In case you haven’t heard, Walt Disney World turns 45 today.  On October 1, 1971, the theme park opened its gates for the first time.

  • Magic Kingdom opened October 1, 1971
  • Disney World has become the top tourist destination in Orlando
  • Special merchandise, discounts available for the 45th celebration

Disney World would grow from one park, the Magic Kingdom, to a four-park resort adding Epcot in 1982, Disney’s Hollywood Studios (née Disney-MGM Studios) in 1989 and Disney Animal Kingdom in 1998.  We can’t forget its two water parks, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon and Disney’s Blizzard Beach, and its entertainment/shopping district, Disney Springs.

The resort has become the number one tourist destination in Orlando, with the Magic Kingdom being its most visited park.

To mark the 45th anniversary, Disney has few special things planned.

First, the theme park has rolled out special Magic Kingdom park maps that become posters when unfolded.

There’s also tons of special edition merchandise that is now available. Most of the apparel, pins, home goods and more can be purchased at select locations at Magic Kingdom.

Locations include:

  • Main Street, U.S.A. – Emporium
  • Tomorrowland – Mickey’s Star Traders
  • Storybook Circus Area – Big Top Showcase
  • Frontierland – Briar Patch

To see some of the merchandise being offer, click here.

Passholder Benefits

Passholders are also able to celebrate with special dining and merchandise benefits.

Starting Oct. 1 through Sept. 30, 2017, passholders are eligible for a 20 percent discount at 45 dining locations, as well as a 20 percent discount at select merchandise locations.

Dining locations:

Disney's Magic Kingdom Theme Park

  • Jungle Navigation Co., Ltd. Skipper Canteen
  • Pecos Bill's Tall Tale Inn and Café

Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park

  • Flame Tree Barbecue
  • Tiffins

Epcot Theme Park

  • Biergarten Restaurant
  • Coral Reef Restaurant
  • Electric Umbrella
  • Liberty Inn
  • Rose & Crown Dining Room
  • The Garden Grill

Disney's Hollywood Studios Theme Park

  • ABC Commissary
  • Backlot Express
  • Hollywood & Vine
  • The Hollywood Brown Derby

Disney Springs

  • Disney Food Trucks
  • Fantasy Fare
  • Namaste Café
  • Superstar Catering
  • World Showcase of Flavors
  • D-Luxe Burger

Walt Disney World Resort Dining

  • Artist Point
  • Beach Club Marketplace
  • Boardwalk Bakery
  • Boatwright's Dining Hall
  • Cape May Café
  • Capt. Cook's
  • Captain's Grille
  • Citricos
  • Contempo Café
  • Disney's Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show
  • ESPN Club
  • Flying Fish
  • Gasparilla Island Grill
  • Grand Floridian Café
  • Jiko
  • Kona Café
  • Narcoossee's
  • Olivias Café
  • Pizza Window
  • Roaring Fork
  • Sanaa
  • The Mara
  • The Turf Club Bar and Grill
  • The Wave… of American Flavors
  • Trail's End Restaurant
  • Whispering Canyon Café

Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park

  • Leaning Palms

Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park

  • Lottawatta Lodge

ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex

  • ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill

For details about the merchandise discount, click here.