DisneylandOne sunny afternoon during the late 1940s, Walt and his two daughters, Diane and Sharon, were lounging at a park when Walt realized the area was littered with debris. He observed the other parents and noticed they seemed anxious to leave because there was nothing for them to do. Walt returned home and immediately began sketching ideas for a park where both parents and their kids could enjoy themselves. This dream of a clean, and organized park eventually came true in 1955. With financial help from ABC, Walt was able to create a fantasy world for families which allowed guests to immerse themselves in his cartoons, rather than simply watch them on screen. Although the kingdom’s production cost nearly $17 million, it had entertained more than 200 million people by 1980, including celebrities, presidents, and royalty from all around the globe.
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Disney WorldAfter Disneyland’s grand-opening, Walt directed his attention towards improving the average American’s life. He visited Florida and purchased 43 square miles of the state, confident he could transform the land into a new theme park, resort, hotel, and ideal vacation spot. After seven years of planning and 52 months of construction, the Walt Disney World Resort and Magic Kingdom Park opened it’s doors to the public on October 1, 1971.
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