Chronology of Walt Disney World

Copyright © 2006-2024 Ken Polsson
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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.

1995

January 20
  • The Courtyard by Marriott hotel opens at Lake Buena Vista at Walt Disney World. Former name was Howard Johnson Resort Hotel. [1378.158]
January 21
  • The film Circle of Life: an Environmental Fable begins airing in the Harvest Theatre in The Land in Epcot Center at Walt Disney World. It includes characters Simba, Timon, and Pumbaa. [1378.139]
February 23
  • The name of the Guest Quarters Suite Resort hotel at Lake Buena Vista at Walt Disney World changes to Doubletree Guest Suite Resort hotel. [228.149,221]
February 27
  • The syndicated TV special Alien Encounters from New Tomorrowland airs. The show is a mix of quasi-documentary of UFO sightings, and introduction to the new ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter ride in the newly remodelled Tomorrowland at Walt Disney World. [1378.22]
March 19
  • The Penny Arcade attraction in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World closes. [228.382]
  • The House of Magic shop in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World closes. [228.243]
April 1
  • The Blizzard Beach water park opens at Walt Disney World. [210.192] [226.183] [1246.33] [1378.84]
April 7
  • The name of the Diamond Horseshoe Jamboree at Walt Disney World is changed back to Diamond Horseshoe Revue. [1378.184]
April 12
  • The 'Ohana restaurant opens in the Polynesian Resort at Walt Disney World. [228.366]
April 22
  • The Empress Lilly riverboat closes in Walt Disney World. Three restaurants on the ship close: Steerman's Quarters, Fisherman's Deck, and the Empress Room. [228.164] [1342.38]
May 15
  • The California Grill restaurant opens on the top floor of the Contemporary Resort at Walt Disney World. Former name was Top of the World. [1378.111]
May 18
  • The Walt Disney World Food and Beverage division invites Disney executives to preview changes in Disney cuisine. [322.44]
May 27
  • The Casey's Corner shop opens in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. Former name was Coca-Cola Refreshment Corner. [1378.123,144]
June
  • Tomorrowland at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom re-opens after a complete refurbishment. [222.131] (February [226.171])
  • The Astro Orbiter attraction opens in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [228.31]
June 18
  • The Lifetime cable network airs a preview of the Wedding Pavilion at Walt Disney World, and shows the first wedding held there. [501.601]

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June 20
  • The ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter attraction opens in Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [228.170]
June 28
  • The Main Street Athletic Company shop opens on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [228.306]
(month unknown)
  • The name of Epcot at Walt Disney World is changed to Epcot '95. [228.165]
  • The You and Me Kid shop in the Disney Village Marketplace at Walt Disney World closes. [501.626]
July 15
  • The Fairy Tale Wedding Pavilion opens at Walt Disney World, on an island near the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. [228.171] [501.601]
August 2
  • Theme parks at Walt Disney World have a delayed opening, at 11:00 AM, due to Hurricane Erin threatening the area. [412.1]
September 30
  • The Chef Mickey's restaurant at the Disney Village Marketplace at Walt Disney World closes. [1378.130]
October 12
  • Walt Disney World welcomes its 500-millionth guest, Michelle Davis. [259.28] [501.596] [1073.172] (October 13 [210.18])
November 22
  • The Toy Story Parade premiers at the Disney-MGM Studios, in Walt Disney World in Florida. [91.39]
November 28
  • The Walt Disney World Speedway is dedicated at Walt Disney World. The one mile long track was built in a corner of the Magic Kingdom parking lot. [501.597]
December 22
  • The Chef Mickey's restaurant opens in the Contemporary Resort in Walt Disney World. Formerly the Contemporary Café. [1378.130]

