The “Disney Decade” is at a close! Today, the series welcomes Beth from A Disney Mom’s Thoughts and her remembrances of Walt Disney World from the year 1999.
The year is 1999. I’ve been looking forward to this year since I was in the 3rd grade in 1983- thanks to Prince and his hit song “1999!”
Walt Disney World 1999
I was fortunate enough to visit WDW twice in 1999. My first trip was in May. Then my family traveled to Walt Disney World in 1999 to celebrate the Millennium. We stayed off property this trip because the resort had a three-night minimum and we were only staying 2 nights- just long enough to ring in 2000.
On December 31, 1999, our family went to Disney-MGM Studios. I honestly don’t remember much about the day. Except I remember wearing a heavy coat and a hat, so it must have been cold! Of course, I don’t actually remember riding any rides or experiencing any attractions, but I’m sure we did! 🙂 I do remember wondering all day long if the “Y2K bug” was really going to destroy the world. At one point during the day, we saw a TV that was showing the New Year Celebration in Sydney, Australia. We anxiously watched to see if the computers would blow up at midnight… they didn’t. So, we were relieved and continued to enjoy our day at Disney- MGM Studios.
I wish I had pictures from this vacation, but I don’t. All I could scrounge up were the guide maps for the 4 parks from May of 1999.
Walt Disney World Y2K
A one day ticket to WDW was $44.52 for an adult. A 5 day park hopper was $200.34. An annual pass was $316.94.
Disney’s Contemporary Resort during Value Season was $214-$275 nightly.
Dixie Landings during Value Season was $119-$139 nightly.
All Star Movies during Value Season was $74 per night.
River Country was still open at Fort Wilderness and a one day adult ticket to the water park was $17.95.
Some of the interesting things that happened at Walt Disney World in 1999 were:
- Horizons at Epcot officially closed
- All Star Movies Resort opens
- Test Track opens at Epcot
- The Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster opens at MGM Studios
- Walt Disney World closes for the day for the first time in 28 years due to Hurricane Floyd- – –
- Animal Kingdom opened at 12:00 for Resort guests.
- The Walt Disney World Millennium Celebration opens at Epcot for 15 months
- The Tapestry of Nations Parade premiers at Epcot
- The IMAGINATION! Pavilion opens at Epcot
- IllumiNations 2000 begins at Epcot
You can find additional information about Disney in general from the year 1999 in the Corporate Disney Fact book.
50 Days to 50 Years
Beth (@adisneymom) offers a terrific resource in the fact book; a Disney-lovers nostalgic go-to! She visited the Parks many, many times since. You can check out her family’s Halloween costumes for their time at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party!
Tomorrow, we will be turning the page on the 20th century with Amanda from The Disney Go To Girl. Y2K defied!!