This Week in Disney History: March 5th – March 11th

WDWNT on March 6, 2017

This week in Disney history we will take a look at some of the milestones that happened in the history of the Walt Disney Company during the  week of March 5th-March 11th. All of the factoids are here to inform you and broaden your knowledge so that you too can “be in the know” of Disney History. History and Disney are 2 of my greatest passions and I hope you all enjoy reading and learning about the history of Disney each and every week. This article is designed to share some of the things that help shape and mold the beautiful company we know and love today.

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Original photo of Journey into Imagination at Epcot (I thank imagineeringdisney.com for allowing me to use their photo)

This Week In Disney History March 5th-March 11th. 

  • On March 5th, 1983, the attraction Journey Into Imagination debuted to the public at Epcot. The attraction was about the Dreamfinder teaching Figment and guests to use their imaginations. In 1999, the attraction was updated and reimagined with a change in name to Journey into YOUR Imagination. In 2002, it was reimagined again as guests were unhappy with the changes, becoming Journey Into Imagintion with Figment.
  • On March 6th, 2013, the 20th Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival began.
  • On March 7th, 1942, former Walt Disney Company CEO, Michael Eisner, was born in Mount Kisco, New York. His reign as CEO of the Walt Disney Company began in 1984 and ended in 2005.
  • On March 8th, 1983, former President Ronald Reagan visited EPCOT Center and made a speech about what the promises of Epcot would bring and why it was so important to Walt Disney.
  • On March 9th, 2014, the new daytime parade Festival of Fantasy debuted at Magic Kingdom.  The parade still runs daily at 3:00 PM.

  • On March 10th, 2009, D23: the first official Disney Fanclub, was founded. The “D” stands for Disney, and “23” pays homage to when the Walt Disney Company was created in 1923.
  • Finally, On March 11th, 2007, the Disney Broadway show ‘Tarzan‘ celebrated its 350th show performance.

“Happiness is a state of mind. It’s just according to the way you look at things.”-Walt Disney

Magic Kingdom Introducing “Festival of Fantasy Parade Liberty Belle Ice Cream Social” Add-On Event

WDWNT on November 29, 2016

As Disney continues to try and pad their bottom line with add-on events and experiences in their theme parks, there is a relatively weird one coming our way fairly soon…

The Festival of Fantasy Parade Liberty Belle Ice Cream Social is coming to the Magic Kingdom

The Festival of Fantasy Parade Liberty Belle Ice Cream Social is coming to the Magic Kingdom

According to internal documents, The Festival of Fantasy Parade Liberty Belle Ice Cream Social will allow guests to watch the Disney Festival of Fantasy afternoon parade from on-board the Liberty Belle Riverboat at the Magic Kingdom. The boat will have ice cream and various other drinks and snacks available on board for guests to enjoy during this event.

After the first lap around the Rivers of America, including the viewing of the parade, thew boat will return to the dock and pick upon two additional passengers: Princes Tiana and Prince Naveen from the animated film The Princess and the Frog.

No further details, pricing, or dates of availability are floating around just yet, but we expect an announcement from Disney shortly.

BREAKING: Festival of Fantasy Parade Lunch Package to Replace Electrical Parade Offering

WDWNT on September 17, 2016

The Magic Kingdom will be introducing a dining package for Disney’s Festival of Fantasy Parade, starting October 10th, 2016.

Disney's Festival of Fantasy Parade

Disney’s Festival of Fantasy Parade

The package replaces the one offered for the Main Street Electrical Parade. The Main Street Electrical Parade will conclude on October 9th, so rather than cancel the program, Disney will move it over to the afternoon parade.

The dining package still takes place at Tony’s Town Square Restaurant and is a prix fixe meal priced at$45 per adult and $17 per child, plus tax and gratuity (one dining plan table service credit). Guests are given a voucher to enter a special viewing area after their lunch.

Disney’s festival of Fantasy Parade is offered daily at 3PM at the Magic Kingdom.

This package can be booked beginning September 13th, 2016.

PHOTOS: An In-Depth Look at the Festival of Fantasy Parade Debut at the Magic Kingdom

WDWNT on March 31, 2014

WDWNT Reporters Joe Hogarty, Dirk Wallen, and Nick LoCicero were all on the scene for the debut of Disney’s Festival of Fantasy Parade at the Magic Kingdom yesterday and have nearly 300 photos of the parade to share with us of this new daily spectacle:

Needless to say, the parade was stunning. We’ll have a full review of the parade on this week’s WDW News Today Podcast and talk all about it in depth, including the cool details you should look for when you see it.

Full parade video will be shared this afternoon once we get it uploaded.