In 1979, there was no easy way to plan your Walt Disney World vacation, but there also wasn’t the sheer number of options that are available today. Most vacationers would work through a travel agent directly to put together a package that included travel, hotel stay, admission, ticket books, and dining options.
Most people would have requested a Walt Disney World Vacation Guide from their travel agent or would have picked one up in a rest stop, restaurant, or hotel while traveling in Florida or Georgia.
Welcome to Our World
Spreading over the lake and forest country of Central Florida, the Walt Disney World resort complex is the most complete vacation destination anywhere. With 43 square miles of great things to do, it’s as diverse as the mind of Walt Disney himself.
You’ll find our World as old as yesterday and as modern as tomorrow. It’s a World where the young can enjoy the adventures of adulthood and grown-ups can once again join in the pleasures of being a child.
The Southern Seas steamship in front of the Magic Kingdom dock with the Mark IV monorail in the background.
It’s also a World of luxury accommodations, unique dining opportunities, shopping, and a host of outdoor activities designed to create a truly different vacation experience.
Whether it’s a once in a lifetime visit, or an adventure that becomes an annual tradition, your stay at the Walt Disney World resort is certain to be filled with matchless vacation excitement.
Welcome to our World.
The vacation guide dedicates 28 pages introducing the Vacation Kingdom of the World to an audience that had never experienced a vacation like Walt Disney World. It’s also a fascinating look at how Disney marketed itself in a time before social media and guidebooks (the first Birnbaum Guidebook was published in 1982).
Suggested Disney Itinerary for 1979
In the Vacation Guide, Disney recommends staying for five days in order to do and see everything. In the sections below, you get an idea for what a week-long trip to the Vacation Kingdom of the World was like.
Magic Kingdom
2 days
More than 45 attractions, musical shows, parades
Disney suggests two days to enjoy the Magic Kingdom to experience all of the attractions, shows, and parades. In 1979, Magic Kingdom was the only park, so guests would spend time exploring the rest of the Vacation Kingdom of the World. During the summer, the Magic Kingdom could be open as flat as 10:00pm or midnight. during the fall and spring, the park would close at 5:00pm or 6:00pm. What did guests do after the park closed at dinner time?
Walt Disney World Village
Cap’n Jack’s Oyster Bar—the floating restaurant at the Disney World Village just over the marina with the Captain’s Tower in the background. Contrary to poplar opinion, the restaurant was not named after Captain Jack Sparrow, but for Disney Legend Jack Olsen. The restaurant was closed in 2013 and the walkway from T-Rex (sort of) to the Rainforest Cafe (sort of).
half-day or evening
Browse through quaint shops, dine in splendid restaurants, and enjoy lively evening entertainment
The recommendation was to spend a half day or evening at the Walt Disney World Village. Granted, restaurants like Cap’n Jack’s Oyster Bar and the ones at the hotels were the only late night options for Disney guests without traveling to downtown Orlando.
River Country
half-day (or summer evening)
Hours of splashin’ fun in the Ol’ Swimmin’ Hole
Disney showcased spending a half-day at River Country as a refreshing break from the other sports and shopping activities on a Walt Disney World vacation.
Discovery Island
half-day
An afternoon visit with tropical birds in their natural habitat
Discovery Island was a bird sanctuary in Bay Lake that was accessible vie a boat launch from the Contemporary. It was open from 1974 (as Treasure Island until 1976) to 1999. I visited Discovery Island twice I the mid-1990s and it was an enjoyable diversion for a half day. The natural charm and theming of the island astounded visitors in the 1970s, as there was nothing like it; Discovery Island set the stage for future animal experiences, like the Animal Kingdom.
When Walt Disney World opened, the primary focus was on creating a new type of vacation that encompassed recreational activities, dining, shopping, and a theme park. Most of the marketing material showed off the Magic Kingdom, but also the tremendous amount of sporting and boating activities. Disney actively promoted and expected vacationers to spend a day or two perfecting their golf swing or tennis game. The mention of Studio in the description relates to lessons and classes from the Disney professional staff.
Tennis Studio
For tennis enthusiasts, there are a dozen tennis courts within the vacation complex, in addition to an organized instructional program including a tennis studio and clinics offered at the Contemporary Racquet Club. The tennis studio utilizes the latest in videotape equipment to supplement instruction and players have access to two teaching/practice lanes equipped with automatic ball machines .
Golf Studio
If you’d like professional assistance to improve your game, you’ll want to sign up for the Walt Disney World GolfStudio at the Golf Resort. The Studio, under the direction of top teaching pro Phil Ritson, emphasizes correcting and improving each golfer’s own style of play.
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