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Disney in 1971

Last Updated on: February 20th, 2023

Disney in 1971 everything that happened The Walt Disney Company has a rich and lengthy history with decades of amazing movies, shows and park experiences.

Here is a quick rundown of everything that happened in the world of Disney in the year 1971. I hope you find this lookback in time helpful and entertaining.

Disney 1971 Company Headlines:

The dominant Disney headline in 1971 is the opening of their massive Florida project in October. This was the realization of Walt’s dream and the biggest project in company history. More to come about this event in a bit.

Almost equal in impact to the future of the company was the passing of Walt’s brother and CEO of the company since Walt’s death, Roy O. Disney on December 21, 1971. Not only was this a sad event and the end of an important chapter in company history, but it also ushered in the company’s first CEO that wasn’t a member of the Disney family. Donn Tatum was quickly named Chairman and CEO of the Company after Roy’s death.

Disney 1971 Movies Headlines:

In 1971, Disney released several movies, including:

January 20 – The Wild Country
March 17 – The Barefoot Executive
June 22 – Scandalous John
September 1 – The Million Dollar Duck
December 13 – Bedknobs and Broomsticks

As was custom at this time, Disney also re-released a number of classic movies to theaters in 1971:

June 23 – 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
July 7 – Pinocchio
December 17 – Lady and the Tramp

Overall, 1971 was a busy year for Disney, with a mix of new live-action films and the release of animated classics.

Disney 1971 Parks Headlines:

Disneyland Headlines:

In 1971, with so much of the company’s focus on opening the new Florida park, things were a bit quieter at the Disneyland theme park in Anaheim, California than in the past. There were a couple of additions to the park including:

The All American College Band
The River Belle Terrace restaurant

Other park changes included:

Renaming the Indian War Canoes to Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes
Closing the Magnolia Tree Terrace restaurant
Closing the Indian Village attraction

Overall, 1971 was not as significant a year for Disneyland as previous years with classic attractions like the Haunted Mansion, It’s a Small World and The Pirates of the Caribbean opening in the park in the immediate years prior. This lull in Disneyland activity won’t last long as you will see in future installments of this series.

Disney World Headlines:

In 1971, Walt Disney World Resort opened in Orlando, Florida, with the following attractions and features:

Magic Kingdom: The Magic Kingdom theme park opened with many classic Disney attractions, such as Cinderella Castle, It’s a Small World, Swiss Family Treehouse, Jungle Cruise, Country Bear Jamboree, The Hall of Presidents, The Haunted Mansion, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, Snow White’s Scary Adventures, Grand Prix Speedway, Walt Disney World Railroad and the Skyway.

Here is a complete rundown of every ride, attraction, restaurant and shop at the Magic Kingdom over the years.

Resorts: Two resorts opened in 1971, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and Disney’s Contemporary Resort, providing guests with themed accommodations and dining options.
Transportation: The Walt Disney World Resort launched the Monorail System, which transported guests from the Magic Kingdom to the resorts and other attractions. They also offered ferryboat and bus transportation around the resort.
Campgrounds: The Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground opened with 780 campsites, allowing guests to enjoy the great outdoors in the heart of Walt Disney World.

Also, in December, the inaugural Walt Disney World Open golf tournament was held at the resort’s Magnolia Course.

Overall, the opening of Walt Disney World in 1971 was a significant milestone for the Disney Company, as it marked their expansion into the East Coast and their first foray into building a full-scale vacation resort. The success of Walt Disney World helped to solidify the Disney Company’s position as a leading player in the theme park and entertainment industry.

Disney 1971 Television Headlines:

Disney didn’t launch anything new on TV in 1971, but The Wonderful World of Disney, which debut in 1969, was going still going strong every Sunday night. This long-running anthology series featured a variety of Disney movies, cartoons, and specials, as well as original programming.

Also, on October 29, 1971, The Grand Opening of Walt Disney World television special featuring Julie Andrews and Glen Campbell aired on NBC.

1971 Archive

Here is the Internet’s largest rundown of all the Disney movies, TV shows, park attractions and more released or opened in the year 1971. New entries added daily, so be sure to check back often.

Disney Movies Released in 1971

Bedknobs and Broomsticks

The Million Dollar Duck

Scandalous John

The Barefoot Executive

Disney Songs Released in 1971

Eglantine (Song)

“Eglantine” is a song from the 1971 Disney live-action/animated musical film “Bedknobs and Broomsticks“. The song was written by the Sherman Brothers and sung in…

Portobello Road (Song)

“Portobello Road” is a song from the Disney musical film “Bedknobs and Broomsticks“. The song is featured in the movie’s opening sequence, and is sung…

With a Flair (Song)

Substitutiary Locomotion disney song music

Substitutiary Locomotion (Song)

“Substitutiary Locomotion” is a song from the 1971 Disney live-action and animated musical film “Bedknobs and Broomsticks“. The song is performed by Angela Lansbury, who…

The Beautiful Briny (Song)

“The Beautiful Briny” is a song from the 1971 Disney musical film “Bedknobs and Broomsticks“. The film follows a group of children who are sent…

A Step in the Right Direction disney song music

A Step in the Right Direction (Song)

“A Step in the Right Direction” is a song from the Disney musical film “Bedknobs and Broomsticks“. The song was written by the Sherman Brothers…

The Bear Band Serenade disney song music

The Bear Band Serenade (Song)

“The Bear Band Serenade” is a song from the Disney theme park attraction Country Bear Jamboree. The attraction, which opened in Disneyland in 1972 and…

Swissapolka (Song)

“Swissapolka” is a song from the 1955 Disney animated film “The Great Locomotive Chase“. The film tells the story of a group of Union soldiers…

Don’t Let Me Down (Song)

Nobody’s Problems (Song)

The Age of Not Believing disney song music

The Age of Not Believing (Song)

“The Age of Not Believing” is a song from the 1971 Disney live-action/animated film “Bedknobs and Broomsticks“. The film follows the adventures of three children…

Disney Attractions Opened in 1971

Sleepy Hollow Refreshments | Disney World

Here is everything you need to know about the amazing Sleepy Hollow Refreshments restaurant at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom including history, reviews, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!

Tropic Toppers - Extinct Disney World Shop

Tropic Toppers | Disney World

Here is everything you need to know about Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom’s extinct Tropic Toppers shop including history, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!

Walt Disney World Railroad | Disney World

Here is everything you need to know about Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom’s Walt Disney World Railroad ride including history, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!

Main Street Chamber of Commerce magic kingdom

Main Street Chamber of Commerce | Disney World

Here is everything you need to know about the Main Street Chamber of Commerce building at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom including history, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

Here is everything you need to know about the amazing Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort at Walt Disney World including history, reviews, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!

Mickey Mouse Musical Revue | Extinct Disney World Attractions

Mickey Mouse Musical Revue | Disney World

Here is everything you need to know about Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom’s extinct Mickey Mouse Musical Revue attraction including history, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!

Adventureland Veranda | Disney World

Here is everything you need to know about the extinct Adventureland Veranda restaurant at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom including history, reviews, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!

Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade | Disney World

Here is everything you need to know about Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade attraction including history, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea | Disney World

Here is everything you need to know about Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom’s extinct 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea ride including history, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!

Frontier Trading Post | Disney World

Here is everything you need to know about the Frontier Trading Post at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom including history, reviews, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!

Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue | Disney World

Here is everything you need to know about the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue dinner show at the Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground in Walt Disney World including history, reviews, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!