Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Travel Tuesday - Disney World in Orlando, Florida

Way back in April 1972, the Lusby family took a little trip over Easter Break.  At the time, we were stationed down in Key West, Florida.  My grandmother, (Dad's mother) came to visit and we all traveled up north with our pop-up campers to Disney World in Orlando, Florida.  

The park had just opened the previous October (1971), and there was still construction going on in and around the park.  I was 8 years old at the time, and my sister was had just turned 7.

Becky (l) and Betsy (r) with a Dwarf
That's my sister and I with one of Snow White's dwarves.  I have no clue as to which dwarf he is.  Anyone care to hazard a guess?

At the time we went, there was Adventureland, Fantasyland, Frontierland, Liberty Square, Main Street, and Tomorrowland.

I've been able to find out, thanks to Google and not my memory, the attractions that were there for us to enjoy.  Some of them I remember, others not so much.  I've indicated in the blue the attractions I remember.  My favorites were It's a Small World, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Country Bear Jamboree, Circle Vision 360 - America the Beautiful, The Haunted Mansion, and The Hall of Presidents.

Adventureland included the Jungle Cruise, Swiss Family Island Treehouse, and Tropical Serenade.

Fantasyland included 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Cinderellas Golden Carousel, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, It's a Small World, Mad Tea Party, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, Peter Pan's Flight, Skyway (to Tomorrowland), and Snow White's Adventures.

Frontierland included the Country Bear Jamboree, Davy Crocket's Explorer Canoes, and Frontierland Shootin' Gallery.

Liberty Square included the Adm. Joe Fowler Riverboat, The Hall of Presidents, The Haunted Mansion, and Mike Fink Keep Boats.

On Main Street, there were lots of places to eat and shop.  The attractions included the fire engine, horse
Grandma Lusby & Betsy on the Carousel
cars, a horseless carriage, the Main Street Cinema, an Omnibus, the Penny Arcade, and the Walt Disney World Railroad.


Tomorrowland included Circle Vision 360 - America the Beautiful, Flight to the Moon, Grand Prix Raceway, and Skyway (to Fantasyland).

I remember we stayed in a campground for the week we were there.  As least I think we were there for a week.  Though I can't remember where everyone slept in the trailer.  Usually me and my sister would sleep on one end, and my parents on the other end.  Can't remember where my grandmother slept.  I remember the dining table could be taken down and made into a double bed, and where the stove was on the other end, there was a hard cover for it and a cushion that made a twin bed.  So she probably slept in either of those.


I also remember getting a stuffed Mickey Mouse souvenir.  I loved mys stuffed animals.  I kept it all the up into my early 30's, when I finally got rid of it when I moved from Maryland back to Washington State. 

I'll have to go back to my parents soon and go through my mom's photo albums and see if I can find more picture from this trip.  I haven't been back to Disney world since 1972.  I'm sure it has changed a lot and I'd never recognize it as the place it once was.


Becky, Dad, Grandma Lusby & Betsy in front of Cinderella's Castle. 
If you are wondering about the big, black dot over my dad's face, well he's shy (LOL) and doesn't want his picture flashed all over the internet.

5 comments:

  1. Nice memories! I remember going to Disney World around that time too. Some of the attractions have changed, but a lot of what you listed is still there. My favorite back then was Mr. Toad's Wild Ride which sadly is no more. Kathryn

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  2. That is sad about Mr. Toad. My absolute favorite was It's a Small World. I remember being in a little boat like thing going thru the attraction in the dark and all the singing.

    I haven't been back since.

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  3. Thanks for the welcome Dr. Bill. This blogging is stuff is all new to me.

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  4. I love Disney World. It's funny, but I can't even explain why. Maybe it is innocence in park form? My parents took us there in 1980. I was very young but I remember It's a Small World like it was yesterday. We have taken our boys there a couple of times...I wonder what they will remember?

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    Replies
    1. I wish I remembered more of our visit there. I do remember construction still going on and I remember some of the rides. I'm sure if I were to go back now, I wouldn't recognize the place.

      I'll have to go to my parents' house and dig out there pictures and scan more of them.

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