Disney at 50: December 1971 featured new joys, big crowds, shocking loss

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Walt Disney World at 50: Magic Kingdom's very first holiday season was marked by new traditions, an influx of tourists and an unexpected death.

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Rock Hudson, the first celebrity narrator of Walt Disney World's Candlelight Processional, stands in front of Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom. (JIM HICKS / ORLANDO SENTINEL)

 

The first holiday season for Walt Disney World was marked by new traditions, an influx of tourists and a jarring, unexpected death.

Attendance had been a concern since a fairly quiet opening day Oct. 1, 1971, but Thanksgiving weekend saw a surge. The Orlando Sentinel reported that 57,000 people had visited Magic Kingdom on the day after turkey day, and that was busiest the theme park had been in the two months it had been open.

“You didn’t have to worry after that,” George A. Kalogridis said recently. He was a server at the Contemporary that month and eventually became president of Walt Disney World.

So December 1971 saw Central Floridians settling in with the stirring mouse. Here are 12 items of note from that month taken from stories in the Sentinel and the Orlando Evening Star. It was a time when the society column reported a woman was done with her shopping: She was taking the whole family for a long weekend at Disney World.

· On Dec. 1, it was reported that Disney’s monorail was out of service until the following week. “It’s all a part of the conditioning to get ready for the big push during the Christmas holidays,” a Disney spokesman said.

Sherry Lynn Swets became the second-ever ambassador for Walt Disney World in late 1971. Among her early duties: grand marshal of Orlando's Christmas parade. (Ed Stout / Orlando Sentinel)

· Goofy was grand marshal of the Orlando Christmas parade alongside newly appointed Walt Disney World ambassador Sherry Lynn Swets from New Smyrna Beach. “Oh, it’s much better than even being Miss America,” Swets later said of her new role.

 

· A classified ad offers 40 acres of land for sale adjoining Disney World on Highway 535. There were some orange groves there too. Asking price: $7,000 per acre. (“Reasonable offer considered.”) Meanwhile, folks could by Disney character watches for $7.95 at Webb’s Fabulous Pharmacies, which had nine locations spread from Auburndale to Wildwood.

· The daughter and granddaughter of Generalissimo Francisco Franco, dictator of Spain, visited Magic Kingdom. They slipped in popcorn to the Hall of President. (Headline: “Franco’s Kin Enthralled at Disney World”)

· Other visitors: Hospital kids from Umatilla, a project of the Florida Elks. The patients left the park singing “it’s a small world.” Also here: corporate junkets from Goodyear’s Akron, Ohio, headquarters, hundreds of Eastern Airlines managers studying customer service and a man who was first in line for an auto show. “I really came here for Walt Disney World,” he said, “but I had the day free …”

· Fort Wilderness campground opened on a Monday, mid-month, to little fanfare. By Friday all 200 campsites were reserved … through Jan. 13.

Angela Lansbury starred in 'Bedknobs and Broomsticks,' which was in Orlando theaters in December 1971. (Walt Disney company hand outs)

· In theaters: Disney’s “Bedknobs and Broomsticks” featuring Angela Lansbury.

· Headline: “Walt Disney World Spillover: People, People Everywhere.” Marineland in St. Augustine reported business was up 40 percent. “Apparently they are not spending all their money there,” a spokesman said.

· A Disney employment ad seeks workers in the roles of cooks, kitchen help, bus boys, bartenders, waiters, waitresses, banquet help, maids, custodians, barbers, manicurists, clerical help, stenographers, typists and photographers.

· The first Candlelight Processional held at Disney World went up Main Street at Magic Kingdom. They expected 1,200 carolers for celebrity narrator was Rock Hudson, who had been greeted at Orlando Jetport by 100 fans. The program ended with “The Hallelujah Chorus.”

Roy O. Disney and his wife Edna are escorted on dedication day for Magic Kingdom in October 1971. Two months later, he died. (Orlando Sentinel Archives / Orlando Sentinel)

· On Dec. 20, Roy O. Disney, Walt’s older brother, dies in California. Five years earlier, Roy took over after Walt’s death, finishing Magic Kingdom. Theme park flags went to half-staff. Big banner headline for Orlando Star: ROY DISNEY DEAD AT 78. Secondary headline: But the show goes on.

· Magic Kingdom celebrates New Year’s Eve with multiple musical performers, including recording artist Tommy Roe and the Kids Next Door, a 12-person troupe, at Cinderella Castle. Park attractions stay open until 2 a.m. There’s no extra charge.

 

Dewayne Bevil

Orlando Sentinel