This month, we travel back in time to April, 1972. With only two resort hotels, a campground and the Magic Kingdom theme park, Walt Disney World was still in its infancy. There were no five day parkhopper passes, instead guests would purchase ticket books to ride attractions. Each book contained a given number of A, B, C, D & E coupons.

Both the Information Guide and ticket books explained the classification level for each attraction. The coupons ranged from an A Ticket (which was usually a form of transportation) to the E Ticket which was a major headliner attraction. They even offered a guided tour which included transportation, admission to the Magic Kingdom and a private three hour tour that included five attractions and one “E” ticket attraction for $6.75!

Main Street U.S.A. welcomed guests into the park. Unlike today, each storefront offered its own unique souvenirs. There was also a plethora of transportation to the central hub. With a fire truck, horseless carriage, an omnibus and TWO horse drawn trolleys, the street was a bustling representation of a Turn-of-the-Century midwest town. Just a side note: In 1982, the Omnibus was moved to the World Showcase in Epcot to transport guests between Pavilions.

Turning left from the Central Hub, Adventureland lured guests with the sound of tribal drums beating in the distance. Without the Magic Carpets of Aladdin occupying the central walkway, the area was much more spacious. Notice what other attraction was missing from the map? Pirates of the Caribbean with its Barker Bird beckoning you to seek adventure and salty old pirates won’t arrive for another year in 1973.

Moving clockwise to the North on our Hub we enter Frontierland and its sister land Liberty Square. Tom Sawyer Island and the two “mountains” have yet to be imagineered. However, the river felt almost as busy as Main Street U.S.A. with all its water traffic. Mike Fink Keel Boats was first located here at the launch that now houses the Liberty Square Riverboat. The Keel Boats were later relocated to their Frontierland launch once occupied by the Explorer Canoes. Due to safty concerns, the Mike Fink Keel Boats were retired themselves in April, 2001.

Well, I think that’s enough touring for today. Come back next month and we’ll tackle the rest of 1972 Walt Disney World including Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, characters, parades and the resorts. What was your favorite attraction from the 1972 lands that were covered today? Leave a comment below and let us know.

See you next month!

Kurt