Chronology of Walt Disney World

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References are numbered in [brackets], which are listed here. A number after the dot gives the page in the source.

Last updated: 2023 December 20.

1983

February
  • The EPCOT Poll begins, in the Future Choice Theater in EPCOT Center at Walt Disney World. Participants are asked their opinions on various topics, and make their selection on a five-button console. [466.88]
March 3
  • The Buena Vista Palace hotel opens at Lake Buena Vista at Walt Disney World. [1378.103]
March 5
  • The Journey into Imagination attraction opens in the Journey into Imagination pavilion in EPCOT Center at Walt Disney World. [228.266] [395.38]
April 7
  • Walt Disney World welcomes its 150-millionth guest, Carrie Stahl. [501.596]
May 26
  • The EPCOT Outreach information area opens in Communicore West in EPCOT Center at Walt Disney World. [228.167]
June 11
  • The Refreshment Outpost snack bar opens in World Showcase in EPCOT Center at Walt Disney World. [228.411]
(month unknown)
  • The A New World Fantasy show debuts on World Showcase Lagoon in EPCOT Center at Walt Disney World. [395.38]
August
  • The Plaza Swan Boats attraction in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World closes. [228.391] [754.84]
October 1
  • The Horizons pavilion opens in Future World in EPCOT Center at Walt Disney World. It includes the film Choose Your Tomorrow, and the film Omnisphere. [23] [228.241] [395.39]
November 18
  • The Hilton Hotel opens on Lake Buena Vista at Walt Disney World. [228.235]
December 25
  • The ABC TV network airs Walt Disney World's Very Merry Christmas Parade for the first time. Walt Disney World buys TV time for the first time to air the show. [501.597] [1357]

1984

January 2
  • The Astuter Computer Revue show in EPCOT Computer Central at Walt Disney World closes. [1378.45]
June 3
  • The Bistro de Paris restaurant opens in the France Pavillion in World Showcase in EPCOT Center at Walt Disney World. [1378.80]
June 9
  • The Laserphonic Fantasy show debuts on World Showcase Lagoon in EPCOT Center at Walt Disney World. [228.282] [395.38]
July 12
  • The Show Biz Is show begins in Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [501.498]
September 7
  • The Morocco pavilion opens in World Showcase in EPCOT Center at Walt Disney World. [6] [228.341] [395.39]

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  • The Brass Bazaar shop opens in the Morocco pavilion in World Showcase in EPCOT Center at Walt Disney World. [1378.95]
  • The Casablanca Carpets shop opens in the Morocco pavilion in World Showcase in EPCOT Center at Walt Disney World. [1378.122]
September 9
  • The Circle-Vision 360 film America the Beautiful closes at Walt Disney World. [1378.27]
September 15
  • The Circle-Vision film American Journeys opens in Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [9] [23] [1378.28]
September 16
  • The Restaurant el Marrakesh restaurant opens in the Morocco pavilion in World Showcase in EPCOT Center at Walt Disney World. [501.466]
September 24
  • The Frontierland Shootin' Arcade attraction opens in Frontierland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [228.198]
September 27
  • The Show Biz Is show in the Magic Kingdom of Walt Disney World gives its last performance. [501.498]
September 30
  • Michael Eisner decides to reject the drawing plans for two hotels proposed by the Tishman Company for Walt Disney World. (This decision marks the beginning of a new course for Disney architecture.) [222.63]
November
  • The Country Bear Christmas Special show opens in the Country Bear Jamboree attraction in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [9] [26.27] [939.128] [1378.157]
December 25
  • The ABC TV network airs the two hour show Walt Disney World's Very Merry Christmas Parade. [380.85]

