2015 was certainly a year full of exciting additions and changes to Walt Disney World - and we have a full rundown of this years exciting news from the parks! Click on the dates to see the full news posts...
January 2015
05/01 - Wandering Oakens Trading Post and Frozen Snowground closes at Hollywood Studios. This closure was to make way for the recently announced additions to the park, which are currently under construction.
16/01 - Disney files work permit for a new meet and greet location at Epcot. The new, 13,000 sq. ft show building will play host to Anna and Elsa when the Norway pavillion re-opens in 2016.
February 2015
05/02 - Tom Staggs is named Chairman and Chief Operating Officer for Disney's Parks division. He now overseas the strategy, operations and creative development of the parks.
12/02 - It is announced that the Richard Petty Driving Experience is to close to make way for transportation improvements at the Transportation and Ticket Center.
22/02 - Disney park ticket prices increase above the $100 per day mark. Disney Quest and Parking escaped any changes.
23/02 - Bob Chapek named Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts as Staggs becomes Chief Operating Officer.
26/02 - The Sorcerers Hat icon is removed from Hollywood Studios. The removal of the giant hat reveals the amazing show building that hosts the Great Movie Ride.
March 2015
05/03 - Disney confirms an expansion to the Toy Story Midway Mania attraction at Hollywood Studios. The expansion project will add a third track to the popular ride, which regularly has waits above 2 hours.
05/03 - Disney announces upgrades and expansions to Epcot's Soarin' attraction. A third theater will be added behind the exsiting show buildings. Also, the screens and projection systems in the current theaters will be upgraded to make way for a brand new film expected to be added to the attraction in 2016.
11/03 - Disney announces that the Frozen Summer Fun event will be returning to Hollywood Studios for 2015. No further details were announced at this time.
11/03 - Disney reveals the 2015 24-Hour event, and also the Coolest Summer Ever promotion which will run throughout the theme parks in Summer 2015.
27/03 - Upgraded WiFi rolled out throughout the Walt Disney World theme park to meet guest demand.
29/03 - Trader Sam's Grog Grotto opens at Disney's Polynesian Resort. The new highly-themed bar includes lots of seating and special effects!
April 2015
01/04 - Blizzard Beach marks its 20th anniversary.
13/04 - One person, 24 year old Tavon Watson, was killed in a crash at the Richard Petty Driving Experience. He lost control of the vehicle and hit the guard rail surrounding the track.
18/04 - As Captain EO closes, a preview of Disney's Tomorrowland film opens at the Magic Eye Theater.
20/04 - Disney files plans for a Flex-Theater at Hollywood Studios. The new theater currently plays host to Club Disney.
May 2015
01/05 - Construction walls are removed from Hollywood Studios, leaving guests with a view of the Chinese Theater on the parks 26th anniversary...
01/05 - Disney announces that an Inside Out preview will open at Epcot when the Tomorrowland film ends at the Magic Eye Theater - formerly home to Captain EO.
15/05 - Disney's "Coolest Summer Ever" 24-Hour event at the Magic Kingdom kicks off with a day of entertainment and fun in the park!
19/05 - Disney introduces a park-wide ban on Selfie Sticks. Selfie sticks are not allowed on any ride due to health and safety reasons.
23/05 - Harambe Market opens at Animal Kingdom providing the park with some new dining and shopping options.
27/05 - Hocus Pocus show announced for Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, replacing the Villain Mix and Mingle.
27/05 - Reedy Creek to build a brand new solar power facility, operating at 5 megawatts, on WDW property. It was later announced that it will be built in the shape of a hidden Mickey!!
30/05 - Updates are rolled out to the Great Movie Ride attraction after TCM become sponsers of the attraction. There were no major changes to the attraction itself during these upgrades.
June 2015
09/06 - Disney announces the name, and details, for the replacement for Epcot's Maelstrom attraction which closed in 2014. Frozen Ever After will take guests on the story of the hit film Frozen.
26/06 - Disney announces that Captain EO will return to Epcot in July 2015. The long term future of the attraction still hangs in the balance at this time.
26/06 - Disney introduces a blanked Selfie Stick ban across all Disney theme parks around the globe. This is amid safety concerns when guests use them aboard attractions and rides in the parks.
29/06 - Disney announces the closure of the Magic of Disney Animation at Hollywood Studios. The retail and meet and greet areas, along with the attraction iteself, will close on 12th July 2015.
30/06 - Disney announces closure of DisneyQuest at Downtown Disney. The replacement for Disney Quest will be a previously-announced NBA Experience.
July 2015
05/07 - Disney confirms that the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights would return to Hollywood Studios for their final year. Permits filed in July 2015 showed that installation of the lights would commence in August.
09/07 - Disney names Melissa Valiquette as the new Epcot vice president. Sam Lau, the exisiting Epcot VP left to become VP of New Development in Asia.
10/07 - Disney confirms that Joe Rhode and Bob Weis will be expanding their imagineering roles. Rhode will now also take on the global creative leadership of Disney's Marvel property. Weis will now also take creative lead at HK Disneyland.
14/07 - Shanghai Disney Soarin' announcement provides further information about Epcot's attraction. The new Shanghai ride will feature a new film, which will make its way to Epcot in 2016.
