Magic Kingdom attraction and entertainment history

Main Street, U.S.A.

Current attractions

Main Street U.S.A. Station of Walt Disney World Railroad.

Main article: Main Street, U.S.A.

Main Street Vehicles, Guests can travel around Main Street on horse-drawn street cars, a double-decker Omnibus, an antique fire engine, 1903 horseless carriages, and Jitneys.

Walt Disney World Railroad- Main Street U.S.A. Station, a miniature railroad around the Magic Kingdom with stops in Main Street, U.S.A., Frontierland and Mickey’s Toontown Fair

Past attractions

Penny Arcade (1971 – March 19, 1995)

The Walt Disney Story (April 15, 1973 – October 5, 1992)

Swan Boats (May 20, 1973 – August 1983), Relatively short lived boat ride, dock is still standing.

Cinderella’s Surprise Celebration (October 1, 2001 – February 26, 2005), a stage show performed in front of the castle.

Cinderellabration (May 5, 2005 – Sept 16, 2006), a stage show performed in front of Cinderella Castle.

VMK Central (June 2005 – September 30, 2007), an indoor store based on the Virtual Magic Kingdom online game. The area is now a store that sells paintings and other types of art and collectables.

Entertainment

Daytime Parades

America on Parade (June 6, 1975 – September 6, 1976)

Mickey’s 50th Birthday Parade (1978)

Dumbo’s Circus Parade (January 2, 1979 – December 21, 1979)

Tencennial Parade (October 1, 1981 – September 30, 1982): A parade celebrating the 10th anniversary of Walt Disney World. Theme song was “Disney World is Your World”.

Mickey Mouse Character Parade (October 1983 – May 1984)

Donald’s 50th Birthday Parade (1984) This parade celebrated the 50th Birthday of Donald Duck.

Mickey’s Street Party (January 1985 – 1986) A parade similar to the Disneyland 30th anniversary parade.

15 Years of Magic (October 1, 1986 – September 1987)

All-America Parade (1987 – December 31, 1989), possibly Spirit of America Parade this parade was for the 60th birthday of Mickey Mouse.

Disney’s Zip-a-dee-doo-dah Parade (1990 – September 13, 1991)

20th Anniversary “Surprise” Celebration Parade (September 14, 1991 – September 30, 1992)This parade consisted of large inflatable figures based on iconic and memorable Disney characters. It turned into the Surprise Celebration parade after the 20th Anniversary Celebration ended.

Surprise Celebration (October 1, 1992 – May 31, 1994): New name for the “20th Anniversary Surprise Celebration” when the 20th Anniversary Celebration ended.

Mickey Mania (June 1, 1994 – September 30, 1996)

25th Anniversary “Remember the Magic” Parade (October 1, 1996 – December 31, 1997): Became “Disney’s Magical Moments Parade” when the 25th Anniversary Celebration ended. The first parade with show stops and first parade to shoot fireworks from a float.

Disney’s Magical Moments Parade (January 1, 1998 – September 30, 2001)

Share a Dream Come True Parade (October 1, 2001 – August 9, 2006), became “Disney Dreams Come True Parade”

Main Street Trolley Parade (February 2003 – Present)

Disney Dreams Come True Parade (August 10, 2006 – January 22, 2009)became Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade.

Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade (January 23, 2009 – Present)

Move It! Shake It! Celebrate It! (February 12, 2009 – Present)

Nighttime Parades

Main Street Electrical Parade (1977 – 1991, 1999 – 2001, Summer 2010).

SpectroMagic (1992 – 1999, 2001 – Present).

Special Event and Holiday Parades

Mickey’s Boo To You Parade (held as part of “Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party”)

Mickey’s Christmas Cavalcade (? – 1993) an early incarnation of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Parade ended in 1993. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Parade reused some of the music and made new float theme. Neither parade used an underliner.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Parade (1994 – 2006) replaced by Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade

Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade (2007 – present)

Disney’s Enchanted Adventures Parade (held during “Disney’s Pirate and Princess Party”)

Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade held every year on Christmas Morning on the Disney-owned ABC

Fireworks

Fantasy in the Sky (October 1, 1971-October 8, 2003)

Wishes: A Magical Gathering of Disney Dreams (October 9, 2003- Present)

Magic, Music, and Mayhem held during the Pirate and Princess Party

HalloWishes held during Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

Holiday Wishes: Celebrate The Spirit of the Season held during the Christmas Season

Adventureland

Main article: Adventureland

Current attractions

Swiss Family Treehouse (1971 – present), a large tree with steps and walkways leading high up around it. Named for the family in the Disney movie “Swiss Family Robinson”.

The Enchanted Tiki Room (Under New Management) (1998 – present), a musical show featuring singing Audio-Animatronic birds. This older attraction has been updated to include The Lion King’s Zazu and Aladdin’s Iago.

