On October 1, 1971, Walt Disney World opened its gates in Central Florida, welcoming about 10,000 guests to the brand-new Magic Kingdom. The resort also opened with Disney’s Contemporary Resort and Polynesian Village Resort, along with golf and recreation facilities.
The opening was the result of years of planning and construction, creating what Disney called its “Vacation Kingdom.” Unlike Disneyland’s crowded opening in 1955, Disney World’s debut was intentionally low-key. A Friday in October was chosen to help ease the new resort into operation.
But it did not take long for St. Petersburg to become part of the Disney World story.
Just weeks after the opening, the St. Petersburg High School Green Devil Band traveled to the new resort for a weekend of performances. The band marched in a parade down Main Street, U.S.A., followed by a concert Saturday afternoon.
The St. Petersburg Boychoir was also part of the weekend’s entertainment, presenting a concert of Christmas carols on Sunday evening.
It is a fun reminder that Walt Disney World was not simply attracting visitors from around Florida. During its first months, people from the Tampa Bay area were already finding their own ways to become part of the new attraction.
For the students of St. Petersburg High School, marching down Main Street during Disney World’s inaugural season must have been quite an experience. And for St. Petersburg, it became a small but memorable connection to one of Florida’s most famous destinations.
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