Disney World at 50: Spirit of ’71 gets visual shout-outs at parks

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For this week’s Disney World at 50, we notice tributes to Magic Kingdom’s opening date (Oct. 1, 1971) seen Walt Disney World theme parks. Disney uses 71 in a lot of ways, including as a design element in souvenirs such as T-shirts and caps. But we’re sticking with permanent, more or less, 71 features at the attractions.

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By KATHLEEN CHRISTIANSEN and DEWAYNE BEVIL

ORLANDO SENTINEL |

JUL 14, 2021 AT 5:16 AMFor this week’s Disney World at 50, which publishes every Wednesday at OrlandoSentinel.com, we notice some subtle nods to the Magic Kingdom’s opening date (Oct. 1, 1971) that can be seen in Walt Disney World theme parks. Disney uses “71″ in many ways, including as a design element in souvenirs such as T-shirts and caps. But we’re sticking with permanent, more or less, 71 tributes at the attractions.

Engine No. 71 stands in the Main Street Fire Department at Magic Kingdom. (Dewayne Bevil / Orlando Sentinel)

>>> Engine Co. 71 <<<

Right on Main Street USA at Magic Kingdom is the old-timey fire station, Engine Co. 71. A golden 71 is high above the front windows outside, but the number is easier to see on the hood of the red fire engine inside. The number pops up on illustrations on the doors, including the company badge and hat. One of the cartoons features a firefighter decked out with a handlebar mustache and 71s on his suspenders and hat. He’s flanked by a Dalmatian — no Cruella in sight — and the phrase “distinguished for how we extinguish.”

A barcode in the line of the Slinky Dog Dash attraction at Disney's Hollywood Studios pays homage to Pixar's founding date as well as Walt Disney World's opening day. (Kathleen Christiansen/Orlando Sentinel)

>>> Slinky Dog Dash <<<

Barcodes incorporated into the Slinky Dog Dash roller coaster at Disney’s Hollywood Studios pay homage not only to Walt Disney World’s opening day but also to Pixar’s birthday.

The first part of the barcode reads “2 31986.″ Pixar was founded on Feb. 3, 1986. The second part says, “101197 1,″ which translates to Oct. 1, 1971, the date Magic Kingdom opened to the public.

Barcodes incorporated into the Slinky Dog Dash attraction at Disney's Hollywood Studios pay homage to Pixar's founding date as well as Walt Disney World's opening day. (Kathleen Christiansen/Orlando Sentinel)

We spotted the first barcode while waiting in line for the ride. The second can be found by glancing upward and to the left at the Dash & Dodge Mega Coaster Kit box at the end of the ride and just before exiting — the part where guests are serenaded by Wheezy.

A blueprint in the line for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad includes Shaft #71, an homage to Magic Kingdom's opening in 1971. (Kathleen Christiansen / Orlando Sentinel)

>>> Big Thunder Mountain Railroad <<<

While waiting in line for this Magic Kingdom attraction, keep an eye out for a map (more specifically, the poster is called the “View of the Longitudinal Section through Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Showing the Ventilation & Air Quality Systems Leading to Shafts, Adits, Galleries, & Levels). If you look closely, you’ll find Shaft #71, a tribute to Magic Kingdom’s opening.

Though difficult to see, the number 71 on this train at Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station at Magic Kingdom pays homage to the opening date of Magic Kingdom: Oct. 1, 1971. (Kathleen Christiansen / Orlando Sentinel)

 

Casey Jr. Splash ’N’ Soak Station

The back of each train cart at Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station at Magic Kingdom bears a number: 71, 82, 89 and 98. Those numbers correlate to the opening dates of Magic Kingdom, Epcot (Oct. 1, 1982), Disney’s Hollywood Studios (May 1, 1989) and Disney’s Animal Kingdom (April 22, 1998). On a recent visit, the 71 train was blocked by bushes, but you can see the number through the shrubs on the elephant cart.