Jungle Cruise (1971 – present), a boat ride through jungle areas of the world, such as those found near the Amazon River, Congo River, Nile River, and Mekong River, featuring Audio-Animatronic animals.

Pirates of the Caribbean (1973 – present), a dark ride on a boat through pirate scenes. Now added Captain Jack Sparrow.

The Magic Carpets of Aladdin (2001 – present), a ride similar to Fantasyland’s Dumbo ride, but with flying carpets instead of elephants. Also, in addition to moving up and down vertically, the carpets can also tip forwards and backwards.

Shrunken Ned’s Junior Jungle Boats, remote-controlled boats in a jungle environment.

Past attractions

Tropical Serenade (AKA The Enchanted Tiki Room) (October 1, 1971 – 1997) was altered and re-opened as The Enchanted Tiki Room (Under New Management) in 1998.

Frontierland

Splash Mountain

Main article: Frontierland

Current attractions

Splash Mountain (1992 – present), a log flume, based on the stories of Brer Rabbit and other characters from the Disney movie Song of the South, ending with a signature steep drop into the Briar Patch.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (1980 – present), a Mine Train roller coaster, designed to look like a runaway mine train.

Tom Sawyer Island (1973 – present), a small island on the Rivers of America, reachable by raft, on which there are caves and a fort to explore.

Country Bear Jamboree (1971 – present), Animatronic bears sing classic country songs.

Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade (1971 – present), An old western themed shooting gallery.

Walt Disney World Railroad – Frontierland Train Station (1972-1990, 1992-present), a station for the Walt Disney World Railroad. Was originally located a short distance south of its current location but was relocated when Splash Mountain was built.

Past attractions

Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes (1971 – 1994)

Liberty Square

Hall of Presidents

Liberty Belle river boat

Main article: Liberty Square (Magic Kingdom)

Current attractions

The Hall of Presidents (1971 – present), a show featuring an Audio-Animatronic version of every United States President

The Haunted Mansion (1971 – present), a ride though haunted attraction. A recent refurbishment added a new audio system, show elements, and new plot elements.

Liberty Square Riverboat (1973 – present), a boat ride on the Liberty Belle Riverboat through the Rivers of America.

Past attractions

Admiral Joe Fowler Riverboat (1971 – 1980)

Richard F. Irvine Riverboat (1973 – 1996) (Renamed the Liberty Belle in 1996)

Mike Fink Keel Boats (1971 – 1997)

Entertainment

Rivers of America:

Tiana’s Showboat Jubilee (October 26, 2009 – January 3, 2010 ) A jazz filled show featuring the characters of The Princess and the Frog. The show starts as the procession comes down frontierland to the song “Down in New Orleans”, then makes its way to the Liberty Belle Riverboat, goes down the River of America and stops right in front of Tom Sawyers Island. This show is suppose to represent the characters after the movie and have gone down the bayou to celebrate. Song that are performed during the show stop included from “The Princess and the Frog” movie are “Gonna Take you there”, “Almost there”, “When I’m human”, “Blame my friends on the other side”, and the finale song “Dig a little deeper”. The show ends with fireworks that shoot on top of the Liberty Belle. After the show is done the guests who were picked to be in it get to have a private meet and greet with the characters and cast while the boat circles around the river to return back to the Liberty Square riverboat dock. The show then heads back in with a procession of the song “Down in New Orleans”‘ again. Viewing locations are located around the River of America right in front of Frontierland.

Fantasyland

it’s a small world

Snow White and The Prince

Main article: Fantasyland

Current attractions

It’s a Small World (stylized as it’s a small world) is a dark ride through colorful stylized representations of many countries

Peter Pan’s Flight, a dark ride in a pirate ship flying over London and through scenes from Peter Pan.

Mickey’s PhilharMagic, a 3-D movie experience, starring Mickey and Donald

Cinderella’s Golden Carousel, the oldest ride in the park, a carousel built in New Jersey, later moved to Walt Disney World. Its theme was updated to be based on the Disney movie Cinderella

Dumbo the Flying Elephant, the prototypical Dumbo-style ride has elephant shaped vehicles, which rise off of the ground, supported by a rotating structure

Snow White’s Scary Adventures, a dark ride through scenes from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, a dark ride through scenes from the Winnie the Pooh stories

Ariel’s Grotto, a children’s play area designed with an “under the sea” theme with a meet-and-greet area with Ariel.

Mad Tea Party, a ride in spinning teacups based on the Disney movie Alice In Wonderland

Pooh’s Playful Spot, a children’s play area designed as the Hundred-Acre Wood

Cinderella Castle, walk through the icon of the park; contains mosaics telling the story of Cinderella

Fairytale Garden, Belle from Beauty and the Beast reads classic Disney stories.