1996

January 1
  • Delta Air Lines discontinues sponsorship of the Delta Dreamflight attraction in Walt Disney World. The attraction name changes to Take Flight! [1342.33] [1378.180]
January 12
  • The US government purchases the Shades of Green hotel at Walt Disney World from Disney. [501.493]
January
  • The Vacation Club Resort hotel at Walt Disney World is renamed Disney's Old Key West Resort. [501.584]
January 26
  • The first car race is held at the Walt Disney World Speedway, a Formula Ford 2000 support race. [501.597]
January 27
  • The Walt Disney World Speedway hosts the Indy Racing League's Indy 200 car race. [501.597]
February 4
  • Mickey's Christmas Carol shop and The AristoCats shop in Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World both close. [1378.40]
February 9
  • The Disney Institute opens at Walt Disney World, in Florida. [86.13] [210.181] [230.31] [228.131]
February 13
  • The GM Preview Center opens in Future World at Epcot at Walt Disney World. [501.620]
February
  • The Club Suites accomodations at Lake Buena Vista in Walt Disney World become part of the Disney Institute, and are renamed Bungalows. [1378.144]
June
  • The Toontown Hall of Fame opens in Mickey's Toontown Fair at Walt Disney World. [501.564]
  • The Tangoroa Terrace restaurant in the Polynesian Village Resort at Walt Disney World closes. [501.539]
June 18
  • First residents of Celebration town in Walt Disney World begin moving in to their houses. [1378.126]
June 30
  • The Backstage Studios Tour at Disney-MGM Studios is renamed Disney-MGM Studios Backlot Tour. [1378.54]
(month unknown)
  • The Celebration Golf Club at Walt Disney World opens. [230.37]
  • Celebration city on Walt Disney World property in Florida opens. [228.85]
  • The Richard F. Irvine Riverboat attraction in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World is renamed Liberty Belle. [501.470]
  • Disney releases Walt Disney World at Home: Garden Magic on videocassette. [501.595]
  • Al Weiss becomes president of Walt Disney World. [501.601]
  • The Costume Shop in Disney-MGM Studios at Walty Disney World closes. [1378.156]
July 1
  • The BoardWalk Resort opens at Walt Disney World. The BoardWalk Inn has 378 rooms, and the BoardWalk Villas has 532 rooms and a 20,000-square-foot convention center. Dining locations: Trattoria al Forna, Flying Fish, Big River Grille & Brewing Works, and Ample Hills Creamery. Nightclubs: Jellyrolls, Atlantic Dance Club, and ESPN Club. Others: BoardWalk Bakery. [1378.86]
  • The Atlantic Dance nightclub opens at the BoardWalk Resort at Walt Disney World. [1378.46]
July
  • The Boardwalk resort area opens at Walt Disney World. [228.62]
September 15
  • The Universe of Energy pavilion in EPCOT Center at Walt Disney World is updated, incorporating Ellen's Energy Adventure. [501.581]
September 28
  • The Grand Prix Raceway in the Magic Kingdom of Walt Disney World is renamed Tomorrowland Speedway. [501.563]
October 1
  • Canada issues a postage stamp depicting Winnie the Pooh at Walt Disney World, for the 25th anniversary of the park. [648.89]
  • The Barnstormer roller coaster opens in Goofy's Wiseacres Farm in Mickey's Toontown Fair at Walt Disney World. [1378.60]
October 2
  • The Buy the Book shop opens on New York Street at Disney-MGM Studios at Walt Disney World. Formerly The Costume Shop. [1378.106]
October 3
  • The World of Disney shop opens in the Disney Village Marketplace at Walt Disney World. [501.620]
October
  • Ariel's Grotto character greeting area opens in the Magic Kingdom of Walt Disney World. [1378.40]
  • Disney's Boardwalk officially opens in Walt Disney World, near Epcot. [765.B1]

1997

January
  • Walt Disney World issues new $1, $5, and $10 Disney Dollars. Each carries the Walt Disney World 25th anniversary logo, and each denomination features a different park landmark. [851.20]
February 7
  • At the Walt Disney World Speedway, the Richard Petty Driving Experience begins offering driving and passenger rides in stock cars. [501.597] [764.S5.3]
February 28
  • The ABC TV network airs Walt Disney World's 25th Anniversary Party. [501.597]
March 1
  • The #5 locomotive, the Ward Kimball, begins operation at the Magic Kingdom park at Walt Disney World. [328.391]
April
  • At Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom, King Stefan's Banquet Hall restaurant re-opens under the name Cinderella's Royal Table. [225.36]
April 28
  • The name of King Stefan's Banquet Hall in Cinderella's Castle in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World is changed to Cinderella's Royal Table. [1378.139]
May 3
  • Ariel's restuarant at the Beach Club at Walt Disney World closes. [1378.40]
June 9
  • The Au Petit Café restaurant in the France pavilion at Epcot in Walt Disney World closes. [1378.47]
(month unknown)
  • The Spoodles restaurant opens at the BoardWalk resort in Walt Disney World. [232.80]
July 1
  • The Commissary restaurant in Disney-MGM Studios at Walt Disney World is renamed ABC Commissary. [1378.1]
  • The One Saturday Morning show opens in the ABC Sound Studio attraction in Disney-MGM Studios at Walt D|isney World. [1378.1]
August 1
  • The Coronado Springs Resort opens in Walt Disney World. It has 1900 rooms and suites, and surrounds a 15-acre lagoon. Restaurants: Maya grill, Pepper Market Food Court. [230.22] [1378.155]
September 1
  • The Sunshine Pavilion attraction in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World closes for renovations. [501.530]
September 15
  • The Candy Cauldron shop opens at Downtown Disney West Side at Walt Disney World. [1378.115]
November 8
  • At the Grand Floridian Resort in Walt Disney World, the Flagler's restaurant is replaced by Cítricos restaurant. [235.22] [1378.140]
November
  • The Downtown Disney area opens in Walt Disney World. [232.31]

