What year did Disney World open?

The official opening of the Walt Disney World Resort occurred on October 1, 1971. On this day, Magic Kingdom opened its gates for the first time, along with the Polynesian Village Resort and the Contemporary Resort.

But, the real answer to the question “What year did Disney World open?” is a little tricky because Walt Disney World consists of theme parks, water parks, resorts, and a shopping district that have all opened up on different dates over the years.

And let’s not forget, since Disney World first opened their doors in 1971, that means that they will celebrate their 50th anniversary on October 1, 2021.

The 50th anniversary celebration, titled “The World’s Most Magical Celebration,” is scheduled to last until April of 2023.

Read about what to expect in our Complete Guide to the 50th Anniversary Celebration at Disney World.

Walt Disney World Opening Dates (Timeline)

Want to see when some of your other favorites at Walt Disney World opened up?

Take a look at the timeline below!

Important opening dates at Disney World

Year	Openings
1971	Magic Kingdom – October 1, 1971 Disney’s Contemporary Resort – October 1, 1971 Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort – October 1, 1971 Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground – November 19, 1971
1975	Disney Springs (originally called Lake Buena Vista Shopping Area) – 1975
1982	Epcot – October 1, 1982
1988	Grand Floridian Resort & Spa – June 28, 1988 Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort – October 1, 1988
1989	Disney’s Hollywood Studios (formerly called MGM Studios) – May 1, 1989 Typhoon Lagoon – June 1, 1989
1990	Walt Disney World Swan – January 13, 1990 Walt Disney World Dolphin – June 1, 1990 Disney’s Yacht Club – November 5, 1990 Disney’s Beach Club – November 19, 1990
1991	Disney’s Port Orleans – French Quarter – May 17, 1991 Disney’s Vacation Club (DVC) is launched – December 20, 1991 Disney’s Old Key West Resort (DVC) – December 20, 1991
1992	Disney’s Port Orleans – Riverside (originally called Disney’s Dixie Landings Resort) – February 2, 1992
1994	Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort – April 29, 1994 Disney’s Wilderness Lodge – May 28, 1994 Disney’s All-Star Music Resort – November 22, 1994
1995	Blizzard Beach – April 1, 1995
1996	Disney’s Boardwalk Inn & Boardwalk Villas (DVC) – July 1, 1996
1997	Disney’s Wild World of Sports Complex – March 28, 1997 Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort – August 1, 1997
1998	Disney’s Animal Kingdom – April 11, 1998
1999	Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort – January 15, 1999
2000	Disney’s Boulder Ridge Villas (DVC) (originally called The Villas at Wilderness Lodge) – November 15, 2000
2001	Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge – April 16, 2001
2002	Disney’s Beach Club Villas (DVC) – July 1, 2002
2003	Disney’s Pop Century Resort – December 14, 2003
2004	Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa (DVC) – May 17, 2004
2007	Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo (DVC) – Summer 2007
2009	Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani (DVC) – May 1, 2009 Treehouse Villas at Saratoga Springs (DVC) – June 1, 2009 Bay Lake Tower (DVC) – August 4, 2009
2012	Disney’s Art of Animation – May 31, 2012
2013	Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa (DVC) – October 23, 2013
2015	Polynesian Villas & Bungalows (DVC) – April 1, 2015
2017	Disney’s Copper Creek Cabins at Wilderness Lodge (DVC) – July 17, 2017
2019	Disney’s Riviera Resort (DVC) – December 16, 2019
2022	Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser – exact date tbd

After the initial opening of Walt Disney World in October 1971, many new resorts, parks, and experiences opened over the years.

Epcot was the second theme park at Disney World, opening 11 years after Magic Kingdom on October 1, 1982.

This was followed by MGM Studios (now called Disney’s Hollywood Studios) opening on May 1, 1989 and Disney’s Animal Kingdom on April 22, 1998.

There are currently two Disney water parks on property. The first, Typhoon Lagoon, opened on June 1, 1989 and boasts one of the largest wave pools in the country. Blizzard Beach, the other Disney water park, opened on April 1, 1995 and is themed to a melting ski resort.

In addition, the Disney World resort has expanded from 2 resorts to include over 25 different on-site resorts, Each is impeccably themed and there are options to fit any budget and preference.

Lastly, Disney World has a fantastic shopping district that originally opened in 1975. At the time of opening, the district was called the Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village.

The shopping district has expanded and experienced plenty of change over the years since its initial opening. After being called Downtown Disney for quite some time, it is now known as Disney Springs and features world-class dining, shopping and entertainment.