15/07 - Prince Harry confirms that the 2016 Invictus Games will be held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports, which is on Disney property. The event will run between 8th and 11th May 2016.
August 2015
06/08 - Disney confirms the return of Frozen Holiday Wish for the 2015/16 Christmas season. The popular show is performed multiple times each evening to light that castle in millions of twinkling dreamlights!
14/08 - Disney Imagineering unveils a first peak at the Avatar expansion coming to Animal Kingdom in 2017. Disney showed a scale model of the new expansion at the D23 Expo in Anaheim California.
14/08 - Disney announces the addition of the Skipper Canteen restaurant to the Magic Kingdom. The new themed dining location will be Jungle Cruise themed, and will be situated in the Adventureland area of the park.
15/08 - Bob Iger confirms that Star Wars themed lands will be coming to Disneyland Park and Disney's Hollywood Studios. The 14 acre expansion will feature numerous rides and experiences.
16/08 - New additions confirmed to be added to the Star Tours attraction. In preperation and celebration of the 7th film, The Force Awakens, new destinations will be added to the DHS attraction.
16/08 - Disney announces that Toy Story Land will be making its way to Hollywood Studios. This new expansion includes a Slinky-dog coaster, and an alien spinner ride.
16/08 - Disney confirms that the official name for the Avatar expansion at Animal Kingdom will be; "Pandora: The World of Avatar".
16/08 - Star Wars Launch Bay announced for Hollywood Studios and Disneyland Park. The interactive experience will feature exhibits, meet and greets, and merchandise locations.
24/08 - Disney updates the My Disney Experience app to now include PhotoPass access, including previewing the photos taken by in-park photographers.
September 2015
11/09 - Hollywood Studios sees new look return as Frozen Summer Fun ends. The event stage was removed after Frozen Summer Fun ended, leaving a beautiful view of the Chinese Theater - a view which hasn't been seen in years due to the Sorcerers Hat!
11/09 - Disney Parks Blog confirms that 2015 would be the last for the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights due to construction work at the park.
12/09 - Tom Staggs, CEO of the Walt Disney Company, has indicated that construction will begin in 2016 on the new Star Wars expansion on both coasts.
22/09 - Disney launches their Unforgettable Happens Here campaign, which will make full use of the resorts' social media to engage guests.
29/09 - Pirates of the Caribbean re-opens after three month refurbishment with upgrades made to the ride system and scenes.
30/09 - Downtown Disney officially becomes Disney Springs after an extensive redesign over the past 5 years.
October 2015
03/10 - Disney confirms that guests will no longer be able to meet Duffy the Disney Bear, although merchandise with Duffy on will still be available.
04/10 - Parking prices at Walt Disney World have once again increased. Cars will now pay $20 for parking, a $3 increase.
10/10 - A WDW monorail broke down between the Magic Kingdom and the Transportation and Ticket Center. The monorail therefore had to be evacuated over the course of several hours.
12/10 - Disney announces a new entertainment offerieng, Club Disney, which opened in Hollywood Studios' brand new Sunset Showcase flexi-theater building.
19/10 - Disney Parks Blog announces that the Soarin' attraction at Epcot will be closed for a 6 month refurbishment beginning 4th January 2016. The refurb is expected to include the installation of new technology, the addition of the new theater, and a brand new film! The attraction will re-open in Summer 2016.
29/10 - Casting call provides further information about what to expect from the Rivers of Light show coming to DAK in Spring 2016.
November 2015
06/11 - Disney Parks Blog announces further information about the Na'Vi River Journey attraction, opening in 2017 at Animal Kingdom.
13/11 - Disney finally announces that the Captain EO at Epcot will be closing, and a replacement - the 'Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival', will replace it in December 2015.
13/11 - Colortopia Exhbit opens at Epcot's Innoventions. The new exhibit, which features 3 seperate experiences, is all based around the color, and is sponsored by paint manafacturer Glidden.
17/11 - Disney announces further information about the Season of the Force event coming to Hollywood Studios in 2016.
18/11 - Monorail accident occurs, luckily no guests were onboard. The vehicle collided with a tow vehicle during scheduled maintainance.
21/11 - Disney announces further details about the Rivers of Light show coming to Animal Kingdom in 2016.
December 2015
01/12 - Star Wars Launch Bay opens at Hollywood Studios to the delight of Star Wars fans! The new experience includes, character meet and greets, interactive exhibits, and even a Star Wars themed shop!
04/12 - Comedy Warehouse Holiday confirmed to return to Hollywood Studios for the 2015 season.
08/12 - Walt Disney Imagineering adds audio animatronics to the Gran Fiesta Tour at Epcot, replacing the projections at the end of the ride.
12/12 - Reports surface that a man attempted to bring a gun into the Magic Kingdom, which led to sheriffs having to raise their guns at Andrew Gerson before he dropped his. This led to heightened security at the parks.
24/12 - Pixar Short FIlm Festival opens at Epcot. The replacement for Captain EO is currently showing; Get a Horse, La Luna and For the Birds - three Disney and Pixar short films.
2016 also holds a lot for Walt Disney World. There are plenty of announced additions and changes to the parks, and we are sure there will be more too! Be sure to check out our 'Looking Forward to 2016' post next week for more info!!
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