Chronology of Walt Disney World

Copyright © 2006-2024 Ken Polsson
internet e-mail: ken@kpolsson.com
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URL: http://kpolsson.com/wdworld/

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.

2000

  • Walt Disney World raises entrance ticket price by US$2 to US$46 per day for adults, US$37 for kids. [788.8]
February 20
  • The name of Captain Jack's Oyster Bar at the Downtown Disney Marketplace at Walt Disney World is changed to Cap'n Jack's Restaurant. [1378.117]
March
  • Disney takes over the lease of the All Star Cafe at Disney's Wide World of Sports resort at Walt Disney World, from Planet Hollywood International. [1378.24]
April 28
  • In Walt Disney World, the seventh annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is held, until June 11. [326.16]
April 29
  • Michael J. Fox adds his handprints to the collection at the Disney-MGM Studios at Walt Disney World. [259.33]
May 8
  • Walt Disney World hosts the Global Children's Summit for The Millenium Dreamers over three days. 2000 students from around the world are selected to participate based on achievements. [259.60] [326.16]
August 5
  • The Bonfamille's Cafe restaurant at Port Orleans Resort at Walt Disney World closes. [1378.89]
(month unknown)
  • At Walt Disney World, the Disney's Dixie Landings Resort merges into Disney's Port Orleans Resort. [325.20]
  • The Magic Carpets of Aladdin attraction opens in Adventureland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [321.20]
December 15
  • The Agrabah Bazaar marketplace opens in Adventureland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [1378.12]

2001

April 1
  • The Main Street Electrical Parade at Walt Disney World makes its last run. [321.20]
April 2
  • Spectromagic re-starts in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [321.20]
April
  • The attraction Who Wants to Be a Millionaire - Play It! opens at Disney-MGM Studios at Walt Disney World. [324.B2] [327.18]
April 16
  • Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge opens at Walt Disney World. [321.19,26] [367.28] [394.19] [1378.32]
April 20
  • The Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival begins, running for six weeks. [321.20]
May 1
  • The name of the Countdown to Extinction attraction in DinoLand U.S.A. in Disney's Animal Kingdom is changed to DINOSAUR. [1378.156]

    vvv advertisement vvv

    ^^^ advertisement ^^^
May 22
  • Disney holds a dedication ceremony at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge in Walt Disney World. [327.24]
(month unknown)
  • Disney sells the Crossroads shopping area at Walt Disney World to GE Capital Realty Group. [1378.163]
July 25
  • Comedy Central airs the South Park TV show in the USA. An amusement park shares many similarities to Disneyland and Walt Disney World: main street, haunted mansion, mine train, fast passes, paddlewheeler and sailing ship and island, log ride. [1209]
August 4
  • The Bear in the Big Blue House Show ceases performances in Disney-MGM Studios at Walt Disney World. [1378.63]
September 1
  • The River Country water park at Walt Disney World closes. [1342.36]
September 11
  • Following four plane crashes in the US, Michael Eisner and Robert Iger decide to stage an orderly closing of Walt Disney World, and not open Disneyland or Disney's California Adventure for the day. [745.371] [1300.157]
October 1
  • Walt Disney World begins the 100 Years of Magic celebration of Walt Disney's birth. [322.26] [327.14]

2002

March 8
  • Disney's Pop Century Resort opens at Walt Disney World. [366.22]
April 18
  • The Primeval Whirl roller coaster opens in Chester & Hester's Dino-Rama! in DinoLand U.S.A. in Disney's Animal Kingdom in Walt Disney World. [366.22] [367.28] [1378.131]
April 28
  • The Captain's Tower area in the Marketplace at Disney Springs in Walt Disney World closes. [1378.118]
June 1
  • The Journey Into Imagination with Figment attraction re-opens in Epcot Center at Walt Disney World. [394.28]
July 1
  • Disney's Beach Club Villas resort opens at Walt Disney World. [394.32]
July
  • The Disney Pin Traders area opens in the Marketplace in Disney Springs at Walt Disney World. [1378.118]
August 1
  • The Once Upon a Toy shop opens in Downtown Disney Marketplace at Walt Disney World. [394.32]
August 22
  • The Official Disneyana Mystery convention is held at Walt Disney World, over three days. [394.32]
November
  • The Epcot Seas Aqua Tour opens at Epcot in Walt Disney World. [652.26]