1985

February 24
  • The Disney Clothiers shop opens in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [228.130]
April 7
  • The ABC TV network airs the 14th annual Walt Disney World's Happy Easter Parade. [380.109] [501.595]
April
  • Disney announces its intention to build a new US$300 million Hollywood-style theme park at Walt Disney World. [14]
(month unknown)
  • The Hallmark card shop in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World closes. [228.225]
June 6
  • The Bearly Asleep shop opens in Frontierland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [228.45]
  • The Bearly Country shop opens in Frontierland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [1378.63]
(month unknown)
  • Walt Disney World welcomes its 200-millionth guest. [210.18]
  • The Heritage Manor Gifts shop opens in The American Adventure in World Showcase in EPCOT Center at Walt Disney World. [228.233]
  • The Adventureland Veranda in the Magic Kingdom of Walt Disney World closes. [1378.8]
July
  • In England, Disney releases the documentary featurette Follow Us ... to Walt Disney World. [228.190]
July 20
  • Walt Disney World welcomes its 200-millionth guest, Virgil Waytes, Jr. [501.596]
August 31
  • At 5:00 PM, the Walt Disney World Resort closes, due to the advancing Hurricane Elena. [412.1]
September 24
  • The Lotus Blossom Cafe restaurant opens in the China pavilion in World Showcase in EPCOT Center at Walt Disney World. [228.296]
October 23
  • The Nine Dragons Restaurant opens in the China pavilion in World Showcase in EPCOT Center at Walt Disney World. [228.90,359] [1378.133]
December 25
  • The Disney Channel airs Walt Disney World's Very Merry Christmas Parade. [380.192]

1986

January 5
  • The Biscuit Barrel shop in the United Kingdom pavilion in World Showcase in EPCOT Center at Walt Disney World closes. [1378.80]
  • The Country Manor shop opens in the United Kingdom pavilion in World Showcase in EPCOT Center in Walt Disney World. Former name was Biscuit Barrel. [1378.158]
January 15
  • The Living Seas attraction opens in Future World in EPCOT Center, at Walt Disney World. It includes a 5.7 million gallon aquarium, Seabase Alpha area, films An Animated Atlas of the World, The Seas, Sea Watch, and Suited for the Sea, and Coral Reef Restaurant. [14] [23] [226.187] [228.294] [395.41] [501.490,529] [1378.33,154]
February
  • The Country Bear Vacation Hoedown opens at the Country Bear Jamboree attraction in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [228.106]
March 25
  • Walt Disney World welcomes the 500 millionth guest to enter a Disney park, Don McGrath. [1334.721]
April
  • The New Century Clock Shop in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World closes. [228.354]
May
  • Merlin's Magic Shop in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World closes. [228.318]
(month unknown)
  • Construction begins on the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park, at Walt Disney World. [6]
  • The name of the Golf Resort hotel at Walt Disney World is changed to The Disney Inn. [228.130,209]
July
  • Michael Graves presents to Disney his architectural model proposals for the Dolphin and Swan hotels for Walt Disney World. [222.66]
August 18
  • The Crockett's Tavern food facility opens at Fort Wilderness Resort at Walt Disney World. Former name was Campfire Snack Bar. [1378.163]
September 12
  • The 3-D film Captain Eo, starring Michael Jackson, opens in the Magic Eye Theater in EPCOT Center at Walt Disney World. It cost over US$17 million to produce, making it the most costly movie to date, at about US$1 million per minute. Lucasfilm provided more than 150 special effects for the 17-minute movie. [1] [9] [4] [23] [26.28] [56.81] [238.208] [395.41] [479.48] [1378.117]
October 1
  • The name of the Diamond Horseshoe Revue at Walt Disney World is changed to Diamond Horseshoe Jamboree. [1378.183]
October 26
  • Gurgi's Munchies and Crunchies fast-food facility opens in Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [228.222]
November 9
  • ABC Television broadcasts the two-hour special Walt Disney World's 15th Birthday Celebration, featuring the Monkees, the Everly Brothers, Dolly Parton, Ray Charles, Gladys Knight and Air Supply. [386.426] [1357]

1987

January
  • Eastern Airlines is dropped as official airline of Walt Disney World. New sponsor Delta Air Lines signs a 10-year contract for US$8 million. The contract is effective July 1. Delta will also pay US$2 million per year to maintain the If You Had Wings exhibit at the park. [201.34] [250] (US$40 million total [1])
March 15
  • The Pickett Suite Resort hotel opens on Lake Buena Vista at Walt Disney World. [228.387]
April 19
  • Team Mickey's Athletic Club shop opens at the Walt Disney World Village in Walt Disney World. [501.540]
June 1
  • The If You Had Wings attraction in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World closes. [228.250]
June 6
  • The If You Could Fly attraction opens in Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, sponsored by Delta Air Lines. [228.250]
October 2
  • The Walt Disney Company debuts Disney Dollars in EPCOT Center at Walt Disney World. The same $1 and $5 bills are used as in Disneyland. [245.68] [400.1]
November 27
  • The NBC TV network airs the one-hour special Walt Disney World Celebrity Circus. [386.426] [501.595]
December 15
  • The film Magic Journeys opens in the Fantasyland Theater in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [228.304]

