The true power of Disney is nostalgia — some of it manufactured by Imagineers, sure, but some of it absolutely genuine. Pretty much anyone who visited Disney World and EPCOT as a kid is hooked for life, and is probably still visiting the parks — only now, with their own kids. These photos from the 1970s and 1980s collected by the Florida State Archives show how much Disney looks the same, and yet, totally different. Looking through these sometimes-blurry snaps with their vintage color and throwback fashions (big ups to the lady in the terrycloth romper and Candies) feels like spying on somebody’s photo album, and the goofy joy of just being there still comes through.
Also, for the true WDW fanatic, there are a few shots in here that would make perfect phone wallpapers — may we suggest slides 2, 25, 48 or 130?
All photos via the Florida State Library and Archives.
Aerial view of the Magic Kingdom – Orlando, Florida (undated) Credit:Florida MemoryBalloons flying high above Cinderella’s castle – Walt Disney World, Florida, 1981 Credit:Florida MemoryMickey and Minnie Mouse in front of the castle – Walt Disney World, Florida, 1981 Credit:Florida MemoryChildren (wearing groovy bellbottoms) meeting Mickey Mouse at the Magic Kingdom amusement park in Orlando, Florida, 1977 Credit:Florida MemoryChild meeting Goofy at the Magic Kingdom amusement park in Orlando, Florida, 1977 Credit:Florida MemoryAt the River Country water park at Walt Disney World, 1977 Credit:Florida MemoryJungle Book characters on parade in front of the castle – Walt Disney World, Florida, 1981 Credit:Florida MemoryMusician performing at the Germany Pavilion in EPCOT Center at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, 1982 Credit:Florida MemoryView of couple with their camper at the Walt Disney World Resort “Fort Wilderness” campground – Orlando, Florida, 1971 Credit:Florida MemoryElephant fountains in the Jungle Cruise amusement ride at the Magic Kingdom – Orlando, Florida, 1979 Credit:Florida MemoryHorse-drawn rail car on Main Street – Orlando, Florida. Credit:Florida MemoryPaddle-wheel steamboat – Walt Disney World, Florida, 1981 Credit:Florida MemoryView of Cinderella’s Castle at the Magic Kingdom – Orlando, Florida, 1981 (love that motion blur) Credit:Florida MemoryPeople using jet skis near the Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village, 1975 Credit:Florida MemoryHospitality House building at the Magic Kingdom amusement park in Orlando, Florida. Credit:Florida MemoryView showing the pyramids at the Imagination! Pavilion in EPCOT Center at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, 1982 Credit:Florida MemoryInterior view of Disney’s Polynesian Resort – Lake Buena Vista, Florida Credit:Florida MemoryView of Disney’s Contemporary Resort lobby – Lake Buena Vista, Florida, 1979 Credit:Florida MemoryHot air balloon at the Magic Kingdom amusement park in Orlando, Florida. Credit:Florida MemoryView showing entry in the GM Sunrayce USA 11-day solar car race which departed from Orlando, 1990 Credit:Florida MemoryInterior view of Arthur’s 27 restaurant at the Buena Vista Palace hotel. Credit:Florida MemoryChildren meeting Minnie Mouse at the Magic Kingdom amusement park in Orlando, Florida, 1977 Credit:Florida MemoryView showing the Spaceship Earth geosphere at the Walt Disney World Resort’s EPCOT Center in Orlando, Florida, 1983 Credit:Florida MemoryLiberty Square Riverboat amusement ride Richard F. Irvine sternwheeler at the Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida, 1975 Credit:Florida MemoryPerformer at the Polynesian Luau – Orlando, Florida, 1981 Credit:Florida MemoryEPCOT Center water fountain at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, 1983 Credit:Florida MemoryPuppets and performers at the Polynesian Luau – Orlando, Florida, 1981 Credit:Florida MemoryLooking down Main Street at the Magic Kingdom – Orlando, Florida, 1971 Credit:Florida MemoryLiberty Square Riverboat amusement ride at the Magic Kingdom – Orlando, Florida, 1979 Credit:Florida MemoryMan pushing flower cart in front of castle – Walt Disney World, Florida, 1981 Credit:Florida MemoryMonorail goes through the Contemporary Resort – Orlando, Florida, 1981 Credit:Florida Memory“Les Chefs de France” restaurant at the France Pavilion in EPCOT Center