Posted by: Cassie 1,496 Views. Walt Disney World opened on October 1, 1971. Groundbreaking for Epcot was Oct.1, 1979 with the park opening Oct.1, 1982. Hollywood Studios opened May 1, 1989 under the name Disney’s MGM Studios.Animal Kingdom opening April 22, 1998. attended Walt Disney World in 1971, and was there during the opening week of EPCOT, and have visited the Disney Parks more than 30 times. I have had the privilege of visiting Disneyland as a child, and then again with my children.