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.