2000-2009: A Decade in Review

yeti

yeti

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Come December 31 of this year, the 2000s will bite the dust.

So how's about a little roll call of this decades hits and misses (depending on your opinion, of course):

2000, "Celebrate the Future, Hand in Hand":
The Millenium celebration continues in Epcot (it actually began in late 1999), the year-long event when the infamous "magic wand" was placed atop Spaceship Earth, "Illuminations 2000: Reflections of Earth" made its debut, the Millenium Village pavillion opened, Tapestry of Nations made its debut, and millions of people were left clueless as to what aboriginal language the words "We yah, oh me a, we le" are a part of.
In Animal Kingdom, Conservation Station is renamed "Rafiki's Planet Watch", and Countdown to Extinction is changed into "DINOSAUR", with a refurbishment of exterior signage and slight toning-down of in-ride effects.
In Future World, the Future World Brass band plays its plast performance.

2001, "100 Years of Magic":
New marketing campaign focuses on the 100th Anniversary of Walt Disney's birth. The most significant props created were the Sorceror Mickey hat/BAH placed at the end of Hollywood Boulevard in the Disney-MGM Studios and the changing of the magic wand from saying "2000" to saying "Epcot".
In the Magic Kingdom, "Cinderella's Surprise Celebration" debuts on the Castle Forecourt Stage, and Disney's Magical Moments Parade is replaced with "Share a Dream Come True Parade". The Main Street Electrical Parade was also replaced by the return of "Spectromagic!". In Adventureland, the "Magic Carpets of Aladdin" took flight, and in Liberty Square, the Hall of Presidents was refurbished for the arrival of George W. Bush, including J.D. Hall replacing Maya Angelou as narrator.
The Mulan Parade is replaced by the "Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade", and Bear in the Big Blue House is replaced by "Playhouse Disney-Live on Stage" in the Soundstage Theater. "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire-Play It" opens, as does "Walt Disney-One Man's Dream" in conjunction with the "100 Years of Magic" campaign. Performances of Doug-Live are discontinued at the ABC Theater right.
In Animal Kingdom, "Chester and Hester's DINO-RAMA" opens, but without Primeval Whirl.
"Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge" opens its doors.

2002, "You said it, Doc. Imagination is a BLAST!":
In Fantasyland, performances of Legend of the Lion King are discontinued.
In Future World, "Journey Into Imagination With Figment" opens.
Performances of The Hunchback of Notre Dame-A Musical Adventure at the Disney-MGM Studios are discontinued, as well.
Chester and Hester welcome the first guests aboard "Primeval Whirl" at Animal Kingdom, thus finishing DINO-RAMA.

2003,"It's go-time" :
Performances of the "Main Street Trolley Parade" begin in February of 2003 on Main Street USA. "Mickey's Philharmagic" starts daily performances in the Fantasyland Theater. XS Tech is forced to perminently terminate all experiments involving The ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter at the Tomorrowland Interplanetary Convention Center. The Fantasy in the Sky fireworks are replaced by "Wishes: A Magical Gathering of Disney Dreams".
"Mission: SPACE" space training programs launch at the ISTC in Future World. "Turtle Talk with Crush" starts being totally checked out at The Living Seas pavillion. In World Showcase, the Circle-Vision film Wonders of China is replaced by "Reflections of China".
"Disney's Pop Century Resort" opens.

2004, "Aloha, and welcome to Stitch Kingdom":
"Stitch's Great Abomi-"...er "Escape" opens in Tomorrowland.
"Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort" opens.

2005, "They're LITERALLY pulling out ALL the stops":
A new marketing campaign called "The Happiest Celebration on Earth" (plays on the phrase "The Happiest Place on Earth")celebrates the 50th anniversary of Disneyland, which also means the 50th anniversary of that ol' 'Disney theme park magic'.
"Cinderellabration" (originally from Tokyo) is brought to the Castle Forecourt Stage. VMK Central opens at the Main Street Cinema. It's a Small World opens after extensive refurbishment.
The first broadcasting of those cute commercials about the penguins who want to fly, so they go on the new "Soarin'" ride. :rolleyes:
"Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show!", originally from Disney Studios Paris makes its debut at Disney-MGM Studios. The "Journey Into Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe" exhibit opens.
"Crush 'n' Gusher" opens at Typhoon Lagoon.
First ever Vacation Planning DVD is released. Creamo Supreme-o, dude. :cool:

