I remember the excitement as I visited Walt Disney World's Preview Center over and over in anticipation of its opening. Florida's landscape was changing with all roads leading to a fairy tale castle built in the middle of Central Florida. That was 40 years ago — October 1, 1971 — when one man's dream became a reality and changed forever the way families vacation.
Today, Walt Disney World celebrates 40 years of world-class theme parks and resorts. I'm taking a look back over the last four decades of Disney World's milestones — from its meager beginning of just one theme park and two resort hotels to the magical vacation empire that encompasses four theme parks and 24 resort hotels.
Happy Birthday Walt Disney World!
Photo © The Walt Disney Company