The past decade of Walt Disney World's 50-year history was nothing short of incredible. It included the largest expansion in the park's history, the acquisition of two of the world's most-loved franchises, multiple new "lands" and an extended closure that left many questioning the future of Disney Parks.
2010 - The decade kicked off with "Give a Day, Get a Disney Day" campaign. The campaign ended early on March 9 because so many people signed up to volunteer.
In Magic Kingdom, Storytime with Belle ended it's run in Fairytale Garden and was replaced by a Tangled meet and greet.
The Disney Channel Rocks street show replaces High School Musical 3: Senior Year in Hollywood Studios.
2011 - "Let the Memories Begin"
The Disney Channel Rocks street show replaces High School Musical 3: Senior Year in Hollywood Studios.
2011 - "Let the Memories Begin"
In Hollywood Studios, the Pixar Pals Countdown to Fun Parade begins. Also Star Tours reopens after a major rehab which includes a new story, film, effects and also a new pilot, C3P0!
In Magic Kingdom, Mickey's Toontown Fair closes permanently to make room for a major expansion.
2012 - Disney's Art of Animation resort opens.
The new Test Track opens at EPCOT
The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow begins in Hollywood Studios
In Magic Kingdom, a Brave meet and greet with Merida replaces Tangled in Fairytale Garden which included interactive activities including an archery lesson.
Sorcerers of Magic Kingdom is introduced. This interactive game features free collectible cards and takes you on an interactive adventure to defeat the villains throughout the park. New cards would be introduced at the park's Halloween and Christmas party events along with cards for purchase in a take-home game. They have become highly collectible.
Also, the largest expansion in the company's history, New Fantasyland, opens.
The Storybook Circus section of the expansion included a second Dumbo the Flying Elephant ride. The Barnstormer roller coaster remained with a name change from the closure of Toontown. Also included was the Casey Jr. Splash n Soak Station and Pete's Silly Sideshow where you can meet your favorite characters in their circus outfits.
The rest of the expansion included:
An all-new Ariel's Grotto where you can meet Ariel
Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid a movie-themed dark ride featuring an interactive queue with Scuttle's Scavenger Hunt
Enchanted Tales with Belle, a guest interactive show similar to the former Storytime with Belle
Be Our Guest restaurant
Gaston's Tavern
Bonjour! Village Gifts
The final attractions of the expansion would be open the following year.
2013 - Disney introduced the Limited Time Magic campaign. Throughout the year, parks would feature limited-time special happenings. This included new merchandise, live entertainment, and rare character meets.
In Magic Kingdom, two more pieces of the New Fantasyland expansion are opened. Princess Fairytale Hall featured meet and greet rooms with various princesses (and sometimes princes).
Rapunzel Tower was revealed to be a restroom and charging station area.
In Adventureland, a new interactive game was introduced: A Pirate's Adventure" Treasure of the Seven Seas.
In Animal Kingdom, meet and greets with Mickey and Minnie begin at Adventurer's Outpost.
2014 - "Show Your Disney Side"
In Magic Kingdom, Mickey's Toontown Fair closes permanently to make room for a major expansion.
The new Test Track opens at EPCOT
The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow begins in Hollywood Studios
In Magic Kingdom, a Brave meet and greet with Merida replaces Tangled in Fairytale Garden which included interactive activities including an archery lesson.
Sorcerers of Magic Kingdom is introduced. This interactive game features free collectible cards and takes you on an interactive adventure to defeat the villains throughout the park. New cards would be introduced at the park's Halloween and Christmas party events along with cards for purchase in a take-home game. They have become highly collectible.
Also, the largest expansion in the company's history, New Fantasyland, opens.
The Storybook Circus section of the expansion included a second Dumbo the Flying Elephant ride. The Barnstormer roller coaster remained with a name change from the closure of Toontown. Also included was the Casey Jr. Splash n Soak Station and Pete's Silly Sideshow where you can meet your favorite characters in their circus outfits.
