Old Walt Disney World Marketplace

[Von-Drake]

Just read a thread and it brought back a memory. I remember my parents dragging me and my sister to Downtown Disney area, when it was first getting started and man was it different. I mean there was maybe 4 stores and the big paddle boat restaurant and that was it. Everything was wooden (If I remember right, I am talking over 25 years ago.) Does anyone else remember the marketplace at when it was like that?

[auntfrannie]

Yes, I remember it and miss it! It was so quaint with the little shops. There was a homeyness about it. I remember the photography shop where you dressed in old fashioned clothes to have a black & white photo taken. I like DTD now but I have some fond memories of what it was like back then! Thanks for making me trip down memory lane!

[FosterChild]

I lived in Orlando in 1975-1977. Wasn't it called Buena Vista Village or something like that?

It was very rustic with a polynesian influence. There was a shop with everything Mickey - I bought Mickey shaped ice cube trays.

What fun.

[Polynesian Dweller]

Sure do remember it and I think some of the buildings are likely the originals. It was a more quiet, relaxed place than now. As I remember it, there were a lot more trees around the buildings and it felt more like a country market than today's shopping mall. Really liked it.

[caryrae]

This is what I found out:

Walt Disney World Village
1975-1988
Became Disney Village Marketplace

[Taja]

I remember Walt Disney World Village from 1981. The boat was the Empress Lily--and had excellent food and service!

There was a shop similar to the Screen Door on the Boardwalk--but much smaller--that sold a bit of everything and had it's own mini post office.

Including food service and all shopping, there were about a dozen or so buildings.

Thanks for the memories!

[kbean]

I stopped bythere yesterday and was thinking about the old marketplace and these little rubber plastic disney firgures I would collect. There were about an inch or so big and the disney stores would have bins of all types.

[BluewaterBrad]

I sure do!! We used to go there on our last day of family vacation and then drive home.

[wedway fan]

my favorite memories of the old marketplace were having a shrimp cocktail on the empress lily (first one ever) and buying the original trivial pursuit game at the game/toy store. it had just come out that summer, and was a huge thing at the time.

great memories!

[pookiebear38]

I remember the pottery store! We have this great video of a guy throwing pots and I don't think he smiled once! He almost had that look of "What the heck am I doing here?" To this day, my family jokes about him when we go even though that place has long been history!