Even before these preliminary stages, Walt realized that guests would travel from great distances and knew that they would need hotel facilities. The area principally devoid of such existing hospitality establishments. So Walt’s plans for the Florida Project ultimately involved lodging establishments including two hotels and a camping facility at the time of opening - “a total vacation destination resort where our guests can stay as well as play.” By 1966, development began on what would become the Contemporary Resort Hotel.

“After Walt,” his people (and company) were now embarking on “imagineering” a new, grander “theme show” for Florida audiences. The latter expression (“theme show”) was once defined as: “A controlled, usually man-made environment where as many as possible elements pertain to a single fictional or non-fictional motif. Thus, an individual placed within that environment may consciously or subliminally experience it.” But even more (as one sanctioned statement elaborated): “We are talking about all the things a guest may experience and be entertained by - colors, sounds, lights, detail - timing, taste and texture. Through art and animation, our imagination, creativity and talent blend together to make our ’show.’”

According to the Annual Shareholders Report of 1967 (page 12), the previous experience of the growth and expansion of the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim, California (from 1954-1967), “both problems and solutions” were “now being called upon in the master planning of Walt Disney World.” Early prospectus documents promised many things for “Walt Disney World Vacation Kingdom” including a “unique concept linking the resort-hotels and the theme park by boat and monorail transportation systems” that would allow guests to “dine in elegance in the Contemporary Hotel, enjoy the attractions and adventures of the ‘Magic kingdom’ for ‘dessert,’ and end the evening with a late show or snack at the Polynesian resort.” [“Preview Edition of Walt Disney World - The Vacation Kingdom of the World,” page 16] Another publication (entitled “Preview of Walt Disney World”), described the Contemporary Theme Resort the following way: “Western side of lake at entrance to lagoon and near Magic Kingdom entrance… 802 rooms in 10-story A-frame… open mall lobby, longer than a football field, through which the monorail travels… shops, boutiques, cafes, and restaurants ring the open mall… dining room at top level… 3-level convention facilities below lobby level: include grand ballroom which seats 1,500 banquets, 2,000 for meetings; 19,000 sq. ft. exhibit hall; 8-9 small meeting rooms some of which can be divided… ballroom has hydraulically-powered stage which can be lowered to floor level… ballroom also breaks in half with divider… in exhibit hall, elevator to handle exhibits… storage place to hold incoming exhibits.”

There are many recreational opportunities and many wonders at the WALT DISNEY WORLD Vacation Kingdom. The Contemporary Resort was conceived as a theme resort for the western shores of the 450-acre Buena Vista Lake (today known as Bay Lake), near the entrance of a 200 acre lagoon (today known as the Seven Seas Lagoon). The Contemporary Resort Hotel was to offer 1,046 guest rooms located in a 14-story, A-shaped main building and two wings. These would feature elegant dining, two boutiques, three swimming pools, marina, and Grand Canyon Concourse one-third longer than a football field.

“Design and Engineering”

The Hotel was creatively and jointly engineered by Welton Beckett & Associates and WED Enterprises, Inc. Much of the required facilities engineering (including mechanical engineering, specifications, structural engineering design, CAD design, and Data Control documentation) was performed by Walt Disney Imagineers. Many components were constructed seven miles away by U.S. Steel Realty Development and MAPO (supported by Walt Disney World Shops), utilizing an innovation called “unitized modular construction.”

Around November of 1969 discussions were underway between representatives of:

•WED (Mel Melton, Richard Irvine, John Hench, Stan Graves, Marvin Davis, Dave Fitzharris, John Curry, H. Roland, Dan Dingman, and George Parker)

•Welton Becket & Associates (M. Becket, M. Woodard, R. Tyler, J. Combs, A. Rosen, A. Peterson, P. Sessinghaus, J. Klarquist, J. Zerbe)

•USS Realty (F. Felix, J. Mihalik)

•Richard Bradshaw, Inc. (S. Sorenson)

“Estimates and Calculations”

Discussions were held regarding the Contemporary Tower and Annexes. Welton Becket performed an analysis to explore accommodating more rooms and potentially substantially reducing high rise unit cost. For instance by November 24, 1969, John Parr of Welton Beckett and Associates (including M. Becket, M. Woodard, R. Tyler, J. Combs, A. Rosen, A. Peterson, P. Sessinghaus J. Klarquist, J. Zerbe) were in discussion with WED (M. Melton, R. Irvine, J. Hench, S. Graves, M. Davis, J. Curry, H. Roland, D. Dingman), US Realty (F. Felix & J. Mihalik), and Richard Bradshaw Inc. (S. Sorenson) over the high rise annex buildings of Walt Disney World - Florida Contemporary Hotel.

Cost Analysis - By November 25, 1969, Dan Dingman (of WED Enterprises, Inc. Estimating) contacted Stan Graves over an analysis of the cost of Walt Disney World Contemporary Hotel high unit construction. It was found “that the high rise could reasonably accommodate 234 more rooms for an additional $4,000, 000 - thus reducing the high rise unit cost by $32, 200 from $86,300 to $54, 100 per room and the cost per unit for 1,060 total project units from $55,700 to $47,200.

It is our opinion that the $32, 200 potential reduction per unit in the high rise, totalling $12, 686, 800 for the 394 actual units represents the cost penalty for the 3 factors noted above and that it would be appropriate to assess the cost penalty for these items respectively to (1) the Monorail, (2) The Theme Park motif and (3) exceptional demands as a convention center.

Thus; (1) The Monorail displaces from 24 to 30 rooms, increasing the cost of the 394 net rooms by $4, 125 each or $1, 625, 250. (2) The glass end walls displace 84 rooms, increasing the cost by $11,560 per unit, or $4, 554, 640. (3) The convention demands displace 96 to 120 rooms and increase the cost by $16, 515 per unit, or $6,506,910.”

