Ron D'Anna 
Walt Disney World began its first new decade not just preparing EPCOT Center, but by preparing for EPCOT. The World needed to change to accommodate the concept of a multi-park resort. The Magic Kingdom had to adapt to keep itself relevant, and make space for guests who were coming to experience the new park. And the … Read more
Despite another gas crisis, and a 2% drop in attendance, 1979 was still a year of construction and expansion, not the retraction in plans that the 1974 crisis had caused. While no notable opening or closures took place in 1979, several key construction projects were started. Most notably, after years of planning and design, physical … Read more
Despite the late 1970s being a fairly stagnant period for Walt Disney World as EPCOT was being developed, the resort continued to boom. Attendance rose 7.8% to over 14,000,000 for the fiscal year. In 1979, the Magic Kingdom park itself did not change much, with the majority of the active changes happening at the resorts. … Read more
River Country’s June 1976 opening would prove to be the last major addition to Walt Disney World in the 1970s, but that doesn’t mean the resort would sit completely stagnant while EPCOT Center was being developed. These seemingly minor changes would last for decades and become staples, if not symbols of a Walt Disney World … Read more
By the end of 1975, Walt Disney World Resort had largely recovered from the gas crisis, welcoming its 50,000,000th guest, Susan Brummer, on March 2, 1976. The Magic Kingdom was largely finished with its initial layout. The three hotels were operating at 97% capacity and the campground was under constant expansion. With the Vacation Kingdom … Read more
Like the rest of the nation after the Watergate Scandal and the gas crisis, Walt Disney World entered 1975 a different place than it had been in the beginning of 1974. And we’re not just talking about attraction openings, but the events of 1973-74 changed the company’s plans and outlook for the future. What can … Read more
1974 began dead in the middle of the gas crisis. After the holidays, Walt Disney World laid off over 1,700 cast members. Though many of these were part-time or seasonal employees brought on to help with the busy holiday season, 700 were full time employees. Fiscal year 1974 saw attendance decline to 10,834,000. Future plans … Read more
Walt Disney World’s second full year of operation saw many things we still know today, as well as things we no longer have, added to the resort. But 1973 was also the first time the real world really began to intrude on the Vacation Kingdom. It became a harsh reality that no matter how big … Read more
Walt Disney Productions entered 1972 a very different company than it had been a year before. Walt Disney World opened three months prior and proved to be a hit. The company was under new leadership, for the first time without a Disney at the helm. Donn Tatum was now the Chairman and CEO, and Card … Read more
This article is part of a year-long series detailing the chronological history of Walt Disney World. “Timekeeping” will attempt to chronicle year-by-year changes to the resort, from ride openings to stores changing names. We will be as specific with dates as possible, and try to cover everything. We know there will be some changes that we … Read more
This article is the preface to a year-long series detailing the chronological history of Walt Disney World. “Timekeeping” will attempt to chronicle year-by-year changes to the resort, from ride openings to stores changing names. We will be as specific with dates as possible, and try to cover everything. We know there will be some changes … Read more
Warning: This post contains full spoilers for Chapter 1 of The Mandalorian and discusses Chapter 2 in more vague terms… The ending of the first episode of The Mandalorian left our hero with a small problem. That problem was about one foot tall, had giant ears, and is bound to sell a ton of merchandise … Read more
Since his first appearance in 1980’s The Empire Strikes Back, or for the five people who remember it the animated segment of 1979’s Star Wars Holiday Special, the Mandalorian bounty hunter Boba Fett has been an instant fan favorite. His signature armor and mysterious past infatuated Star Wars fans until his origins were revealed in … Read more
When Hocus Pocus was released in 1993, it came out to critical and audience indifference. In the years since, the film has gained a cult status, to the point that in 2015, Walt Disney World added the Hocus Pocus Villains Spelltacular as the castle stage show during the Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Parties. Since … Read more
Being snowed in by a blizzard can definitely make you yearn for a Disney vacation, even more than normal, but you have to make do. Recently, while I was getting buried by two feet of snow, I decided to be constructive and clean out the hall closet. Almost immediately I found a long lost object … Read more
It’s that time of year again. The time when snack credits disappear, gift cards go blank, and resort room charges balloon like Violet Beauregarde. Well, I guess that can be almost any time at Walt Disney World, but here I’m specifically talking about the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. This year the Festival features … Read more