The Walt Disney World Story – 2002

OPENINGS
On April 18, the Primeval Whirl coaster ride opened in Chester & Hester’s Dino-Rama! at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

On June 1, Journey Into Imagination with Figment opened in the Imagination! pavilion at Epcot.

In July, Beach Club Villas added a Disney Vacation Club presence to the Beach Club Resort.

Get Happy…With ABC! opened at Disney-MGM Studios. ABC stars of the fall lineup who were on hand included Drew Carey, Bonnie Hunt, Gordon Clapp, Bill Brochtrup, John Ritter and Katey Sagal.

In August, Once Upon a Toy, a new merchandise location, had its grand opening at Downtown Disney Marketplace.

On Dec. 31, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror debuted a new drop sequence. This was the fourth show enhancement since the attraction opened on July 22, 1994. The entirely new drop sequence placed computers in control of the ride experience for the first time, making each ride sequence unique and random.

Additional openings: Disney’s Pin Traders and Disney’s Wonderful World of Memories at Downtown Disney Marketplace.

ANNUAL EVENTS
The 20th annual Night of Joy in September featured a record-breaking 15 contemporary Christian music acts.

In October and November, a new concert series called Eat to the Beat!was added to the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival.

In November, Disney-MGM Studios hosted the seventh annual ABC Super Soap Weekend featuring dozens of ABC Daytime stars from “All My Children,” “One Life To Live,” “Port Charles” and “General Hospital.”

In December, “Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party” was held at Magic Kingdom, and once again featured “snow” on Main Street, U.S.A. The annual Candlelight Processional took place at Epcot.

SPECIAL EVENTS
The 100 Years of Magic celebration continued through the end of the year.

NOTABLE
Walt Disney World Resort received the honor of a Gold Medal Designation in the January edition of Golf Magazine. Disney was one of only two Florida gold medal winners (of 22).

FILM & TV PRODUCTION AT DISNEY-MGM STUDIOS AND RESORT LOCATIONS
In February, “EXTRA,” the nationally syndicated show, shot footage at some of the theme parks and the Polynesian Resort of three families of New York firefighters who died in the Sept. 11, 2001, World Trade Center collapse.

The “B. Smith with Style!” syndicated healthy living TV show shot segments for the fall season at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and at Animal Kingdom Lodge.

In November, “Good Day New York/Good Day Live” had a reporter go live from Walt DisneyWorld. “Good Day Live” went to 108 FOX affiliates.

In December, ABC-TV aired the “Walt Disney World Christmas Parade,” which featured hosts Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa at Magic Kingdom.

“Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” aired segments from Walt Disney World Resort.

SPORTS
In January, a record 18,500 runners, walkers and wheelchair athletes entered the 2002 Walt Disney World Marathon and Half Marathon. The men’s division winner was British Naval officer Dai Roberts.

In March, the Atlanta Braves returned for spring training at Disney’s Wide World of Sports.

In the summer, the Orlando Rays Minor League Baseball Team played at Cracker Jack Stadium.

In October, Bob Burns earned his first PGA TOUR victory at the annual Golf Classic.

In December, Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex hosted the Pop Warner Super Bowl for the eighth consecutive year.

CELEBRATED GUESTS
Michelle Kwan, Timothy Goebel, Kim Zimmer, B. Smith, Bubba Dickerson, Susan Lucci, The B-52’s, “What’s Next” guest Tom Brady, Drew Carey, Bonnie Hunt, John Lynch, Gordon Clapp, Bill Brochtrup, John Ritter, Katey Sagal.
Candlelight Narrators: Edward James Olmos, John Tesh, Marlee Matlin, James Avery, Yolanda Adams, David Hartman, Collin Raye, Blair Underwood, Gary Sinise, Jodi Benson.

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