Welcome to version 55.71 — A New Way to Track Disney Parks History in Real Time
// version 55.71 is not just a name—it’s a mission, a mindset, and a brand-new way of looking at Disney Parks. If you've ever wondered "When did that change?" or "What version of the park did I experience on my last trip?"—you're not alone. And now, you’re in the right place.
What Is version 55.71?
At its heart, version 55.71 is a custom-built version control system (VCS) - a bespoke system similar to what a software engineer might use to keep tabs on the evolving code of software they’re writing - that tracks updates, changes, and additions to the Disney Parks over time.
Think of it like software updates, but for Disney Parks.
Just like your favorite app gets new features, bug fixes, and design refreshes, so do Disneyland and Walt Disney World.
The name version 55.71 is a nod to the birth years of the original U.S. parks—Disneyland in 1955, and Walt Disney World in 1971 (but you likely already knew that). From those opening day launch versions to today’s ever-evolving parks, the goal of this project is to document and catalog what’s changed—and when.
But we’re taking it one step further: we’re assigning a version number to the parks themselves.
Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom
A Quick Note About Me
I’m a Disneyland native—born and raised in Southern California with the Matterhorn practically in my backyard. My Disney journey started at Walt’s original park, but it expanded in 2004 when I first discovered Walt Disney World and Disney Cruise Line with a life-altering Land & Sea vacation aboard the Disney Wonder and a stay at Disney’s Beach Club Resort. I still remember checking into the Beach Club Resort and seeing (and hearing) IllumiNations explode over EPCOT. I was mesmerized.
Since then, I’ve become a frequent coast-to-coast traveler, a proud Gold Castaway Club member, and a two-time visitor to Disneyland Paris (once for my honeymoon). This November, I’ll be sailing on the maiden voyage of the Disney Destiny, and yes, I’m already counting down the days.
version 55.71 is my way of combining my passions for storytelling, tech, travel, media production, and Disney into something uniquely meaningful—for fans like me, and hopefully for fans like you.
Since I first visited WDW back in the early oughts, a lot has changed. I’ve always wished there was a way to capture a snapshot of the experiences I had back then compared to the experiences available when I visit Walt Disney World now.
That thought was the primary motivation for this Disney Parks versioning system.
A Version Number for Your Disney Day
The headline feature of this site (and the thing I’m most excited about) is the Version Tracker. This is an interactive tool that will tell you the exact version number of the park on the day you visited. Whether you were there for a soft opening, a refurb, a major land debut, or just a quiet Tuesday when a snack stand got new signage, the version number will reflect that moment in time.
Think of it as a digital time capsule. Your Disney trip wasn’t just a memory—it was a snapshot of the park in a particular state, one that might never exist again. The Version Tracker will help you know exactly what version of the park you experienced.
Because changes happen constantly—attraction updates, entertainment swaps, food & beverage changes, tech upgrades, construction walls going up and down—the version number is always climbing. The parks are living software, and we’re here to log the changes.
How the Versioning Works
So how do we calculate version numbers?
Our versioning methodology is loosely based on software version control systems, but we’ve customized it to fit the uniquely layered nature of Disney Parks. Here's the basic breakdown:
Major changes - 1.x.x (new lands, E-ticket attractions, significant re-theming) increment the first digit.
Minor changes - x.1.x (new entertainment offerings, restaurant openings, seasonal overlays) increment the second digit.
Micro changes - x.x.1 (menu tweaks, updated signage, character costume updates) increment the third digit.
So, a park might go from 7.4.2 to 7.5.0 when a new parade debuts, or from 8.0.0 to 9.0.0 when an entire new land opens. We’ll publish version logs, so you’ll always be able to see what changed—and when.
The goal is to provide a clear, traceable way to understand the evolution of the parks.
It’s a Big Undertaking—And It’s Just Getting Started
The blog and website, version5571.com, are live and ready to explore. But the Version Tracker itself is still under development. It's a complex project that requires deep research, custom coding, and a whole lot of love for the parks.
To begin, we’re starting with Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World and will focus our attention on rides, shows, and attractions.
To help bring this vision to life, I’ve teamed up with a talented software engineer—a recent grad with deep roots in the theme park community. He’s the perfect fit for this project, is enthusiastic, way smarter than me, and is just as passionate as I am about getting the details right.
We want to launch with a system that’s both reliable and fun to use, so we’re taking the time to build it right.
More Than a Tracker
While the Version Tracker is our main feature, version 55.71 is also your new hub for Disney Parks insight, nostalgia, and community. Here’s what else you’ll find:
A blog: Expect deep dives, opinion pieces, trip reports, photo dumps & videos, Park changelogs, historical throwbacks, and more. If you're into the nitty-gritty of park evolution, you’ll feel right at home.
Travel recommendations: Over a lifetime of Disney Parks, Disney Cruise, and other travel experiences around the globe, we’ve become pretty savvy travelers. Still, we don’t know everything. That’s why we’ve partnered with Best Day Ever Vacations, a trusted travel agency that specializes in Disney vacations. Whether you’re booking your first visit or your fiftieth, they’ll help you plan the best version of your trip. Click here for free travel tips, tricks, and advice or have them plan your whole vacation. Travel planning is free for you but also helps support the Version 55.71 project.
Merch store: Show your love for the project with original version 55.71 designs. Shirts and sweaters are coming soon—and stickers, hats, and other items will follow.
Mailing list and social media: Stay updated with Park changelogs, new blog posts, merch drops, and exclusive behind-the-scenes content. Follow us, subscribe, and join the community.
Supporting the Project
Building the Version Tracker isn’t easy—and it isn’t cheap. All proceeds from the Version 55.71 store go directly toward funding the development of the tracker. Every shirt, sweater, and sticker you buy helps us get closer to launch day.
This is a passion project built by park fans, for park fans. We believe Disney Parks deserve to be documented with the same love and detail that goes into every churro cart, attraction poster, and themed trash can.
Join the Version 55.71 Community
I created version 55.71 because I wanted a better way to connect with the parks I’ve loved my whole life—and I know many of you feel the same way. This is just the beginning, and I’d love for you to be part of the journey.
👉 Follow @v55_71 on TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter.
👉 Subscribe to our mailing list for updates and exclusive perks
👉 Shop our merch (coming soon) or support the project directly
👉 Bookmark version5571.com — your new home for all things Disney Park change tracking
Thanks for stopping by. Let’s build this versioned future together—one park update at a time.
Alright… thats it for now.
Preston Jack wearing a custom 8-bit version of Mt Rustmore found at Disney Castaway Cay