at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, 1982 Credit:Florida MemoryLooking down Main Street at the Magic Kingdom – Orlando, Florida, 1979 Credit:Florida MemoryLooking down Main Street at the Magic Kingdom – Orlando, Florida, 1979 Credit:Florida MemoryMain Street Fire Dept. passenger vehicle at the Magic Kingdom – Orlando, Florida, 1979 Credit:Florida MemoryLooking out from the Liberty Square Riverboat amusement ride at the Magic Kingdom – Orlando, Florida, 1979 Credit:Florida MemoryAerial view overlooking Disney’s Contemporary Resort hotel at the Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida, 1971 Credit:Florida MemoryLooking towards Spaceship Earth geosphere at the Walt Disney World Resort’s EPCOT Center – Orlando, Florida, 1983 Credit:Florida MemoryLooking out from top of the Liberty Square Riverboat amusement ride at the Magic Kingdom – Orlando, Florida, 1979 Credit:Florida MemoryView of Main Street USA at night – Orlando, Florida, 1981 Credit:Florida MemoryMexico Pavilion in EPCOT Center at the Walt Disney World Resort – Orlando, Florida, 1983 Credit:Florida MemoryMickey and Minnie Mouse at 10 year anniversary celebration – Walt Disney World, Florida, 1981 Credit:Florida MemoryPluto in anniversary parade – Walt Disney World, Florida, 1981 Credit:Florida MemoryMickey Mouse with unsure child and parent at a hospital – Tallahassee, Florida, 1985 Credit:Florida MemoryFriends at the River Country water park at Walt Disney World, 1977 Credit:Florida MemoryMorocco Pavilion in EPCOT Center at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, 1984 Credit:Florida MemoryMusicians performing at the Canada Pavilion in EPCOT Center at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, 1982 Credit:Florida MemoryPagoda at the Japan Pavilion in EPCOT Center at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, 1982 Credit:Florida MemoryPeople boating near the Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village, 1975 Credit:Florida MemoryPeople using jet skis near the Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village, 1975 Credit:Florida MemoryPercussion troupe Matsuriza performing traditional Japanese taiko drumming at the Epcot theme park Japan Pavilion in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, 1998 Credit:Florida MemoryPerformers and puppets at the Polynesian Luau – Orlando, Florida, 1981 Credit:Florida MemoryScene from a Polynesian fire spinning performance at the Disney Polynesian Resort in Orlando, Florida, 1998 Credit:Florida MemoryScene from the Jungle Cruise amusement ride at the Magic Kingdom – Orlando, Florida, 1979 Credit:Florida MemoryCinderella in her coach on parade in front of the castle – Walt Disney World, Florida, 1981 Credit:Florida MemoryWalt Disney World Grad Nite 1983 Credit:Florida MemorySnow White’s dwarves in the Main Street Electrical Parade at the Magic Kingdom – Orlando, Florida, 1979 Credit:Florida MemorySteel drum band entertains at Adventureland – Orlando, Florida, 1981 Credit:Florida MemoryTelegraph exhibit at the Spaceship Earth attraction in EPCOT Center at the Walt Disney World Resort – Orlando, Florida, 1983 Credit:Florida MemoryTeumere Tehane wearing a Tahitian lei she made at the Disney Polynesian Resort in Orlando, Florida, 1998 Credit:Florida MemoryThe Crystal Palace restaurant at the Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida, 1971 Credit:Florida MemoryVisitors crossing barrel bridge to Tom Sawyer Island attraction at the Magic Kingdom – Orlando, Florida, 1979 Credit:Florida MemoryTorii at the Japan Pavilion in EPCOT Center at the Walt Disney World Resort – Orlando, Florida, 1983 Credit:Florida MemoryView looking toward the Canada Pavilion in EPCOT Center at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, 1982 Credit:Florida MemoryPeople using jet skis near the Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village, 1975 Credit:Florida MemoryView looking toward The Land Pavilion in EPCOT Center at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, 1982 Credit:Florida MemoryView looking toward the Mexico Pavilion in EPCOT Center at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, 1982 Credit:Florida MemoryView looking toward the Spaceship Earth geosphere at the Walt Disney World Resort’s EPCOT Center in Orlando, Florida, 1982 Credit:Florida MemoryView