Today the Magic Kingdom celebrates its 50th anniversary. This is the story of the creation of Walt Disney World resort, and the story of the man who got it done...no, not Walt Disney...actually, his brother, Roy.
#waltdisneyworld #magickingdom #waltdisney
CHAPTERS:
0:00 The Disneyland Problem
2:59 A Whole New World
5:55 Let's Go Get Some Land
7:27 EPCOT
10:46 Losing the Dreamer
13:39 It's not over yet
20:00 Working on the Railroad
22:27 Naming the Magic Kingdom
23:00 the Monorails
23:59 Finishing the Resort
26:41 Opening Day
28:05 The End
CREDITS:
Special thanks to Mark Holtze for allowing me use of his vintage 1971 Walt Disney World footage. You can see the original here:
• MAGIC KINGDOM TOUR - W...
Vintage footage of the 20,000 leagues under the sea ride is from Olivier Sanguy, you can see his original footage here:
• Walt Disney World - Vi...
I also want to thank 4kWDW for allowing me access to his marvelous library of 4k and 5k videos of Walt Disney World. I highly recommend his channel here is a link to the walk-around video I used in this episode:
• Magic Kingdom Complete...
Special thanks to my friend Richard, from RichardsTrainsAndMore for his 4k footage of the Walt Disney World Railroad:
• Trains At Walt Disney ...
Aerial footage of modern Disneyland is credited to Micah Muzio
• Helicopter View of Dis...
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DISCLAIMER: I am not a University-educated historian, Alex the Historian was a nickname I got while working at Disneyland as a tour guide. After 5 years of using it as a stage name for my channel, it would be detrimental to the channel to suddenly change the name.
Be sure to watch the previous video, about the original park Walt Disney built: "Disneyland: Walt's Impossible Dream" kzhead.info/sun/fZSfj7KbZKtueX0/bejne.html
Please do all of Disney world
😊😊😊@@jennmegacunttracker3670
Part of me feels like Roy held on just long enough to keep his promise to Walt, before he could go see his brother again. rip brothers Disney. We need you now more than ever
Isn’t this the truth 👆
I agree
That’s a lovely sentiment…
@@joshuamunn2410 Except for Walt’s head. Everyone knows his head was removed and frozen, and is cryogenically stored in the tower of Cinderella’s Castle…
@@lIII0IIIl lmao I had forgotten about this one 😂
When people think of DisneyWorld, they always think of Walt. But Roy was such a huge part of it. He doesn’t always get the recognition he deserves.
But I think that is what Roy wanted… He renamed the complex Walt Disney World for a reason.
I was crying at the end. Rip Walt and Roy Disney.
I'm crying too.
Yeah, I was not expecting to get so emotional.
Me too. I feel like Walt Disney is up in heaven among the likes of Fred Rogers and Bob Ross. He had a grand vision of what the world could be and he wanted to build it. I hope someday Walt's true vision of EPCOT can be built, even if it's not exactly the same as what he had in mind.
also crying!
Truly a tearful but joyful dedication to his brother Walt, who dies so young. Then Roy dies 2 months after Walt Disney World, so so sad. I will love them and all the imagineer’s who made such magic for us all, the Whole Family can participate. Bless them 🙏💕
Walt never dreamed Bob Iger would instill HIS ideals on his world. Iger can't see the trees for the woods.
Two brothers shared a dream, but one was left to finish the dream the first started. It went on for as long as possible... And in the end, it worked out, you could say, the dream came true. What a great way to celebrate Walt Disney World's 50th anniversary, it was on this day that 50 years ago Roy Disney opened Walt Disney World in honor of his brother, Walt. Thanks for the amazing and touching video Alex
Wouldn’t it have been great if EPCOT became the city Walt wanted !!!
This was beautifully done to honor Walt & Roy on the building of WDW. It was the largest private construction project at the time. Had it not been for Roy coming out of retirement and jumping on board, it may not have happened. They should have hired you to do the night time show for the 50th because this video is what the 50th Celebration should have been about. Now that Chapek is out and Iger is back, hopefully things will go back to the way they were. Iger and all executives should be required to watch your video as a refresher to what working for the Disney company is all about.
Thank you!
I agree!
What a beautiful story…. and it all happens to be true! The dreamer who dreamed of a magic kingdom, Walt Disney. AND the older brother, Roy Disney, who helped make that dream a reality. And to think, it all started with a mouse.
