Based on: Disneyland Railroad
Attraction type: train ride
This is the one opening day attraction I didn’t technically ride on October 1st, 2021, but that’s because it was closed due to TRON construction. Walt Disney had a particular love of trains. Normally this scenic train ride takes a 20-minute loop around the park, and you can get on or off at any of the 3 stations.
Was Peter Pan an opening day attraction?
Technically Peter Pan’s Flight is not an opening day attraction, because it opened 2 days later on October 3rd, 1971. Why? Honestly, my preliminary research has not come up with anything. I’m very curious though! Was something not ready yet in the attraction? What would be the reason to wait just 2 days to open another ride? If anyone has any insight or sources, I’d love to hear about it!
Other opening day attractions that no longer exist:
- Diamond Horseshoe Revue (now used as a restaurant)
- Frontierland Shooting Gallery
- Liberty Square Riverboat
- Mickey Mouse Revue
- Mike Fink Keel Boats
- Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
- Skyway
- Snow White’s Scary Adventures
Not sure where to start when planning your Disney World trip? Feeling overwhelmed with all of the information and how to keep track of everything?
Consider vacation planning printables – over 60 pages of trip planning, including a budget worksheet, guide to characters, trip comparison worksheet, a look at the dining plans, info about Disney Lightning Lane passes, daily itineraries, packing checklist, and much more.
Related Posts
Have you done all of the Disney World opening day attractions? Which ones are your favorites?
Leave a Reply