Walt Disney Parks and Resorts: Year in Review 2011

As 2011 draws to a close on New Year's Eve today, Disney fans look back at 2011. Fans with their Mouse ears to the ground know it was a busy year for Disney travel news, from Walt Disney World and Disneyland resorts to Disney Cruise Line and the opening of Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Hawaii.

Here are ten of the biggest Disney travel stories of 2011, while this article looks at what’s coming up in Disney travel for 2012 and beyond.

What would you include in your biggest Disney travel news of 2011?

1. In January, The Magic, The Memories and You, a special night-time spectacular,  debuted at Magic Kingdom and Disneyland parks as part of the “Let the Memories Begin” promotion. The show takes place on Cinderella Castle and it’s a small world, respectively and projects photos of that day’s guests on the attractions’ façades. Both versions continue in 2012.
    
2. Disney Cruise Line expanded with the launch of the Disney Dream, the third ship in the line. It was christened on Jan. 19. Among the ship’s highlights are the AquaDuck, the first shipboard water coaster, and dedicated area for children, tweens, teens and adults.
    
3. Mickey’s Toontown Fair at Magic Kingdom is closed permanently Feb. 12. The area first opened as Mickey’s Birthdayland in 1988, offering a place for guests, young children especially, to play and meet characters. The area will become part of the New Fantasyland expansion known as Storybook Circus.
    
4. Disneyland Park debuted Mickey’s Soundsational Parade on May 27. The parade celebrates the music in Disney films with characters, colorful floats and live entertainment.
    
5. Star Tours – The Adventure Continues, the updated motion simulator ride, officially debuts at Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios on May 20 and at Disneyland Park on June 3. The attraction features 3-D, a smoother ride and multiple destinations to familiar locales within the “Star Wars” universe. The attraction will be added to Tokyo Disney Resort in 2013.
    
6. Disney California Adventure opened The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure attraction on June 3. The dark fantasy ride is part of the multi-year DCA expansion. A counterpart to the attraction will open at Magic Kingdom in 2012.
    
7. Disney’s D23 Expo 2011 took place at the Anaheim Convention Center Aug. 19-21. The expo for Disney fans offered a look at current and upcoming projects for all things Disney, and included exhibits and special presentations. Among the Disney travel highlights were the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Arena Presentation, Disney's Carousel of Projects (focused on theme parks and resort projects) and the many Imagineering sessions.
    
8. Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa opened Aug. 29.The latest Disney Vacation Club and hotel is located at Ka Olina on Hawaii’s Oahu Island. The third DVC property located away from theme parks, and designed to reflect Hawaiian culture, history and stories as much as – if not than – Disney culture.
    
9. On Oct. 1, Walt Disney World Resort celebrated its 40th anniversary at Magic Kingdom. Although Disney kept the celebrations relatively low-key, the anniversary was marked by an earlier D23 “Destination D” weekend, park-wide merchandise, and fan meets. On the day itself, the Magic Kingdom celebrated with crowds of fans, special entertainment and characters, and themed treats and merchandise.
    
10. Hong Kong Disneyland officially opened Toy Story Land, based on the popular Pixar film, on Nov. 18, 2011. The area includes several attractions, including the 80-foot Toy Soldier Parachute Drop, Slinky Dog Spin and RC Racer.

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