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1973
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In March, 1973, we travelled to Florida to visit Jackie's
parents who were wintering in Eau Gallie (Melbourne). WDW
had recently opened and they had visited the park and
thought we should too - plus they had a bunch of E-tickets.
So the three of us, Jackie, Denny and Dick made their first
visit to the Magic Kingdom at WDW. It wouldn't be our last.
We did manage to use up all the E-tickets. Note: In the
early days, you needed tickets to ride or enter attractions.
Web Site
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Early map of Walt Disney World - The
Magic Kingdom, Fort Wilderness campground (with train),
parking lot, a couple hotels and one monorail route. .
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There were two ways of getting to the
Magic Kingdom from the parking lot. The monorail
that runs through the Contemporary Resort or the
ferry across the lake. We decided on the ferry to
and the monorail from. |
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These were models we
saw in the information center
and became aware that there was a campground. |
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Not crowded, short lines, unlike today.
Our first
ride was on the train. |
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We got off the
train at Frontierland. Still lots of empty space in 1973 -
not like it is today.
We spent the day exploring
the park and using all our ride tickets. |
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The day went by too fast. We were determined to return and
next time we would stay in one of WDW resorts - to
experience the magic.
Dick is enjoying the Florida
weather after leaving an
Ontario winter.
Denny and
Jackie
take a rest break. |
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.Web Site
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Our 2nd visit - 1976 - February
Finally, we managed to return to WDW |
Finally,
we managed to return to WDW, this time staying on-site - in the Fort
Wilderness campground. We actually visited WDW and Fort Wilderness
twice in 1976. The first time in February with friends (it was cold)
and the second time in November with our son, Denny and two huskies.
The huskies stayed in the Fort Wilderness kennel where they were
treated like royalty and expressed their displeasure when we got
them for the trip home.
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Jackie is driving, Denny is watching
the road. We lived in Ontario, Canada, so getting to
Florida in our 1974 VW Westfalia camper meant
driving. Is the driver lost? Navigating from Ontario
to Florida before all the Interstates were complete
and before GPSs meant paper maps and a sharp eye. |
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Jackie, Denny and our two huskies at one of our
overnight stops along the way.
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Our home away from home in one of the best
campgrounds we have experienced - and one we would repeat many times in the future.
[ a
list ] |
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Going
to the Magic Kingdom
The best way to get to the Magic Kingdom from the campground
was by boat
and they left from the Fort Wilderness Dock. |
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The boat crossed Bay Lake, went through a short channel by
the Contemporary Resort,
then entered the Seven Seas Lagoon where it docked at the
Magic Kingdom.
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.A
view of the Contemporary from the boat, and
the Magic Kingdom as it approaches the MK
landing. |
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Web Site
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1978 - Christmas Day
We stayed
off-site at Jackie's parents winter home. |
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