of a double-decker bus at the Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida (1977) Credit:Florida MemoryView of buildings at the Japan Pavilion in EPCOT Center at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, 1982 Credit:Florida MemoryView of buildings at the Magic Kingdom amusement park in Orlando, Florida, 1975 Credit:Florida MemoryView of crowds along Main Street at the Magic Kingdom – Orlando, Florida, 1979 Credit:Florida MemoryView of Cinderella’s Castle and the picnic area – Orlando, Florida (undated) Credit:Florida MemoryView of Cinderella’s Castle at the Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida, 1971 Credit:Florida MemoryView of crowded Main Street at the Magic Kingdom – Orlando, Florida, 1979 Credit:Florida MemoryView of Disney’s Contemporary Resort hotel at the Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida, 1971 Credit:Florida MemoryView of family at the Walt Disney World Resort with their camper – Orlando, Florida, 1971 Credit:Florida MemoryClose-up view of sculpture in Disney’s Contemporary Resort lobby – Lake Buena Vista, Florida, 1979 Credit:Florida MemoryView of small waterfall at Disney’s Polynesian Resort – Lake Buena Vista, Florida, 1979 Credit:Florida MemoryView showing the skyride at the Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida, 1977 Credit:Florida MemoryView of the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea ride at the Magic Kingdom amusement park in Orlando, Florida, 1974 Credit:Florida MemoryView of the Gullywhumper boat ride at the Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida, 1977 Credit:Florida MemoryView showing monorail in Disney’s Contemporary Resort hotel at the Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida, 1975 Credit:Florida MemoryChildren meeting Mickey Mouse at the Magic Kingdom amusement park in Orlando, Florida, 1977 Credit:Florida MemoryView of the Liberty Square Riverboat amusement ride at the Magic Kingdom – Orlando, Florida, 1979 Credit:Florida MemoryView of the Liberty Square Riverboat amusement ride Richard F. Irvine sternwheeler at the Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida, 1977 Credit:Florida MemoryView of the train ride at the Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida, 1971 Credit:Florida MemoryView showing a double-decker bus at the Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida, 1977 Credit:Florida MemoryView showing a couple dance students of Kaui Brandt performing at the Disney Polynesian Resort in Orlando, Florida, 1998 Credit:Florida MemoryView showing a horse-drawn bus at the Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida, 1971 Credit:Florida MemoryView showing a rocket at the Magic Kingdom amusement park in Orlando, Florida, 1974 Credit:Florida MemoryView showing a temple at the China Pavilion in EPCOT Center at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, 1982 Credit:Florida MemoryView showing buildings at the United Kingdom Pavilion in EPCOT Center at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, 1982 Credit:Florida MemoryView showing Cinderella’s Castle at the Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida, 1975 Credit:Florida MemoryView showing dance students of Kaui Brandt at the Disney Polynesian Resort in Orlando, Florida, 1998 Credit:Florida MemoryView showing Disney’s Contemporary Resort hotel at the Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida, 1976 Credit:Florida MemoryView showing Disney’s Polynesian Resort hotel at the Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida, 1975 Credit:Florida MemoryView showing monorail near Disney’s Contemporary Resort hotel at the Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida, 1971 Credit:Florida MemoryView showing monorail passing by the Space Mountain roller coaster at the Magic Kingdom amusement park in Orlando, Florida, 1975 Credit:Florida MemoryView showing totem poles at the Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida, 1975 Credit:Florida MemoryView up Main Street in the Magic Kingdom – Orlando, Florida (undated) Credit:Florida MemoryVisitor meeting Eeyore at the Magic Kingdom amusement park in Orlando, Florida, 1977 Credit:Florida MemoryVisitors at the River Country water park at Walt Disney World, 1977 Credit:Florida MemoryVisitors in the central