MAGIC KINGDOM 40th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

 Soo Exciting !  Magic Kingdom celebrated it's 40th Anniversary, Saturday, October 1, 2011.

Wanting to  be there before park opening, we set several alarms to ensure we did not oversleep,  this was a mild concern as Steve had attended a special ticket event the night before while I had spent the evening at Epcot's Food & Wine Festival.  We  ended our evening together with good friends at the Top of The World Lounge at Contemporary Bay Lake Tower. 

Upon arrival we were sure to get our 40th Anniversary button, Steve is still wearing his, and the special edition guide map available just for the 40th Anniversary.  This map has the current map on one side and the original 1971 map on the other side.  A treasured keepsake.

 Walt Disney World Ambassadors, Norman Vossschulte and Jennifer Mason greeted us from the Castle Forecourt Stage a few minutes before 10:00 a.m. to introduce Magic Kingdom's very own marching band, The Main Street Philharmonic, Followed by the character parade down Main Street, U.S.A. ending with the characters joining them on stage.

Meg Crofton,  Walt Disney World President, welcomed us and reminded us at the time of the park opening there were only three places to stay, the Contemporary: the Polynesian, and Fort Wilderness.  During the planning, the park was named Disney World, but it was Roy who insisted it be named Walt Disney World. She also reminded us of a few of Roy O. Disney's opening day remarks:

“WALT DISNEY WORLD is a tribute to the philosophy and life of Walter Elias Disney…and to the talents, the dedication, and the loyalty of the entire Disney organization that made Walt Disney’s dream come true. May Walt Disney World bring Joy and Inspiration and New Knowledge to all who come to this happy place…a Magic Kingdom where the young at heart of all ages can laugh and play and learn — together.” – October 1, 1971 Dedication on Main Street, USA, by Roy O. Disney

 Additional speakers were Phil Holmes, Vice-President of the Magic Kingdom,  on opening day, he was welcoming guests at the Haunted Mansion.   The Haunted Mansion was then an E-ticket ride, however, he allowed some guests to enter on the A ticket.

The Dapper Dans, were introduced and asked us all to sing-a-long to  “When You Wish Upon a Star” .  The Dapper Dans and the Main Street Philharmonic band were both part of the original opening day ceremony on October 1, 1971.

 The opening ceremony was closed with  daytime fireworks and streamers.  Perimeter fireworks were added to the “Wishes” fireworks that evening