Happy New Year and welcome back to Dateline Disney World! This week, we’re taking a look back at lsome of the news that happened in 2014.
This year, My Disney Experience and MyMagic+ became the standard at WDW.
The Pirate game in Adventureland opened to good reviews, but not to big crowds.
Splash Mountain went under another long yearly “refurb.”
The cronut arrived at Walt Disney World. Yes, it’s delicious.
Spice Road Table opened in World Showcase. Though it has amazing views, you can almost always get a table here.
The Let the Memories Begin sign left the Magic Kingdom, and we have this awesome view again!
The Frozen sisters left their mark on the Norway pavilion, in more ways than one. A temporary meet and greet later gave way to the news that a Frozen themed ride is on the way to the pavilion.
We said goodbye to Mo’Rockin.
Nikon overthrew Kodak as the main camera sponsor for the resort.
The new bus depot opened at MK.
There was another Flower and Garden Fest which continues to blur the lines between Flower and Garden and Food and Wine.
Casey’s Corner saw lots of changes as the bleachers have been replaced with tables.
We lost the Polynesian’s original lobby (above) in favor of a more modern open space.
Cosmic Ray’s now features all indoor seating.
Festival of Fantasy parade made its debut to rave reviews.
The big hit of the parade is a fire breathing steampunk dragon.
Walls went up for the massive remodel of the Hub at the Magic Kingdom. The completed hub will offer more viewing space for castle shows, parades and fireworks.
MagicBands went on sale to the general public, no longer just WDW Resort guests.
Anna and Elsa created huge waits at the Princess Fairytale Hall.
Disney closed Camp Minnie-Mickey to make way for Avatar.
Star Wars Weekends was a massive event as always, leading into next year’s, which should be even bigger with the debut of Episode VII coming.
Disney had another 24 hour day, allowing for this rare sunrise photo!
The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train opened after several years of construction, finally completing New Fantasyland.
Starbucks opened a flagship location at Downtown Disney which serves wine!
Downtown Disney also started the transformation into Disney Springs.
Frozen Fun took over the Studios this summer.
Diagon Alley opened at Universal Orlando Resort, which was a frequent topic of conversation of Orlando tourists.
Astro Orbitor got a major refurb which resulted in the entire attraction being disassembled and rebuilt.
The beautiful New Harambe (Lion King threater) opened at Animal Kingdom.
Tiki Room got some TLC this year as well.
We got fun new retro EPCOT Center merchandise!
Halloween brought night after night of sellout crowds.
Another Food and Wine Festival was celebrated.
Animal Kingdom turned into Construction Wall Kingdom as the park prepares for big changes, including a River of Light show, Night Kingdom, and Avatar Land.
The Backlot Tour closed at the Disney Studios park, bringing with it rumors of a new Toy Story Playland to be built here.
Memento Mori replaced the Yankee Trader and became the official shop for Haunted Mansion merchandise.
We took one last ride on Maelstrom, with it now closed to bring Frozen to the Norway pavilion.
Work started on bringing Starbucks to DHS.
It was announced that the Hat is FINALLY going away in 2015!
Christmas arrived.
Christmas at MK looked different this year, with these new decorations on Main Street USA.
The Jingle Cruise returned with major enhancements.
Christmas had a Frozen theme this year.
Frozen also made its way into the Contemporary’s Holiday display.
The Animal Kingdom Lodge tree was a stunning as always.
The Osborne Lights twinkled again.
The Peace on Earth tag lost Walter Cronkite, but gained some new cool bursts and lasers.
Frozen also found its place in the Once Upon a Christmastime Parade.
It’s amazing to think how much can happen and change in a year. I really am looking forward to covering 2015 for you as there are lots of expected projects to check in on. I hope you’ll tune in every week to follow along.
Please leave us your thoughts about 2014 at Disney World in the comments below.
Happy New Year!
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