The Shiny New Polynesian & Magic Kingdom – 1978

This film was shot on a silent roll of 16mm. We get an early shot of the Polynesian beach, adorned with sailboats and white sand. This feeling of go anywhere and boat all over is long gone. The day this was shot, it looks overcast and breezy; but the color correction is amazing. For me, I always seem to expect the look of an old VHS, no matter what the footage is or when it was...Read More...

Podcast Episode 44: Mickey’s Birthdayland

This month we honor our good friend Mickey Mouse by taking a trip back to Birthdayland. We start off in 1988, discussing some of the special events to commemorate his 60th birthday. We examine some old artifacts and events that were done during this era. How moves into the way Birthdayland came to be and also tells us about a hidden gem in the book Todd is holding...Mickey is 60!Read More...

Magic Kingdom Fun – Home Movie from 1979

This film, shot in 1979 on silent Super8 is all Magic Kingdom. We start off on Main Street, like almost every film we seem to find. You will be stunned by how empty the street actually is – you could easily drive two cars side by side. We see some great shots in Adventureland, which is more barren than Main Street. Most people you see are in pants and coats, showing a somewhat cooler day. Our...Read More...

Home Movie of the Magic Kingdom in 1981

A 1981 visit to the Magic Kingdom and the Polynesian Resort show off the Vacation Kingdom looking swell at 10 years old. The film opens in Town Square and the entrance plaza before cutting to an omnibus rolling down Main Street USA.  Cinderella Castle and the hub have held up well in their first decade and Tomorrowland sports a very different look than it did in 1971 (chiefly half of it didn’t exist!). We see the...Read More...

Slides of the Magic Kingdom from November 1979

This slide set from November 1979 features the Magic Kingdom in all its autumn splendor. As always we’re treated to lots of pictures of the afternoon parade. Back then each year ushered in a new parade and “Dumbo’s Circus Parade” was the 1979 theme. It features scary clowns in a miniature fire engine, Donald Duck in his fortune telling getup, Dumbo in a burning firehouse and plenty of other interesting and unique parade floats not seen...Read More...

Project Florida – Like you’ve never seen it before! – Restored 16mm Film

This is one of the rare films we've all been waiting for...Project Florida. Produced in 1970 the film was presented on NBC's The Wonderful World of Disney, following the conclusion of The Adventures of Bullwhip Griffin Part 3 on January 31, 1971. Its primary goal was to educate and excite the public about the construction and soon-to-open Walt Disney World. Since then, aside from a portion of the film released the DVD Magic Kingdom: Imagineering the Magic, the…Read More...

Rare 16mm Walt Disney World Promotional Film

A series of clips issued by Disney in the 1970’s on 16mm film for promotional purposes. It starts outside the entrance to the park with footage of the entrance plaza and Seven Seas Lagoon. A quick eye at the 0:43 mark will realize that guests are exiting the MK monorail station on the side where you now board, this was the original design [until rains came and unloading guests into a smaller area presented a problem,...Read More...

Podcast Episode 40.5: WDW Radio Loops Part I

Welcome to Episode 40.5 of the RetroWDW Podcast: “WDW Radio Loops Part I” – We appreciate your support and hope you have been enjoying each and every episode. Be sure to check out some of our previous shows. Main Topic WDW Radio Stations A few episodes back we discussed the WDW Radio loop that played on the interstate highway system in Florida as you approached Walt Disney World. Wayne from Alabama sent us a copy of...Read More...

Traveling to the Magic Kingdom – 1974 – Home Movie

A serene view of the monorail and Polynesian Resort from Seven Seas Lagoon open this beautiful film which captures a journey to the Magic Kingdom in 1974 (you can see the cranes beginning construction on Space Mountain which indicates the year). After sailing past the Contemporary you see our boat approach the dock at the Magic Kingdom.Read More...

Over 130 unique Magic Kingdom Slides from 1979

Recently Brian has been scanning hundreds of slides to add to our pictorial souvenir. This latest set comes from January 1979 and has a few interesting things to see: Interior of the Town Square Barber Shop Interior of the Main Street Clock Shop Interior of Crystal Palace Interior of the Main Street Ceramics Shop Interior of King Stefan’s Banquet Hall (now Cinderella’s Royal Table) On-ride photos of Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride On-ride photos of Snow White’s...Read More...