This Day In Disney History: December 20, 1971

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On this Day 46 years ago, Roy O. Disney, Walt’s brother and business partner and Co-Founder of Walt Disney Company passed away at the age of 78. We all know Walt as being the creative mind behind the magic, but those who knew the brothers will state that is was Roy’s business mind that enable Walt’s Dreams to come to life.

On that same day, in Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, the Walt Disney World Holiday Parade was held for the first time.

The parade featured Toy Soldiers, Dancing Reindeer, a marching band and performing cast members, was held twice a day until January 2.

A news report from at the time stated,

“Walt Disney World’s first Christmas will be a spirited two-week holiday full of gaiety, tradition, colorful Disney character parades, and commemorative religious pageantry of the season.Yuletide decorations will bring added sparkle to the already fun-filled Magic Kingdom — “decked out” literally for Christmas with a giant tree and hundreds of wreaths of hemlock and holly. Special daily Holiday Parades (beginning December 20) and two mammoth candlelight processionals are part of the spectacular events scheduled for the holidays.

Floraly adorned by poinsettias, snapdragons, petunias and 50,000 pansies, the theme park will feature lights and decorations in each of the Main Street shop windows. And in Town Square, a snowy, 50-foot Christmas tree, especially selected and cut from a forest in Paradise, Mich., will serve as a colorful centerpiece for the festive theme park celebration. More than 1,200 lights and a thousand giant ornaments adorn the tree.”

Over the years the tradition has expanded and changed, but one thing has stayed the same, the Christmas Spirit and Walt Disney World combine makes it one of the most popular time of the year to visit.