1983- 40 Days to 40 Years

We are counting down the days to the 40th Anniversary of Walt Disney World by celebrating each of its 40 years with guest posts from 40 Disney bloggers!  Today, Mike (@Mickey_MDOD) from My Dreams of Disney returns for a festive look at 1983.

Walt Disney World in 1983 included both the Magic Kingdom and the new EPCOT Center, which opened the previous October.  Some of the highlights of 1983 include the 150 Millionth visitor, 11-year-old Carrie Stahl (who was celebrating her birthday).  Talk about a birthday present!

However, one of the biggest special events that Walt Disney World has premiered in 1983 — can any of you guess what that special event is?

My favorite holiday of the year is Christmas, and on December 16, 1983, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party debuted at the Magic Kingdom.

This is an event that I have dreamed of going to, but to date, have never been to.  I have watched shows about it, seen all the lights that they have decorated Cinderella Castle with (on TV and the Internet), been swept away with the beauty and majesty of the Magic Kingdom in December, and one day, I want to sweep Cindy and Sophie there so that we can experience the beauty and grandeur all to ourselves.

I would think that seeing and experiencing Christmas at the Magic Kingdom might be the ultimate Disney trip for us.  The special Christmas parades, the Christmas Party, seeing snow fall on Main Street, U.S.A. in Florida, all of those things make me wish for the day that this comes true.

One year, this dream will be a reality, but until then, I’ll dream of that day.

So many of us have had that same dream Mike- dreaming makes it sooo much better once you spend your first Christmas holiday at Walt Disney World!  Thank you for bringing us yet another Disney christening.  Please stop by My Dreams of Disney and wish him a very merry first blog anniversary!

Thanks for joining Beth and me today.  We hope you’ll return tomorrow for a glimpse of 1984 with Kristen (@DVCMom) from The DVC Mom!