Being 40 years old, my mom was being very insistent of bringing me to florida as well as Anaheim for both parks. This has brought out my fascination for animation as well as small towns. My favorite place to be was EPCOT since it helped me learn. In the early 2000s, I learned a lot about how computers were the wave of the future and Pixar was just taking off. Thanks to Walt and his ideals on technology ever since the 1930s and the advent of technicolor and the multi plane camera. Let’s also not forget about Ub Iwerks and some of his contributions with Mickey and some of the ideas he had for some of the circle Rama footage
Wonderfully composed...Walt & Roy would be extremely pleased. I was in tears at the end, so touching. RIP Walt & Roy Disney, we love you dearly! ❤️🙏
What an incredible family. Not only did they build a dream, they compete it with ecological and ethical respect. ❤ I teared up a little.
Everyone who sees this video and reads this comment: I sincerely hope you pursue your dreams with the love, vision, and passion that Walt followed his.
"and shores covered in white sand beaches so guests could swim" Gators: *it's free real estate*
WOW 50 years in the making WDW
Stumbled upon this video randomly and really enjoyed it. Great job. I knew the story already yet I still watched the entire thing. Keep 'em coming!
Thanks! It's always nice to hear when someone enjoys the videos!
I think constructing DisneyWorld kept Roy going and completing it all but took everything out of him. I’d like to think he was at peace because he was able to live to see it all completed. I don’t think Roy gets the credit he deserves for the creation of DisneyWorld. He’s always overshadowed by his brother but he was a key partner in making it all come together.
@alex the historian - You are amazing. Most people, including Disney management itself, seemed to completely ignore the legacy of Walt’s brother, Roy O. Disney, today. You made the 50th Birthday of Walt Disney World complete for me and my family with this wonderful documentary. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and your talent. #WDW50 #ThankYouRoyODisney #ThankYouWalterEDisney
Thank you Emma!
@@AlextheHistorian You are welcome. Really, thank you for making this tribute.
YES!!! PERFECT TIMING! HAPPY 50TH DISNEY WORLD! This was my home park for over 30 years, and made me fall in love with Walt Disney's legacy! I am blessed now that my home park was Walt Disney's original dream. I wish everyone could experience both. Do not cheat yourself and try to compare them. Each one is special in their own way . Disneyland welcomes you, hugs you, and feel cozy. Disney World leaves you in awe. Enjoy the spectacular presentation of WDW. One is not better than the other. They are all perfect in their own way!
Walt and Roy wouldn't recognize Disney today.
You sure have that right! If either of them saw what is Disney today, they'd roll over in their graves and vomit.
I was born in February of 1972 in Florida and still live there to this day. Walt Disney World has always been a part of my life. I can't tell you how many countless times I have been there. My family and I always made trips to Fort Wilderness and all of the attractions. I have seen WDW change over the years and I'm sad to say that it has changed for the worse. I can remember times when it was very affordable to go for a weekend without breaking the bank. Now these days it's so commercialized and very expensive. I honestly don't know how people can take a family of four to the parks. In my mind, Walt would have not wanted it this way. Now I know some people are going to say that things get more expensive over the years because of this and that. I totally understand that. I'm not ignorant. But as a Florida resident, it's sad that you can't even jump in your car and go there and enjoy yourself without worrying about the cost. Now I never stayed on any of the properties except for the campgrounds but I can't understand how any place can charge $800 for hotel room. Walt would not want it that way. Yes WDW has added many attractions and this has caused the price of the tickets to go up. I understand that. But somewhere down the road You have to draw the line in the sand and say enough is enough. I was a season ticket holder for many years up until the pandemic. After the pandemic the prices of everything skyrocketed and to this day I really can't afford to go anymore. I'm a middle class man and Disney has priced me out and it's a shame. I really miss going. I don't mind keeping up with the times and the cost of things but Disney has gone off the track with WDW. It's almost criminal how expensive it is. I just feel bad for all the kids growing up these days and their parents barely make enough to scrape by and they will probably never go to Disney because of how expensive it is. Now my parents were not rich when I was growing up. Again we had to scrape together money to go. But now it's on a whole another level of insanity. Walt would be so proud of his park but he would be sad at the economic burden it has put on many families that want to visit.