2006, "This is a colect call...to Mr. Yeti...":
Cinderellabration stops running shows, and is replaced by "Dream Along With Mickey". New costumes that allow the character's mouthes to move creep everyone out. "Disney Dreams Come True" parade is launched. Pirates of the Caribbean is refurbished so that it is partially based on the "Pirates of the Carribean" movies, which in turn are inspired by the ride, which in turn inspired the inspiration needed to inspire the movie, which ended up ultimately inspiring the ride. Proof that WDI can create a paradox too confusing to even come out of Cap'n Jack's mouth. The Timekeeper closes in Tomorrowland, as well.
"The Seas with Nemo and Friends" opens at Future World. The Future Corps plays its final performance.
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire-Play It closes.
The conquering of "Expedition Everest" begins. Tarzan Rocks! is taken down, "Finding Nemo-The Musical" takes its place.

2007, "The Year of a Million Extremely Reasonable Dreams":
The "Year" of a Million Dreams marketing campaign begins.
VMK Central closes. The Haunted Mansion reopens after an amazing refurbishment. "Monsters Inc Laugh Floor" replaces The Timekeeper because Disney likes to point at us and laugh.
Or maybe not, considering the magic wand came down this year. Then again, Wonders of Life did close this year as well...
El Rio del Tiempo is replaced with the "Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros". Footage is added to The American Adventure. On October 1, the 25th Anniversary of Epcot Center is celebrated.

2008, "Further distanced targets score greater points!":
YoaMD continues.
After SIEMENS taking control over Spaceship Earth, an extravagent refurbishment took place and ended this year.
Due to the end of Disney's licensing agreement with MGM, the Disney MGM Studios is re-branded as "Disney's Hollywood Studios". "Toy Story Midway Mania" opens opens as the first new attraction at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Block Party Bash replaces Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade.
Pocahontas and her Forest Friends has its last showing.
All clubs in Pleasue Island are permanently closed. "T-Rex, A Prehistoric Adventure" opens in Pleasure Island.
"Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas" complete construction.

2009, "Celebration":
"What Will You Celebrate?" becomes the marketing promotion for 2009, centering on birthdays, anniversaries, and other special family events.
"Move it! Shake it! Celebrate It!" becomes the new parade at the Magic Kingdom. In Tomorrowland, Space Mountain and the Tomorrowland Transit Authority undergo fairly extensive refurbishments, and "Stitch's Supersonic Celebration" opens and closes.
"The American Idol Experience" opens at Disney's Hollywood Studios.
"Paradiso 37" opens in Pleasure Island. Virgin Megastore is closed and replaced with "Diana: The People's Princess". "Characters in Flight" begins flights above Downtown Disney. "Kouzzina" by Cat Cora opens at The Boardwalk. The Treehouse Villas are added to Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort. "Kidani Village" opens as expansion to Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas. Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort opens.


So what do we all think are the hits and misses of the 2000s?
What do you think was the best addition during this time?
And most importantly, what do you anticipate will be on this list when 2019 rolls around? :D




 
WDW Vacationer

WDW Vacationer

Active Member
Thanks for taking time to do this!



It kinda shows a pattern. Every 10 years or so we see a rise in activity and improvements as we are seeing now. WDW has changed a lot. As Servo said,it HAS been a very productive Disney Decade!
 
Victoria

Victoria

Not old, just vintage.
Nice work researching all of that.

Overall, I think that this past decade has been a productive one. We just have to forget about things like SGE and the shut down of PI. :lookaroun

In the end we gained (E:E, TSM, HM refurb) far more than we lost in the last 10 years.

Here's hoping the next decade is as productive.
 
Victoria

Victoria

Not old, just vintage.
_Scar said:
Can't win em all! :lol:





FIXT
Click to expand...

I see nothing broken. Could more have been accomplished this past decade? Absolutely. However, I think things went pretty well considering tourism hit the crapper for a few years post 9/11. Just when things were turning around, the economy tanked.