Many non-mechanical and electrical design elements were analyzed including the sleeping and bathroom areas of guest room unit modules, Hotel atrium, tennis courts, the monorail platform, passenger and service elevators, mail chutes, and even carpet floor covering.

According to the Sunday, September 26, 1971 issue of “Sunrise” magazine, a supplement of “Today”: RCA Corp. was “creating a 21st century information-communications system for the project; Monsanto Co. developed new materials used in construction of the hotels, and Aeroject-General created a vacuum waste-disposal system” to “provide an ‘unseen housekeeper’ for the vast park.” These were also analyzed.

“Surface Site Conditions”

Some of Walt Disney World was over what was originally "high" open ground covered with scrub oak, pine, and other light vegetation. However much of the land originally was, and in some areas still was, wooded swamp. An overlay of the Plot plan showing the approximate extent of original swampy areas was prepared from aerial photographs taken before site development.

“Soil Samples and Conditions”

By January 22, 1970, Vernon A. Smoots of Dames & Moore had prepared the "Report - Foundation Investigation, Monorail Beamway, Theme Park and Resort Areas, WALT DISNEY WORLD, Near Orlando, Florida, For WED Enterprises, Inc.. Dames & Moore Job No. 6131-017-02.”

The investigation was planned and coordinated with Messrs. John C. wise, John Joyce, and Ken Klug, of WED Enterprises, Inc.. and with Messrs. Paul wickert and Hector Abdalla, of Wheeler & Gray, consulting structural engineers. Also, certain design information was given to D&M by ABAM Engineers, Inc., of Tacoma, Washington. Information contained in progress reports submitted during the investigation was included in this report.

Soil Samplers (and attachments) acquired samples at varying elevations below the surface of the ground near the Venetian Resort, from the entrance plaza west to the Polynesian Resort, the Asian Resort, the Main Street Station and Entrance Area, and the vicinity of the Contemporary Resort. In many cases, sands, limestone, and various soils were detected.

It was found that the swampy areas were usually underlain by poorer quality limestone, resulting from extensive solution and sinkhole activity. Where relatively clean, compact sand was present, no special site grading was necessary. Where deep deposits of the swampy, root mat materials existed, and where the upper soils had been disturbed by the sinkhole activity, substantial excavation and grading was needed. Because of the variations in the quality of the soil and limestone materials, continuous engineering inspection and evaluation was needed.

“Construction of the North and South Contemporary Garden Wings”

The original steel framework of thirteen steel-trussed A-frames were erected on site by the United States Steel Corporation’s U.S. Steel Realty Development division. These would become the 3-story Contemporary North Building, Contemporary South Building, and eight 72-unit structures along the lake edge. Documents often compared the look of them to a honeycomb.

DC-E in Orlando Central Park - a 130,000 square foot warehouse which was acquired in late 1980 to provide space for the receipt, storage and staging of project materials.

“Guest Room Construction and Installation”

Next, came the modular design of 481 individual rooms (of the 14-story Contemporary Hotel) as well as 576 rooms of the “Guest Room Construction and Installation” Team. The Resort-hotels would have the first manufactured assembly line steel-frame guest rooms. Each room was “spacious enough for four,” at 9 feet high, 15 feet wide and either 32½ or 40 feet long, depending on whether plans called for the individual accommodation to have a balcony.

These rooms (with carpeting and fixtures included) were fabricated as separate units off-site at a special U.S Steel plant (though a contemporaneous “Facts from Walt Disney World stated “rooms manufactured in ‘guest room’ factory on site”). The rooms had plumbing and some had two showers. Electrical fittings, a closet, wall coverings (paint and paper), mirrors, sliding glass doors, air conditioning and heating, and remote TV controls were installed.

The three hundred workers of U.S. Steel produced some 15 rooms a day using this method. Each modular room weighed eight and one-half tons. Next, the rooms were loaded onto flatbeds and trucked four miles West to the site, hoisted into the air, and installed in their permanent niche in the framework, “as a drawer would slide into a chest of drawers,” according to “The Spirit of Epcot,” page 43. Once the units were in place, each was bolted into position. An image of this was published in EASTERN AIRLINES introduces WALT DISNEY WORLD: The Family Vacation Kingdom,” Copyright © 1971 by Eastern Air Lines, Inc. The electrical and air-conditioning systems were hooked up and the carpeting, furniture, and pictures were added.

This continued for the total 1,046 (one orientation says “1,047-room Contemporary Resort Hotel”; *1,057 by many accounts) Contemporary Resort rooms of the Tower, Contemporary North, and Contemporary South) and the same process was used to construct the other Walt Disney World “theme resort hotel” - the Polynesian Resort Hotel. Finally, the entire Contemporary Resort Hotel structure was “covered by a specially designed, sun-resistant glass called “Solar Bronze.”

Once complete, the Contemporary Resort Hotel became part of the Walt Disney World Resort Division which initially provided nearly 1,700 comfortable rooms altogether. A contemporaneous “Facts from Walt Disney World” records “1, 057 rooms in high rise and two annexes (394 rms. in high rise & 663 in bay wings).” All of this inside a structure measuring 14 stories high, and 220 feet wide and 468 feet long at its base.

“Reservation System”

The 14-story Contemporary Resort Hotel Tower was an adventure into the future, originally offering guests an open mall lobby and landscaped park, and breathtaking views of either the theme Park and lagoon on one side, or the 450-acre Bay Lake visible on the other side! Initially, rooms ran approximately $22 a night, with stylish suites ranging from $62 to $200 a night.