I’m not crying, it’s just the notorious Florida rain on my face. This is something that I try to get across to people when I say I love WDW. It’s not just a world based around Disney brands, it’s a creation of will, creativity, and love. Love between brothers. Love for progress and creation. It’s the history. It’s the grand results of bringing dreams to fruition. It’s magic to us, but it’s focus and dedication from a group of talented visionaries.
Thank you, Alex, for your comprehensive documentary about Roy's devotion to completing Walt's vision. It's greatly appreciated.
I've Might Go To Walt Disney World Resort In Florida In The United States Of America During My Kennedy Space Center Museum And Universal Studios Florida And Walt Disney World Holiday Megatrip On My 30th Birthday Celebrations In March 2023. Now That's Awesome. Thanks Alex the Historian Mate. X
This is the kind of production value that Chapek should have put into celebrating the 50th anniversary
HAPPY B DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How can u NOT CRY if ure a disney fan♡ this video has soo much detail and its beyond beautiful😪. Such a great TRIBUTE!!! I can keep watching it over and over
Happy birthday WDW!
Oh thank you, Alex!! I've been watching a lot of videos from the 50th of WDW, and there is so LITTLE history in it anywhere! Bless you for keeping the history alive. Wonderful job!
I just wanted to say, Thank you Walt and Roy for making Disneyland and Disney world. For making your dreams come true. For making everyone Happy.
Thank you Alex; for this magnificent update to the Loving Memory of Roy Oliver Disney and his extraordinary efforts in ensuring that Walt Disney’s dream survived. What is especially outstanding of the presentation is the inclusion of “Feed the Birds” by Robert and Richard Sherman, a touching tribute to the realization of this fantastic dream, become reality. I truly appreciate your superior production methods and narration which I previously stated, are far better than even the products of the Walt Disney Company. Thank you again for this absolutely delightful presentation.
My pleasure, thank you Everett!
Going to Disney World this year as part of the Disney College Program. Thanks for making this video and keeping us dreamers inspired
Rest in powerful peace 🙏 Walter Elias Disney 5 December 1901 ~ 15 December 1966⚘
It’s a Beautiful Tribute. When I was 15 I rented the VHS film “Herbie in Montecarlo” and has some commercials before de movie about others films but one commercial take all my attention. The first time I saw DisneyWorld in this short ad make me want to go at any cost!! (But from Spain it cost too much). At my 20 with my first payroll I was able to afford 3 nights alone in Disneyland Paris, and it was magical!!! I visited 3 more times during the years and not only because the rides but just to feel the illusion like a child again and again. At my 30 I travel with my best friend to DisneyWorld and that was and will be the greatest experience of my life, the perfect time, the perfect friend and just with my inner child crying with joy. At my 40 I visited Disneyland Anaheim, and was nice but I started to enjoy a bit more Universal Hollywood. And today with 45, I’m waiting for a diagnosis of a tumor and wishing to get well and save money to visit Tokio Disney Sea in the future. I never had a partner or children and I have a little weak mental health but there is a feeling of magic in Disney parks that always made me dream and feel better. Disney parks will always be an important part of my life and although the Chapek era is a little dark and sad, I am sure someday they will resurface and offer magic again as in the past. I love your channel ❤️
I’m very impressed with the history behind our Walt Disney World.
Thank you, Alex! Appreciate you and your videos very much!
Thanks!
@@AlextheHistorian if you end up coming back down here, I hope to be able to run into you and shake your hand! 👍
@@scanfaned7487 if I happen to find you at Disneyland the same time, that would be awesome!
Such a beautiful story 🥹❤
What a beautiful video and story, had tears 😭 in the end , good job 👏🏻
Thanks for sharing this, Alex. I was really touched by this behind the scenes story. I have always admired Walt, but I have now found new respect and admiration for Roy, now that I have more idea of what he did!
In a little more than a month will mark the 1st time I visited the magic Kingdom as an adult. I became a 8-9 year old kid again! Roy was camera shy (early on the studio was renamed Disney Bros. Studios to Walt Disney Productions) I'd love to seen more of Roy, but glad what I got to see. I still try to ALWAYS say Walt Disney World + Coca Cola & NOT just Coke. Hearing stories of Roy + Roy E. Disney were incredible! I new this vid would bring bittersweet tears of happiness as Roy "shined through" Thanks Alex. i always cherish Oct. 1st. Also EPCOT Center was 39 yrs. old today as well.
