# WDW Connection > Connecting You To Vacation Kingdom History ## Posts - [Disney Parks History & Imagineering Books Recommended by WDW Connection](https://www.wdwconnection.com/best-disney-parks-books-history-imagineering/): WDW Connection is part of the Amazon Affiliates Program and this page contains affiliate links. If you choose to purchase an item after clicking an affiliate link, WDW Connection may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. Greetings! We’ve got some fantastic Disney parks books for you explore! If you love learning about the history of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and the magic of Imagineering, we’ve listed some amazing Disney parks books just for you. Check out our favorite books that you’ll definitely want to add to your Disney reading list and future Disney-themed bookshelf. Happy reading and […] - [The Great Movie Ride: The Music, The Memories, and The World's Greatest Movie Ride](https://www.wdwconnection.com/the-great-movie-ride-music-memories-movies/): There are numerous rides and attractions designed to immerse guests in the thrilling worlds of their favorite films. However, there was only one ride that uniquely transported you into iconic scenes from a variety of beloved movies, all within a single experience, and that was The Great Movie Ride. This remarkable opening-day attraction debuted at the Disney-MGM Studios in 1989 and operated for an impressive 28 years, leaving a lasting impact on guests. My expertise in classic films from the 20th century is quite limited, yet The Great Movie Ride managed to become one of the highlights of my visits […] - [The Magic of Bay Lake - Exploring Walt Disney World's Enchanting Waters](https://www.wdwconnection.com/bay-lake-creation-construction/): Bay Lake has been a beautiful part of the Central Florida landscape for thousands of years, playing a significant role in the area’s ecology and history. Unlike the Disney-created Seven Seas Lagoon, Bay Lake is a naturally occurring body of water. When Disney acquired large tracts of land in the region, the team launched an exciting project to drain, clean, and enhance the lake, getting everything ready for the grand opening of the Vacation Kingdom of the World. The Bay Lake area encompasses not only the serene waters of the lake itself but also includes Riles Island, situated at its […] - ['The Golden Girls' Home Location In Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge](https://www.wdwconnection.com/the-golden-girls-home-star-wars-galaxys-edge/): Picture it… The Golden Girls… Disney-MGM Studios… 1989. For those who had the opportunity to ride the Studio Backlot Tour, famously known as Catastrophe Canyon, you may remember the captivating experience of rolling through Residential Street. This unique area showcased the exterior sets of homes featured in many popular films and television shows. Among the notable movies that utilized these sets were Ernest Saves Christmas and Splash, Too. In addition to films, Residential Street was home to the exterior sets of several television series that left a mark on pop culture. The most iconic show associated with this street is […] - [The Fascinating Disney Homes in Bay Lake & Lake Buena Vista](https://www.wdwconnection.com/disney-homes-bay-lake-lake-buena-vista/): Did you know that Walt Disney World in Florida includes two distinctive neighborhoods that function as “company towns”? These towns also include several Disney homes! In the 1960s, when Walt Disney bought vast tracts of land in Central Florida for his ambitious Florida Project, the Florida Legislature played a pivotal role by incorporating two municipalities within the Vacation Kingdom. These unique Disney homes are in the towns of Lake Buena Vista and Bay Lake. Disney Homes in Bay Lake, Florida The Bay Court neighborhood in Bay Lake, FL consists of eight properties, with a basketball court situated in the center. […] - [Explore Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress: A Journey Through The 20th Century And Disney Nostalgia](https://www.wdwconnection.com/explore-walt-disneys-carousel-of-progress/): There’s a great big beautiful tomorrow shining at the end of every day. As Walt Disney famously expressed, that’s just the right spirit! His uplifting and inspirational messages resonate today, just as they did throughout the previous century when this famous rotating show began. At Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress, guests have the unique opportunity to embark on a captivating journey through the 20th century, exploring the remarkable advancements that have transformed everyday life over several decades (specifically, the turn of the century, the 1920s, the fabulous 40s, and eventually the 1990s). This beloved attraction proudly holds the record for […] - [The Spectacular Sunset Boulevard Expansion at the Disney-MGM Studios](https://www.wdwconnection.com/sunset-boulevard-expansion-mgm-studios-1994/): The Disney-MGM Studios has a remarkable history stretching