The Walt Disney World Story – 1972

OPENINGS
In June, “If You Had Wings” (Eastern Airlines) and Columbia Harbour House restaurant.

Numerous dining and shopping facilities opened during the spring.

In December, first phase, Vacation Villas, 133 units.

Hotel Plaza’s Dutch Inn, Hotel Royal Plaza, Howard Johnson’s, TraveLodge.

HIGHLIGHTS
In November, Fort Wilderness added 250 new campsites.

Six more monorail trains and two new ferry boats added.

Attendance: 5 million by April, 10 million by August, 10,712,991 for first full year; single day: 71,328 on Dec. 27.

ANNUAL EVENTS
First “Easter Parade,” capacity attendance.

First two all-night Grad Nite parties, 93 high schools from Florida, Illinois and Wisconsin.

Jack Nicklaus won Walt Disney World Golf Championship, 21-under-par 267. Pro-Am guests: actors Jimmy Stewart and James Garner, and singer Glen Campbell.

Sherry Swets named 1973 ambassador.

Cary Grant narrated Christmas Candlelight Processional.

SPECIAL EVENTS
In April, newscaster Lowell Thomas 80th birthday party with distinguished guests including Gen. Jimmy Doolittle, Norman Vincent Peale.

Top of the World supper club starred Mel Torme, Kay Starr, John Gary and Jimmie Rodgers.

CELEBRATED GUESTS
Senators Hubert Humphrey, Edmund Muskie and Henry Jackson; Sargent Shriver; Maine Gov. Kenneth Curtis; West German Chancellor Willy Brandt; space pioneer Werner Von Braun; Princess Muna of Jordan; Soviet trade minister N.S. Patolicher; Gov. Linwood Holton.

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