Roy is the oft-forgotten hero of Walt Disney World.

As a 5 year old, I visited the WDW preview center and at 6 visited the Magic Kingdom in April 1972. An experience I won't ever forget - riding the monorail through the Contemporary Resort to a theme park of wonderful attractions. Our family would return every year till my high school junior year. After that, I would go back every few years with friends or family to see new attractions while reliving childhood memories. It's truly a magical place for many of us that grew up along with WDW over the past 50 years!

I’m on WDW Resort property right now and it’s my final night here… Thinking about the memories form this past weekend and then opening up YT to this video was something, dare I say, magic? Great timing :)

We have been going to WDW since 1977, it has been magical times for the most part. Over the last few years things have changed, the magic, and special feeling of being there has gone away. It's all about how much money that first Igar and now Chapek can squeeze out of each family that visits. Such a same that it has come to this.

I grew up watching the Walt Disney Show every week on our old B&W tv. At 5 years old I cried my heart out at the ending of the movie Old Yeller. Living in a small town, the movie theater was packed full and it seemed like a huge event being so small. In April of 1973, my new bride and I drove nearly a thousand miles to Walt Disney World. I don't remember a lot, but it seemed more like a construction site than an amusement park. One thing I'll never forget is having the song, "It's a Small World" burned into my brain lasting for days.

Possibly your best video. WOW, only 5,000 made the cut, huh? Back when I worked there in the late 90s, I had a trainer who OPENED the park in 1971. I wish I had asked more about the experience and such but I didn't want to seem like a bother. A shame, he was a cool guy. Sadly, no longer with us. RIP, Steve.

I visited in 1972. The paint was still drying on Pirates of the Caribbean. I always swore I'd go back, I just didn't know it would take me 47 years to do it. Unsurprisingly, it had changed a bit.

Feeling my age I can remember the 10th anniversary well and then the next "every five years" ones were fun.

Disney had a incredible vision. With a humble start. I was there as a 12 year old kid in 1972 and it was truly an amazing place. It’s incredibly tragic what it has turned into. A giant festering pile of corporate greed. Rest In Peace Walt.

people critique Disney and fair enough but I am so grateful that the original heads of the company (Walt and Roy) cared THIS much about delivering an amazing experience to fans. I am going to WDW for the first time ever this winter and I cannot wait. Grateful for all the work that came before that makes the trip of my dreams possible!

if florida didn't have disneyworld, people from up north would think of florida like they think of alabama and regardless of the coastline, would never visit.

What a great tribute for the 50th. Awesome job.

Thank you you do a better job at giving great appreciation to Walt Disney and Roy Disney then Bob Iger and Bob Chapek people are buying so much merchandise and food you got the ride lines were easy to get on

I can't help but wonder what Walt would think of the development of the Florida property. What he likes and dislikes.

I am so happy you mentioned NJ! That history is like a Myth around here but we have Farmers who had contact with their agents but declined to sell the land!

Even Walt got confused with the name, EPCOT at 16:00 he called it City then a minute later called it Community

Bravo. Thank you for telling this story so well, providing so much dignity to Walt and Roy. I really enjoyed it a lot. Thank you again.

9:35 I'm not sure if this is an Easter egg or just something I noticed, but the music here is the music from Roller Coaster Tycoon 3 - Summer Air, and it brought back a happy nostalgia for me. Thanks for that and for the great video ❤️

Just the thought of that they took swampland and turned it into a beautiful magical kingdom it's freaking incredible!

Been to both WDWorlds. I liked the Anaheim better due to the better weather and far less people. Florida is so hot/humid and was overcrowded, waiting in line for 2 hours for one ride. Too many people.

from swamp to kingdom and back to swamp RIP Disney

Florida has one of the worst weather in the U.S! It’s humid most part of the year. And don’t forget hurricane season, from June-September. Winter 🥶 is not that bad.

Great channel

16:29 Awesome Storytelling Mr Walt Disney From Disney's Mary Poppins The Movie In 1964. X

I think Walt Disney would be appalled at what Disney World has turned into. I have been there three times and will not go back. All of the truly educational attractions have been removed for more roller coasters.