The hotel resort featured the Contemporary Resort Racquet Club, Volleyball, Shuffleboard, tetherball, the Mouseketeer Clubhouse (an outdoor playground for “tiny tots” under the guidance of trained child-care hostesses which required reservations), a Teen Club (featuring music and entertainment for youngsters), Poolside Lounges, a white sand beach, and an Olympic Size Swimming Pool and a unique pool surrounded by a sun deck which reaches out onto the waters of Bay Lake. The two three-story buildings contained merchandise shops, convention facilities, and restaurant facilities. Some Hotel Shops offered bathing suits (in children’s and adult sizes) in addition to contemporary men’s and women’s clothing and jewelry for sale.

All of this necessitated a streamlined process of reservation and information processing by the Resort Division. Central Reservations Office (or, C.R.O.) located in the Casting Building, made reservations for all WDW Hotels and campground, the hotels of the Motor Inn Plaza, and some off-site facilities. Each day, thousands of potential guests from around the world would call the C.R.O. office (perhaps you recall calling 823-8000) where a reservation host or hostess would input the information into a computer access device called a Video Data Terminal or VDI. Within seconds, a computer in California would flash a room availability list on the screen, enabling a guest reservation to be placed at any of the soon-to-be vacant locations. Reservation confirmations and important information were then sent to guests on receipt of a deposit equivalent one night’s stay.

“Hotel reservations will be made by them and verified automatically when guests park their cars. A room-status maid-locator system will assure that rooms are clean and unoccupied. If the computer discovers that more visitors are arriving than had been anticipated, it will notify management, and more help will be rounded up.” -“EASTERN AIRLINES introduces WALT DISNEY WORLD: The Family Vacation Kingdom” Copyright © 1971 by Eastern Air Lines, Inc.

According to the Sunday, September 26, 1971 issue of “Sunrise” magazine, a supplement of “Today,” once arrived at Disney World’s Main Entrance, a Host would check the guest’s reservation by telephone. By the time the guest would arrive at the Hotel, the computer would have done its job - a Host greeting the guest, parking their car, and handling their luggage.

The Travel Desk in the Contemporary Resort- Hotel offered complete travel information.

“The Ground (Lobby) Level”

On the ground (or Lobby Level) was the Automobile Driveway and Main Entrance, Main Kitchen, Receiving areas, (game room), Wardrobe Department, Host and Hostess Locker Rooms, and an employee cafeteria known as “The Bottom of the World.”

There were games galore at the Fiesta Fun Center. According to Walt Disney World News Vol. 9, No. 3 (March, 1979): “Play a fast-paced game of air-hockey, test your driving skills on an electronic race track, or torpedo submarines and destroyers on a video battle ground. These and many other challenging games in the Fiesta Fun Center, located off the lobby of the Contemporary Resort Hotel, are sure to keep you and your family entertained for hours.

For a unique way to practice your marksmanship, try your hand at the shooting gallery. Each of the dozen rifles shoots an invisible infrared beam at the more than 68 action targets. Hit the barrel of rum and a pirate skeleton pops up to drink his ale, with the brew flowing through his bones. Hit the tree, and a hive of bees buzz away from their hidden nest.

The Fun Center also has all the latest video-electronic games for your enjoyment, along with ping pong tables and Skee Roll lanes. Moana Mickey's Fun Hut in the Polynesian Village Resort Hotel also offers games galore for hours of fun.”

The Family Fun Fiesta Center was where the Company's newest motion picture releases could be previewed. By 1975, the Fiesta Fun Center Snack Bar offered Breakfast, lunch and dinner snacks and was open 24 hours.

Maggie Irvine Elliott (future Senior Vice President) began her twenty-six-year Disney career working on specialty projects like the “kids fun room”. Maggie recalled: “Another specialty project that exemplifies "women's work" in the Model Shop at the time was a series of Disney character sketches by X Atencio for the Contemporary Resort's kids' fun room. The sketches were blown up to life-size as determined by X. (For instance, Daisy Duck was about three feet tall.) The character was drawn on a piece of quarter inch Masonite and taken to the carpenters' shop to be cut. The carpenters would cut out the figure, sand the edges, and take them to the "girls" for painting.

When painting a Disney character, the colors had to be an exact match to X's sketches. X also explained that if you did not get the correct width of a line around an eye, you could distort the shape and expression, which were vital in maintaining the look of Disney.”

“The Second Floor”

The Gulf Coast Room on the second floor of the Contemporary Resort offered gourmet cuisine prepared table-side, and afforded diners an intimate atmosphere complete with strolling musicians and a variety of entrees served by candlelight. Guests could enjoy Steak Diane at the Gulf Coast Room (Contemporary Resort).

The second floor (or “Americas Level”) also housed two Ballrooms (Ballroom of the Americas and the Grand Republic Ballroom) function rooms used for meetings, parties, presentations, and even concerts, each named after National Parks (e.g. Yosemite Room and the Everglades Room). The Pacific Room, Great Smokies Room and Continental Room was where the Company's newest motion picture releases could be previewed. Family Film Festival Tickets were free to all Disney cast members and their immediate family simply by stopping by Cast Activities.

Both the Contemporary and Polynesian Hotels contain elaborate facilities for large and small meetings. Large scale conventions can even utilize both hotels at the same time; by means of closed circuit television, participants staying at either hotel can always be kept fully up to date. The larger Contemporary Hotel has three floors of major convention facilities including two large ballrooms and nine major meeting rooms. The two-story high main ballroom has a floor space of 15,000 square feet capable of seating 1,200 persons for dinner and more than 1,700 for meetings. A major exhibit area of 14,500 square feet provides room for more than 100 display booths. In addition, a large number of spacious suites are designed for use as convention hospitality rooms.

In order not to conflict with general demand from vacationing families, Disney World's convention reservations are offered for specific periods of the year only. Large-scale business accommodations are available during approximately eight months of each year.