If Disney existed in a vacuum every decade could be infinitely productive. The reality is Disney has to cope with all kinds of variables just like we all do in real life. This next decade is kicking off with a still-crappy economy and promise of a major FL expansion and a few major refurbs. I don't honestly know how many more earth shattering events we can expecting the coming decade. :shrug:

WDW Vacationer said:
Nobody called a mechanic.





2009 was pretty big fir resort-hotel growth.
Click to expand...

The whole decade saw a lot of hotel growth...especially in the area of DVC.
 
Wilt Dasney

Wilt Dasney

Well-Known Member
Thanks for compiling this. My thoughts:

Hits

* IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth
* Expedition Everest

It's rare an attraction comes along that makes it hard to imagine the parks without it. In my opinion, these are the only additions from your list that have turned out to be truly iconic. Barring some bonehead management moves or a major shift in public tastes, these two will still pack in crowds at the end of the next decade.

Underrated

* One Man's Dream

The parks needed a Walt Disney-centric attraction after the old MK film closed. OMD was launched as part of the 100 Years of Magic, but it's filled a permanent niche. Walt should always have a corner on property devoted to his story.

* Mickey's PhilharMagic

The newest of the four 3-D theater attractions is also the best, in my opinion. It mixes great Disney music and animation with in-theater "four-dimensional" effects in a product greater than the sum of its parts.

* Soarin'

Clone or not, this is a fantastic attraction to me. It's a perfect example of using technology to fool your mind into thinking you're somewhere else. Whether or not it fits the pavilion or needs a new film, the concept behind this ride is rock solid.

* Turtle Talk

This is just an awesome idea. It's small scale and the jokes get repetitive, but I don't think this attraction gets enough credit for the sheer brilliance behind it.

Misses

*Stitch's Great Escape

This attraction isn't nearly as bad as its reputation implies, but reputation still matters. The whole concept of basing an attraction around being in the dark while some unseen force bedevils you is iffy to begin with, in my opinion. Combine that with the fact that SGE has become synonymous with excessive use of a character and dumbing down older attractions among the Disney fan community, and there's just no rehabilitating this one. Once enough people have decided you suck, you — for all practical purposes — suck.

* Magic Carpets of Aladdin

This ride's legacy outweighs its true worth, or lack thereof. This was obviously intended to be a minor distraction to the kiddos, but the fact that it was Magic Kingdom's third spinner has contributed to Disney's current reputation (among many) for lazy, derivative attractions. Spitting camels don't hide the fact that you're still on Dumbo.

* Closing Pleasure Island

Downtown Disney is still plagued by a reputation as a gang-banger haven, all the nightlife dollars have migrated to Universal, and Disney diehards still lament the loss of the Adventurer's Club and Comedy Warehouse. What exactly did Disney get out of this decision?

Overrated

* Lights, Motors, Action!

Full disclosure: I've never seen this show. I've always found other uses for my time. From what I've read on here, it doesn't matter. It was launched with some serious hype and promoted heavily, but I have yet to read a report from someone who was blown away by it.

* Mission: SPACE

This ride was given a major marketing push when it launched, considering that NASA scientists themselves had contributed to making it happen. While it's not a bad one, it hasn't lived up to the hype. The thrill factor is limited, the reports of nausea and one fatality have given it a reputation as "dangerous," and lingering nostalgia for Horizons probably has some Disney folks wondering if this was worth the effort.

* Toy Story Midway Mania

This is the one I had the most trouble placing. It's a good attraction. It even borders on great. I still think it's been oversold. Maybe it's the feeling that I'm still playing an (admittedly superior) version of Buzz. Maybe it's an inherent bias that keeps me from ever placing a ride built around 3-D screens in the rarefied atmosphere of attraction greatness this one wants to inhabit. Maybe it's just the cramp in my wrist whenever I get off. (Seriously, guys, a basic trigger firing mechanism would help a lot.)

Much Ado About Nothing

* Sorcerer's Hat/ Epcot Wand

They were both launched as temporary additions. They both overstayed their welcomes. But in the end, so what? They were marvels of construction that added genuine whimsy to their surroundings. Yes, they forced certain thematic sacrifices, but the hate always seemed out of proportion to the reality in my mind. With one gone and the other likely on its way out, our grandkids will look through all the archived posts and wonder what the big deal was. Many gallons of cyber ink were wasted on these two over the decade, in my opinion.
 

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