The rest of the expansion included:
An all-new Ariel's Grotto where you can meet Ariel
Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid a movie-themed dark ride featuring an interactive queue with Scuttle's Scavenger Hunt
Enchanted Tales with Belle, a guest interactive show similar to the former Storytime with Belle
Be Our Guest restaurant
Gaston's Tavern
Bonjour! Village Gifts
The final attractions of the expansion would be open the following year.
2013 - Disney introduced the Limited Time Magic campaign. Throughout the year, parks would feature limited-time special happenings. This included new merchandise, live entertainment, and rare character meets.
In Magic Kingdom, two more pieces of the New Fantasyland expansion are opened. Princess Fairytale Hall featured meet and greet rooms with various princesses (and sometimes princes).
Rapunzel Tower was revealed to be a restroom and charging station area.
In Adventureland, a new interactive game was introduced: A Pirate's Adventure" Treasure of the Seven Seas.
In Animal Kingdom, meet and greets with Mickey and Minnie begin at Adventurer's Outpost.
This year saw the introduction of Magic Bands and the new Fastpass+ electronic system. The final pieces of the New Fantasyland expansion were put into place with the debut of Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and the Festival of Fantasy parade.
At Animal Kingdom, Camp Minnie Mickey closes and Festival of the Lion King relocates to make room for the next big park expansion.
At EPCOT, Maelstrom closes in the Norway pavilion to be rethemed as a Frozen attraction. And, Spice Road Table opens in the Morocco pavilion.
At Hollywood Studios, The American Idol Experience and the Backlot Tour both close for good while the first Villains Unleashed event debuts.
2015 - Animal Kingdom opens Harambe Market, a East African marketplace featuring four distinct serving stations.
At Animal Kingdom, Camp Minnie Mickey closes and Festival of the Lion King relocates to make room for the next big park expansion.
At EPCOT, Maelstrom closes in the Norway pavilion to be rethemed as a Frozen attraction. And, Spice Road Table opens in the Morocco pavilion.
At Hollywood Studios, The American Idol Experience and the Backlot Tour both close for good while the first Villains Unleashed event debuts.
2015 - Animal Kingdom opens Harambe Market, a East African marketplace featuring four distinct serving stations.
Magic Kingdom opens a newly redesigned hub area providing more space for fireworks and caste show viewing. They also opened a new Jungle Cruise themed restaurant called Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen.
Downtown Disney is redesigned and reopened as Disney Springs featuring many new shops and restaurants.
At EPCOT, Captain Eo, which was brought back in tribute after the death of Michael Jackson, closed permanently.
At Hollywood Studios, The Magic of Disney Animation building was closed and the iconic Sorcerer's Hat was dismantled and removed returning the entrance view of the park back to it's original facade featuring the Chinese Theater.
At EPCOT, the former Maelstrom ride reopens as Frozen Ever After. Also Norway hosts Frozen character meet and greets. The very popular Soarin over California ride is redesigned and reopens as Soarin Around the World featuring flyovers of the world's most beautiful scenes.
Animal Kingdom introduces extended hours and begins to offer nighttime entertainment including Sunset Kilimanjaro Safaris and Tree of Life Awakenings.
Magic Kingdom introduces new castle shows, Once Upon a Time and Mickey's Royal Friendship Faire.
Hollywood Studios sees many closures as plans get underway for new lands. This includes the removal of the iconic Earful Tower and the closure of Streets of America, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Adventure set, and Lights, Motor Cars, Action! These closures also brought the end of the long-running holiday favorite, Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights which closed on January 6. Holiday time begins the new Jingle Bell, Jingle Bam!
2017 - "The Magic is Endless"
Animal Kingdom introduces extended hours and begins to offer nighttime entertainment including Sunset Kilimanjaro Safaris and Tree of Life Awakenings.
Magic Kingdom introduces new castle shows, Once Upon a Time and Mickey's Royal Friendship Faire.
