The reimagined lobby of Disney’s Contemporary Resort has been unveiled, and though Steakhouse 71 will not open until October 1, we can still see the restaurant’s new sign and many black-and-white photos hanging in the entryway. The photos track the creation of Walt Disney World, from Walt’s idea of the “Florida Project” to the opening day of Magic Kingdom.
Steakhouse 71 is at the end of the lobby, near the escalators. It replaces The Wave… Of American Flavors.
The first large photo on the right is of Walt Disney in front of his map of the Florida Project.
This group of photos shows Disney executives scouting out the future site of Walt Disney World, as well as the arrival of the first monorail beam.
The left and bottom photos here show Walt Disney Imagineers looking at models of “it’s a small world” and Liberty Square. On the right are photos of Imagineers working on Three Caballeros and Seven Dwarfs animatronics for The Mickey Mouse Revue.
This final set of photos is from the opening day of Magic Kingdom. On the left is a giant photo of Cinderella Castle with Cast Members gathered in front. On the right is Roy O. Disney giving his opening day speech alongside Mickey, a Walt Disney World Railroad train, and Roy with Mickey and Pluto in a Main Street vehicle.
Check out the menu and pricing for Steakhouse 71.
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This really makes me miss Steakhouse 55 at The Disneyland Hotel. I really hope they bring that back.