Walt Disney World celebrated its 40th anniversary this past Saturday with a scattering of special events at Magic Kingdom Park … the only theme park at the resort on opening day Oct. 1, 1971. A full cast of Disney characters paraded up Main Street U.S.A. to Cinderella Castle kicking off the morning festivities. A mix of musical themes from parades past escorted the cavalcade along the parade route.

Disney ambassadors greeted the large gathering of guests around Cinderella Castle, many of whom – identified by a display of cheers – were also in attendance 40 years ago. Walt Disney World Resort President Meg Crofton spoke briefly and shared the words from Roy O. Disney's 1971 dedication speech:
“Walt Disney World is a tribute to the philosophy and life of Walter Elias Disney … and to the talents, the dedication, and the loyalty of the entire Disney organization that made Walt Disney’s dream come true. May Walt Disney World bring Joy and Inspiration and new knowledge to all who come to this happy place … a Magic Kingdom where the young at heart of all ages can laugh and play and learn – together.”

Magic Kingdom Vice President Phil Holmes also spoke and shared his opening day memory as a cast member responsible for collecting tickets for the Haunted Mansion attraction. He said the thing he was most worried about was the A through E ticket book. 

Unlike today’s admission which entitles guests to enjoy every ride and attraction as often as they like, the ticket booklets contained 12 coupons lettered A through E, and each coupon was only good for a selection of rides and attractions. The “E Ticket” was for some of the better offerings, such as 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, the Jungle Cruise and the Haunted Mansion.

“As a cast member, I was really focused on what was going to make this really the most magical experience,” Holmes shared. “ I had a great leader that gave me some wonderful advice, and he said to me, 'Phil, what I want you to do is make sure that every one of the guests who comes in with their families, make sure they just have a fantastic time, make sure they're having fun, because we'll figure out that ticket thing as we go.' So for anyone who was here on that opening day, if you visited the Haunted Mansion and you got in on an A ticket? You're welcome!"

The morning ceremony was capped off with the park's Dapper Dans (a barbershop quartet) leading a sing-along of "When You Wish Upon a Star" and a burst of fireworks and streamers. Guests young and old scrambled to grab the streamers, I assume for some nostalgic purpose. For those looking for a more profound piece of Disney memorabilia, shops throughout the Magic Kingdom offered special 40th anniversary merchandise with design artists on hand to sign the items available for sale.

As for me, I was quite content with the complimentary 40th anniversary button (given to each guest at the turnstiles) and the commemorative guide map with cover art reminiscent of the A through E coupon book. Inside is the same ‘lay of the lands’ image used in the 1971 guide maps.

In celebration of the occasion, my family and I spent the rest of the day visiting only the rides and attractions available when the park first opened. While on the riverboat ride we reminisced about the first time we each had visited the Magic Kingdom. My husband, who is a bit motion sensitive, remembered feeling ill after riding Space Mountain and afterwards being reluctant to go on Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride to avoid another lost-lunch experience. Fortunately he braved it out and discovered it wasn’t quite as ‘wild’ as he thought it would be. For a nostalgic photo opp, check out the Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride vehicle on display in the Town Square Theater building.

My son remembered getting a peanut butter and jelly sandwich at Aunt Polly’s Landing on Tom Sawyer Island after romping around the fort, in Injun Joe’s cave and along the barrel bridge. He also remembered – even at a young age – his head being too large for a Davey Crockett style raccoon cap, so he instead opted for a musket at the Frontierland souvenir kiosk.

My fondest first-visit memory was watching the Main Street Electrical Parade from the front porch of the Liberty Tree Tavern restaurant where my dad insisted we have dinner, despite the long wait time. The parade continues today at the Magic Kingdom Park, and each time I go to watch it, so many more memories come flooding back when the music begins.

For the grand finale anniversary evening, we watched a special extended version of Wishes, a nighttime fireworks display, from the beach at the Polynesian Resort. This was a great vantage point for viewing the wide expanse of fireworks stretched across the evening sky with Cinderella Castle glowing in the foreground. The accompanying music played from the walkway speakers near the beach creating another magical Disney moment for the memory book. 

What do you remember about your first visit to the Magic Kingdom?