“The Third Floor”

The third floor (or, “Executive Level”) housed Walt Disney World Resort Division Administration offices, American Beauty Shoppe for women, The Captain’s Chair barber shop for men, the Olympiad Health Club with sauna, a gym, and “swirling baths.”

“The Fourth Floor”

Family dining spots included the fourth-floor restaurants of the Contemporary Resort where monorails glided by directly overhead. The fourth floor was known for its Grand Canyon Terrace and Pueblo Room restaurants. The main dining room is the Grand Canyon Terrace. The Pueblo Terrace was a smaller dining room, specializing in gourmet dishes. The Terrace Buffeteria offered family breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets a la carte with atmosphere entertainment nightly.

Encircling the garden-like mall, were open air shops, boutiques and cafes, as well as the restaurants and lounges. The fourth floor was a central indoor garden, or mall of shops and dining areas amidst a natural outdoor area complimented by horticulture designs, so enormous that it is called the Grand Canyon Concourse. It measured an impressive nine stories tall and the length of a football field. It was so named, for offering one of the best views of a multi-story high mural, Mary Blair’s Grand Canyon Concourse mural (of an American west Pueblo Indian Village… “featuring natural, basic earth colors which the Pueblos obtained from their environment”). The mural covered two central elevator shafts (one used for guests, the other for service). The Monorail Platform (a little lower than the 5th floor, 50-feet above ground) with its all-electric, silent Monorail trains the silent, which connect the hotels with the amusement area and run through the cavernous Contemporary Tower. The local weekly Sunday supplement of “Sunrise” (of “Today”) published September 26, 1971 mentioned that “those who stay in the two hotels that will open Friday also will use 50 to 60-foot-high monorail system. In fact, the tracks run straight through the lobby of the modernistic Tempo Bay Hotel.”

The restaurants in the Grand Canyon Terrace on the Concourse level, were less formal but with an assortment of menus guaranteed to please all members of the family, offering evening entertainment by lively mariachi musicians and strolling minstrels. The fourth floor had a coffee shop, two cocktail lounges, and two ballrooms.

“The 6th Thru 12th Floor Guest Suites”

The 6th through 12th floors of guest rooms (comprised of of three types of suites) spanned above the Monorail Platform (where WED-designed transportation systems carried guests to and from the Magic Kingdom), while the 5th through 12th floors stretched high over the opposing side of the Contemporary Tower building. Above the 12th floor was a 13th floor called the “Suite Floor.”

“The Top of the World”

The Disneyland Hotel had a unique a glass-walled penthouse called the "Top of the Park", a cocktail lounge, located 12 stories up, reached by a glass elevator. Here, Rising 90 feet atop the enormous interior concourse of the A-shaped Contemporary Tower Building (and its bronze-glass skylights) sat the 350-seat glass-walled “Top of the World” penthouse Restaurant and Lounge. This attraction was unlike the neighboring WOMETCO Florida Citrus Tower, which contained three observation decks with telescopes and offered a view of Florida from its highest point. From the Top of the World, guests were granted a breathtaking view extending 50 miles across Florida with a panoramic “vista of the entire vacation Kingdom.” Coats were encouraged for gentlemen, and reservations were necessary. On Sunday mornings, the Contemporary Resort's Top of the World restaurant hosts a Champagne Brunch.

Walt Disney Entertainment department developed new shows and parades for all of Walt Disney World. Chuck Corson(Disneyland Entertainment Casting Director, who helped create many new acts around Disneyland’s lands) was now hired as Casting Director of the wholesome family entertainment set to appear at Walt Disney’s Magic Kingdom. Chuck travelled to the ends of the earth to bring the best entertainment acts to Disney Parks. For instance, Chuck went to Hawaii in order to cast true-life Hawaiian performers for Adventureland. Chuck cast Jim and Linda Wheeler (former Dapper Dan Fred Waring singers were cast) as well as Kay Kellogg (as Slue Foot Sue) for the Diamond Horseshoe Revue.

Here at The Top of The World, guests were entertained by by the Top of the World Orchestra, and twice nightly floorshows featuring well-known, celebrity entertainers. Among these artists were Patti Page, Four King Cousins, John Gary, Donald O’Connor performed owing to Chuck Corson’s casting talent. By September of 1971, plans were already in the works for both Harry James and Lionel Hampton to perform. [Sunrise, Sunday, September 26, 1971, page 23] In 1988, “Broadway at the Top,” was a Broadway-style revue Dinner Show.

According to the Sunday, September 26, 1971 issue of “Sunrise” magazine, a supplement of “Today,” in reference to The Contemporary Resort Hotel and the Polynesian Village Resort Hotel, “both hotels will have cocktails bars and liquor in the restaurants.” A special Liquor Storage Building was built as a storage area for all the liquor supplies for the Resorts of Walt Disney World.

The Walt Disney World show would be unlike any other theme show in the world. The show would be set on a stage measuring 189 feet high, 30 feet deep, spread across 43.5 square miles of area, “with a backdrop off pristine air, fluffy white clouds and just enough rain to keep it green.” Here on this extension of the grand theme park stage would be the Contemporary Resort, where all the imagination, art, animation, creativity and talent was to culminate in a conscience and subliminal show experience of color, sounds, lights, details, timing, tastes, and textures. Adding to this experience would be enlivened by Cast Members who would perform various roles, the foremost of which would be the Disney tradition of offering the finest Guest Service imbued with a personal touch. Unlike the Parks (which close to guests) this would be a 24-hour show, where guests would be “lodged quickly and efficiently, provided with information on all activities, enjoy clean and orderly sleeping accommodations, experience inviting recreational activities, and at the completion of their visit, a prompt checkout.”

