Walt Disney Productions' Project Florida (1971)

In the 17th season of Walt's TV show, his comedy film The Adventures of Bullwhip Griffin aired over three weeks. To fill out the run time of the third and final installment, this progress report on the soon to open Walt Disney World aired. It was sort of a trailer for the coming theme park and this short film gives the viewers an overview of what this theme park was going to be. This rare footage shows some of the drawings and models used to build Walt Disney World and then we get to see some of the construction itself. The building of Walt Disney World in a Florida swamp is a modern marvel, and this is a historic glimpse of it.

Near the end of the film, we're shown the assemble of some of the attractions that were being built for Walt Disney World as WED Enterprises. Highlights include Small World, the Hall of Presidents, and the Country Bears Jamboree. Walt Disney World opened that October and this film excited Americans for that impending event. It's been rarely seen since.

Original airdate January 31, 1971

Posted for historical purposes. This channel is not affiliated with the Walt Disney Company.