Preview Edition Map

Walt Disney World Preview Edition
1970, pg. 12

In the middle of the 1970 Preview Edition of Walt Disney World is this most excellent caricature map of the Magic Kingdom, the two original themed resorts and the recreation that surround the "2,500 acres of resort and recreation land."

The map is filled with representations of opening day attractions.  The image was used by Kevin Kidney & Jody Daily for a set of dinner plates to celebrate WDW's 40th.  You can see those and other great retro-disney inspired art work on Kevin's blog.

The text is taken from  the perspective of the 'Walt Disney World-Alweg Monorail...riding over a scenic 'highway in the sky.'  Apparently the editor must have felt the text was too imaginative and so there is a disclaimer at the beginning.  It's worth a read if you can pull yourself away from looking at the great images.

Five "International" Hotels?

Walt Disney World Preview Edition
1970, pg. 8

"Phase One" of Walt Disney World was introduced in the 1970 Preview Edition.  Five "international" hotels were planned as part of the first five years of development.  Pages 8 and 9 show artist renderings of the "Contemporary-style" and "Polynesian" resorts that were scheduled to open in the first year.  I have yet to figure out how the Contemporary is an international hotel.  Any thoughts?

"The hotels are called 'themed resorts,' because everything from the interior decor to employees' costumes and dining room menus will carry out an overall theme."  The Contemporary is described as a 'streamlined' resort with a "...spectacular open mall lobby, more like a landscaped park..." and the Polynesian as "...the leisure-life of the Pacific Islands" coming to the East.

Three additional hotels were planned for later in Phase One.  "The Asian hotel will be strongly Thai in its motif."  The Venetian resort "...will recreate the old world charm of the famed Italian 'City of Canals.'"  And "...stepping right out of The Arabian Nights is the Persian resort."
I am really looking forward to the completion of Phase One.  How about you?

Before the World Began

Walt Disney World Preview Edition
1970

I am celebrating my 100th blog post with the quintessential piece of early Walt Disney World memorabilia:  The Preview Edition of Walt Disney World "The Vacation Kingdom of the World" printed in 1970.

This 20 page, full color booklet measures 11" X 8.5".  The cover features an architectural rendering of Bay Lake, the five 'planned' resorts that would surround it, and part of the Magic Kingdom.  (notice the lack of color and detail in the upper left corner and the multi-spired Space Mountain)

The booklet describes 'a new concept in vactionlands...' where 'visitors will not only play - they will also stay....'  There is a mixture of pen and ink drawings and artists sketches from many aspects of the park and a few photos of Imagineers working on Audio-Animatronic figures.

The first several pages are dedicated to The Magic Kingdom and its lands, '...each an individual, thematic realm unto itself.'  The headings for each land include an early icon that can also be found on the back of postcards from the DP series such as this one from Main Street, USA or from Adventureland.
  
More to come from this piece and other items from my collection in my next 100 posts!  Thanks for reading.

Packing for WDW

Donald Duck Leonard Silver Bank

Our next Walt Disney World vacation is set for December.  Is it too early to start packing?  Donald has his bags packed and ready to go.  I guess I can use this silver plated WDW bank to start saving my pennies and wait patiently with Donald.

The bank was made in Japan by Leonard Silver.  It measures 6 inches tall, 4 inches bill to tail, and 3 inches across the suitcase.  I assume it is from the 70's since Leonard Silver was bought out in 1979.  The front has the early WDW font, including the Big D, but it is missing the Globe Head.