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

Last updated: 2008 June 26.

1958-1971

1972-1982

1983-1989

1990-1994

1995-end

1995 January 20 The Courtyard by Marriott hotel opens at Lake Buena Vista at Walt Disney World. Former name was Howard Johnson Resort Hotel. [228.107] 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. [228.93,229] 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] 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] [228.60] April 7 The name of the Diamond Horseshoe Jamboree at Walt Disney World is changed back to Diamond Horseshoe Revue. [228.124] 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. [228.164] 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. [228.75] 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. [228.83,96] 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] 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] 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] 1996 January 1 Delta Air Lines discontinues sponsorship of the Delta Dreamflight attraction in Walt Disney World. [228.122] 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 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] 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] (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] 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] October 3 The World of Disney shop opens in the Disney Village Marketplace at Walt Disney World. [501.620] October 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] (month unknown) At the Grand Floridian Resort in Walt Disney World, the Flagler's restaurant is replaced by Citricos restaurant. [235.22] The Spoodles restaurant opens at the BoardWalk resort in Walt Disney World. [232.80] August The Coronado Springs resort opens in Walt Disney World. It has nearly 2000 rooms, and surrounds a 15-acre lagoon. [230.22] September 1 The Sunshine Pavilion attraction in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World closes for renovations. [501.530] 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] (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] 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 19 Disney's Mulan Parade premieres in the Disney-MGM Studios at Walt Disney World. [409.4] 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] October 15 The Fantasmic! show premieres at the Disney-MGM Studios at Walt Disney World. [409.5] November 22 The Hollywood & Vine Cafeteria of the Stars opens in the Disney-MGM Studios theme park at Walt Disney World. [411.2] December 23 The Cirque du Soleil begins performing in Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World. [250.30] 1999 January 15 Disney's All-Star Movies Resort opens in Walt Disney World. [410.2] January 24 The Walt Disney World Speedway hosts the Indy 200 car race. [250.98] 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] 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] 2000 (month unknown) Walt Disney World raises entrance ticket price by US$2 to US$46 per day for adults, US$37 for kids. [788.8] 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] (month unknown) At Walt Disney World, the Disney's Dixie Landings Resort merges into Disney's Port Orleans Resort. [325.20] 2001 (month unknown) The Magic Carpets of Aladdin attraction opens in Adventureland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [321.20] 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] April 20 The Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival begins, running for six weeks. [321.20] May 22 Disney holds a dedication ceremony at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge in Walt Disney World. [327.24] 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] September 11 Following four plane crashes in the US, Michael Eisner and Robert Iger decide to stage an orderly closing of Walt Disney World for the day. [745.371] 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] 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] 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.". 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). 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. [995] March 30 The first Walt Disney World In-Line Marathon is held, through Disney-MGM Studios, Disney's Boardwalk Resort, and Epcot. [414.25] October 8 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] 2004 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 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] 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 September 30 (to November 13) The 10th annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival is held at Walt Disney World. [914.9] 2008 February 19 At Walt Disney World, Epcot's Spaceship Earth officially re-opens after a major makeover, with new sponsor Siemens. [1210.29]