The costumes of the Cast would take its “cues from the colors used in the mural.”

According to the Sunday, September 26, 1971 issue of “Sunrise” magazine, a supplement of “Today,” with five days before the grand opening, “more than 400 business and professional groups have already booked conventions and sales meetings based at the Contemporary Hotel, which has been designed particularly with conventions in mind. The Ballroom of America seats between 1,200 and 1,750 people, and 925 diners can sit down in the Grand Republic Ballroom. In addition, there are also 15,000 square feet of exhibit space available.”

During the dedication ceremonies of the Contemporary Resort-Hotel, comedian Bob Hope introduced Fred Mac Murray and wife June Haver.

According to Donn Tatum (on December 16, 1971): “Agreement has been reached for the purchase by Walt Disney World Co. from U.S. S. Realty Division of United States Steel Corporation of its interest in the two Theme Resort Hotels at Walt Disney World. This agreement supersedes an earlier understanding which contemplated that U. S. S. Realty would own the hotels and lease them to a subsidiary of the Company under a long-term lease.”

By 1972,

On May 27, 1975, the Contemporary Resort at Walt Disney World hosted the 27th annual conference of the ASPA (American Society for Personnel Administrators) where E. Cardon Walker addressed the crowds of more than 17,000 personnel executives and specialists of America’s leading corporations who assembled there for the three-day show.

By 1976 the Contemporary Resort had 1,057-rooms.

According to “The Spirit of Epcot,“ page 43 (prepared 1982, by Walt Disney Productions) spoke of a momentous event which this resort was participant: “Walt Disney World was host in October of 1978 to the International Chamber of Commerce. The ICC is the largest, most prestigious International business organization in the world. If you can imagine, it was a convention that occupied all of the hotels and Walt Disney World Village Accommodations, with some 2500 business leaders from 70 different countries, all here at the same time for one week. It was a magnificent gathering of some extremely important and influential people. They came here and participated in business discussions and talked about how they could cooperate better. There is not a more appropriate setting in the world than right here at Walt Disney World for this kind of a discussion to take place. In fact, Walt Disney World was honored by being the first site outside a national capital to be selected for hosting the ICC.” At this very same convention, Card Walker, President and Chief Executive Officer of Walt Disney Productions divulged plans for EPCOT Center to delegates of the 26th World Congress of the International Chamber of Commerce, meeting at the Contemporary Resort Hotel at Walt Disney World.

Walt Disney World resorts were planned to serve as a sort of “vacation headquarters” for visitors that would also see beaches and other local attractions. Four motor inns were constructed on Disney property near the present preview center providing 1,600 more rooms only two or three miles from the theme parks. By 1982, several other resort hotels were in development, including “the Grand Floridian, Mediterranean, and Cypress Point Lodge… taking Disney art of themed resort living to new levels of luxury and sophistication.” [“The Spirit of Epcot Center” Orientation, c.1982]

On October 27 thru 29, 1983, the Annenberg Schools of Communications and Walt Disney Productions co-sponsored an Epcot Forum to consider the role of communications in contemporary society and the potential for communications resources to enhance the quality of life. These discussions took place at Walt Disney World in Florida, and attracted a diverse group of participants from business, government, communications, and the academic community. The Forum was designed to address three specific topics: education, technology, and civic participation. Participants were asked to consider the relationship of each topic to communications, and to suggest ways in which communications resources might be employed in new and innovative ways.

Recreation facilities at the hotel included shuffle-board, tennis and volleyball courts, putting greens and a marina for sailboats and excursion vessels. There were three unique swimming pools - an adult pool that is larger than Olympic size, a special wading pool, and an offshore pool in the center of an island-like sundeck on the lake.

By 1984, shopping at the Contemporary Resort was a unique experience. Bay 'n Beach at the marina carried sunbathing items, beach toys and mementos. Discovery Island tickets are available at this location. Contemporary Man offered Sportswear, swimwear, shoes and accessories. Contemporary Woman offered Distinctive women's resort fashions, footwear, and sportswear, including swimwear and accessories. Fantasia Shop offered Children's apparel and accessories, plus Walt Disney character merchandise. Kingdom Jewels offered Elegant jewelry and gifts. Plaza Florist offered floral bouquets and fruit baskets. (Delivery on above items only, until 10 p.m.) Plaza Gifts & Sundries offered Personal items, costume jewelry, film, cameras, giftwares, souvenirs and sundries. The Pro Shop (Adjacent to Contemporary North Garden Wing) Tennis equipment, apparel, rental racquets, racquet stringing. Spirit World offered Liquors, wines, beers and snacks, newspapers, magazines, books and tobacco products.

Today, the Magic Kingdom visitor sees the Contemporary Resort as a compatible backdrop to the many futuristic structures of Tomorrowland.

Many of the recreational activities were to be centered about Bay Lake (a natural lake located wholly within the complex) and its beaches, and on a lagoon style extension of Bay Lake located between the park and the resort hotels.

The WALT DISNEY WORLD® Vacation Kingdom complex would include hotels, camping and recreational facilities, and transportation systems to link the various parts of the complex. Recreational activities for the entire family were planned, like golf, tennis, sailing, water skiing, swimming, horseback riding and a number of noncompetitive sports and leisure time activities.

“Eastern Airlines Introduces Walt Disney World - The Family Vacation Kingdom” published by “the official airline of Walt Disney World,” before October 1971 described a Stolport (seen bottom right) “adjacent to the Disney World parking lot, is in the planning stage. Eastern contemplates providing Stol (Short Take-Off Landing) aircraft service between the Disney site and the Miami and Atlanta airports - perhaps by late 1971 or early 1972.”