1998

January
  • Cinderella Castle Cake is returned to its original Cinderella Castle appearance in Walt Disney World. [651.86]
February 26
  • The All Star Cafe debuts at Disney's Wide World of Sports resort at Walt Disney World. (Official All Star Cafe [409.4]) [1378.24]
(month unknown)
  • The Enchanged Tiki Room - Under New Management attraction opens in Adventureland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [501.530]
April 21
  • An opening ceremony is held for Disney's Animal Kingdom in Walt Disney World. [408.1]
April 22
  • Disney's Animal Kingdom opens to the public at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. [235.18] [238.403] [409.5] [1073.182] [1342.22] [1378.32] [1379.141]
  • The Creature Comforts shop opens on Discovery Island in Disney's Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [1378.161]
  • Chester & Hester's Dinosaur Treasures shop opens in DinoLand U.S.A. in Disney's Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [1378.131]
  • The Boneyard playground opens in DinoLand U.S.A in Disney's Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [1378.89]
  • The Beastly Bazaar shop opens on Discovery Island in Disney's Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [1378.64]
  • The Countdown to Extinction attraction opens in DinoLand U.S.A. in Disney's Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [1378.156]
May 22
  • DisneyQuest opens at Downtown Disney West Side in Walt Disney World. It provides five stories of high-tech attractions, including Explore Zone, Create Zone, and Replay Zone. [409.4] (June [257.73] [658.129])
June 10
  • The BET Soundstage Club opens at Downtown Disney Pleasure Island at Walt Disney World. [1378.73]
June 19
  • Disney's Mulan Parade premieres in the Disney-MGM Studios at Walt Disney World. [409.4]
  • The Animation Academy class opens at DisneyQuest at Walt Disney World. [1378.34]
July
  • The Ice Station Cool attraction opens in Innoventions in Epcot at Walt Disney World. [1378.143]
July 25
  • The Coral Isle Cafe restaurant opens in the Great Ceremonial House of the Polynesian Village Resort of Walt Disney World. [1378.154]
October 7
  • The Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin attraction opens in the Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World. [250.28] [409.4] [757.83] [1342.33] [1378.107]
October 15
  • The Fantasmic! show premieres at the Disney-MGM Studios at Walt Disney World. [409.5]
November 1
  • The name of Buena Vista Palace at Lake Buena Vista is changed to Wyndham Palace Resort and Spa. [1378.103]
November 22
  • The Hollywood & Vine Cafeteria of the Stars opens in the Disney-MGM Studios theme park at Walt Disney World. [411.2]
November 23
  • The Kona Café restaurant opens in the Great Ceremonial House of the Polynesian Village Resort of Walt Disney World. Formerly the Coral Isle Cafe. [1378.154]
December 23
  • The Cirque du Soleil begins performing in Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World. [250.30]

1999

January 15
  • The first unit of Disney's All-Star Movies Resort opens in Walt Disney World. [410.2] [1378.24]
January 24
  • The Walt Disney World Speedway hosts the Indy 200 car race. [250.98]
February 20
  • The One Saturday Morning show closes at the ABC Sound Studio in Disney-MGM Studios at Walt Disney World. [1378.1]
March 1
  • The Asia area of Disney's Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World. Included are the Maharajah Jungle Trek and Kali River Rapids. [1378.32]
March 17
  • The Test Track attraction opens in Future World in Epcot. [395.42] [1342.35]
April 2
  • The Sounds Dangerous show opens at the ABC Sound Studio in Disney-MGM Studios at Walt Disney World. [1378.1]
April 8
  • Discovery Island at Walt Disney World closes. [1342.36] [1378.187]
(month unknown)
  • The Der Bücherwurm shop in the Germany pavilion in World Showcase in EPCOT Center at Walt Disney World is replaced by Das Kaufhaus. [1378.173,181]
July 4
  • The Bear in the Big Blue House Show begins performances in Disney-MGM Studios at Walt Disney World. [1378.63]
July 29
  • The Rock 'N' Roller Coaster attraction opens in the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park at Walt Disney World. [249.28]
September 14
  • At 2:00 PM in Walt Disney World, the Magic Kingdom Park and Epcot close early, due to Hurricane Floyd approaching the Central Florida coastline. Other areas close at 3:00 PM. [412.1]
September 15
  • For the first time in its 28-year history, most of Walt Disney World is closed for the day, due to the threat of Hurricane Floyd. Disney's Animal Kingdom re-opens at 12:00 PM for resort guests. [412.1]
September
  • The MouseGear store opens in Innoventions East in Epcot at Walt Disney World. [1378.127]
October 1
  • The Walt Disney World Millenium Celebration begins, which will run for fifteen months. [412.5]
  • The IMAGINATION! pavilion opens in Epcot at Walt Disney World, presented by Kodak. Formerly at this location was Journey into Imagination. [413.1]
  • The Journey Into Your Imagination attraction opens in the IMAGINATION! pavilion in Epcot at Walt Disney World. [413.1]
December 31
  • Illuminations 2000 debuts in Epcot at Walt Disney World. [249.26]
End of 1995-1999. Next: 2000.

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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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