Restored Home Movie: A Trip to WDW 1976

This 8mm restored home movie of a visit to Walt Disney World starts off in Town Square. After a nice slow pan around, its time for a parade (mandatory to be filmed in all visits during the 70’s, it seems). A visit to the Tiki Room follows, which has some great (and unusual for the time) low-light footage from inside the show. There is some equally impressive shots of the Haunted Mansion preshow and then a...Read More...

Home Movie: America on Parade – March 1976

This silent film presents about nine minutes of America On Parade, which ran at Disneyland and Magic Kingdom from June 1975 through September 1976. The parade celebrated the United States Bicentennial. Tall doll-like characters representing the “People of America” accompany the many floats depicting American history, spanning eras from the voyage of Columbus through the 20th Century. Our vantage point for the parade is in Liberty Square near the end of the bridge leading from the...Read More...

Home Movie: A Patriotic Day at the Magic Kingdom – March 1976

This film captures a family’s visit to the Magic Kingdom March 1976, during the festive United States Bicentennial. A sampling of Walt Disney World’s patriotic decorations can be seen throughout the park. In the first couple of minutes we see the vacationing family posing in a variety of park scenes. Views of vehicles, flowers and shops along Main Street give way to a close-up of the castle main entrance. Attractions such as the Haunted Mansion and...Read More...

Home Movie: Touring the Magic Kingdom – 1976

An early morning rise and we see the gardeners trimming topiaries and then a quick view over bay lake and the Contemporary lends to the spires of Space Mountain and Cinderellas Castle. After the obligatory castle and flower shop shots we find ourselves in Fantasyland and we are soon transported 20,000 Leagues under the Sea. Fantasyland, the Rivers of America give way to some quality time on Tom Sawyer Island and the Swiss Family Treehouse. Our...Read More...

Colorful and Patriotic Magic Kingdom from ’76 – Home Movie

[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...

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

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...

Podcast Episode 20: America on Parade

In the spirit of the summer, How takes us back to the 70s and the world famous America On Parade. This vintage parade wasn't seen by many, including most of us, but it is such an interesting piece of history. Learn all about the giant sandwiches, large headed characters and everything else that made this craziness happen. We have a great video to accompany this months podcast, take a look on the Retro Disney World YouTube…Read More...

1976 Magic Kingdom Swan Boats and More – Restored Film

Sometimes things on eBay pop up that are worth spending a few dollars on. Sometimes you know whats on there, and sometimes you are purely taking a chance. With the help of a friend we were able to secure a few reels of Magic Kingdom footage from 1976. With a total running time of of nearly 5 minutes we are first treated to ride on the Peoplemover - oh how I long for the days of…Read More...