2003

January 5
  • The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US.
    • A child says the family gets to go to Florida. The days asks if they're going to Disney World.
    • A scene shows the marquee of "EFCOT CENTER" with a sign under reading "WHEN EVERYTHING ELSE IS BOOKED".
    • When flying a plane over the site, the dad says "It's even boring to fly over it.".
    • At the end, a character jumps over a wall into what he calls "Disney World", in which a Disney-style castle can be seen.
    • He frets that a churro costs $14, but pays anyway.
    Disney theme park references:
    • The Future Sphere (Spaceship Earth),
    • Transportation Pavilion (World of Motion Pavilion),
    • Honey, I Squirted Goo on the Audience! (Honey, I Shrunk the Audience),
    • Great Moments with Mr. Eisner (Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln),
    • The Home of Tomorrow (Monsanto House of the Future),
    • a restaurant with menu items from around the world,
    • fireworks and laser light show over a lake (Illuminations, World Showcase).
    [995]
February 1
  • The Diamond Horseshoe Revue show closes at Walt Disney World. [1378.184]
March 30
  • The first Walt Disney World In-Line Marathon is held, through Disney-MGM Studios, Disney's Boardwalk Resort, and Epcot. [414.25]
May 22
  • The film Reflections of China debuts in the China pavilion in World Showcase at Epcot in Walt Disney World. [1378.133]
July 1
  • The Goofy's Country Dancin' Jamboree show opens in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [1378.184]
September 30
  • The Magic of Disney Animation tour in Disney-MGM Studios ceases playing the film Back to Neverland. [1378.53]
October 8
  • Mickey's PhilharMagic 3-D film opens in Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [415.19] [1248.43]
  • The fireworks show Wishes: A Magical Gathering of Disney Dreams premieres at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. [652.28]
October 9
  • The Mission: Space attraction opens in Epcot at Walt Disney World. The attraction cost US$150 million to build. [366.22] [483.24] [650.14] [652.28] [745.431]
(month unknown)
  • The Intrepid Traveler releases the Hidden Mickeys: A Field Guide to Walt Disney World's Best Kept Secrets book, by Steven Barrett. Price is US$11.95. [651.77]
  • Bowman Books releases The Luxury Guide to Walt Disney World book by Cara Goldsbury. Price is US$19.95. [651.77]
November 18
  • Seventy-five plaster Mickey Mouse statues go on display in Walt Disney World. The art show is entitled Celebrate Mickey: 75 Inspearations. The statues were created by celebrity artists, to honor the 75th anniversary of the film debut of Mickey Mouse. (The statues will later go on a tour across America, to be auctioned off for charity at Sotheby's in New York.) [651.18] [652.29]
December 30
  • The Courtyard by Marriott hotel at Lake Buena Vista at Walt Disney World closes. [1378.158]

2004

January 21
  • Disney sells the downtown shops of Celebration in Walt Disney World to Lexin Capital. [1378.126]
April 25
  • The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US.
    • The dress-up character resembling Eeyore from Walt Disney World is run-over by a car; the character's actor says "Everything happens to Eemore.".
    • A character in Miami tells an old man "If you take a woman [to Epcot], she will be yours.".
    [1026]
May 17
  • The Artist's Palette restaurant opens at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa at Walt Disney World. [1378.43]
May 27
  • Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa opens in Walt Disney World. [414.20] [665.20]
(month unknown)
  • Zagat releases its Survey of U.S. Family Travel Guide: Sites & Attractions, Restaurants, Lodging. Walt Disney World has several top rated attractions:
    • #1: Magic Kingdom,
    • #2 Epcot,
    • #6 Disney-MGM Studios,
    • #8 Disney's Animal Kingdom.
    [1100.96]
September
  • The Goofy's Country Dancin' Jamboree show in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World closes. [1378.184]
October 18
  • The Animation Academy class opens at The Magic of Disney Animation in Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World. [1378.34]
November 16
  • The Turtle Talk with Crush attraction opens in Epcot at Walt Disney World. [756.15] [914.6]
  • The Stitch's Great Escape attraction opens in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. The location formerly housed The ExtraTerrorestrial Alien Encounter. [754.21] [756.27]

