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.
– Roy O. Disney, October 25, 1971
With those words, Roy O. Disney dedicated the park that would become the center-piece of the world’s most popular, and most unique, vacation resort. After 40 years of joy, inspiration, and new knowledge, Walt Disney World continues to bring us together and is truly, our “happy place.”
In honor of Walt Disney World’s 40th anniversary, we are proud to release issue 8 of WDWNT: The Magazine. In this issue, we look back at the 40 biggest moments in Walt Disney World History, as well as launch a new series of articles looking back at the attractions of the past in the Magic Kingdom. In a special feature, we also have the reflections of some of our staff about what Walt Disney World has meant to them individually. We also have a report on the Project Florida Vinylmation offerings, while our Eating WDW column provides a photo essay looking back at 40 years of Disney dining.
As usual, we also have a few of our reoccurring columns in this issue. Armchair Imagineering takes a slightly different tack to look at the work of legendary Imagineer Yale Gracey. The Time I looks at the runDisney event in Disneyland. Ask Dave Smith answers a few more of your questions in this issue.
We hope that you will find the 72 pages of content within both entertaining and educational. If you have any suggestions or feedback, we are always happy to hear from our readers. Just send an email to WDWNTthemagazine@wdwnt.com and share your thoughts.
As a reminder, the magazine is available in digital form from our website (http://www.wdwntthemagazine.com) or in printed form from MagCloud (http://www.magcloud.com).