A quick look back at an uneventful 2008
As the year changes on the calendar, we take a look back at the stories that grabbed our attention at Walt Disney World. 2008 was certainly not the most eventful of years in the Mouse’s recent history, but there were still a few major happenings that we won’t soon forget.
Toy Story Mania Opens: In a year that saw little in the way of major attraction openings, Toy Story Mania was the biggest addition. Disney’s Hollywood Studios was in need of an e-ticket, and even though some have debated whether TSM deserves the e-ticket status, it certainly is a fun and popular attraction. Only time will tell if it will have the staying power of other e-tickets, my guess is that it will not. But the Imagineers put an amazing amount of effort into developing Toy Story Mania and it deserves our appreciation.
Pleasure Island and the Adventurer’s Club move to the history books: It stinks when a closing makes this list, but in 2008 that is exactly what we have. Pleasure Island may soon be a distant memory, but Disney World fans, and especially purists, will not soon forget the Adventurer’s Club. It was the place where classic Disney imagination was brought to the resort’s nightlife. It was the perfect compliment to the Magic Kingdom, full of Disney-style details and immense story and creativity. Mark me down as someone who holds out hope this idea will be brought back.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom turns 10: It didn’t come with the outcry Epcot’s 25th anniversary came with, but it still annoyed its fair share of Disney fans. Disney World’s fourth gate celebrated a milestone, which was nearly ignored by the company and fans were forced to create their own anniversary celebration. On a personal note, I struggled to include this, as I did not care too much if DAK celebrated a birthday or not. But I understand it meant a lot to many fans, so it deserves a mention.
Now this is only a select few, I know. But I prefer to look forward that backwards. As the New Year begins, we will have a preview of what might happen and what to look forward at Walt Disney World. 2009 may be a difficult year, but it is potentially an eventful one as well.