40 years of Disney History - a timeline

So this really could be a novel and I'm sure there will be a book about it some day, but in the meantime, let's take a walk down memory lane shall we?

1964

• Walt Disney secretly starts purchasing 27,433 acres of swampland in Central Florida for approximately $180 an acre.

1965

• November 15, Walt Disney makes the first public announcement detailing his plans for the “Florida Project”.

1966

• Walt Disney dies of lung cancer at the age of 65 on December 15; Walt’s brother, Roy, moves forward with the Disney World Project.

1967  

• Site preparation begins for Magic Kingdom.

1969

• Construction begins on Magic Kingdom, including Main Street U.S.A. and the 189-foot-high Cinderella Castle.

1971  

• Magic Kingdom first opens its doors on October 1 for approximately 10,000 visitors with the following attractions: Cinderella’s Golden Carousel, Country Bear Jamboree, Diamond Horseshoe Revue, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Frontier Shooting Gallery, Hall of Presidents, Haunted Mansion, It’s a Small World, Jungle Cruise, Mad Tea Party, Mickey Mouse Revue, Mike Fink Keel Boats, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, Skyway, Snow White’s Adventures, Swiss Family Treehouse, Tiki Room, Tomorrowland Indy Speedway and Walt Disney World Railroad.
• The Liberty Square Riverboat opens along the Rivers of America on October 2, the day after the grand opening of Magic Kingdom.  
• Adult admission to Magic Kingdom costs $3.50, while a seven-ride attraction ticket book costs $4.75 and an 11-ride attraction ticket book costs $5.75. 
• Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Resort and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground all open at Walt Disney World Resort. 
• Walt Disney World Resort is officially dedicated by Roy O. Disney on October 23.
• The Palm and Magnolia, two championship golf courses, open at Walt Disney World Resort. 
• Several new attractions open at Magic Kingdom before the end of the year such as Flight to the Moon and Circle-Vision 360.
• Roy O. Disney dies on December 20

1972  

• If You Had Wings opens in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom and features state-of-the-art OmniMover vehicles.
• The Walt Disney Story makes its debut in Town Square at Magic Kingdom.  

1973

• The Carousel of Progress is moved from Disneyland, where it first opened in 1967, to Magic Kingdom.
• Tom Sawyer Island makes its debut in Frontierland at Magic Kingdom.
• Pirates of the Caribbean opens in Adventureland’s Caribbean Plaza at Magic Kingdom.
• The Golf Resort opens its doors adjacent to Magic Kingdom.
• The Swan Boat ride opens in the Plaza at Magic Kingdom.

1974  

• Star Jets (later known as Astro Orbiter) opens in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom.  
• Treasure Island (formerly known as Blackbeard’s Island and later known as Discovery Island) opens.
• The Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue makes its debut at Pioneer Hall in Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground.
• The Lake Buena Vista Golf Course opens at Lake Buena Vista Village.

1975

• The Carousel of Progress opens in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom.
• Flight to the Moon evolves into Mission to Mars in Tomorrowland.
• The WEDway People Mover makes its debut in Tomorrowland.
• Treehouse Village, a complex of 60 vacation townhouses, opens at Walt Disney World Resort.
• Attendance at Walt Disney World Resort surpasses 50 million guests.
• Walt Disney Productions announces plans for Epcot, its second theme park at Walt Disney World Resort.
• The Lake Buena Vista Village (later to be known as Disney Village Marketplace) opens at Walt Disney World Resort.
• "America the Beautiful" replaces "Magic Carpet 'Round the World" at the Circle-Vision 360 theater at Magic Kingdom.

1976  

That's me in the mid70's with Chip. 
(You know why I know it's Chip,
don't you?)

• River Country opens as Walt Disney World Resort’s first water park at Fort Wilderness Campground. 

1977

• The Main Street Electrical Light Parade makes its debut at Magic Kingdom.

1978  

• Treasure Island is renamed Discovery Island.

1979  

• Construction begins on Epcot with an initial budget of $600 million.

1980  

• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad opens in Frontierland at Magic Kingdom. 

1982  

• Epcot (originally known as EPCOT Center) opens on October 1 as the second theme park at Walt Disney World Resort with Future World pavilions that include The Land, Spaceship Earth, Universe of Energy and World of Motion, as well as nine World Showcase pavilions.
• A four-mile stretch of the Walt Disney World Monorail System is completed from the Ticket and Transportation Center to Epcot.

1983  

• The Horizons attraction opens in Future World at Epcot. 
• The Plaza Swan Boats sail for the last time at Magic Kingdom.
• Journey into Imagination opens at Epcot.

1984  

• The Morocco Pavilion opens in the World Showcase. 
• The France Pavilion at Epcot's World Showcase opens Bistro de Paris.
• "American Journeys" replaces "America the Beautiful" at the Circle-Vision 360 theater at Magic Kingdom.

1985  

• RCA’s Home of Future Living closes within Space Mountain.
• Both the Nine Dragons Restaurant and Lotus Blossom Cafe open in the China Pavilion at Epcot's World Showcase.

1986  

• Sponsored by United Technologies, the Living Seas Pavilion opens in Future World at Epcot. 
• The Captain EO 3-D film premieres at the Magic Eye Theater in Epcot’s Future World.  
• The Golf Resort adds 150 new guestrooms and its name is changed to The Disney Inn. 
• Construction begins on Disney-MGM Studios, Walt Disney World’s third theme park.
• The Walt Disney Company announces plans for the construction of Pleasure Island.
• The Diamond Horseshoe Revue in Frontierland is renamed the Diamond Horseshoe Jamboree.

1987  

• Ground-breaking ceremonies are held for Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon.

1988  

• Mickey’s Birthdayland (later known as Mickey’s Toontown Fair) opens at Magic Kingdom.
• The Norway Pavilion opens in the World Showcase at Epcot.
• Disney’s Grand Floridian Beach Resort and Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort both open at Walt Disney World Resort.
• IllumiNations premieres at Epcot.

1989  

Ahh...before the hat!

• Disney-MGM Studios opens on May 1.
• Typhoon Lagoon water park opens at Walt Disney World Resort with one of the world’s largest wave pools.
• Pleasure Island, an immense entertainment complex with eight eclectic nightclubs, opens its doors at Walt Disney World Resort.
• Two new resorts, the Walt Disney World Dolphin and the Walt Disney World Swan, open at Walt Disney World Resort near Epcot.
• The Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular premieres at Disney-MGM Studios in September.
• Star Tours makes its debut at Disney-MGM Studios in December.
• Tony's Town Square Restaurant opens at Main Street, U.S.A. near the entrance to Magic Kingdom.

1990  

• Mickey’s Birthdayland changes its name to Mickey’s Starland at Magic Kingdom.
• Disney’s Beach Club Resort, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, Walt Disney World Dolphin and Walt Disney World Swan all open at Walt Disney World Resort.
• The Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure opens at Disney-MGM Studios.

1991  

• Jim Henson’s Muppet*Vision 3-D (later known simply as Muppet Vision 3-D) opens at Disney-MGM Studios. 
• Disney’s Port Orleans Resort opens at Walt Disney World Resort.  
• The Main Street Electrical Light Parade is replaced with the SpectroMagic Parade.
• The Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant opens at Disney-MGM Studios.

1992  

• Splash Mountain opens in Frontierland at Magic Kingdom.
• Voyage of the Little Mermaid opens in the Animation Courtyard at Disney-MGM Studios.
• Disney’s Old Key West Resort and Disney’s Dixie Landings Resort both open at Walt Disney World Resort.
• The Walt Disney Story closes at Magic Kingdom.

1993  

• The Hall of Presidents in Liberty Square undergoes a major overhaul that includes the addition of an audio-animatronic Bill Clinton figure and new narration from poet Maya Angelou.
• Mission to Mars closes at Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom.

1994  

• The WEDway People Mover in Tomorrowland is renamed Tomorrowland Transit Authority.
• Honey, I Shrunk the Audience, an interactive 3-D adventure, opens in Epcot’s Future World, replacing Captain EO.
• The Timekeeper opens in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom.
• Innoventions East and West pavilions open in the former Communicore buildings at Epcot.
• The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror makes its debut along Sunset Boulevard at Disney-MGM Studios.
• 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea closes in Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom.
• Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge both open at Walt Disney World Resort.

1995  

• Blizzard Beach opens at Walt Disney World Resort on April Fool’s Day. 
• Disney’s All-Star Music Resort opens its doors at Walt Disney World Resort.
• The Walt Disney World Company announces plans for the development of a fourth theme park, Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
• Disney’s Fairy Tale Wedding Pavilion opens at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.
• The Walt Disney World Speedway opens at Walt Disney World Resort.

1996  

• Mickey’s Starland changes its name to Mickey’s Toontown Fair and adds two new attractions: The Barnstormer at Goofy’s Wiseacre Farm and Donald’s Boat. The track at Tomorrowland Indy Speedway is shortened slightly to make room for the new Toontown attractions. 
• Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf is constructed between the Walt Disney Dolphin and the Walt Disney Swan resorts.
• Disney’s Boardwalk opens at Walt Disney World Resort. 
• The former Disney Inn reopens as Shades of Green, an Armed Forces Recreation Center.
• The Circle of Life and Ellen’s Energy Adventure attractions both premiere at Epcot’s Future World.

1997  

• Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort opens its doors at Walt Disney World Resort. 
• Disney Village Marketplace and Pleasure Island are joined by Disney West Side and the entire complex is renamed “Downtown Disney.”
• Disney’s 220-acre Wide World of Sports Complex opens with a dozen baseball and softball fields, 12 lighted tennis courts, a track-and-field complex, six basketball courts, a golf driving range and six sand volleyball courts.
• The Mike Fink Keel Boats attraction closes in Frontierland at Magic Kingdom.
• Walt Disney World Resort celebrates its 25th anniversary.