plaza known as St. Georgsplatz at the Germany Pavilion in EPCOT Center at the Walt Disney World Resort – Orlando, Florida, 1982 Credit:Florida MemoryVisitors using water slides at the River Country water park at Walt Disney World, 1977 Credit:Florida MemoryWalt Disney World parade – Orlando, Florida, 1981 Credit:Florida MemoryWorld of Motion attraction in EPCOT Center at the Walt Disney World Resort – Orlando, Florida, 1983 Credit:Florida MemoryWorld Showcase Transportation tour bus at the Magic Kingdom – Orlando, Florida, 1979 Credit:Florida MemoryAerial view of the Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida, 1975 Credit:Florida MemoryAn aerial view of the Magic Kingdom, 1982 Credit:Florida MemoryBarrel bridge to Tom Sawyer Island attraction with the Haunted Mansion in the background at the Magic Kingdom – Orlando, Florida, 1979 Credit:Florida MemoryBird’s eye view of EPCOT Center at the Walt Disney World Resort – Orlando, Florida,
1983 Credit:Florida MemoryChina Pavilion in EPCOT Center at the Walt Disney World Resort – Orlando, Florida, 1983 Credit:Florida MemoryCinderella’s Castle at the Magic Kingdom – Orlando, Florida, 1971 (First we’re leaning this way…) Credit:Florida MemoryCinderella’s Castle at the Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida, 1974 (… then we’re leaning that way …) Credit:Florida MemoryCinderella’s Castle at the Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida, 1971 (Whew, all better.) Credit:Florida MemoryClose-up view of elephant fountain in the Jungle Cruise amusement ride at the Magic Kingdom – Orlando, Florida, 1979 Credit:Florida MemoryClose-up view of mural in Disney’s Contemporary Resort lobby – Lake Buena Vista, Florida, 1979 Credit:Florida MemoryClose-up view of Spaceship Earth geosphere at the Walt Disney World Resort’s EPCOT Center – Orlando, Florida, 1983 Credit:Florida MemoryClose-up view of the monorail at the Magic Kingdom amusement park in Orlando, Florida, 1974 Credit:Florida MemoryConstruction of Big Thunder Mountain amusement ride at the Magic Kingdom – Orlando, Florida, 1979 Credit:Florida MemoryContemporary hotel at the Magic Kingdom – Orlando, Florida, 1971 Credit:Florida MemoryDancers taking a bow after Dragon Dance performance at China Pavilion in EPCOT Center at the Walt Disney World Resort – Orlando, Florida, 1983 Credit:Florida MemoryDisney character Winnie-the-Pooh at the Magic Kingdom amusement park in Orlando, Florida, 1977 Credit:Florida MemoryDisney characters, including Country Bears, on parade in front of the castle – Walt Disney World, Florida, 1981 Credit:Florida MemoryDisney chipmunk character – Walt Disney World, Florida, 1981 Credit:Florida MemoryDisney’s Country Bear Jamboree on the Florida Citrus Growers float in the Orange Bowl parade, 1985 Credit:Florida Memory“Doc” dwarf in the Main Street Electrical Parade at the Magic Kingdom – Orlando, Florida, 1979 Credit:Florida MemoryDocking station for the Jungle Cruise amusement ride at the Magic Kingdom – Orlando, Florida, 1979 Credit:Florida MemoryDonald Duck in front of the castle – Walt Disney World, Florida, 1981 Credit:Florida MemoryDragon Dance performance at China Pavilion in EPCOT Center at the Walt Disney World Resort – Orlando, Florida, 1983 Credit:Florida MemoryDragon Dance performance at China Pavilion in EPCOT Center at the Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando, Florida, 1983 Credit:Florida MemoryEmpress Lilly restaurant at the Magic Kingdom amusement park in Orlando, Florida, 1977 Credit:Florida MemoryEntrance building to the Magic Kingdom – Orlando, Florida, 1979 Credit:Florida MemoryFlorida Governor Bob Graham and Mickey Mouse looking at a model of Disney studios, 1985 Credit:Florida MemoryCredit:Florida MemoryFountain by Spaceship Earth geosphere at the Walt Disney World Resort’s EPCOT Center – Orlando, Florida, 1983 Credit:Florida MemoryFrontierland railroad station at the Magic Kingdom amusement park in Orlando, Florida, 1975 Credit:Florida MemoryGermany Pavilion in EPCOT Center at the Walt Disney World Resort – Orlando, Florida, 1983 Credit:Florida MemoryGovernor Bob Graham on a parade float with Disney’s Pinocchio in Miami, 1986 Credit:Florida MemoryGroups of people on bridge in front of the castle – Walt Disney World, Florida, 1981 Credit:Florida MemoryCredit:Florida Memory
