What is the oldest Disney World resort?

When Walt Disney World opened to the public on October 1, 1971, the massive ?Vacation Kingdom of the World? was home to two flagship hotels. The first, and arguably most famous, was the Contemporary Resort.



The oldest resorts at Walt Disney World are Disney's Contemporary Resort and Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, both of which opened on October 1, 1971, the same day as the Magic Kingdom park. These iconic hotels were part of the original "Phase 1" vision for the Florida project. The Contemporary is famous for its A-frame structure and the monorail that glides directly through its main concourse, while the Polynesian offers a lush, South Pacific-themed escape. Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground also opened in 1971 (specifically in November), making it part of the inaugural trio of lodging options. Interestingly, while the Disneyland Hotel in California is older (opened in 1955), it was not originally owned by Disney, whereas the Contemporary and Polynesian were the first hotels fully designed and operated by the Disney company as part of its vacation kingdom.

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GRAPHIC: The best times to visit Walt Disney World in 2023
  • January 17-31 (light to moderate crowds, cool temps)
  • February 1-9 (light to moderate crowds, cool temps)
  • May 1-5 (light to moderate crowds)
  • May 8-25 (light to moderate crowds)
  • August 14-18 (light crowds)
  • August 21-31 (light crowds)


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