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Tag Archives: Walt Disney World

August 24

August 24, 1989 – The Ewok Village Area Opens in Disney-MGM Studios

Ewok Village

“Hurry along the forest moon of Endor – home to rustic Ewok cottages and a towering AT-AT…”

On August 24, 1989, the Ewok Village area opened at Disney-MGM Studios (now Hollywood Studios) at the entrance of the Star Tours attraction. Based on the village found on forest moon of Endor from the Star Wars film Return of the Jedi, guests queue around the village on their way to the attraction. At night, the area is lit up to give the illusion that the Ewoks are around, and they can be heard talking and singing as guests make their way to Star Tours.

August 18

August 18, 1986 – The Quick Service Restaurant Crockett’s Tavern Opens in Walt Disney World

Crocketts Tavern

“Rustle up some drinks and eats at the walk-up window beside Pioneer Hall and enjoy ‘em in a rocking chair on the front porch…”

On August 18, 1986, the quick service restaurant Crockett’s Tavern opened in Walt Disney World’s Fort Wilderness Resort. It replaced the Campfire Snack Bar, and provides specialty appetizers, including chicken wings, Smoke House Nachos, and Uncle John’s Taters: potato skis loaded with fried peppers, onions, parmesan cheese, chive sour cream, and green onions. Specialty cocktails and alcoholic beverages are also available for adults. Unlike most quick services places within the park, Crockett’s Tavern does not accept dining plans.

August 10

August 10, 1994 – The Concourse Steak House Opens in Walt Disney World’s Contemporary Resort

Image courtesy of mouseplanet.cm

Image courtesy of mouseplanet.com

On August 10, 1994, the Concourse Steak House opened in the Contemporary Resort of Walt Disney World. The table service restaurant, located on the fourth floor of the resort, replaced the Concourse Grill. The restaurant gave guests a view of Mary Blair’s southwestern-themed mural, with a modern southwestern theme to match. It offered breakfast, lunch, and dinner to guests, with a reservation highly recommended due to demand. The restaurant closed on May 31, 2008.

August 6

August 6, 1996 – Rainforest Café Opens in Walt Disney World’s Downtown Disney

Rainforest Cafe

“Traipse the jungle and tantalize your taste buds with flavorful American favorites and kid-friendly cuisine.”

On August 6, 1996, the Rainforest Café opened in Walt Disney World’s Downtown Disney area. The restaurant replaced Chef Mickey’s (not to be confused with the restaurant of the same name in the Contemporary Resort), and is themed after the rainforest, complete with waterfalls, tropical animals, and a volcano. The restaurant features themed American fare, including Rainforest Pita Quesadillas, a Blue Mountain Chicken Sandwich, and the Sparkling Volcano dessert, complete with a decorative “sparkler.” Several other Rainforest Cafes have opened in Disney parks, including Animal Kingdom, Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, and Tokyo Disneyland.

August 5

August 5, 2010 – The Tomorrowland Transit Authority is Renamed the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover

TTAP

“Take off from Rockettower Plaza for an elevated ride into the world of tomorrow.”

On August 5, 2010, the new name for the Tomorrowland Transit Authority was announced, with the re-addition of the word “PeopleMover.” The attraction, which closed on April 19, 2009 and reopened on September 12, 2009, was enhanced with new LED lights, new speakers, and a new paint job. The renaming was intended to bring back a bit of the past to the updated attraction.

August 1

August 1, 1997 – The Maya Grill Opens in Walt Disney World’s Coronado Springs Resort

Maya Grill

“Sizzling Fare, Southwestern Flare.”

On August 1, 1997, the Maya Grill opened in the Coronado Springs Resort in Walt Disney World. The restaurant features a mix of traditional Mexican fare with American dishes. Featured menu items include Green Tortilla Soup, Maya Grill’s Signature Fajita Skillet, and Dessert Shots featuring a choice of Key Lime Pie, Cappuccino Dulce de Leche, Chocolate Mud Pie, Peanut Butter Parfait, and Gran Marnier Berries n’ Cream.

July 5

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July 5, 1988 – The Film Norway – The Film Opens in Epcot’s Norway Pavilion

Norway Pavilion

“Norway…it was born in challenge, in a thousand years of challenging the seas.”

On July 5, 1988, the seventy millimeter film Norway – The Film opened in the Norway Pavilion of Epcot’s World Showcase. Also known as The Spirit of Norway, the film was shown at the end of the Maelstrom attraction, where guests could sit and learn a bit more about the people and culture of Norway. The film closed alongside Maelstrom on October 5, 2014, to make way for a new attraction featuring the characters from the film Frozen.

July 4

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July 4, 1999 – The Bear in the Big Blue House Show Premieres in Disney-MGM Studios

BitBBHLS

“I heard all these wonderful voices calling my name!”

On July 4, 1999, the Bear in the Big Blue House Show premiered in the Disney-MGM Studios Park in Walt Disney World. Based on the hit Playhouse Disney show produced by Jim Henson Productions, the show featured the characters of Bear, with his friends Ojo, Treelo, Pip, Pop, Shadow, and Luna. It was housed on Soundstage 5, and the 15-minute show had guests sitting on a carpeted floor. The show ended its run on August 4, 2001, and was replaced with Playhouse Disney – Live on Stage, which included several characters from this show.

June 27

June 27, 1997 – The Hercules “Zero to Hero” Victory Parade Begins in Disney-MGM Studios

HZ2HVP

“When the Hercules – Zero to Hero Victory Parade rolled into Disney’s Hollywood Studios…it once and for all answered the question, ‘Who put the ‘glad’ in ‘gladiator’?’”

On June 27, 1997, the Hercules “Zero to Hero” Victory Parade began its run in the Disney-MGM Studios (now known as Hollywood Studios). The 14-minute parade promoted the 1997 animated feature film Hercules, featuring the characters of Hercules, Meg, the Muses, Phil, and Hades. A similar parade called the Hercules Victory Parade began in Disneyland on the same day. The parade ran until 1998, which was then replaced with a parade for the film Mulan.

June 26

June 26, 1989 – The Delta Dreamflight Attraction Opens in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom

Delta Dreamflight

“The attraction also featured visions of the aircrafts of the future.”

On June 26, 1989, the Delta Dreamflight Tomorrowland attraction opened in the Magic Kingdom. The attraction replaced If You Could Fly, being a redesigned version of the attraction that took guests through a whimsical look at the history of aviation. The attraction, sponsored by Delta Airlines, had guests boarding Omnimovers to take them through several scenes depicting important moments in flight history. In 1996, Delta ceased sponsorship of the attraction, and in 1998, it was closed. It was soon replaced with Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin.