When the shadow of Walt Disney's death was cast over the world of entertainment in 1966, very few people outside the Disney organization thought his last and "greatest dream" would ever be fulfilled. Now, however, some 16 years later, his dream is ready to become a reality.
The first step toward the actualization of this dream occurred when the Disney organization acquired 27,400 acres of land, 20 miles southwest of Orlando, in Central Florida during the mid-1960s.
Then, on Oct. 1, 1971, Phase I of Walt Disney World opened to the public. Almost immediately the Magic Kingdom became the number one vacation destination in the world. Since that day, nearly 140 million guests have visited Walt Disney World from all 50 states and more than 100 nations.
From the very beginning, EPCOT's use of innovative technology has been part of the Walt Disney World master plan.
Today, in the Magic Kingdom, electric-powered monorail trains and linear-motor powered WEDway People Movers already demonstrate potential new transportation systems. In October, the Disney-developed WEDway People Mover made its first debut as a mode of public transportation outside the Disney theme parks. The People Mover is now efficiently propelling six three-car trains over a 7,500 foot route between the Houston
International Airport's terminals, hotel and parking lot.
Other "community of tomorrow" technologies in use include a central energy plant solar project; the world's first use of steel modular construction at the Contemporary Hotel; a network of underground utility corridors; computer controlled fire, safety and energy systems; the world's first 100 percent electronic fiber-optic telephone system and the use of once pesty water hyacinth plants for the treatment of waste water and creating methane gas for energy.
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