2005

January 5
  • The Atlantic Wear & Wardrobe Emporium Shop in the Beach Club Resort at Walt Disney World closes. [1378.46]
February 1
  • The name of the Bonnet Creek Golf Club at Walt Disney World is changed to Eagle Pines & Osprey Ridge Golf Club. [1378.89]
March 17
  • The Cinderellabration show opens in front of the Cinderella Castle in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [1378.138]
March 24
  • The Beach Club Marketplace opens at the Beach Club Resort at Walt Disney World. [1378.46]
May
  • The BouTiki shop opens at Disney's Polynesian Resort at Walty Disney World. [1378.92]
(month unknown)
  • Hideo Amemiya is named a Disney Legend. Amemiya worked in hotel management with Disney for 30 years, starting in 1971 at the Polynesian Hotel at Walt Disney World. [1378.27]
August
  • The name of Wyndham Palace Resort and Spa at Lake Buena Vista is changed to Buena Vista Palace. [1378.103]
September 30
  • (to November 13) The 10th annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival is held at Walt Disney World. [914.9]
October
  • The Walt Disney World Resort begins the "Strive for Five" initiative to reduce energy consumption by 5 percent property-wide. [1262.7]
November 18
  • The Club Cool attraction opens in Innoventions in Epcot in Walt Disney World. [1378.143]

2006

April 5
  • The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique store opens in the World of Disney at Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World. [1378.75]
April 7
  • Expedition Everest opens in Disney's Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World. The 2.5-hectare attraction features a 1.6km train ride with a 24m drop. [1227.F11] [1378.32]
(month unknown)
  • The name of Captain Cook's Snack and Ice Cream Company lounge at Disney's Polynesian Resort is changed to Captain Cook's. [1378.117]
October 16
  • Disney announces it is phasing out unhealthy food served in its parks, and cutting back on licensing characters promoting snacks with excess sugar and fat. [1047.33]

2007

January 1
  • The Body Wars attraction in Wonders of Life at Epcot Center closes. [1378.88]
  • The Cranium Command attraction in Wonders of Life at Epcot Center closes. [1378.160]
July 2
  • Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas - Jambo House open in the Animal Kingdom Lodge at Walt Disney World, part of the Disney Vacation Club. [1378.32]
September 10
  • The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique store opens in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [1378.75]
September 30
  • The All Star Cafe at Disney's Wide World of Sports resort in Walt Disney World closes. [1378.24]
November 21
  • The What's Next Cafè opens at Disney's Wide World of Sports resort at Walt Disney World. [1378.24]

2008

January
  • The Disney-MGM Studios Backlot Tour at Walt Disney World is renamed Studio Backlot Tour. [1378.54]
February 19
  • At Walt Disney World, Epcot's Spaceship Earth officially re-opens after a major makeover, with new sponsor Siemens. [1210.29]
June 27
  • Disney announces it will close all six Pleasure Island clubs, to be replaced by other shopping and dining options. [1224.30]
September 27
  • All six nightclubs close in Pleasure Island at Walt Disney World. The areas are to be replaced by other shops and dining restaurants. [1220.48] [1224.31] [1378.8,73,148]
October 1
  • The Cirque de Soleil theater opens at Tokyo Disney Resort with the production "Zed". [1378.140]
November 22
  • The Castle Couture shop opens in Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [1378.124]

2009

February 12
  • Grand opening of The American Idol Experience at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World. [1242.57] [1245.19]
February 14
  • The American Idol Experience opens in Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World. [1378.28]
March
  • Disney replaces the live host of the Studio Backlot Tour at Disney-MGM Studios, replaced by pre-recorded narration. [1378.54]
April
  • The Characters in Flight attraction opens in Disney Springs at Walt Disney World. [1378.128]
April 19
  • The Space Mountain attraction at Walt Disney World closes for refurbishment. [1245.11]
May 1
  • Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas - Kidani Village open in the Animal Kingdom Lodge at Walt Disney World, part of the Disney Vacation Club. [1246.50] [1378.32]
May 6
  • Stitch's SuperSonic Celebration officially opens in Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [1246.42]
May 31
  • The Virgin Megastore at Downtown Disney in Walt Disney World closes. [1245.10]
July 3
  • The Hall of Presidents officially re-opens in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, with new speeches by Barack Obama and George Washington. [1247.16]
August 4
  • The Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort opens in Florida, part of Disney's Vacation Club. [1246.17] [1378.62,152]
September 12
  • At Disney's D23 Expo in Anaheim, California, Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, announces Fantasyland at Walt Disney World will undergo an extensive transformation and expansion, tripling in size by 2013. [1293.33]
October 3
  • A ticker-tape parade is held for Buzz Lightyear at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World to celebrate his return from 15 months in the International Space Station. [1293.21]
October 14
  • The Sum of All Thrills attraction opens at Epcot's Innoventions, the first ride for that building. [1293.15]
November 13
  • Space Mountain at Walt Disney World re-opens after seven months renovations, for a few hours per day for fine tuning. [1293.14]
November 22
  • Grand re-opening of Space Mountain at Walt Disney World after seven months renovations. [1293.14]

