Walt Disney World: A Year in Review

Heather Leigh Carroll-Landon
Walt Disney World Travel Examiner
Heather Leigh is a freelance writer with 19 years of experience. Her love of Disney gives her the desire to seek out information and share her knowledge with others.


This article is part of Orlando's Year In Review 2008
Walt Disney World: A Year in Review
This year has been an active one for the Walt Disney World Resort. Many anniversaries were celebrated, along with the addition of new events and a farewell to a popular weekend. With all of the excitement from 2008 Walt Disney World has plans to make 2009 just as memorable and magical.

Before heading into 2009, let us take a look back on 2008 in this Year in Review of the Walt Disney World Resort.

Sports and recreation added some new events this year at Walt Disney World, including the Expedition Everest Challenge. This challenge debuted at Disney’s Animal Kingdom on September 27. The lake of Downtown Disney was host to the Orlando International Dragon Boat Festival, which was held in October.

Trying to help save the world, all Walt Disney World Resorts, including Disney’s Vero Beach Resort, an off property vacation club resort, worked hard on becoming Florida Green Lodging properties. To accomplish this, resorts had to set up recycling programs and use eco-friendly products. The addition of “Every Tree has character” bags, which are being sold at many of the Walt Disney World Resort retail stores was another step Disney made to help save the world’s landfills. Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund will receive 10 per cent of all profits from the sale of these bags.

The sister restaurant of the Rainforest Café, T-Rex: A Prehistoric Family Adventure opened its doors in October. Travel back in time as you dine in this prehistoric restaurant, including a dining adventure back in the Ice Age. Don’t forget to get your Build-A-Dino, which is located in the restaurant’s gift shop.

Downtown Disney’s Marketplace is the home of Disney’s Design-a-Tee which opened in December. Create your one of a kind T-shirt on a computer screen and then see it displayed up on the movie screen. If you desire you can purchase your T-shirt to bring home with you.

Also in December at Downtown Disney’s Marketplace debuted Goofy’s Birthday Parties at Goofy’s Candy Company. Schedule to have your child’s birthday party at Disney, where treats and party fun will be designed just for your little one.

The addition of Downtown Disney shopping and dining was sparked by the closing of a portion of Downtown Disney's Pleasure Island. Earlier this year the clubs located on Pleasure Island shut their doors for good, but dining and shopping still remains open and there are plans for future additions.

After his Olympic victories, Michael Phelps visited Magic Kingdom. He was seen riding down the streets of Magic Kingdom’s Main Street U.S.A. with Mickey Mouse.

Walt Disney World said farewell to Disney-MGM Studios and renamed the park Disney’s Hollywood Studios in January. Farewell was also said to Soap Network’s Soap Weekend as this November was the last year for the weekend long event.<!--[endif]-->

Though farewell was said to a few items at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, new attractions were added to the park this year. In March the Block Party Bash parade debuted and in May Toy Story Midway Mania! Debuted.

Spaceship Earth underwent a major renovation this year and upon its grand re-opening debuted new technology. As you ride in the ride you are swept away in your own time travel car and are able to select your own futuristic dream vacation. Part of the renovation included the addition of a new narrator, English actress Dame Judi Dench.<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><!--[endif]-->The following resorts, parks and Disney attractions celebrated keystone anniversaries:

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa and Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort celebrated 20th Anniversaries.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom and DisneyQuest celebrated 10th Anniversaries
Disney’s Pop Century Resort celebrated its 5th Anniversary.
Gingerbread House at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa celebrated 10 years of tasty magic.
As 2008 has come and gone, be ready to check out Walt Disney World’s newest celebration, “What will you celebrate?”

http://www.examiner.com/x-1712-Walt-Dis ... -in-Review

 

thanks for the info ,,,,I really enjoy all the info ,,,u bring Sheila

 

Thanks!