A mother and son from Florida take a photo at the same location in Magic Kingdom as they did on opening day in 1971

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Florida – A mother and son from Florida who visited Walt Disney World on opening day in 1971 visited the parks again this weekend for her 50th birthday, taking a photo in the same location as it was 50 years ago.

Walt Disney World kicked off its 50th anniversary celebration, dubbed “The World’s Most Magical Celebration,” on Friday, October 1. It was the same day that Disney opened its first park in Florida, Magic Kingdom, in 1971.

Ahead of the anniversary festivities, FOX 35 spoke with Lake Mary resident Susan Kroll. She said she was actually at Magic Kingdom on this historic day in 1971. She was living in Buffalo, New York at the time, but she and her husband were visiting their family when they decided to go to the. Park.

“I couldn’t even believe how beautiful it was. Everyone who was there was just mesmerized with the whole place,” she said of the first time in Magic Kingdom. “Everyone was very excited to be there.”

Susan added, “I’ve been to amusement parks before, but nothing like that.”

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She was visiting Magic Kingdom that day with her family, including her one-year-old son Bill. He told FOX 35 he was too young to remember the day, but Susan said he was very excited about it.

They took a photo in front of Cinderella’s castle.

50 years later, Susan and Bill traveled to Magic Kingdom again to commemorate this milestone anniversary. They visited the park on Saturday October 2nd.

“It was very exciting,” said Susan. “Everyone was having fun.

She explained that although she often visits the parks – in fact, she attended the four grand openings of Walt Disney World parks – her son has not been there for a long time.

“We were very excited. Bill was like a little kid walking up the main street. He hasn’t been there for a long time. I go there a lot but he doesn’t go very often. So he said ‘I remember it, I remember it ‘”, she added.

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Bill then explained: “My first impression as I walked down Main Street was how beautiful the castle was, all painted and ready for the 50th. I have been to the parks hundreds of times – as a guest and seasonal employee in adolescence – but I “have never ceased to be amazed by the genius, creativity, passion and excellence that Walt began and that employees and leaders pursued.”

He added, “Even though I live in Orlando, every time I walk through the parks I feel like I’m in another world – Walt’s world!”

While on Main Street, Bill and Susan approached several cast members and showed them their “ABCDE” tickets from the early days of Magic Kingdom, asking them “Do we need this ticket to get in? here ? Susan explained that the cast members were shocked and excited after hearing how Susan and Bill were back after their opening day visit.

“My mom was in seventh heaven every time we did our show and said,” Bill said.

The first on their agenda was to take a photo in the same location as in 1971. They walked over to Cinderella’s Castle and took a photo together, holding the original photo from 50 years ago.

Their next stop was Tomorrowland as Bill was working there in the 1980s and wanted to revisit the area. They did the “Carousel of Progress” attraction during their stay, which Susan previously said was one of her favorites because “you can kind of relax and refresh yourself.”

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They also got a popcorn bucket for the 50th anniversary and people just watched.

Looking ahead, Susan plans to visit the parks twice again this week: once with her friends and once with her grandchildren. Beyond that, she looks forward to the Walt Disney World Resort suite. The attraction she said she is most excited about is “Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind,” which debuts at Epcot in 2022.

Disney described the attraction as “a user-friendly ‘storytelling roller coaster’ that will feature a revolutionary ride system with vehicles that rotate 360 ​​degrees and can even perform a reverse launch.”

They said the Riders begin their adventure in the “Galaxarium,” a planetarium-like exhibit that explores the Earth galaxy and Xandar, a planet from the Marvel “Guardians of the Galaxy” films. Then they will discover the treasures of the planet but are interrupted when the Guardians of the Galaxy arrive.

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Additionally, Disney has said that every taxi in the attraction’s OmniCoaster ride system will direct your eyes to the story going on around you. Instead of getting caught up in the action, the system will immerse you completely in the story from the minute you take off. “

Susan also commented on the upcoming “Tron Lightcycle Power Run” attraction coming to Magic Kingdom. Riders would board ‘Lightcycles’, facing forward and embark on an exciting journey. There is already a version of the attraction at Shanghai Disneyland.

“I’m not a big roller coaster fan. I think when you are young you like roller coasters. I don’t like it but I think you have to try everything once,” said Susan, speaking of Tron attraction under construction. Laughing, she added, “If I don’t like it, I’ll never have to do it again.”

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No opening date has yet been announced for Tron Lightcycle Power Run, but it can already be seen under construction inside Tomorrowland, right next to Space Mountain. This is one of the many new attractions coming to Walt Disney World Resort in the years to come.

Bill also commented on the future of Walt Disney World, stating: “Despite our challenges today, we are better off than in 1971 and progress will continue – just like Walt said on the carousel. progress!”

The Walt Disney World Resort 50th Anniversary festivities will last for 18 months, as new experiences debut throughout the Florida resort. Be sure to check out ‘Disney’s 50th anniversary celebration is underway: what to expect‘to learn more about the world’s most magical celebration.

Watch FOX 35 Orlando for the latest theme park news.