Future attractions

The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Adventure, a dark ride featuring scenes from The Little Mermaid.

The Beast’s Castle, a meet-and-greet with Belle, dining with the Beast

Briar Rose’s Cottage, a meet-and-greet with Sleeping Beauty, organize a party with the fairies.

Cinderella’s Chateau, a meet-and-greet with Cinderella, guests learn how to dance

Pixie Hollow, a meet-and-greet with the pixies of Tinker Bell.

Past attractions

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Submarine Voyage (October 14, 1971 – October 14, 1994), Replaced by Pooh’s Playful Spot

Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride (October 1, 1971 – September 7, 1998), Replaced by The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

Skyway to Tomorrowland (1971 – 1999)

Mickey Mouse Revue (October 1, 1971 – September 14, 1980), an animatronic showcase of famous Disney characters singing. The show was moved to Tokyo Disneyland

Magic Journeys (December 15, 1987 – December 1, 1993), a 3-D film looking at the world through the eyes of children.

Legend of the Lion King (July 8, 1994 – February 23, 2002), live stage show featuring characters from the movie. Replaced by Mickey’s Philharmagic.

Entertainment

Castle Forecourt Stage:

Tencennial Birthday Party (1981-1982) A show celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Walt Disney World.

Best of Disney (? – 1995)

Spirit of America (1987)

15 Years of Magic (1986 – 1987)

Disneymania (August 1992 – August 2001): A musical salute to Disney’s greatest hits.

Everyday’s a Holiday (1990s – August 2001): A musical show featuring Mickey, Minnie, and other Disney characters, along with the “Kids of the Kingdom”.

Cinderella’s Surprise Celebration (October 1, 2001 – February 23, 2005, Replaced by Cinderellabration)

Cinderellabration (May 5, 2005 – August 16, 2006) Princess coronation show that was part of the Happiest Celebration on Earth.

Dream Along with Mickey (September 30, 2006 – Present) Stage show featuring the Disney characters who really talk with facial expressions. This event coincides with the Year of a Million Dreams which took place at Walt Disney World from 2006 until the end of 2008 and will continue.

Disney Villains Mix and Mingle – This show is staged as part of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.

Celebrate the Season- This show is staged as part of Mickey’s Verry Merry Christmas Party.

Mickey’s Toontown Fair

Main article: Mickey’s Toontown Fair

Current attractions

The Barnstormer at Goofy’s Wiseacre Farm, a small steel roller coaster, designed to look like a plane in the barnstorming era.

Mickey’s Country House, a walk-through attraction, a humorous house and garden for Mickey Mouse, with many items for children to play with.

Minnie’s Country House, a walk-through attraction, a humorous house and garden for Minnie Mouse, with many items for children to play with.

Donald’s Boat, a children’s play area, shaped like a boat for Donald Duck, with many sources of water.

Toon Park, A miniature playground

Judge’s Tent, A meet-and-greet area with Mickey Mouse

Toontown Hall Of Fame, A meet-and-greet area with classic Disney characters.

Walt Disney World Railroad – Mickey’s Toontown Fair Train Station, station for the Walt Disney World Railroad

Past attractions

Mickey’s Toontown Fair was formerly known as Mickey’s Birthdayland (1988 – 1990) and as Mickey’s Starland (1990 – 1996).

A Disney Afternoon Avenue : The Disney Afternoon (1990 – 1996) A live stage show where characters, including Scrooge McDuck (Ducktales), Chip & Dale (Rescue Rangers), Baloo (Tale Spin), Darkwing Duck & Launchpad (Darkwing Duck), Goofy & Max (Goof Troop), and Bonkers (Bonkers), all from the Disney afternoon cartoon block performed.

Most of Mickey’s Toontown Fair will be demolished by 2011 or 2012 to be incorporated into Fantasyland, at which point the railroad station will officially become the Fantasyland railroad station. The Barnstormer will most likely remain the same.

Tomorrowland

Planetary adornment atop the Astro Orbiter

Main article: Tomorrowland

Current attractions

Tomorrowland Speedway (1971-present), a simulated racetrack with small gas-powered racecars.

Space Mountain (1975-April 2009, November 2009-present), two indoor mirror image roller coasters with a space travel theme. Underwent major refurbishments over the summer of 2009.

Astro Orbiter, a raised Dumbo-style ride in rocketships. Formerly known as the Rocket Jets and themed around a Saturn V rocket.

Tomorrowland Transit Authority (originally called the WEDway PeopleMover) (1975-present with narration changes), a gentle people mover ride over Tomorrowland.

Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress (1975-present with changes over the years), an audio-animatronic stage show about changing lifestyles, shown in a rotating building, which originally debuted at the 1964 New York World’s Fair.

