The next decade at Walt Disney World would see many changes. About half way through, the Eisner era came to an end as leadership was passed to Bob Iger. The parks would change with things like more intellectual property worked into the attractions, the elimination of roaming characters and the introduction of the Disney Dining Plan.
 |
| photo courtesy of disneyavenue.com |
2000 - The Walt Disney World Millennium Celebration was held from October 1, 1999 to January 1, 2001 and was based mainly in EPCOT. Created for this event was the Tapestry of Nations parade and the Illuminations 2000: Reflections of Earth fireworks show.
2001 - At Magic Kingdom, The Magic Carpets of Aladdin opens. Main Street Electrical Parade makes it's last run and Spectromagic resumes.
EPCOT begins the International Flower and Garden Festival and Soarin over California opens.
Who Wants to be a Millionaire? Play it! and Playhouse Disney: Live on Stage opens at MGM Studios.
And River Country water park closes.
MGM Studios unveiled the Sorcerer Hat which because the new unofficial "icon" of the park.
The park also debuted Walt Disney: One Man's Dream
and each park got a new parade.
2002 - Pop Century resort opens
Beach Club Villas resort opens
Journey Into Imagination with Figment reopens and the Epcot Seas Aqua Tour opens at EPCOT.
2003 - the new marketing campaign, "Where Magic Lives" begins.
At a cost of $100 million to build, Mission Space opens at EPCOT.
At Magic Kingdom, Mickey's Philharmagic 3D show opens and Wishes: A Magical Gathering of Disney Dreams fireworks show debuts
2004 - At EPCOT, Turtle Talk with Crush opens
At Magic Kingdom, Stitch's Great Escape opens in the location which formerly housed The Extra Terrorestrial Alien Encounter
Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa opens.
2005 - As attention is focused on Disneyland celebrating it's 50th anniversary, all is quiet at Walt Disney World. There are no openings or closures. WDW also celebrates with "The Happiest Celebration on Earth" campaign
2006 continues to be a quiet year. The park's next $100 million attraction is Expedition Everest at Animal Kingdom. It features the largest and most complex audio-animatronic ever built, the Yeti, which would reach out for guests as they rode by. Sadly, just a few months after it opened, there was a crack in the Yeti framing causing them to stop running it with motion. A strobe light now provides the appearance of motion.
2007 - The Year of a Million Dreams
The "year" actually ran from October 1, 2006 to December 31, 2008. It featured a year full of one-of-a-kind surprises that ranged from things like special buttons, new character costumes and dream fastpasses all the way to free trips and stays in the much-coveted Cinderella Castle Suite!
New experiences in Magic Kingdom included: Disney Dreams Come True Parade, Dream Along with Mickey, The Laugh Floor Comedy Club and the Main Street Family Fun Parade featuring unprecedented family participation.
The Living Seas became The Seas with Nemo and Friends in EPCOT and Finding Nemo, the Musical debuted in Animal Kingdom.
2008 - As The Year of a Million Dreams continued, Pleasure Island closed in Downtown Disney.
Also, Spaceship Earth reopened after a major renovations.
Also, On January 6, Disney MGM Studios closed it's gates for good. It would reopen the next day as Disney's Hollywood Studios!
2009 - This year introduced "Celebrate Today"/"What will You Celebrate?" featuring a free ticket to a Disney theme park on your birthday.
At Magic Kingdom, Mickey's Philharmagic 3D show opens and Wishes: A Magical Gathering of Disney Dreams fireworks show debuts
2004 - At EPCOT, Turtle Talk with Crush opens
At Magic Kingdom, Stitch's Great Escape opens in the location which formerly housed The Extra Terrorestrial Alien Encounter
Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa opens.
2005 - As attention is focused on Disneyland celebrating it's 50th anniversary, all is quiet at Walt Disney World. There are no openings or closures. WDW also celebrates with "The Happiest Celebration on Earth" campaign
2006 continues to be a quiet year. The park's next $100 million attraction is Expedition Everest at Animal Kingdom. It features the largest and most complex audio-animatronic ever built, the Yeti, which would reach out for guests as they rode by. Sadly, just a few months after it opened, there was a crack in the Yeti framing causing them to stop running it with motion. A strobe light now provides the appearance of motion.
2007 - The Year of a Million Dreams
The "year" actually ran from October 1, 2006 to December 31, 2008. It featured a year full of one-of-a-kind surprises that ranged from things like special buttons, new character costumes and dream fastpasses all the way to free trips and stays in the much-coveted Cinderella Castle Suite!
The Living Seas became The Seas with Nemo and Friends in EPCOT and Finding Nemo, the Musical debuted in Animal Kingdom.
2008 - As The Year of a Million Dreams continued, Pleasure Island closed in Downtown Disney.
Also, Spaceship Earth reopened after a major renovations.
Also, On January 6, Disney MGM Studios closed it's gates for good. It would reopen the next day as Disney's Hollywood Studios!
2009 - This year introduced "Celebrate Today"/"What will You Celebrate?" featuring a free ticket to a Disney theme park on your birthday.
The American Idol Experience opens at MGM Studios
The Sum of all Thrills open at EPCOT's Innoventions
At Magic Kingdom, Space Mountain gets an extensive refurbishment and Hall of Presidents reopens with new speeches by George Washington and Barack Obama.
Parade Timeline:
EPCOT - Tapestry of Dreams parade (2001 - 2003)
ANIMAL KINGDOM - Mickey's Jammin Jungle Parade (2001 - 2014) This parade became Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade for the holidays.
MGM STUDIOS - Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade (2001 - 2008) This parade became the Hollywood Holly-days Parade for the holidays
Block Party Bash (2008 - 2011)
MAGIC KINGDOM - Spectromagic (2001 - 2010)
Share a Dream Come True (2001 - 2006)
Disney Dreams Come True (2006 - 2009)
Celebrate a Dream Come True (2009 - 2014)
Here are some great photos from the first decade of the new millennium submitted by our SUPER fans for you to enjoy!
Stay with us for our final article showcasing the latest decade of Walt Disney World!!
To discuss this and more Disney fun EVERY day, join Disney SUPER Fans on Facebook!
The Sum of all Thrills open at EPCOT's Innoventions
At Magic Kingdom, Space Mountain gets an extensive refurbishment and Hall of Presidents reopens with new speeches by George Washington and Barack Obama.
Parade Timeline:
EPCOT - Tapestry of Dreams parade (2001 - 2003)
ANIMAL KINGDOM - Mickey's Jammin Jungle Parade (2001 - 2014) This parade became Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade for the holidays.
MGM STUDIOS - Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade (2001 - 2008) This parade became the Hollywood Holly-days Parade for the holidays
Block Party Bash (2008 - 2011)
MAGIC KINGDOM - Spectromagic (2001 - 2010)
Share a Dream Come True (2001 - 2006)
Disney Dreams Come True (2006 - 2009)
Celebrate a Dream Come True (2009 - 2014)
Here are some great photos from the first decade of the new millennium submitted by our SUPER fans for you to enjoy!
Stay with us for our final article showcasing the latest decade of Walt Disney World!!
To discuss this and more Disney fun EVERY day, join Disney SUPER Fans on Facebook!