1988

January 28
  • Groundbreaking for the Dolphin Hotel and Swan Hotel complex begins in Walt Disney World. [217.C1]
January 30
  • The IllumiNations show debuts on World Showcase Lagoon in EPCOT Center at Walt Disney World. [228.250] [395.38]
May 3
  • Antigua & Barbuda issues sixteen postage stamps depicting Disney characters at various EPCOT Center sites. [219.72] [629.375]
May 6
  • The Norway pavilion opens in World Showcase in EPCOT Center at Walt Disney World. It includes the Flording shop, Puffin's Roost shop, Kringla Bakeri og Kafe restaurant, and the Restaurant Akershus restaurant. [228.187,278,362,403] [395.39] [501.466]
May 28
  • The Gulf Coast Room restaurant in the Contemporary Resort at Walt Disney World closes. [228.221]
June 18
  • The Mickey's Birthdayland area opens near Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [228.324]
  • The Minnie's Surprise Birthday Party show opens in Mickey's Birthdayland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [228.333]
June 28
  • Disney's Grand Floridian Beach Resort hotel opens in Walt Disney World, on the west shore of Seven Seas Lagoon. It includes Flagler's restaurant, 1900 Park Fare restaurant, M. Mouse Mercantile shop, Narcoossee's restaurant, Victoria and Albert's restaurant, Commander Porter's shop, and Grand Floridian Cafe restaurant. [10] [14] [228.187,215,216,300,351,359] [501.586] [1378.149]
(month unknown)
  • The You and Me Kid shop opens in the Walt Disney World Village. [501.626]
July 3
  • The TV special Walt Disney World 4th of July Spectacular airs. [501.595]
September
  • At Walt Disney World, the Buena Vista Club golf club is renamed to the Disney Village Clubhouse. [228.71]
October 1
  • Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort hotel opens in Walt Disney World. [10] [14] [1378.119]
  • The Calypso Trading Post shop opens at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort at Walt Disney World. [1378.111]

