Home » The Imagineering of Disney’s Magic Kingdom in 19 Stunning Images

    The Imagineering of Disney’s Magic Kingdom in 19 Stunning Images

    City Hall

    All of Disney’s theme parks start life as sketches and concept artwork. In a new series of articles on Theme Park Tourist, we’ll take a look at how the company’s Imagineers envisioned the lands, rides and attractions that make up its parks.

    We’ll start with the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, which opened in 1971 and is now the most popular theme park in the world. While its design was closely based on that of the original Disneyland, it was on a much larger scale.

    Guests would enter the park via Main Street USA, passing underneath the station:

    City Hall

    Image © Disney

    Main Street USA

    Image © Disney

    Here’s an early sketch by Herb Ryman of Cinderella Castle, which would become the centerpiece of the park:

    Cinderella Castle (2)

    Image © Disney

    And here’s a more detailed piece of artwork:

    Cinderella Castle (3)

    Image © Disney

    Over in Adventureland, the Jungle Cruise was the main attraction when the Magic Kingdom opened:

    Jungle Cruise

    Image © Disney

    It was eventually joined by Pirates of the Caribbean following guest demands. Here’s a sketch of the “wench auction” scene:

    Pirates of the Caribbean

    Image © Disney

    A later addition was the Magic Carpets of Aladdin:

    Magic Carpets of Aladdin

    Image © Disney

    Here’s a close-up look at Liberty Square, which celebrates America’s past:

    Liberty Square

    Image © Disney

    Over in Tomorrowland, the PeopleMover would offer an overview of the area:

    PeopleMover

    Image © Disney via SkyScraperCity

    Space Mountain joined the Magic Kingdom’s line-up in 1975:

    Space Mountain (3)

    Image © Disney

    Space Muntain (2)

    Image © Disney

    The park’s second “mountain”, Big Thunder Mountain, had originally been envisioned as part of Thunder Mesa, which was to be the first expansion to the Magic Kingdom. However, this was parked in favor of building a version of Pirates of the Caribbean, and it was later revisited as a standalone attraction. Here’s an early concept sketch, followed by a more detailed treatment:

    Big Thunder Mountain (2)

    Image © Disney via SkyScraperCity

    Big Thunder Mountain

    Image © Disney

    Another mountain, Splash Mountain, opened in 1992.

    Splash Mountain

    Image © Disney

    Splash Mountain (2)

    Image © Disney

    The New Fantasyland expansion is almost complete, with the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train due to open in spring 2014. Here’s some final concept art showing off how Disney envisioned its latest update to the Magic Kingdom:

    New Fantasyland

    Image © Disney

    Little Mermaid

    Image © Disney

    Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

    Image © Disney