Good tears. Amazing. You make sense why Disney is so Magical. 😊
Alex, what can I say? This was another excellent video. When I was watching this and you mentioned Walt’s passing, I cried. Walt wasn’t just a man, a creator, an innovator, a dreamer, an achiever….he was my hero. I loved how Roy lived on ling enough to finish the creation of WDW. His legacy, as the financial genius behind the creative genius will live in forever. Walt’s legacy will also forever live on. It’s people like you, Alex, which have the expertise to present videos such as these, to the younger generation allow them to follow in Walt and Roy’s footsteps. Bravo, Alex, Bravo!
Thank you!
Beautiful video. you did a great job on this. feed the birds at the end made me cry.
Very well done. Amazing production. I have no idea how the hell you only have 40k subs. I'm fortunate enough that my wife and I are able to go every year. We have yet to have a bad trip there.
This is a beautiful video, Alex. To say I enjoyed it is an understatement..I loved it!! You did a terrific job telling Roy Disney's story as is pertained to all phases of the creation of The Magic Kingdom as well as his role of introducing/finishing a few "Classic" rides to Disneyland in Anaheim. Your videos are all excellent, but this one is especially touching as it highlights Roy's role which sadly many people seem to overlook.
You knocked it out of the park again my friend! Great job Alex.
I can still remember as a child, my parents taking my sister and I to Disney World nearly every summer for vacation. I have been a few times as a young adult. Now at 41 years old, I still feel like a kid again when I watch this video. And remember all the memories of that Happy Place. I just hope Walt and Roy Disney know how much joy and happiness they have brought to the many families and individuals around the world thru their movies and parks. Thanks Walt and Roy !!!
As a Florida Native and Orlando Resident, this totally renewed my love for the Magic Kingdom, Resorts. I have FOREVER been amazed Walt and Roy had the know how and courage to create it all out of a swamp. not focused solely on profit (like it has become) but out of a dream. I wish executives could see it that way. Its all about Genie Plus, DVC and MONEY now a days. "Progressss!!:" LOL. It had totally lost its place in my heart until watching your video (which brought me to tears). Thank you for this!
Tears. The story I love told at the highest level. Thank you.
I remember my grandparents visiting WDW when I was young & it had recently opened (I think less than a year when they visited). I think they went with my grandma's brother, whom Walt Disney had tried to convince to come work with him (he had done a lot of work in/with photography). That was at a time when he had a young family & couldn't afford the risk. My grandparents came back reporting to us what a wonderful place WDW was & said that we should try to go, if we ever had the chance. It doesn't seem like it could have been that long ago - but it has. You always create videos the tell the story with such a peaceful feeling. They always have just the right music included. As always, a job that is very well done! Thanks for including it & for the work that you put into it!
Thank you so much Jeanne!
Great video, what a touching story of how Roy saw out the completion of Walt Disney World in memory of his younger brother. Great video Alex, well done.
Outstanding work Alex, as always Tear jerker. The one thing that makes me appreciate WDW when I visit is the fact that Roy built it for Walt, and he poured his creativity, probably all that he ever had into making MK come to life. Walt was one of a kind, but so was Roy. I just wish that these modern corporate people could even have a fraction of the passion that these two men had.
I went to Disney when I was 12 years old. 😍 I loved it.
Boy did get home late today but guess what was waiting just for me on the computer???? ""Alex The Historian."" This video was a perfect way to end the day. "Thanks" It's really hard to believe that Walt Disney World is 50 already, boy does time fly..... Thank you for another top notch watch, the narration and attention to detail is awesome. Thanks again Alex for your hours of work.......
Thanks Mike!
I think both Walt and Roy would be pleased with this!
Good job once again. Thank you!
This video is great! Thank you
Fantastic Video!!! Keep them coming!!!!!😊
This is an incredible video! Thank you for sharing it with us!
A very well done video. Thanks very much for the effort!
Well done. I enjoyed your documentary very much.
What a beautiful story and thank you for sharing it in this way.
You made me cry with this one.
This was so beautiful and well done.
I truly love these videos of Disney history. Thank you for sharing and preserving this history!
Again, you hit a home run Alex! Great work!
Great video again. Thanks Alex.
