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On this day in Disney History…

Pleasure Island Grand Opening!

April 28th, 1989, Pleasure Island was created, originally as a watering hole for Disney team members to enjoy fellowship and camaraderie at the end of their work day - in the hospitality industry, this is known as a shift drink. This new spot enabled the ever increasing number of Disney employees the option to stay and play, as opposed to commuting to downtown’s Church Street Station for nightlife adventures.

Pleasure Island’s grand opening was such a success in the bustling city of Orlando, Florida at the Walt Disney World Resort in Downtown Disney that word spread like wildfire. Disney team members, Orlando locals and travelers from all over the world were now lining up to experience this new nightlife phenomenon.

Pleasure Island is still as popular as ever and continues to draw travelers to the Orlando, Florida area consistently throughout the year. What better way to cap off a day spent at the magical theme parks of Orlando than right next door, toasting with the ones who make it possible!

On this day in Disney history…

The year is 2002. Primeval Whirl had it’s grand opening at the Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park. Primeval Whirl was the theme park’s rendition of carnival rides and the ever so popular county fairs that travel the countryside. This ride is included in Chester and Hester’s Dino-Rama in Dinoland USA. It’s a rollercoaster, actually two, that are woven together, that has cars that spin in circles while traveling on tracks which makes for a unique experience each time you enjoy the ride, known in the trade as a “wild mouse”. As with most Disney rides there is always more to the picture than sometimes meets the eye, this themed ride suggests time travel; complete with lighting and meteors which were believed to have been the cause of Dinosaurs extinction. Recently In the news around it’s anniversary date, Disney announced the addition of safety features including sensors that would detect if a Disney cast member entered into areas that are off limits and shut off the ride.

On this day in Disney history…

The year is 2001 and Walt Disney opens its next major theme park hotel Animal Kingdom Lodge at the Orlando Walt Disney World Resort. To much celebrated fan fare the theme of the hotel is an African Wildlife Preserve with live animals that feed at your window in the morning as you rise for coffee on your balcony. A “deluxe” classed hotel resort in the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida it has recently announced The Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas first phase was complete February 18, 2008. The villas are the latest edition to the Disney Vacation Club with the first phase containing 109 rooms. The Kidani Village is currently being built and will contain 300 villas with the Sunset Savanna being enlarged and more species of animals being added to the lot. A truly unique African experience with cuisine and ambience, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge has enjoyed wonderful acclaim since it’s inception and with the new additions for all that it offers to the Wild at Heart.