A fantastic video! Please keep the wonderful content coming!

Excellent and informative video, thank you contributing this!

Thank you for sharing this video. Looking forward to the book.

Thank you for posting this! This was a superb video!

I now work for Reedy Creek after 30 + years of waiting and i have to admit it was worth it . I love my job

Great job guys 👍 i’ve seen loads of these WDW history stories on KZfaq, this is one of the best.

An excellent video! More history than I knew.

Probably your best video I’ve been able to watch thus far and I love so many! Happy 50 and a great dedication!

I can't believe it was so new when I visited WDW in 1979! I also got to Disneyland in 1990!

I love your video!! Very educational and Informative

That was a great presentation as always. I can’t see this getting built today what with more rules and regulations to adhere too. It should probably be called Roy Disneyworld though as he built the place

Well presented. Very Factual (great research). Great alternate tilt on the WDW history!

Im 51 years old and have been more than 40 times. My mom and dad would take us ever summer , sometimes multiple times a year. When i became a parent i would take my children , not as ofter but about every other year. The mid 2000s things started to change, subtle at first but obvious enough. It has since become a shell of its former self. Nothing more than a huge money vacuum and woke ideology. Families used to go for an escape from the realities of everyday life.

I'm nearing the 1st time I visited the Magic Kingdom 20 yrs. ago. I was @ an IAAPA Expo. My Mom's b-day was that week I was away on vaycay. Minnie Mouse blew a HaPpY b-day kiss as I filmed her. I presented that video to her as a gift. THAT'S the "magic of Disney!!!" Clandestine (was the venture) of land acquisition. As a teen I knew Dis had Reedy Creek (and could set their own bld codes) My science teacher didn't believe me. Finally (factiod I didn't know was helicopters drying concrete!) That's truly Disney (like a BOSSS) Great video Luke!

Goodness gracious, I'm in tears 😖😖😭😭😭👏👏👏👏 excellent video! #DisneyWorld50

27:23, dude in the background throwing "The Shocker", LOL!

0:04 I've So Excited For Going To Walt Disney World Resort In Orlando Florida In The United States Of America During My The City Of Orlando And Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Museum And Universal Orlando Resort And Walt Disney World In Florida Holiday Megatrip On My 30th Birthday Celebrations Next Year In March 2023. Wish Me Luck. Thanks Mate. X

So many memories here, father use to bring us every year from 1983 to early 2000s . One day I want to go on Christmas day just cause.

Brilliant location is everything! Genius to spot the major highway system!

Hope you guys will find a chance to come over to Europe once the pandemic is over to visit all the wonderful, quirky and often world-class theme parks here, I'd love to see some of your classic theme park reviews talking about the parks I've grown up with.

Nice job!

Disney + need to make a drama series about the life of Walt. Love his story so much. I think 5 seasons would be enough. 1 early years 2 Animation studio 3 Disney Land etc….

Having grown up in Brevard county, I have been there over 40 times and it still amazes me!

I get the comments made at the start about Walt wanting more control of the land but I almost.. ALMOST... feel in that case it is a plus. Yes, the real world is RIGHT THERE past the front door but let's be honest. Once you walk through the front gate and go under the train, are you looking at the real world? Heck I am not even THINKING about it! Disneyland is a world in itself which is a part of the magic Walt did. I heard that he made it a point to have the Matterhorn the ONLY thing you could see from the outside world so kids could see it and get even more excited. I know I personally did when I saw it when I went there in the 1970's! Also heard about WDW when Walt was wondering if they had enough property in Florida, Roy went to him and said Walt, how would you like to now own all that property around Disneyland right now? Walt looked at him and went BUY AS MUCH AS YOU CAN! GO FOR IT! I worked for the WDW call center in Tampa for awhile and was surprised to hear that all the stuff that is made IE the parks, hotels, admin building etc. is only, at least in 1999, only a small percentage of the land that Disney owns in the area (I want to say like at the time only like 35-40% of the Disney owned land was developed) which made me wonder exactly how much land they own down there and where is the non developed land they own

Another great video guys

Epcot is my favorite. Visiting different areas of the world symbolically is so relaxing. i went often in the 90's. I have a ticket purchased when the fee was $33. for an adult..