over 35 years, marked by innovation and creativity. In November 1993, the park was bustling with activity as crews prepared for its first significant expansion with the addition of Sunset Boulevard. This new area enhanced the guest experience by incorporating elements inspired by Hollywood’s golden age, such as iconic architecture and exciting attractions. After many months of planning and construction, Sunset Boulevard officially opened to the public on July 22, 1994, inviting guests to explore its captivating attractions and further celebrating the Hollywood of the 1930s-1940s. The expansion broadened the park’s offerings […] - [The Epcot Sinkhole Story - From Horizons To World Showcase Plaza](https://www.wdwconnection.com/epcot-sinkhole-horizons-world-showcase-plaza/): Is there a sinkhole at Epcot? Recently, many have asked why Horizons closed forever on January 9, 1999, with no update/refurbishment plan in the works. With the Millennium Celebration starting on October 1, 1999, having an attraction like Horizons operate during this celebration would have made the most sense. Horizons had an inspiring story about living in the 21st century, plus park guests would have had an extra attraction to experience in an already packed theme park. Closing Horizons The decision to close Horizons was primarily due to financial and budgetary considerations. The ride lacked a sponsor in the late […] - [The Magic of Seven Seas Lagoon: Exploring Walt Disney World's Enchanting Waters](https://www.wdwconnection.com/seven-seas-lagoon-creation-construction/): Exploring the intricate planning and development of the Disney-created Seven Seas Lagoon is incredibly fascinating. The soil from the lagoon site even played a role in the Magic Kingdom’s development! The site selected for the Magic Kingdom initially posed significant challenges due to its swampy terrain. However, with the leadership of Roy Disney and the extraordinary talent of the Imagineers and construction teams, the Magic Kingdom built on that site became a reality. The planning teams employed innovative engineering techniques and creative design solutions to transform this landscape into the Vacation Kingdom of the World. The result is a vibrant […] - [Exploring the Fun History of Disney's Polynesian Village Resort](https://www.wdwconnection.com/history-disneys-polynesian-village-resort/): Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort opened on October 1, 1971, along with the entire Walt Disney World Vacation Kingdom. When it first opened, room rates ranged from $29 to $44 per night. The resort showcased the Tiki culture that became popular in West Coast restaurants after World War II. The Great Ceremonial House, designed after a Tahitian royal assembly lodge, featured a beautiful array of tropical plants and waterfalls, creating a warm welcome for guests to this South Seas paradise. Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Planning & Construction Initially, in 1969, the resort’s plans called for constructing a 12-story triangular building, with […] - [Building Disney's Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World](https://www.wdwconnection.com/building-animal-kingdom-at-walt-disney-world/): Disney’s Animal Kingdom, a sprawling wildlife theme park located in Florida, is a lush paradise that is home to millions of plants and trees. This breathtaking theme park officially opened its gates on Earth Day, April 22, 1998. Interestingly, the park’s first real tree, an authentic Acacia xanthophloea (Fever Tree), was ceremoniously planted on December 5, 1995. It is worth noting that this date also coincided with what would have been Walt Disney’s 94th birthday. WDW Connection is part of the Amazon Affiliates Program and this page contains affiliate links. If you choose to purchase an item after clicking an […] ## Pages - [My account](https://www.wdwconnection.com/my-account/) - [Checkout](https://www.wdwconnection.com/checkout/) - [Cart](https://www.wdwconnection.com/cart/) - [Shop](https://www.wdwconnection.com/shop/) - [Contact](https://www.wdwconnection.com/contact-wdw-connection/): Thank you for visiting WDW Connection! If you have any questions, comments, or general inquiries, please feel free to reach out: mike@wdwconnection.com - [About WDW Connection](https://www.wdwconnection.com/about-wdw-connection/): Welcome to WDW Connection! Greetings! My name is Mike, and I am thrilled to welcome you to our community. Thank you for joining me on this exciting journey exploring, learning, and understanding the planning and design of Walt Disney’s Vacation Kingdom of the World. I created WDW Connection to share the fascinating history and captivating stories behind Walt Disney World, a place that has welcomed millions of visitors from around the globe. After decades of visiting this spectacular place, I have developed a deep passion for the meticulous design, planning, and construction that went into creating Walt Disney World. I […] [comment]: # (Generated by Hostinger Tools Plugin)