2010

January 29
  • At Walt Disney World in Florida, IBM's redesigned "Smarter Planet" exhibit opens in Innoventions of Epcot. [1103]
March 3
  • (to May 16) The Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival is held at Epcot Center. [1293.13]
March 11
  • Disney introduces the Disney Premier Passport, for use at all parks at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. [1378.36]
April 16
  • The D Street shop opens at Downtown Disney West Side at Walt Disney World. [1378.167]
June 1
  • The name of Cinderella's Golden Carrousel in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World is changed to Prince Charming Regal Carrousel. [1378.139]
June 6
  • (to August 14) Summer Nightastic is held at Walt Disney World, with special evening events. [1312.22]
(month unknown)
  • The What's Next Cafè at Disney's Wide World of Sports resort at Walt Disney World closes and re-opens as ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill. [1378.24]
July 2
  • The film Captain EO re-opens at Epcot at Walt Disney World. [1378.117]
September 7
  • Final ride of Star Tours at Hollywood Studios in Florida by Disney's D23 club members. [1312.18]
September 14
  • (to November 1) Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom hosts "Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party". [1312.35]
October 2
  • Last live stage performance of High School Musical 3: Senior Year in Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World. [1312.15]
October 22
  • Start of new street show Disney Channel Rocks in Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World. [1312.15]

2011

April 1
  • The Box Office Gifts shop opens in the Town Square Theater on Main Street, U.S.A. in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [1378.93,112]
November 10
  • The Cheshire Café opens in Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. Formerly Enchanted Grove. [1378.130]

2012

February 12
  • The Barnstormer Featuring the Great Goofini roller coaster opens in Storybook Circus in Mickey's Toontown at Walt Disney World. [1378.60]
May 31
  • The Finding Nemo stage of The Art of Animation Resort opens at Walt Disney World, with 1120 family suites and 864 other rooms. [1378.43]
(month unknown)
  • The Sounds Dangerous show at the ABC Sound Studio in Disney-MGM Studios at Walt Disney World closes. [1378.1]
July 31
  • The Bistro de Paris restaurant in the France pavilion at Epcot Center closes. [1378.81]
August
  • The Beastly Bazaar shop on Discovery Island in Disney's Animal Kingdom closes. [1378.64]
September 30
  • The Big Top Souvenirs store opens at Storybook Circus in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [1378.78]
December 6
  • The Be Our Guest Restaurant opens in the Beast's Castle in Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom, at Walt Disney World. [1378.62]
December
  • The Monsieur Paul restaurant opens in the France pavilion at Epcot in Walt Disney World. [1378.81]

2013

May
  • The Adventurers Outpost character meet-and-greet area opens on Discovery Island at Disney's Animal Kingdom. [1378.64]
August 17
  • Cap'n Jack's Restaurant at Downtown Disney Marketplace at Walt Disney World closes. [1378.117]

2014

August 30
  • The American Idol Experience closes at Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World. [1378.28]
September 27
  • The Studio Backlot Tour at Disney-MGM Studios at Walt Disney World closes. [1378.54]

2015

January 4
  • The Creature Comforts shop on Discovery Island in Disney's Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World closes. [1378.161]
April 15
  • The Boathouse restaurant opens at The Landing at Disney Springs at Walt Disney World. [1378.87]
July 12
  • The Animation Academy class at The Magic of Disney Animation in Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World closes. [1378.34]
August 23
  • The Animation Gallery shop in Disney-MGM Studios at Walt Disney World closes. [1378.35]
December 6
  • The film Captain EO ceases playing in Epcot at Walt Disney World. [1378.117]
December 16
  • The Jungle Navigation Co., Ltd. Skipper Canteen opens in Adventureland in the Magic Kingdom of Walt Disney World. [1378.8]

2016

April 2
  • The Writer's Stop shop at Disney-MGM Studios in Walt Disney World closes. [1378.106]
May 15
  • The Amorette's Patisserie shop opens at the Disney Springs Town Center at Walt Disney World. [1378.29]

2020

March 15
  • Walt Disney World closes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [1379.158]
July 11
  • The Magic Kingdom and Disney's Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World re-open. [1379.156] (June 11 [1379.162])
July 15
  • Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World re-opens. [1379.164]

2021

October 1
  • Remy's Ratatouille Adventure opens at Epcot's France pavilion. [1379.168]
December 25
  • The ABC TV network in the USA airs the Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade hosted by Juliana and Derek Hough at Walt Disney World. [1381.75]

2022

June 21
  • Over 1700 Walt Disney World cast members mark International Yoga Day at the park. [1397.27]
End of 2000-2022.

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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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