1998  

• Disney’s Animal Kingdom opens as the fourth theme park at Walt Disney World Resort on April 22.  
• The Tiki Room in Adventureland at Magic Kingdom changes its name to “The Enchanted Tiki Room – Under New Management.” 
• Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin opens in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom.
• Sponsored by General Motors, Test Track makes its debut at the former site of World of Motion in Future World at Epcot.
• Fantasmic! premieres at Disney-MGM Studios.
• Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride closes in Fantasyland, much to the dismay of its many fans.
• The Main Street Cinema along Main Street, U.S.A. is converted into a retail store.
• DisneyQuest, an indoor interactive theme park, opens its doors at Disney West Side in Downtown Disney.
• Cirque du Soleil La Nouba premieres at Disney West Side in Downtown Disney.

1999  

• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh opens in Fantasyland at the former site of Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride. 
• The Rock ‘n Roller Coaster – Starring Aerosmith makes its debut at Disney-MGM Studios next to the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.
• Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort opens its doors at Walt Disney World Resort.
• Discovery Island closes to guests as an attraction.
• Walt Disney World introduces FASTPASS, a free reservation system that allows guests to avoid crowds at the most popular theme park rides and attractions.
• The Asia section of Disney's Animal Kingdom opens with such attractions as Kali River Rapids, Flights of Wonder and Maharajah Jungle Trek.

2000  

• Journey into Your Imagination opens at Epcot.

2001  

• Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream opens at Disney-MGM Studios as part of Walt Disney World’s 100 Years of Magic Celebration.  
• Who Wants To Be A Millionaire – Play It! opens at Disney-MGM Studios.
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge opens its doors at Walt Disney World Resort.
• The Magic Carpets of Aladdin kiddie ride debuts in Adventureland at Magic Kingdom.
• Playhouse Disney – Live on Stage premieres at Disney-MGM Studios.

2002  

• Disney’s Beach Club Villas opens its doors at Walt Disney World Resort.
• Journey into Imagination with Figment opens at Epcot.

2003  

• Diamond Horseshoe Saloon Revue closes and is replaced by Goofy’s Country Dancin’ Jamboree in
  Liberty Square
  at Magic Kingdom.
• ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter closes in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom.
• Mission: SPACE, a state-of-the-art thrill ride, opens at the site of the former Horizons attraction at Epcot.
• Mickey’s PhilharMagic opens in Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom.
• Disney's Pop Century Resort opens at Walt Disney World Resort.

2004  

• Stitch’s Great Escape opens in Tomorrowland at the former site of ExtraTERRORestrial. 
• Turtle Talk with Crush! opens in The Living Seas at Epcot.

2005  

• Soarin’, a “high-flying adventure,” opens in The Land Pavilion at Epcot. 
• The Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show opens at Disney-MGM Studios.  
• Journey Into Narnia – Creating The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe makes its debut at Disney-MGM Studios.

2006  

• Expedition Everest, a high-speed train adventure, opens in Asia at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
• Pirates of the Caribbean reopens at Magic Kingdom after several months of renovations to coincide with the summer release of the Disney film, Pirates of Caribbean: Dead Men’s Chest.

2007 

• Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor Comedy Club opens in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom.
• Huge Mickey Mouse arm and wand are removed from Spaceship Earth at Epcot.
• Disney World raises its adult one-day, one-park pass from $67 to $71.

2008

• Disney-MGM Studios changes its name to Disney's Hollywood Studios.
• Yak & Yeti Restaurant opens at Disney's Animal Kingdom.
• The Wave restaurant opens at Disney's Contemporary Resort.
• Toy Story Mania! opens at Disney's Hollywood Studios.
• Spaceship Earth "relaunches" at Epcot.
• Disney's Animal Kingdom celebrates its 10th anniversary on April 22.
• Walt Disney World Resort closes all nightclubs at Downtown Disney Pleasure Island - including BET Soundstage Club, Mannequins, 8Trax, Comedy Warehouse, Adventurer's Club and Motion - to create a new "family-friendly environment" with new restaurants and specialty shops.
• T-Rex: A Prehistoric Family Adventure,
  A Place
  to Eat, Shop, Explore and Discover opens at Downtown Disney Marketplace.

2009

• The American Idol Experience opens at Disney's Hollywood Studios.
• Sanaa restaurant opens at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge.
• Hall of Presidents reopens after a major makeover that includes the introduction of a President Barack Obama figure.

2010

• Captain EO returns to Epcot for a limited-time engagement.

2011

·          Mickey’s Toontown Fair in the Magic Kingdom closes to make room for Fantasyland expansion.

·          Construction begins on the newest resort, The Art of Animation Inn.

·          Walt Disney World Resort celebrates its 40th anniversary.