Year: 1977

Empress Lilly

Empress Lilly

The Empress Lilly—officially spelled with two Ls—was one of the most distinctive dining destinations of early Walt Disney World and an important landmark in the development of what is now Disney Springs. Designed to resemble an ornate late-19th-century Mississippi River paddlewheel steamer, the massive structure opened on May 1, 1977, along the shore of Village … Read more

Main Street Electrical Parade

Main Street Electrical Parade was one of the most beloved nighttime traditions in Magic Kingdom history. Once the park’s lights dimmed, a procession of illuminated floats and performers traveled through Frontierland, Liberty Square, and Main Street, U.S.A., transforming the parade route into a moving display of color and music. The production was intentionally whimsical rather … Read more