Hollywood Studios sees many closures as plans get underway for new lands. This includes the removal of the iconic Earful Tower and the closure of Streets of America, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Adventure set, and Lights, Motor Cars, Action! These closures also brought the end of the long-running holiday favorite, Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights which closed on January 6. Holiday time begins the new Jingle Bell, Jingle Bam!
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| photo courtesy of Bethany Joy Rinderknecht |
EPCOT debuts Festival of the Arts
Magic Kingdom - debuts Happily Ever After. The Hall of Presidents reopens after refurbishment to add President Trump.
Minnie Vans are introduced for transportation around Walt Disney World resort. The vans are run through Lyft and are an additional cost.
Hollywood Studios announces the closure of another fan-favorite, The Great Movie Ride. It will be redesigned as the park's first ride featuring Mickey Mouse.
Animal Kingdom opens it's new land: Pandora - The World of Avatar based on the popular film. This visually stunning land is populated with "floating" mountains, glowing flora and fauna and lush greenery. Along with live entertainment, this land also debuted two new ride experinces: Na'vi River Journey and the wildly-popular Flight of Passage. The new eatery, Satu'li Canteen features the most unique offerings on property with dishes inspired by the Na'vi. A new nighttime show, Rivers of Light, also debuted.
2018 - In Magic Kingdom, the Incredible Tomorrowland Expo kicks off. And in bigger news, the "we want the red head" scene is removed from Pirates of the Caribbean turning Redd into the newest pirate.
EPCOT updated the American Adventure and Mission Space got a new Green mission.
Animal Kingdom celebrated it's 20th anniversary by adding a new show: UP! A Great Bird Adventure. Also, Donald's Dino-Bash opened in Dinoland U.S.A. featuring meet and greets with your favorite duck characters including Launchpad McQuack and Scrooge McDuck.
The biggest news of the year was at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Fan-favorite, Toy Story Mania, received a third track and a new entrance with the debut of the new Toy Story Land. In this new land, you are magically shrunk to the size of a toy and enter Andy's backyard to play. In addition to Toy Story Mania, the land features two new rides: Slinky Dog Dash and Alien Swirling Saucers. Guests can also enjoy new, unique menu items, including breakfast and adult beverages at Woody's Lunch Box.
2019 - After nearly 20 years, EPCOT said goodbye to Illuminations: Reflections of Earth. Epcot Forever debuted in it's place with a new show expected to take it's place the following year.
Magic Kingdom introduced Mickey and Minnie's Surprise Celebration with new food, merchandise and entertainment including the new Moveit! Shakeit! Mousekedanceit! Street Party.
Animal Kingdom celebrated the 25th anniversary of The Lion King with the Hakuna Matata Time Dance Party.
At Disney's Hollywood Studios, Pixar Place was transformed into Metroville featuring the Incredibles and adding a new meet and greet with Edna Mode. Lightning McQueen's Racing Academy opened and the Wonderful World of Animation show debuted. This year also gave Star Wars fans a thrill with the opening of the much-anticipated Galaxy's Edge. This fully immersive land takes you to the planet Batuu featuring multiple new shops, eateries, experiences and roaming characters. Right in the center is a full scale replica of the famous Millennium Falcon. Millennium Falcon:Smugglers Run puts guests in the cockpit for a wild ride. And, by year's end, Rise of the Resistance opened giving guests the feeling of being in a real Star Wars movie!
2020 - In an unprecedented move, on March 16, Walt Disney World closed its gates to guests due to the coronavirus pandemic in what was originally expected to be a two-week closure. This closure extended to nearly four months. As a result, all construction was halted delaying many of the expected changes.
However, just before this closure, another highly-anticipated attraction did have it's opening. Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway opened in Disney's Hollywood Studios in the former home of The Great Movie Ride to the delight of guests.
Magic Kingdom - debuts Happily Ever After. The Hall of Presidents reopens after refurbishment to add President Trump.
Minnie Vans are introduced for transportation around Walt Disney World resort. The vans are run through Lyft and are an additional cost.
