Walt Disney World - The Happiest Place on Earth

“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."

Plaque dedicated October 25, 1971, by Roy O. Disney, rededicated Oct. 1, 1996, by Roy E. Disney

Magic Kingdom opened in 1971 with a single amusement park and two resort hotels.  Who knew how big Disney would become?  Today, Disney World sports four amusement parks, two water parks, and twenty one resort hotels.   That doesn’t even include the six golf courses and the Downtown Disney shopping area as well as the town of Celebration which was constructed next to the Disney World property.  In fact, Magic Kingdom is currently under expansion with a “New Fantasyland” opening new portions of this area including new restaurants and rides in 2013.  Disney has become such an iconic symbol of Americanism as Walt Disney realized his dreams of creating the ideal family amusement park that he could enjoy with his children.  Walt did not want to sit by and watch his children enjoy the ride experience, but he wanted to embrace the experience with them.  With this in mind, Walt first created Disneyland – the original Magic Kingdom – in California.  Then he envisioned a larger, vast park and resort area which he planned to build in central Florida. Unfortunately, Walt died before Disney World opened in 1971, but his spirit and his dream not only came to fruition, but exploded on the scene encapsulating the American experience of family fun.  Through Walt and his vision of a family oriented amusement park experience, people come from near and far to forget about the stresses of everyday life and enjoy “the happiest place on Earth,” if only for a few days.