Made me cry, beautifully done ❤️
I absolutely love your Disney Documentary videos. They are fun to watch and masterfully created. Thank you for sharing Disney Co. history with us!!!
This video had me in tears! Thank you so much for creating this.
Just make me cry why don’t you. Wonderful as always, thank you.
Thanks, Alex, Well done!
This is just a wonderful video. The kind that YT was made for. Well done and thanks!
This was amazingly well produced & informative. Great job!
Heading back to Disneyland in 2024 exactly 60 years after my first visit. Also visited Disneyworld again in 2021 exactly 50 years after my first visit. Although the Disney today isn’t what it set out to be under Walt’s vision the memory of the happiness Disney used to bring is still there and hopefully with new leadership will return some day. Both videos are excellent!
Amazing video! Truly is the most magical place on earth 🌎 😭
Absolutely great video. As someone who is a big fan of Walt Disney, his story and the history of the Parks I loved every minute of it. You had some footage I'd hadn't seen before! Thank you so much for sharing!
Thanks Alex, well done.
The best, concise video on the subject, well paced. Great job on editing.
The way you did this video gave me chills and brought tears to my eyes, thank you.
Epic video! As a WDW fan for 34 years, I know the tales well. But your storytelling skills, the historic videos and music made watching this such a great experience! Keep up the great work!!!
Alex, I enjoy your videos, it’s always so entertaining and relaxing.
Thank you, this was truly the best way to show what it meant to the Disney brothers, and what they gave us. thank you Walt and Roy.
Thank you Alex! So eloquently narrated. Would love to see more WDW history:)please:)
I first visited the Magic Kingdom back in July 1972 just 2 weeks before my 10th birthday. It was like nothing I had seen before. In all I have been there 15 times.
Again very very very well done
What a beautiful tribute, the joy those 2 men have gifted the world😊
This is my favorite of your videos because it shows how great of a big brother Roy was to Walt. Walt had the imagination to create amazing things but Roy's hard work and commitment to his little brother allowed it to happen. He brought his little brother's ideas to life. Others might have shied away but Roy didn't. I remember your video about Roy's great relief that Disneyland was a success, haha. It's fun for me to think that after Walt Disney World was finished, Walt called Roy back home because he needed his help for another great project. ______ Also, sorry to hear about the copyright stuff. Everybody will agree it's a fallible system and quite frustrating to deal with. I look forward to your reuploads though and hope you continue to grow in your video documentary skills. You have a knack for it. Thanks for the great content and history! It brings great joy. Nuff said. 😄
Two great Man Thank you more history love it
As a lifelong Walt Disney World visitor i applaud and thank you for this amazing video. It truly drew me to tears at the end
Excellent video
I love everything Disney does. It's parks, movies, cruises, and everything else I love. I even tried to work there but unfortunately only had one interview
So sad but so beautiful at the same time
Wow, Alex. This was simply amazing. What a wonderful piece of work you have created. You should feel proud of yourself for accomplishing such a beautiful tribute to the Disney brothers and, especially, Roy O. Disney. It brought my wife and I to tears. Great job!
Thank you both!
Did you get weepy making this video? I sure got weepy watching it. Great stuff, as always.
I feel awkward saying yes because it's almost like a comedian laughing at his own jokes. But yes, I my eyes did well-up a bit while writing and editing it.
Excellent documentary. I felt quite emotional at the end. Walt Disney was a big part of my early life. My family watched his show, A Wonderful World of Color, ever Sunday night & we traveled to Disneyland every 5 years. I was an artist so I saw every Disney Movie & dreamed of working for Disney someday. I was around 7 or 8 when Mr. Disney died. It's a shame he died so young. I'm 64 now so almost the age he was when he passed away. 😣
I know that this is not your forte, but this is a great informative and well done synopsis of one of the greatest achievements in US history. Thanks for your hard work and attention to detail on this project. It’s greatly appreciated by us Disney freaks!
WOW, man! This was in my recs, no idea why, but I am glad it was! Very well scripted, narrated and edited! Outstandingly informative and entertaining! I am very impressed and will definitely be checking more of your videos out! Keep up this quality of work!
Another great video, so much detail and a real pleasure to watch. Good job
Thank you!
Thank you Alex for your wonderful work.
Thank you for the Super Thanks Dan!
Perfect documentary