Disney World Home Movies

Colorful and Patriotic Magic Kingdom from ’76 – Home Movie

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[A previous version of this article erroneously included this film preceded by 1972 footage. The two films have been split and you and now find the 1972 footage here.] A bicentennial visit to the Magic Kingdom and America on Parade is featured in this 8mm film from 1976. The Town Square and Main Street USA open our day as the camera person makes his or her way quickly from the Flower Market to Cinderella Castle into...Read More...

Polynesian Village and Luau – 1973 8mm Home Movie

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This 8mm home movie opens in the lobby of a very young Polynesian Village Resort in 1973. We see directional signs and an early iteration of Luau Cove. We are treated to a display of hula dancing by the luau performers and get a good flavor for what the luau was like at this time in the resort’s young history. Each segment of the show is represented: hula dancing, fire dancing, music (though you can’t hear...Read More...

Happy Canada Day via EPCOT Center ’85 Home Movie

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In honor of Canada Day we take a brief 1985 visit to the Canada pavilion in EPCOT Center. Amateur movie film is semi-rare by this point in favor of videotape and it is uncommon to find guest-shot park footage on film at this stage of the 1980’s.   Our film opens with a very brief glimpse of the EPCOT Center parking plaza and then a pan of Future World from the bridge to World Showcase. The...Read More...

Home Movie: Jack and Elliot Gottlieb at the Magic Kingdom – Sept 1972

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Arthur Gottlieb filmed a few minutes of the family vacation back in September 1972…just as the Magic Kingdom was to celebrate it’s first birthday. The film opens with Tomorrowland’s majestic spires. Our subjects, the Gottlieb Boys, take a spin on the not-yet-covered-by-a-canopy teacups. They then head over to 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea where we’re treated to a glimpse of the signage before shots of the sub traversing the lagoon.  A nighttime view of the castle...Read More...

Jungle Cruise Frogs Take 3 – 1972 Home Movie

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We visit the Magic Kingdom again in its infancy, just a few weeks-old baby, starting in Adventureland with shots of the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse.  Chip ‘n Dale meet our young protagonists in Adventureland Plaza outside the Enchanted Tiki Room. They seem to be the only two people (and two Chipmunks) in the park. We walk through the Treehouse (note the glimpse at 2:15 of a piece of construction equipment!) before we board the Jungle Cruise...Read More...

Art and Linda go to Fort Wilderness; Including FW Railroad! – Restored Super8 Film

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We have a good one for you today. Art & Linda are at The Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground in December of 1976. The great thing about this footage is the sound! You can actually hear some things that have been lost in time. I couldn't believe the ferry boats still have a nearly identical sound as they do today! Bay Lake has a different look as well. The trees, vegetation and foliage all look shorter;…Read More...

Magic Kingdom Tencennial – 1981 – Restored Home Movie

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We visit the Magic Kingdom during 1981's Tencennial celebration, marking the resort's first decade in business. Our film opens with traffic along World Drive before we pass the Polynesian en route to the Contemporary Resort where a monorail glides seamlessly into the Grand Canyon Concourse. Our guests head into the Magic Kingdom where they meet Mickey and Pooh in Town Square before boarding the Tomorrowland Skyway for a bird's eye preview of a fun day ahead.Read More...

Magic Kingdom ’74 Home Movie – Hawaiian Shirts, Totems and Parades

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Our 1974 visit to the Magic Kingdom begins in the castle hub. Some men in brightly colored Hawaiian shirts await Mickey and his friends parading with the Main Street Band. Our footage then takes us outside the park to entrance plaza with the Roy O. Disney overhead in Main Street Station. In Town Square we are again reminded that uncommon sights in the early days of the Magic Kingdom were blue jeans and, often, children. Sometimes…Read More...