Better Than Waiting on Hold?

Hotel Reservation Card
1975

In 1975, you used a card to 'reserve your corner of the world.'  Mailing in your reservation may not as efficient as online but look at those prices!

The resort hotels included: Contemporary ($42-$56), Polynesian Village ($42-$50), and Golf Resort Hotel ($42-$50).  Fort Wilderness Campground Resort ($12) and the Lake Buena Vista Vacation Villas ($50-$77) and Treehouses ($85-$95) could also be reserved.  The Lake Buena Vista Hotel Plaza, which included the Dutch Inn, Howard Johnson's, Royal Plaza and TraveLodge were listed as back ups if the WDW resorts were full.

Before Online Booking

'How to reserve your corner of the World'
hotel reservation card
1978

Before online booking, there was 'Central Reservations' and this handy mail-in reservation card from 1978.  To reserve 'your corner of the World,' you could select from Fort Wilderness Campground, one of the three 'Resort Hotels,' or the Lake Buena Vista Vacation & Treehouse Villas. 

For the three Resort Hotels, you could choose a 1st - 3rd choice in case your first choice was full. With the Contemporary Resort, Polynesian, and Golf Resort going for $50 - $65, it wouldn't matter where you stayed.  You can compare the rates with 1975's from a previous post.

Campfire at the Campground Resort

Fort Wilderness Campground Resort matchbook

Now that there is a chill in the air, at least here in the Northeast US, it is a great time for a campfire.  This matchbook from Fort Wilderness Campground Resort should do the trick.  WDW seemed to have a hard time settling on a name for this resort.  Based on the guide books, it appears that 'Campground Resort' was used with this logo in the late 70's to mid-80's.  The current official name is Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground.

Before the FAQ...

"Questions we figured you'd ask!"
1978

Before the FAQ, Walt Disney World had Questions We Figured You'd Ask (QWFYA).  This 'booklet,' as they describe it, was an insert to the 8 1/2" x 11" full color magazine that was mailed out in 1978, similar to this World Magazine from 1977.

The 4 panel spread has information on ticket prices (adult 2-day $17) and parking (.50/car).  The Contemporary, Polynesian Village & Golf Resort rooms ranged from $50 - $65.  What about camping, you ask?  Fort Wilderness Campground Resort - $16/night.

Guided Without GAF (part 2)

Your Complete Guide to Walt Disney World, 1978
pg 16 -17

Last week, I shared the first half of this guide to Walt Disney World from 1978.  The second half highlights 'A World of Special Attractions and Events,' the resorts and recreation options.  It begins with a fun caricature type map of the entire Walt Disney World property or at least what was developed at the time.  Similar maps can be seen in the World Magazine and previous GAF guides from 1977 and a year earlier in the Vacationers Guide.  The biggest change in this newer map is the incorporation of Lake Buena Vista area into the larger map as opposed to being separated out as it was in previous editions.  Included on the map, and with its own photo and description at the end of the guide, is the Lake Buena Vista Office Plaza.  I am not sure exactly why this was important to include in the guide other than the fact that it would include a post office and Sun Bank when completed...hmmm....maybe a new sponsor to replace GAF?

The Other Side of the World

World Magazine, 1977, pg 9 -10

 
When we last left World Magazine, this 1977 glossy advertisement for Walt Disney World, page 8 introduced "The Other Side of the World."  Pages 9 - 18 describe "the Contemporary Resort Hotel, the Polynesian Village Resort Hotel, the Golf Resort and Fort Wilderness....where each person in your party will receive an identification card....(Your identification card is not valid in the Magic Kindom them park, however.)"  In between the resort pages is an excellent map of the entire Vacation Kingdom and Lake Buena Vista.  There were several variations of these caricature maps made in the 70's.  Enjoy!

Put Your Cares & Car Keys Away!

Walt Disney World Discover Guide
1981

The second half of the Discover Guide from 1981 highlights the resorts & 'fun and recreation' outside of the Magic Kingdom.  The 2-page spread measures 16" x 9" and every other page features a photo collage from around Walt Disney World.  

The guide lists prices from 1981:
2-day Magic Kingdom Passport: $22.50
Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue: $16.00
Polynesian Review: $16.00
River Country: $6.50
Discovery Island: $3.00
All golf course green fees: $26.00

October 1, 1981 was the official launch of the Walt Disney World Tencennial where there was 'a birthday party - every day of the year!'  The guide gave a teaser of the 'ten-sational surprises' that would be coming later in the year.