I'm fascinated by the cloak & dagger like operation that went in to the land acquisition to make it happen. Doubtful this could be pulled off in this day.

From swamp to Kingdom, back to swamp!

His plan was never about a theme park. The theme park was just an amenity. He would have been pissed.

Just left Disneyland Resort, this makes me wanna go back. Orange County wouldn’t be a destination County if it wasn’t for Disneyland.

27:24 the kid with the two in the pink one in the stink hand gesture..

Thanks!

Excellent job :)

Never went to the place but I always liked Uncle Walt and watched his t.v. programs.

Thank you roy legend in itself

been to disneyland many times, hopefully one day i can visit WDW!

Excellent.

The preview center blew us away but mom wouldn't take us for a first visit for about 9 months. She didn't want to be in the crush crowds everyone expected from that first 'soft opening' day forward. WDW changed my life, or at least it gave me a career course...

Ahhh the days when the imagineers were able to make 🪄 magic! Now the show buildings destroy sight lines and barges destroy planned beauty.

Little known fact is that Walt did consolation work on La Ronde for Expo67 on the side during the Florida project.

The shocker yea baby! 26:28

Awe Roy n Walt God bless u

From swamp to kingdom and back to swamp.

I miss how green the park used to be

Growing up in south Florida, been to WDW many times. First time in 1974

Next video: Kingdom back to Swamp.

From swamp to kingdom and now money pit

One of the workers in my moms work he said:"the owner of disneyland got frozen and the owber got burried"

Unfortunately, that’s a photo of the wrong Jack Demetree. That’s a photo of Jack C. Demetree, the correct one is Jack A. Demetree.

WDW is still a hot, humid swamp with the mouse.

NOW THE THEME FOR WALT DISNEY WORLD IS TO TARGET KIDS!!!!!!

watching thin in the car otw to WALT DISNEY WORLD!!!

@11:59 where did you find the map border for WDW? Its different to the Bay Lake border on Google Maps

They should make a Disney movie about Disney

A better title for this video would be: "Disney World - from the swamp to success and then back to the swamp."

What was it like working and living in the US? Did u work at all the parks or just in one? So jealous, so many questions 🤣👍🇦🇺

Walt never dreamt of EPCOT as a second theme park at Disney World. He envisioned a functioning city. So Walt Disney's vision for EPCOT never happened.

From the Kingdom back to the swamp. Disney has ruined its great name and reputation and it will be a very very very long time before they can ever regain that.

And, back to swamp.

You got to remember Coca-Cola sponsors Casey's corner on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom

27:25 Uhhhh, is that dude giving the Shocker hand gesture???

When did you work there? Looks like about 2013-2015 if I guessed correctly. I used to work PAC on MS too!! I was there in 2013-2014

17:40 Now 55th years later, Walt Disney is pass away... It´s a great myth!!

I to enjoy standing in line for hours

It was not swamp land....it was orange and grapefruit orchards

I live in the building where Walt gave the press conference with his brother and the governor of Florida.

The way things are going we'll be seeing a video of the demolishing of Disney world. It'll be well deserved too.

👏

And back to swamp

I was in Orlando when this came. We were all happy… of course, we didn’t know all the ‘deals’ that had been made. Never the less, it seemed good… until the era of ‘Coming out sexually’. Still, I dont care about that, I love Sea World, Disney… I just dont want go be confronted with…other things. I like that Cinderella is a woman… maybe thats a flaw in me

Wonder if one of those parcel owners didn’t want to sale? What would have happened

Not all heroes wear capes

I wonder, if Walt, and, Ray were alive TODAY, to see what WDW has become, what would their opinion be? I was born in 1951, watched the Mickey Mouse Club as a child, but, NEVER been to any Disneyland properties, time, and, chance just never came..

American Coaster Enthusiasts can get discounts to Disney parks

Disney gave Florida a face.