November 10, 1993 – The Green Thumb Emporium Opens in Epcot
On November 10, 1993, the specialty shop The Green Thumb Emporium opened in Epcot’s The Land Pavilion. Replacing Broccoli & Co, the new store featured a variety of items related to the theme of gardening, including mini Mickey gardens, Mickey garden gnomes, and wind chimes. The store also featured a variety of merchandise used to promote the attraction Soarin’. It closed on April 25, 2004.
November 5, 1990 – The Shop Fittings & Fairings, Clothes & Notions Opens in Walt Disney World’s Yacht Club Resort
On November 5, 1990, the specialty shop Fittings & Fairings, Clothes & Notions, opened in Walt Disney World’s Yacht Club Resort. The store was set up to fit in with the resort’s nautical theme, including clothes by Nautica, sailing-themed prints, and specialty housewares. The store was closed for refurbishment in April, 2017, and will reopen as a marketplace, similar to the newer Beach Club Marketplace.
October 26, 1986 – The Quick Service Restaurant Gurgi’s Munchies and Crunchies Opens
On October 26, 1986, the quick service restaurant Gurgi’s Munchies and Crunchies opened in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Park. Located in Fantasyland, the restaurant was named after the character Gurgi from the animated feature film The Black Cauldron. It replaced the Lancer’s Inn, and when it closed on February 13, 1993, it itself was replaced by Lumiere’s Kitchen.
October 23, 1982 – The Sunshine Terrace Restaurant Opens in Epcot
On October 23, 1982, the Sunshine Terrace Restaurant opened in Epcot’s Communicore West area. This quick service restaurant closed in May, 1994, and became the Pasta Piazza Risorante. The area no longer serves food, and acts as a character greeting spot.
October 18, 2004 – The Animation Academy Opens in Disney’s Hollywood Studios
“…guests can stop into the pavilion’s Animation Academy and learn how to draw a real Disney character from one of our character artists…”
On October 18, 2004, the Animation Academy opened in Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World. This instructor-led animation school was the third version to open, and the second in Walt Disney World (with the first opening in DisneyQuest in Downtown Disney). It was located in the Magic of Disney Animation area, featuring a film about how animation is done, along with some character meet-and-greets of characters not often seen in the park. The area closed on July 13, 2015, to become the Star Wars Launch Bay.
October 13, 2008 – The Sun Wheel Attraction Closes
“Hop inside a roomy gondola for a breeze, 9-minute jaunt above Paradise Bay.”
On October 13, 2008, the Ferris wheel thrill attraction Sun Wheel closed at Paradise Pier. The ride was designed to fit Disney California Adventure’s theme of the boardwalks in California around the turn of the century, but when the park went through an overhaul in 2008, it was deemed that this ride would be one of those to change. Although the swinging gondola aspect of the ride did not change, what did was the design, replacing the giant sun face on the wheel with a picture of Mickey Mouse.
October 12, 2008 – Portobello Country Italian Trattoria Opens in Downtown Disney
“Simple flavors of Italy”
On October 12, 2008, the restaurant Portobello Country Italian Trattoria opened in Walt Disney World’s Downtown Disney area (now known as Disney Springs). Originally opening in May 1, 1989, and known as Portobello Yacht Club, the restaurant went under refurbishment; this included a new menu with a focus more on Italian cuisine. The restaurant was closed on April 24, 2017, and will be replaced by the Terralina Crafted Italian restaurant.
October 8, 1957 – The Maxwell House Coffee House Closes
“Famous Disneyland serves Maxwell House coffee exclusively”
On October 8, 1957, the Maxwell House Coffee House, located in Disneyland, closed. Located in Town Square, the coffee house opened on December 1, 1955. Though this particular coffee house lasted close to two-years, it didn’t close down entirely, but changed sponsorship from Maxwell House to Hills Brothers, a San Francisco-based coffee brand.
October 4, 1993 – The Walt Disney World Mission to Mars Attraction Closes
On October 4, 1993, the Walt Disney World version of the Mission to Mars attraction closed. The ride was based on the attraction of the same name in Disneyland, which was a replacement of the Flight to the Moon attraction. Once man had actually been to the moon, the Flight to the Mon ride seemed dated, and an update was necessary to keep guests’ attention. The Walt Disney World attraction, located in Tomorrowland of Magic Kingdom Park, lasted a year longer than the original attraction, which closed on November 2, 1992.
October 2, 1996 – The Coffee Shop Buy the Book Opens in Disney-MGM Studios
On October 2, 1996, the coffee and bookshop Buy the Book opened in Disney-MGM Studios’s New York Street, located in Walt Disney World. Based on the store of the same name from the ABC comedy Ellen, the shop was tucked into the corner of the street, with guests able to take a break with a cup of coffee and a good book. When the series ended in 1998, the store was revamped to become The Writer’s Stop, though it retained its service of selling coffee and books.
disneydetail 