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin (1998-present), a shooting dark ride, based on Toy Story, with “laser guns” to shoot targets and score points.

Stitch’s Great Escape! (2004-present) in which Stitch from Lilo & Stitch escapes from a prisoner teleportation tube and wreaks comical chaos throughout the audience.

Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor (2007-present), where characters from Disney/Pixar’s Monsters, Inc. interact with guests via a video screen, telling jokes to increase Monstropolis’s energy supply.

Tomorrowland Light & Power Company Arcade (1994-present), located at the exit of Space Mountain, sells Space Mountain merchandise and offers a number of arcade games.

Past attractions

Grand Prix Raceway (October 1, 1971 – 1994), shortened when Mickey’s Birthdayland was built, and renamed Tomorrowland Indy Speedway in 1994

Tomorrowland Indy Speedway (1994 – 2008), renamed Tomorrowland Speedway, although still commonly referred to as the Tomorrowland Indy Speedway

WEDway PeopleMover (July 1, 1975 – 1994), renamed and rethemed as the Tomorrowland Transit Authority

Flight to the Moon (December 24, 1971 – April 15, 1975), Replaced by Mission to Mars

Mission to Mars (March 21, 1975 – October 4, 1993), replaced by ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter

ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter (June 20, 1995 – October 12, 2003), Replaced by Stitch’s Great Escape!

Star Jets (November 28, 1974 – 1994), rethemed as Astro Orbiter

Skyway to Fantasyland (1971 – 1999), permanently closed. The Tomorrowland station, located near Space Mountain’s entrance was demolished in Summer/Fall 2009.

If You Had Wings (June 5, 1972 – June 1, 1987), renamed “If You Could Fly” after Eastern Airlines dropped their sponsorship with the ride.

If You Could Fly (June 6, 1987 – January 4, 1989), Replaced by “Delta Dreamflight”

Delta Dreamflight (June 23, 1989 – December 31, 1995), renamed “Dreamflight”

Dreamflight (January 1, 1996 – June 4, 1996), renamed “Take Flight”

Take Flight (June 4, 1996 – January 5, 1998), Replaced by “Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin”

Stitch’s Supersonic Celebration! (May 6, 2009 – June 27, 2009) an interactive show opened in early 2009 based on the technology used on Turtle Talk with Crush and Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor. The attraction closed on June 27 2009 after just six weeks of operation.

Circle-Vision 360. Featured the following films:

America the Beautiful (Original: November 25, 1971 – March 15, 1974) (Revamped: March 15, 1975 – 1979)

Magic Carpet ‘Round the World (March 16, 1974 – March 14, 1975 & 1979 – January 9, 1984)

American Journeys (September 15, 1984 – January 9, 1994)

The Timekeeper (November 21, 1994 – February 26, 2006)

Tomorrowland Stage / Galaxy Palace Theater: Demolished in 2009

Disneymania! (1996 – 2001): Join the Disney Characters and the Kids of the Kingdom in a musical salute to Disney’s greatest hits. Inspired a series of CDs featuring musical stars.

Disney World is Your World (October 2, 1981 – 1993): A stage show about the 10th anniversary of Walt Disney World

Galaxy Search (1992 - ?) Interplanetary talent search starring Mickey, Goofy and the gang as well as an appearance by a large robotic lizard/Elvis hybrid. Many of the elements of Galaxy Search were recycled from the short-lived Splashtacular show at Epcot.

High School Musical Pep Ralley (October 2006 – January 2007), moved to Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Mickey’s Twas the Night Before Christmas (1980′s – 2008) shown on select nights during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and also closer to the Christmas period.

In 2009,another stage was built and Stitch’s Supersonic Celebration performed there for a few weeks. The show stopped performing and the stage was used for special events.

References

Walt Dated World

WDWHistory.com

WDWMagic.com

^ “Disney Dreams Come True Parade”. WDW History. http://wdwhistory.com/wiki/Disney_Dreams_Come_True_Parade. 

^ Kathy Werling. “Celebrate a Dream Come True parade”. DIS Unplugged. http://www.disunplugged.com/2009/01/23/celebrate-a-dream-come-true-parade/. Retrieved January 26 2009. 

^ Christopher Boyd. “Curtain closes on Disney attraction”. Orlando Business Journal. http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/stories/2009/06/15/daily23.html. Retrieved June 17 2009. 

See also

Magic Kingdom

List of Disney attractions

Epcot attraction and entertainment history

Disney’s Hollywood Studios attraction and entertainment history

Disney’s Animal Kingdom attraction and entertainment history

Categories: Lists of Disney attractions | Magic Kingdom | Disney EntertainmentHidden categories: Pages containing cite templates with deprecated parameters | Articles to be merged from November 2008 | All articles to be merged

Magic Kingdom attraction and entertainment history