1989

January 3
  • The If You Could Fly attraction in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World closes. [228.250] [1342.33]
February 3
  • Disney issues new $1 and $5 Disney Dollars at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. The $1 bill depicts Mickey Mouse on one side, and Sleeping Beauty Castle on the other. The $5 bill depicts Goofy on one side, with the other side showing EPCOT Center's Spaceship Earth and the Empress Lilly Riverboat. [407]
February
  • The Crossroads shopping area opens at Walt Disney World. [1378.163]
March 27
  • The Walt Disney World Casting Center building opens. [501.595]
May 1
  • The Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park at Walt Disney World opens to the public. It covers 135 acres. Total construction costs were over US$500 million. Advertising and promotions for the opening cost US$30 million. Entrance prices are US$29 for adults, and US$23 for children aged 3-9. [1] [14] [22] [209.31] [228.131] [238.268] [262.35] [277.D5] [321.26] [370.289] [480.98] [1342.21] [1379.139] (April [28.130]) (1988 [22])
  • The Great Movie Ride attraction opens in the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park at Walt Disney World. [228.218]
  • The Backstage Studio Tour opens in the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park at Walt Disney World. Included are the short films The Lottery, and Michael and Mickey. [1378.54]
  • The Magic of Disney Animation tour opens in the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park at Walt Disney World. [228.304] [1378.35]
  • The film Back to Neverland opens at the Animation Tour in the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park at Walt Disney World. [1378.53]
  • The Monster Sound Show attraction opens in the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park at Walt Disney World. [228.339]
  • The New York Street area opens in the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park at Walt Disney World. [228.356]
  • The 50s Prime Time Cafe restaurant opens in the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park at Walt Disney World. [228.183]
  • The Studio Catering Co. food facility opens in the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park at Walt Disney World. [501.528]
  • The SuperStar Television attraction opens in the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park at Walt Disney World. [501.531]
  • The Soundstage Restaurant opens in the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park at Walt Disney World. [501.514]
  • The Dinosaur Gertie's Ice Cream of Extinction shop opens in the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park at Walt Disney World. [1378.186]
  • The Animation Gallery shop opens in the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park at Walt Disney World. [1378.35]
  • The Residential Street area opens in the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park at Walt Disney World. [501.466]
  • The Min and Bill's Dockside Diner restaurant opens in the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park at Walt Disney World. [228.332]
  • The Disney Classics Theater opens in the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park at Walt Disney World. [228.130]
  • The Hollywood & Vine restaurant opens in the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park at Walt Disney World. [228.237]
  • The Backlot Express restaurant opens in the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park at Walt Disney World. [1378.54]
  • The Hollywood Brown Derby restaurant opens in the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park at Walt Disney World. [228.237]
  • The Theater of the Stars attraction opens on Hollywood Boulevard in the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park at Walt Disney World. [501.550]
  • The Sid Cahuenga's One-of-a-Kind shop opens on Hollywood Boulevard in the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park at Walt Disney World. [501.498]
  • The Mickey's of Hollywood shop opens on Hollywood Boulevard in the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park at Walt Disney World. [228.327]
  • The Crossroads of the World shop opens in the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park at Walt Disney World. [1378.163]
  • The Pleasure Island area opens at the Walt Disney World resort. It includes the Neon Armadillo Music Saloon nightclub, Mannequins nightclub, Adventurers Club nightclub, XZFR Rockin' Rollerdrome nightclub, and the Comedy Warehouse nightclub. [62] [210.18] [228.310,353,391] [232.31] [501.624] [1378.8,148]
June 1
  • Typhoon Lagoon water park opens at Walt Disney World, covering 56 acres. [14] [62] [501.578] [1246.33]
June 21
  • Walt Disney World welcomes its 300-millionth guest, Matt Gleason. [501.596]
June 26
  • The Delta Dreamflight attraction opens in Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. It is sponsored by Delta Air Lines, and replaces the If You Could Fly attraction. [1342.33] [1378.180]
(month unknown)
  • The name of the Club Lake Villas accomodations at Walt Disney World is changed to Club Suites. [1378.144]
  • The Walt Disney World Village is renamed the Disney Village Marketplace. [228.132]
July 24
  • Tony's Town Square Restaurant opens on Town Square in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [501.564]
August 24
  • The Ewok Village opens at the entrance to the Star Tours attraction in the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park at Walt Disney World. [228.170]
August 25
  • The grand opening of the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular takes place at the Disney-MGM Studios at Walt Disney World. [228.254]
October 19
  • The Wonders of Life pavilion opens in EPCOT Center at Walt Disney World. It includes the Body Wars attraction, and the Cranium Command show, and Goofy over Health film. [228.108] [249.97] [395.42] [501.618] [1378.88,160]
October 30
  • The film The Making of Me opens in the Wonders of Life pavilion in EPCOT Center at Walt Disney World. [228.308]
November 2
  • In the Future World section in EPCOT Center at Walt Disney World, the Wonders of Life pavilion officially opens. It features Body Wars, a thrill ride through the human body. The pavilion cost US$900 million to create. It is sponsored by Metropolitan Life. [14] [278.D2]
  • Disney announces plans to build the Dixie Landings and Port Orleans Resort hotels at Walt Disney World. [278.D2]
November 23
  • The Delizie Italiane shop opens in the Italy pavilion in World Showcase in EPCOT Center at Walt Disney World. Former name was Arcata d'Antigiani. [1378.180]
End of 1983-1989. Next: 1990.

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1958-1971 1972-1982 1983-1989 1990-1994 1995-1999 2000-end


A list of references to all source material is available.

Last updated: 2023 December 20.
Copyright © 2006-2024 Ken Polsson (email: ken@kpolsson.com).
URL: http://kpolsson.com/wdworld/
Link to Ken P's home page.

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