“Themed Resort Hotels”

On opening, the Vacation Kingdom was to include the 1,057-room Contemporary Resort Hotel featuring a spectacular 14 story tower building with monorail trains gliding through its huge central concourse plus the exotic Polynesian Village with 500 rooms.

The remaining three - the Asian, Persian, and Venetian theme resorts - were to follow later. All were called ‘theme resorts’ because each hotel was to be distinct in the architectural and cultural theme it represents. Everything, from interior decor to employees costumes and special dining room menus were to carry out the overall theme. Each hotel was to be constructed around the lake and lagoon providing not only a scenic view but also affording guests a unique choice of transportation by land and water craft. Although there were no private automobiles operated on the site, guests arriving by car could drive through an underpass to a parking area at each hotel.

The Ten Year Master Plan of Walt Disney World included exciting research and development of new resort hotels. Two other hotels were to be added during the five-year Phase I period, each with a different and exciting theme - Persian and Asian. They were to surround the 650 acre lake and lagoon area in the heart of the vacation resort.

The exotic Asian Theme Resort was to be located on the Western shore of the Seven Seas Lagoon. Thai in motif, it would have 600 rooms and 50 suites in Royal Thai decor, with 400 rooms planned above the water and 200 in a 160-ft. high tower. There would be a complete range of resort facilities - restaurants and a cocktail lounge on top of the tower, with convention facilities below lobby level in the tower.

The Persian Theme Resort was to be located on the Northwest corner of the lake and was to have 500 rooms, convention facilities below lobby level, with dining facilities and swimming pools will be located on terraced decks. A huge dome would crown the central lobby, from which balconies would radiate to rooms.

The Venetian Theme Resort was to be located on the Eastern shore of lagoon with 500 rooms, convention facilities below lobby level in a style reminiscent of St. Mark's square with a 120-ft. campanile which would tell time. There was to be a glass-topped lobby with an enclosed small-boat waterway for gondola travel. Bridges would cross the water at various points.

These additional developments were planned to be completed by the Christmas of 1974 and beyond. In fact the Asian Hotel was still a WED/MAPO job in progress by September 30, 1982, costing $287,806.74. By September 30, 1982, development of the Mediterranean Hotel was underway (WED Job #F201-1; at a cost of $874,197.02); and a Brazilian Hotel was underway (WED Job#A070-4 at a cost of $4,320.22).

According to one “Preview of Walt Disney World” prospectus “‘While five theme resorts are planned, only two will be built in time for the opening of Walt Disney World, near Orlando, Fla., in October, 1971,’ says John Curry, director of the Walt Disney World Co., hotel division.”

The Preview Edition of Walt Disney World (published before the Grand Opening) described the resort, five hotels were planned.

Standing along the tranquil blue waters of Bay Lake, would be the futuristic Contemporary Resort Hotel - an adventure in itself. In the background- Space Mountain-one of the Magic Kingdom's most popular attractions.

Other international-themed resort hotels were planned for the lagoon shores (as seen on the model on the cover above) during latter periods of the Phase One plan.

These included a 600-room and 50-royal suite Thai-inspired Asian Resort (with its own restaurant and lounge atop a 160-foot tower).

There was to be an exotic Persian-style resort hotel (with the character of Persian mosques, columns, landscaped courtyards, and terraced sundecks) planned for the northwestern shore of the Lake.

There was also to be a Venetian Resort (in similar style of St. Mark’s square) with sunlit atrium and 120-foot campanile, while the surrounding area would simulate “the City of Canals,” with gondolas maneuvering through waterways and under bridges.

All of these were to be realized by the collaboration of Welton Beckett & Associates and WED Enterprises, Inc. (the partnership that worked together to realize the buildings that housed Walt Disney’s shows for the 1964/1965 New York World’s Fair.

For now, the Contemporary Hotel, was the larger of the two, located on 45 acres along the Western shore of Bay Lake. The main building, was a graceful 14 story high rise, A-frame in shape, containing 397 of the total 1,057 rooms. The remaining 660 rooms were in 3 story garden wings which radiated from the main building.

Not detailed above was the indoor Fiesta Fun Center recreation area located on the first floor of the Towers. It boasted a shooting gallery by MacGlashan.

In addition to the Tower, there were also two garden buildings, called Contemporary North and Contemporary South, which contributed to the 1,057 guest suites, each one “spacious, ultra-modern in decor, and featuring unobstructed views of the ‘Vacation Kingdom.’”

A Marina offers guests the opportunity to board excursion vessels.

Character lighting was themed to enhance the overall appearance and complement the interior, such as a chandelier or kerosene lamp. These add to the show, but don't necessarily create enough illumination for operation.

The Contemporary Resort-Hotel has one of the world's largest murals - “The Pueblo Village” -- at 18,000 square feet. This amazing mural was visible from the Monorail Platform, the atrium, as well as the 5th through the 12th floor of the Contemporary Resort Tower Building. Situated between the sloping walls of the Tower, some 18,000 hand-painted and fired ceramic tiles of textural purity comprise the towering mural.

When Mary Blair was commissioned to create panoramic and towering mosaic murals, prototypes were always made to test the proposed colors and mediums. Colorist Mary Blair typically created designs while the textural tiles of colorful purity were often made by ceramicists under her direction. These children representing native peoples of the Grand Canyon Concourse, became part of the final product. Once the Contemporary Resort murals were complete, this prototype was returned to Mary. The Mary Blair Family Trust ultimately made this magnificent piece available for purchase, and years later it found its way to auction, where we had the pleasure to view it in person.

