If you're like me, you're probably wondering where to go during Walt Disney World's 40th Anniversary to experience more of what it must have been like back when the resort first opened.
When Walt Disney's 100th birthday was commemorated, the former Disney-MGM Studios created a permanent display, One Man's Dream, which includes insights to how Walt Disney first announced the Florida Project. That was nice, but there really is very little about Walt Disney World. If you are like me, you probably wish there was something more.
Walt showcasing EPCOT at One Man's Dream in Disney's Hollywood Studios. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
Well, there is such a place—but it isn't at the Walt Disney World Resort.
Head to downtown Orlando where you will find the Orange County Regional History Center. There they have a wonderful exhibition detailing life in the Sunshine State both BD (Before Disney) and AD (After Disney).
Orange County Regional History Center. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
Step inside, and you'll find icons familiar to any tourist who visits Central Florida, including this little creature:
This Orange Bird lives in the entryway sculpture that showcases key Central Florida icons. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
Showcased among cranes hoisting the towers of Cinderella Castle in place, you'll find a treasure trove of memorabilia, drawings, videos and more. It is built with the help of the Disney Company, which provided much of the archival material.
Half of one floor in the History Center focuses on tourism in Orlando, with this section highlighting the impact of Walt Disney World. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
It talks about “The Day We Changed,” when Orlando became something more than a sleepy citrus community.
Some consider the day Walt Disney World opened as defining as the day Ponce de Leon came to Florida or Henry Flagler brought the railroad. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
There are maps showcasing opening day…
Here's how the newspaper overviewed the new Magic Kingdom. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
…And graphs show the increases in tourism, tax revenue, and population.
Seldom does an industry see such exponential growth. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
This piece outlines the opening spectacular and dedication ceremony master event scripts, procedures and itineraries. Beyond it is a Downtown Disney clock, ticket media for the premiere of America on Parade, and other memorabilia.
Memorabilia from all four Walt Disney World decades. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
This 3-D map shows Walt Disney World's impact on Orlando today.
This map highlights the many changes made over the last several decades to Orlando. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
But this exhibition is a little different than the kind you will find in the middle of all the pixie dust of Walt Disney World. It gives a fair and impartial look at the positive and negative effects that come from being the world's premiere vacation destination.
And there's much more than just Walt Disney World. Here you'll find a tale that goes back hundreds of centuries. It refers to Central Florida as a tourist stop long before Walt Disney World came around.
Step beyond the postcard display to see some of greater Orlando's first tourism stops. You may know about Cypress Gardens and Gatorland. But do you know about the Singing Tower at Bok Tower Gardens, “Tin-Can Campers” or the Wigwam Village motel rooms? You'll see that tourism in Central Florida goes back some 100 years.
“Wish You Were Here!” Florida postcards. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
You'll see the role that aviation has played as well as the advent of NASA.
NASA space capsule. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
This is not a photo of the upcoming Storybook Land Circus, but rather of the fledgling Circus World near Haines City. It would become the Boardwalk and Baseball theme park in 1987 before closing in 1990.
Circus World in its heyday as shown in this photo on display at the History Center.
You'll even find a terrific display on the history of citrus in Florida, with another little Orange Bird right in the middle of the display. That's two more than you'll currently find at the Magic Kingdom!
Orange bird, still an icon for all things citrus. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
There's much to see at the History Center, from an original courtroom to the first people who lived here. From a pioneer cracker home, to the history of African Americans in Central Florida. And coming soon, for a limited time, is The Serious Art of Make-Believe, a look at the creative genius behind theme-park entertainment experiences, particularly those found at Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios. You'll see detailed drawings, architectural plans, set designs, props and costumes.
A new temporary exhibit about Universal Studios. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
If you love all things Disney, you'll love the insights and experience of visiting the Orange County Regional History Center. And it's one of the few ways to celebrate Walt Disney World's 40th Anniversary in Central Florida.
The Orange County Regional History Center is located on 65 E. Central Blvd in downtown Orlando. It is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; and on Sunday from noon- 5 p.m. Admission is $9 for adults and $7 for seniors (60+), military and students with I.D.; $6 for children ages 5-12. If you are with Bank of America, each cardholder gets free admission on certain days of the month. Call 800-965-2030 to learn more.
