Every year as this website grows older, we reflect upon the accomplishments, impact, and incredible growth of WDWNT. It has now been 9 years since WDW News Today launched on July 8th, 2007. What was founded on the website you see before you and built on the back of daily news and information about Walt Disney World is now a vibrant collection of blog posts, videos, podcasts, radio programs, streaming original programming, & more. The last year in particular has been a memorable one, as we introduced WDW News Tonight blending the most popular aspects of many of our past programs, and provided the best coverage possible of all of the new attractions that debuted at the Walt Disney World Resort. We even set incredible new records in traffic for our websites and podcasts this year, as we continue our fight to be the first and best source for Disney fans. Oh, and did I mention the $6255.42 total we raised for Toys for Tots in the last year bringing our fundraising total to $25,805.24 over the past nine years?

In the world of Disney, our site has covered huge stories such as the 2015 D23 Expo, the financial cutbacks at the domestic parks, the introduction of new seasonal ticket pricing at the theme parks, the Disney After Hours event at the Magic Kingdom, the opening of Frozen Ever after at Epcot, the delay of Rivers of Light at Animal Kingdom, and much more. We also said goodbye to the original Soarin’, Dream Along with Mickey, the Lights, Motors Action, Extreme Stunt Show, the Honey I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure, the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights, and the Earfful Tower. We even celebrated the 60th anniversary of Disneyland with fascinating podcast & radio show segments celebrating 6 decades of the very first Disney theme park.

Tonight, we will continue our annual tradition of presenting a special anniversary program on WDW News Today: On The Air, and as well for the first time ever on AM 1520 WBZW in Orlando. The show begins at 9PM ET and will last until 12AM ET. During this show, we will be making several earth-shattering announcements about the future of WDWNT. We’ll be interacting with you live through our live chat-room, taking any questions you may have about the Disney Parks, the Walt Disney Company, or about what we do at WDWNT. Unlike years past, we have a few special segments we will present as well, such as a visit from Cornac the Magnificent, WDWNT: The Match Game, and a few surprises! We hope you will join us for that tonight as it is always a very fun event!

On a personal note, the 9 year journey of this website, the podcast, and the entire family that makes up WDWNT continues to be the greatest experience of my life. I’d like to thank the incredible volunteer staff of over 30 people that have worked tirelessly to get us where we are today and the loyal readers & listeners who are to thank for our great success. I am very proud of what we have accomplished in the last 9 years and amazed at where it has taken me today, moving me across the country to my new home just minutes away from Walt Disney World. I’m looking forward to living up to our tagline, continuing to be the worldwide leader in Disney Parks news. As a great song once said, “We’ve just begun to dream!”

Tom Corless

CEO & Founder of WDW News Today

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