Maggie Irvine Elliott (future Senior Vice President) began her twenty-six-year Disney career working on specialty projects, including one-of-a-kind displays. She recalled “there were wall niches in the Contemporary Resort. To fill them, John Hench sketched cute Mary Blair-style dolls, and we sculpted them out of Styrofoam and covered them with thin plaster. Then, working directly with John, we painted them. He would spend time with us discussing color, and why he chose which color. It was always fascinating information. I learned a tremendous amount from John; if you showed interest and asked questions, he was always happy to share.

The dolls were installed, but a strange thing happened. Some of the dolls were melting. The maintenance department couldn't figure out why the dolls were caving in. Then they figured out that those dolls were in niches next to a kitchen with microwave ovens. The microwaves were melting the Styrofoam dolls from the inside out! They replaced all the dolls with ones made of fiberglass, molded from the originals. They sent the surviving originals back to WED. The mother doll carrying her baby on her back stayed with me for the rest of my career. When I retired, John and Marty gave her to me as a farewell gift.”

The Contemporary Resort also became the location of Chef Mickey's breakfast and dinner.

Partially inspired by “Top-of-the-Park” Lounge at the Disneyland Hotel

The Contemporary Marina offered recreational sports water craft like sailboats, Catamarans and battery powered Bob-A-Rounds.

The Contemporary Resort was not viewed as a “visual intrusion” in most instances.

By the Walt Disney World Surprise 20th,

“The completely renovated 15-story, A-frame tower and two and three-story garden wings offer guests modern accommodations and the most outstanding views of the MAGIC KINGDOM® Park. Plenty of on-site recreation, shopping, dining and even a Monorail depot in the lobby adds to the ultra-modern and ultra-convenient accommodations at Disney's Contemporary Resort.”

“The Bay Lake Electrical Water Pageant”

The Seven Seas Lagoon was a 220-acre man-made lagoon for sailing, swimming, and special nighttime shows. During early to mid-1970, Marc Davis was asked by “WED Vice President and COO Dick Irvine to develop a simple show that would be electrically illuminated at night for guests of the Walt Disney World Resort.” [Marc Davis’ In His Own Words: Imagineering the Disney Theme Parks - Volume 2, page 594] Marc first prepared concepts themed to Fantasia, but soon changed this to a simple series of units featuring aquatic animals. By mid-1970, Marc had prepared artwork of the memorable whale and sea serpent floats.

For the completed Electrical Water Pageant, “King Neptune and his creatures from the Deep create a brightly lit procession across Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon each evening. Leaping dolphins and fantastic sea serpents are a spectacular show of nighttime magic in the Vacation Kingdom.” This show along with nightly fireworks would illuminate the waterways of Walt Disney World.

In 1971, Walt Disney World featured four stretches of beach 1-2 miles long.

Bay Lake was a 450-acre natural lake for swimming, sailing, and water sking. Lined with private white sand beaches. In 1971, Walt Disney World featured 4½ miles of sandy beaches (four stretches of beach 1-2 miles long).

During 1975, Walt Disney World asked all employees to discontinue using some of their guest recreation facilities (resort swimming pools, beaches and lakes) during certain peak attendance periods. Cast members were invited to utilize the facilities during non-peak periods, but during traditional heavy attendance times such as summer and holidays, they were asked to discontinue using them due to guest convenience and safety.

While the Magic Kingdom is the star of the Walt Disney World show, it was once said that outdoor recreation acted in the role of a co-star.

Guests of the resorts had free use of the Monorail, trams, and steamboats.

Transportation included Monorail trains, ferryboats, launches and shuttle service between all areas.

“World Cruises”

Modes of transportation connected with the resort including minibuses, trams, motor launches, and two authentic sidewheeler replicas, the Southern Seas and the Ports O' Call. Two Evening Showboat Cruises were offered nightly, boarded at Fort Wilderness Landing, the Polynesian Village Dock and Contemporary Resort. According to “The Workd News” Vol.6, No.6 (published for June of 1976): “Mood music, cocktails, and twinkling nighttime scenery beckon guests aboard the steamboats for Moonlight Cruises around the Waters of the World, Bay Lake, and the Seven Seas Lagoon.” Six 50-minute World Cruises were also offered aboard these same boats daily, departing the Magic Kingdom landing (at Noon, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5pm) so that guests could see the “Waters of the World.”

“World Cruise to Discovery Island”

Guests boarded “an authentic side-wheeler for a leisurely, narrated World Cruise around Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon.” On Discovery Island, guests could admire rare and beautiful birds among exotic plant life and walk through one of the world's largest outdoor aviaries. Departures launched from the World Cruise dock outside the Magic Kingdom entrance. Refreshments were available on board.

“Discovery Island Excursion”

Discovery Island launches would go directly to the "tropical paradise" from the Magic Kingdom entrance dock, Fort Wilderness Landing, Polynesian Village and Contemporary Resort marinas. Film and beverages were available on Discovery Island and guests could purchase tickets at the Magic Kingdom entrance or resorts.

Guests could also take a World Cruise aboard an authentic 19th century side-wheeler steamship which departed from the Magic Kingdom dock. Passengers could learn the history and future plans of Walt Disney World on this leisurely voyage and travel to Treasure Island via motor launches from the Contemporary Resort, Polynesian Village, Fort Wilderness and Magic Kingdom dooks.

“Fifteen Years - We’re Having A Party…and ‘We’re Gonna Party All Year Long’!”

Visitors from both near and far travelled to WALT DISNEY WORLD® Vacation Kingdom in Florida, for the biggest, year-long celebration (to date), an all-new parade party spectacular, and their chance to win big prizes with “Walt Disney World’s 15 Years of Magic”! Just how great of an audience visited Walt Disney World during 1986 was a staggering figure. According to an article published by the Orlando Sentinel (February 23, 1987), “1986 was a record year for its Florida parks…the attendance had risen 11 percent from fiscal 1985”… with 74 percent of Walt Disney World Guests hailing from states other than Florida. To be exact, “attendance at The Magic Kingdom and Epcot Center totaled more 23.9 million during Disney’s 1986 fiscal year, which ended September 30.”

