In just ten days, the Walt Disney World Resort begins “The World’s Most Magical Celebration.” The 18-month extravaganza marks the 50th anniversary of the resort’s opening day. Now, the Orange Country Regional History Center hopes to create a new collection of stories in honor of the important milestone. 

Cinderella Castle

The “Disney World at 50” Collecting Project aims to preserve the stories of those who both experienced the thrill locally as well as around the world. 

Magic Kingdom 50th

“You might remember opening day and the excitement it brought or watching Walt Disney on television on Sunday nights in the 1960s and wishing you could go to Disneyland – but now the Magic Kingdom was coming to you!” the posting states.

https://d23.com/this-day/walt-disney-world-resort-opens/

The historical association is not just looking for the stories of guests at the resort, though. It also hopes to find local stories of people who may have had a hand in the building of the property or in making memories at the magical theme park.

Magic Kingdom Opening Day

“Maybe you tried to sneak a peek at the mysterious construction sites, applied for jobs, or were in the band that played on opening day,” the post continues. 

Image Credit: AP Photo

Celebrating the Most Magical Place 

Opening on October 1, 1971, the Walt Disney World Resort revolutionized Central Florida. It single-handedly ignited the region to beco the ultimate tourist destination that it became over the past five decades. 

Image Credit: AP Photo

To participate, people making submissions must live, work or have visited one of the seven counties surrounding the Walt Disney World Resort. Those counties include: Orange itself, Brevard, Lake, Polk, Volusia, Seminole, and Osceola. 

Mickey Mouse

Image Credit: Disney

Submissions to the collection can take a number of forms, including digital and print. Photographs, oral histories, and audio or video recordings can be sent in, according to the post. 

Disney 50th

Credit: Disney

If you are interested in sharing your Walt Disney World story, check out the post to submit electronically and for more information.

Feature Image Credit: Disney

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