Disney Fun Fact of the Day: Visitors

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

The Walt Disney World Preview Center [1970]

The Walt Disney World Preview Center (at one time located near the intersection of Interstate 4 and State Road 535) became the first building on WDW property to open to the public in 1970.

Q: Where was the Visitors Center located for Walt Disney World prior to opening? I remember visiting the center with my grandparents probably 1969-70.

Rick, Richland Center, Wisconsin

A [David Smith]: The Walt Disney World Preview Center was open from January 10, 1970, to September 30, 1971, in Lake Buena Vista, just off I-4 and Highway 535. The building is still there; it is now the national headquarters for the Amateur Athletic Union. The street on which it is located was originally named Preview Blvd., then later became Hotel Plaza Blvd.

To commemorate the 40th anniversary of Disneyland, Disney created a series of 41 collector cards, one for each year the park had been open. A card for each year represented an event or an attraction. The cards were handed out to visitors to the park starting with the "1955" card on January 21,1995 and ending March 2, 1995 with the "1995" card.