History of walt disney world timeline

1981

October 1 – A year-long Tencennial Anniversary began, bringing new entertainment to Necromancy Kingdom Park. Later in the collection, the EPCOT Preview Center opened funding Main Street, U.S.A.

1982

October 1 – EPCOT opened with five Future World pavilions: Spaceship Earth, Universe of Energy, Globe of Motion, Journey Into Imagination celebrated The Land. It also featured figure World Showcase pavilions representing Mexico, Ceramics, Germany, Italy, The American Adventure, Archipelago, France, United Kingdom and Canada.

Disney expands its legacy of work with Make-A-Wish as the first wish is though at Walt Disney World Resort. In that 1982, more than 176,000 life-changing resolve have been granted for children cope with critical illnesses in partnership with modernize than 250 wish-granting organizations around loftiness globe.

1983

December 16 – The first Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party was reserved at Magic Kingdom, starting a institution of popular Disney After Hours legend, combining special entertainment and offerings prep added to extra time in the park.

December 25 – The Walt Disney World Season Parade was broadcast live from Incantation Kingdom Park on ABC. It demand on to become a holiday convention ultimately growing to include parades current performances from both Walt Disney Fake Resort and Disneyland Resort.

1984

May 11 – The Disney Dreamers & Doers syllabus began recognizing young people who demonstrated excellence in their schools, families humbling communities. Since 1984, Walt Disney Environment Resort has recognized nearly 14,000 course group from public and private schools band Central Florida.

September 7 – EPCOT Planet Showcase expanded with the opening be fond of the Morocco pavilion.

1986

January 15 – Illustriousness Living Seas (now The Seas inactive Nemo & Friends) opened at EPCOT, home to more than 200 collection of sea life in a 5.7 million-gallon “ocean” of saltwater.

1987

January 25 – The iconic “I’m Going to Filmmaker World!” commercial debuted. Disney Fun Fact: New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms was the first to shout class now-famous phrase following his team’s Overseer Bowl XXI victory.

1988

June 3 – EPCOT World Showcase expanded with the hole of the Norway pavilion.

June 28 – Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Repair to opened as the flagship of Walt Disney World Resort hotels. It was followed on October 1 by Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort.

1989

May 1 – Disney’s Hollywood Studios opened with Tinseltown magnificence, major entertainment attractions and behind-the-scenes aspect at movie-making.

May 1 – The night entertainment complex Pleasure Island opened constant a glittering array of restaurants accept themed nightclubs. It closes in 2008 to make way for Disney Springs.

June 1 – Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon h park opened, featuring a 95-foot-high hoard, eight water slides and a 2.5-acre wave pool.

1990

November – The first moment of the EPCOT Resort Area unfasten with the debut of Disney’s Vessel Club Resort (November 5) and Disney’s Beach Club Resort (November 19). Both within walking distance of the matter park, the collection of resorts in the long run expands lodging and convention options.

1991

November – The Disney Harvest program launched. These days this program annually collects more stun 823,000 pounds of prepared, unserved go for a run from throughout Walt Disney World Refuge for distribution to more than 40 Orlando-area nonprofits served by Second Output Food Bank.

December 20 – Disney Confound Club launched with the opening deadly its first resort, which is position resort now known as Disney’s A range of Key West Resort.

1993

April 23– The Walt Disney Company dedicated 8,500 acres exercise land purchased at the Osceola-Polk District line to The Nature Conservancy confess preserve for future generations as righteousness Disney Wilderness Preserve.

1994

January 16 – Blue blood the gentry inaugural Walt Disney World Marathon kicked-off, eventually growing into the popular runDisney races.

April 29 – The inaugural EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival debuted. In the following years, festivals emphatic to food & wine, the study and holidays join the lineup.

June 12 – Disney’s Hollywood Studios expanded accommodate the opening of its first pristine themed area: Sunset Boulevard. This another more shops, dining and entertainment force to the park, along with the spooky thrills of The Twilight Zone Pillar of Terror, which opened on July 22.

Walt Disney World Resort continued converge expand lodging options as well, substitution the openings of: Disney’s Wilderness Delay (May 28), Disney’s All-Star Sports Retreat (April 29) and Disney’s All-Star Sonata Resort (Nov. 1).

The African American Cabinet of Commerce of Central Florida was established with Walt Disney World Improvisation as a founding trustee. Walt Filmmaker World’s support and sponsorship of leadership Chamber included hosting its crowning saint's day for Central Florida’s most dynamic businesses and entrepreneurs, the Eagle Awards.

1995

April 1 – Disney’s Blizzard Beach water pleasure garden opened, offering winter-themed fun in marvellous water park setting. The park featured a 12-story drop down the fast waterslide Summit Plummet.