Hollywood Studios announces the closure of another fan-favorite, The Great Movie Ride. It will be redesigned as the park's first ride featuring Mickey Mouse.
Animal Kingdom opens it's new land: Pandora - The World of Avatar based on the popular film. This visually stunning land is populated with "floating" mountains, glowing flora and fauna and lush greenery. Along with live entertainment, this land also debuted two new ride experinces: Na'vi River Journey and the wildly-popular Flight of Passage. The new eatery, Satu'li Canteen features the most unique offerings on property with dishes inspired by the Na'vi. A new nighttime show, Rivers of Light, also debuted.
EPCOT updated the American Adventure and Mission Space got a new Green mission.
Animal Kingdom celebrated it's 20th anniversary by adding a new show: UP! A Great Bird Adventure. Also, Donald's Dino-Bash opened in Dinoland U.S.A. featuring meet and greets with your favorite duck characters including Launchpad McQuack and Scrooge McDuck.
The biggest news of the year was at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Fan-favorite, Toy Story Mania, received a third track and a new entrance with the debut of the new Toy Story Land. In this new land, you are magically shrunk to the size of a toy and enter Andy's backyard to play. In addition to Toy Story Mania, the land features two new rides: Slinky Dog Dash and Alien Swirling Saucers. Guests can also enjoy new, unique menu items, including breakfast and adult beverages at Woody's Lunch Box.
2019 - After nearly 20 years, EPCOT said goodbye to Illuminations: Reflections of Earth. Epcot Forever debuted in it's place with a new show expected to take it's place the following year.
Magic Kingdom introduced Mickey and Minnie's Surprise Celebration with new food, merchandise and entertainment including the new Moveit! Shakeit! Mousekedanceit! Street Party.
Animal Kingdom celebrated the 25th anniversary of The Lion King with the Hakuna Matata Time Dance Party.
At Disney's Hollywood Studios, Pixar Place was transformed into Metroville featuring the Incredibles and adding a new meet and greet with Edna Mode. Lightning McQueen's Racing Academy opened and the Wonderful World of Animation show debuted. This year also gave Star Wars fans a thrill with the opening of the much-anticipated Galaxy's Edge. This fully immersive land takes you to the planet Batuu featuring multiple new shops, eateries, experiences and roaming characters. Right in the center is a full scale replica of the famous Millennium Falcon. Millennium Falcon:Smugglers Run puts guests in the cockpit for a wild ride. And, by year's end, Rise of the Resistance opened giving guests the feeling of being in a real Star Wars movie!
However, just before this closure, another highly-anticipated attraction did have it's opening. Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway opened in Disney's Hollywood Studios in the former home of The Great Movie Ride to the delight of guests.
2021 - Walt Disney World still struggles to fully reopen as the pandemic continues. Massive construction delays mean some new attractions won't be finished ahead of their planned openings to celebrate the 50th anniversary. Some resorts and restaurants remain closed. As they move forward, guests continue to see big rate hikes along with the reduction or elimination of many services. Many fear the Disney family vacation may become an unattainable dream as prices soar. For now, we are all left to wait and wonder what the next decade of Walt Disney World will look like. As for the resort itself, an 18-month anniversary celebration is due to kick off on October 1 with special decor and offerings throughout all 4 parks.
Parade Timeline:
MAGIC KINGDOM: Festival of Fantasy (2014 - present)
Move It! Shake It! Celebrate It! Street Party (2009 - 2014)
Move It! Shake It! Dance and Play It! Street Party (2014 - 2019)
Move It! Shake It! Mousekedance It! (2019 - present)
Parade Timeline:
MAGIC KINGDOM: Festival of Fantasy (2014 - present)
Move It! Shake It! Celebrate It! Street Party (2009 - 2014)
Move It! Shake It! Dance and Play It! Street Party (2014 - 2019)
Move It! Shake It! Mousekedance It! (2019 - present)
Here are some great photos from the last decade submitted by our SUPER fans for you to enjoy!
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