SPECIAL EVENTS :

Many year long festivities marked the 15th Anniversary Celebration of the MAGIC KINGDOM Park® in 1986.

The Walt Disney World 15th Anniversary Prize Clock bore free gifts for guests entering the Parks - every fifteen minutes!

“Walt Disney World’s 15 Year Anniversary Celebration” - To top the festivities off, ABC Television broadcasts the two-hour special Walt Disney World’s 15th Birthday Celebration on ABC, November 9, 1986. The special features loads of special guests including Ronald Reagan, the Monkees, Charlton Heston, Ted Kennedy, the Everly Brothers, Dolly Parton, Warren Berger, O.J. Simpson, Ray Charles, Justin and Justine Bateman, Gladys Knight, Charlie Daniels, and Air Supply.

“15 Years of Magic” - Walt Disney Entertainment department developed new shows like “15 Years of Magic.” Mickey conjures up 15 Years of Magic Kingdom Memories in this daily stage production on Cinderella’s Castle Forecourt!

“15th Birthday Parade” - “Singers, dancers, and lots of fun spill into the streets of the Magic kingdom every day at 3p.m. beginning at Town Square on Main Street U.S.A. During the holiday season, the 15th Birthday Parade featured “yuletide floats, fun, and fantasy”, according to The Walt Disney World News (Winter, 1986).

A special edition of the Main Street Electrical Parade featured a special “15 Years” anniversary float (which was later reused for a number of anniversaries at both DISNEYLAND® and the MAGIC KINGDOM® Park).

Colorful candles were placed near Main Street Station, heralding Walt Disney World’s Fifteen Years of Magic! The bright pink blooms of the iconic Mickey Mouse floral arrangement complimented the pink ensembles of the “15 Years of Magic” parade performers.

Speaking of Topiaries, (eight years before the iconic Partners Statue would be unveiled) the MAGIC KINGDOM® Plaza floral bed was the perfect place to highlight the character of event and anniversary themes at the MAGIC KINGDOM®. From October of 1986 to September of 1987, the Plaza featured this fanciful and carefully crafted cake centerpiece as a tribute to “15 Years of Magic” at WALT DISNEY WORLD® Resort! According to the Disney Parks website, the “cake” was an impressive seven feet tall, with a circumference of 41 feet. Horticulturists and gardeners took great care in adding more than 11,000 plants to this living sculpture. The live plants comprising the “15” candle on top, and the coordinating accents, were changed throughout the seasons (from Scarlett begonias, to chrysanthemums, and finally, poinsettias).

“This Is The Year to See The World and Win”

If ever there was a year to see “the world”, that year would be 1986! From October 1, 1986 to September 30, 1987, a Prize clock bearing free gifts for guests distributed almost 3,000 magical prizes daily, for a full year. In fact, by the printing of Walt Disney World News (Winter, 1986), “over 186,300 winners” had been awarded prizes, “including a car winner every day”. It’s hard to believe that any tickets read, “Sorry. No Prizes today.” These Walt Disney World birthday gifts were awarded every fifteen seconds that the Magic Kingdom and Epcot Center were open to the public during Birthday Bonanza Weekends. Daily prizes included souvenir pins, 15th Birthday pins, film video cassettes from Disney Home Video, light-up visors, Michael Jackson cassette tapes from Epic Records (a Captain EO promotional tie-in), complimentary Magic Kingdom Epcot Center and Discovery Island Park tickets, or a $500 U.S. Savings Bond. Daily Grand Prizes included a brand new 1987 Chevy Cavalier Convertible, a Chevy S-10 pickup truck, and a cruise for two to the Bahamas aboard Premier Cruise Lines!

Two vehicles were awarded each weekend, over the course of the “15 magical years” celebration! Winners rode as guests of honor in the “15th Birthday Parade”. Still, all guests could feel the “heartbeat of America”, by sitting behind the wheel of the Cavalier or S-10 in one of Walt Disney World’s promotional photo locations (whether they won or not)!

Occasionally WINNERS were publicized : June Schaffer (of Kensington, Maryland) was the first guest to win a brand new 1987 Chevrolet Cavalier on the first day of the year-long prize giveaway. Some winners were also featured in The Walt Disney World News publication.

June 27, 1987 - Daniel A. Dundon (of Gettysburg) won a 1988 Chevrolet Cavalier.

A particular Guest named Kristine won a Chevy Cavalier.

Bunting, signs, and banners heralding “15 Years of Magic” decorated Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom’s lampposts and other street features!

At the head of the parade, one lucky Cast Member sets the pace and keeps the beat, while bearing the standard of “Walt Disney World’s 15 Years of Magic” parade!

Walt Disney World celebrates “15 Years of Magic”, with Mickey’s biggest street party yet! Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse lead a cast of 40 popular characters aboard new floats.

It looks like the Country Bears (Liver Lips, Wendell and Shaker) are cookin’ up somethin’ real special for “Walt Disney World’s 15th Year of Magic”!

Goofy greets Walt Disney World guests from the top of Cinderella’s Castle!

Epcot Center got into the spirit with this giant cake photo spot!

CAST OF THOUSANDS -- World Showcase cast members join Donald Duck in front of the China Showcase at Epcot Center to celebrate Walt Disney World's 15th Anniversary celebration. The year-long celebration will be marked by 365 days of special events at both the Magic Kingdom and Epcot Center, more than a million special thank-you gifts to guests (one given away every 15 seconds the park is open) and a top prize each day of a new Chevrolet Cavalier. Copyright 1986, THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY (69-49-21).