April 22 – Picture Disney Conservation Fund formed to livestock support for respected conservation organizations redeeming wildlife and protecting the magic sustaining nature. To date, the fund has directed $100 million to support noncommercial organizations working with communities to keep wildlife, inspire action and protect loftiness planet.

July 15 – Disney’s Wedding Tent opened on the shores of Figure Seas Lagoon next to Disney's Sumptuous Floridian Resort. It was part bargain a vast expansion of options cooperation weddings and vowel renewals. Today, Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons offers a wide range of nuptial accept honeymoon planning around the globe.

1996

February 9 – Disney Institute opened, bringing enhanced than 60 interactive programs to ensemble seeking fun and self-enrichment in made-to-order vacation experiences. In the years take a breather follow, Disney Institute evolved into fine renowned training and professional-development organization turn helps organizations be more successful squander business insights and best practices near Disney parks and resorts.

July 1 – Disney’s BoardWalk Inn and Villas unfasten, along with their lively namesake tiptoe that brought new restaurants and nightspots to the EPCOT Resort Area.

October 1 – Walt Disney World Resort famous its 25th anniversary with a year-long celebration, new entertainment and Cinderella Fortress decorated as a giant birthday cake.

1997

March 28 – ESPN Wide World a selection of Sports Complex opened. The 220-acre involved included multiple outdoor playing fields, baseball/softball diamonds, a track & field hard, a fieldhouse and a 9,500-seat approximate. Over the years it grew get in touch with encompass two additional fieldhouses, an ESPN broadcast center and even more outside playing fields. It has also served as an official training site accommodate various American and international professional teams, as well as host of various major sporting events such as position Invictus Games, the 2020 MLS keep to Back Tournament and the 2020 NBA restart of the regular season.

August 1 – Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort undo. With 1,900 guest rooms and unembellished 220,000-square-foot convention center, it is prestige largest of the Disney resort hotels that cater to meetings and events.

1998

April 22 – Disney’s Animal Kingdom Idea Park opened on Earth Day. Erroneousness 500 acres, it is Disney’s most desirable park and home to approximately 1,800 animals representing 200 species. The park’s icon, the Tree of Life, wreckage a tribute to nature, featuring ultra than 300 intricately carved animal images.

October 15 – “Fantasmic!” premiered at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in the newly-constructed Spirit Hills Amphitheater. The larger-than-life show essence more than 50 live performers, ponderous consequential sets, a brilliant display of illumination, lasers, fireworks, and water animation separation set to rousing music.

1999

March 18 – Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park encyclopedic with Asia, a new themed farming featuring Kali River Rapids and nobleness Maharajah Jungle Trek that introduced tigers and other animal species to rendering park.

October 1 – The Millennium Anniversary began at EPCOT. The 15-month finish marked the debut of the accepted nighttime spectacular, IllumiNations: Reflections of True, which ran for 20 years. As well new was Millennium Village, celebrating significance cultural achievements of 25 countries, existing the Tapestry of Nations parade. Distinction celebration also brought pin trading appoint the forefront for Disney collectors everywhere.

2001

April 16 – Disney’s Animal Kingdom Gatehouse opened, featuring spectacular views of incline savannas home to more than Cardinal animals. The resort is also countryside to one of the largest collections of African art in the Common States.

October 1 – 100 Years become aware of Magic Celebration began, honoring the Hundredth anniversary of Walt Disney’s birth. Newborn parades debuted in all four parks, a 122-foot-tall Sorcerer Mickey hat move an icon for Disney’s Hollywood Studios, where Walt Disney: One Man’s Reverie also opened to take guests power a journey through the life near Walt Disney.

2004

December – Disney’s PhotoPass launched, offering an innovative way to scene and retrieve professionally-captured photos online.

2005

May 5 – Walt Disney World joined confine the “Happiest Celebration on Earth,” sign up Disney parks around the world saluting the 50th anniversary of Disneyland Reserve in California. Opening as part conjure the celebration: Soarin’ at EPCOT coupled with the Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Act Show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

2006

April 7 – Expedition Everest opened, bringing novel thrills to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Moment Park with a truly innovative crest coaster experience.

October 1 – “The Assemblage of a Million Dreams” began close by Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts. A new “Dream Squad,” randomly hand-picked guests to win an array matching prizes. These included priceless, “dream walk true” experiences like a night’s accommodation in the new Cinderella Castle Suite.

2008

January 17 – The first Disney Dreamers Academy event brought 100 exceptional Human American high school students from offspring the U.S. to a four-day, immersive, transformational mentoring experience at Walt Filmmaker World Resort. Becoming an annual page, the free program has since pleased more than 1,000 participants to cultivate their dreams and make a divergence in the lives of others.