Tag: Puppet
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Kali River Rapids | DISNEY THIS DAY | March 18, 1999
On this day in 1999, the Kali River Rapids attraction opened at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Florida, nearly a year after the park opened. Guests embark on a rafting expedition hosted by Kali Rapids Expeditions through the lush jungles of Asia. However, evidence of illegal logging along the way delivers a warning about the destruction…
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Plane Crazy | DISNEY THIS DAY | March 17, 1929
On this day in 1929, the cartoon ‘Plane Crazy’ was released officially in New York City. It was the first Mickey Mouse short to be produced, but the fourth to be released. An early version was test screened without sound the year before in Los Angeles. Walt Disney performed the voices for both Mickey and…
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Harper Goff | DISNEY THIS DAY | March 16, 1911
On this day in 1911, artist, designer, musician, and Disney Legend Harper Goff was born. Goff was a set designer for Warner Bros. early in his career, including for ‘Casablanca.’ He went to work for Disney in 1951 where he art-directed ‘20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.’ Many of its Oscar-winning special effects were his creation.…
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Paradise Pier | DISNEY THIS DAY | March 13, 2009
On this day in 2009, a brand new illuminated sign for “Paradise Pier” debuted at Disney California Adventure. The addition of the sign was one piece of a multi-year transformation of Paradise Pier. The land was converted from a blend of 20th century styles to a more uniform vintage design. Toy Story: Midway Mania’s opening…
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The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh | DISNEY THIS DAY | March 11, 1977
On this day in 1977, ‘The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh’ was released in theaters. It would combine three classic short films, ‘Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree,’ ‘Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day,’ and ‘Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too.’ The first two shorts were produced with Walt Disney’s personal involvement.…
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Disney Twenty-Three | DISNEY THIS DAY | March 10, 2009
On this day in 2009, the first issue of the ‘Disney twenty-three’ magazine was released with the launch of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club. That first Spring 2009 issue featured a black and white cover photo of a young Walt Disney behind a film camera. Released quarterly, the publication is known for its exclusive…
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Splash | DISNEY THIS DAY | March 9, 1984
On this day in 1984, the first Touchstone Pictures film, ‘Splash’ was released. ‘Splash’ was directed by Ron Howard and starred Tom Hanks, Daryl Hannah, John Candy, and Eugene Levy. Tom Hanks’s character falls in love with a mermaid when she saves him from drowning first as a boy and then 20 years later. She…
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Freddie Prinze Jr. | DISNEY THIS DAY | March 8, 1976
On this day in 1976, actor Freddie Prinze Jr. was born. Known by Star Wars fans as the voice of Kanan Jarrus, his work has appeared in ‘Star Wars Rebels,’ ‘Star Wars: The Bad Batch,’ and ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.’ He has also voiced roles for Disney in ‘Kim Possible: A Stitch in…
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Alice in Wonderland | DISNEY THIS DAY | March 5, 2010
On this day in 2010, the live action ‘Alice in Wonderland’ film was released in theaters. Directed by Tim Burton, it was loosely based on two Lewis Carroll books, ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’ and ‘Through the Looking Glass.’ A 19-year-old Alice returns to Underland, a place she visited as a girl. She sets out with…
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Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers | DISNEY THIS DAY | March 4, 1989
On this day in 1989, the animated series ‘Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers’ premiered on the Disney Channel. It followed detective chipmunks Chip and Dale, modeled after Indiana Jones and Magnum P.I., respectively. They solved crimes “too small” for the police to handle. As the #1 rated show for the 1989-1990 season, ‘Rescue Rangers’ would…
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Cinderella Festival | DISNEY THIS DAY | March 3, 1971
On this day in 1971, a 3-day Cinderella Festival began at Disneyland. It celebrated the 20th anniversary of the film and the upcoming debut of Cinderella Castle at the Walt Disney World Resort. The event featured garden tours from Disneyland horticulturists and multiple fashion shows daily. A special 24-page booklet included recipes from Cinderella’s Royal…
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Dude Duck | DISNEY THIS DAY | March 2, 1951
On this day in 1951, the Donald Duck cartoon short ‘Dude Duck’ was released. Donald heads to the Bar-None Dude Ranch for a relaxing vacation. However, he is the last one off the bus and ends up with the last pick of the horses. His not-so-faithful steed Rover Boy wants nothing to do with Donald…
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Ron Howard | DISNEY THIS DAY | March 1, 1954
On this day in 1954, actor, director, and producer Ron Howard was born. He is best known for his roles on ‘The Andy Griffith Show,’ ‘American Graffiti,’ and ‘Happy Days,’ as well as being an Oscar-winning director. Howard’s work for Disney began in 1969 on the vinyl LP, “The Story and Song from the Haunted…
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One More Disney Day | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 29, 2012
On this day in 2012, Disneyland in California and Magic Kingdom in Florida celebrated “One More Disney Day.” That leap year was the first time both parks would be open to guests for 24 hours straight, from 6 AM on February 29 to 6 AM on March 1. Special “One More Disney Day” ear hats…
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Star Tours | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 28, 1997
On this day in 1997, a 10th anniversary rededication ceremony for the Star Tours attraction was held at Disneyland. Chewbacca and Carrie Fisher, famous for her portrayal of Princess Leia, were on hand to carry out a lightsaber ribbon cutting. The ceremony was reminiscent of the medal ceremony at the end of ‘A New Hope.’…
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Man or Muppet | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 26, 2012
On this day in 2012, the song “Man or Muppet” from the 2011 film ‘The Muppets’ won an Academy Award for Original Song. The Oscar winning song was composed by the film’s musical supervisor Bret McKenzie, part of the comedy duo Flight of the Conchords. Jason Segel and Peter Linz performed the vocals, with Linz…
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The Mighty Ducks | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 25, 2005
On this day in 2005, Disney sold the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim hockey team to the Samueli family. Founded in 1993, the club was originally named for the 1992 film, ‘The Mighty Ducks’ about a ragtag youth hockey team that turns failure into success. A ‘Mighty Ducks’ TV series followed in 1996 featuring the team’s…
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Brave | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 24, 2013
On this day in 2013, the Pixar Animation Studios film ‘Brave’ won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. Its main competition that year were two other Disney films, ‘Wreck-It Ralph’ and ‘Frankenweenie.’ At the time, ‘Brave’ would be the seventh Disney-Pixar film to win Best Animated Feature since the category was created in 2001.…
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Snow White – An Enchanting Musical | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 23, 2004
On this day in 2004, the Broadway-style stage show, “Snow White – An Enchanting Musical” premiered at the Fantasyland Theatre in Disneyland. It brought the story of Snow White to life using elaborate sets, special effects, and classic songs, including “Whistle While You Work” and “Heigh-Ho.” The queen’s castle and dwarfs’ cottage were recreated to…
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Columbia | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 22, 1964
On this day in 1964, the Below Decks Maritime Museum opened onboard the Sailing Ship Columbia at Disneyland, six years after the ship debuted. The museum gives an idea of the living conditions of sailors in the late 1700s, during the time that the original ‘Columbia’ circumnavigated the globe. The museum features the captain’s cabin,…
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Pluto and the Armadillo | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 19, 1943
On this day in 1943, the Mickey Mouse short ‘Pluto and the Armadillo’ was released. In the cartoon, Mickey throws a ball into the jungle for Pluto to fetch. Pluto is confused when he finds a rolled up armadillo that looks exactly like his ball. They make friends and begin to play, but Pluto gets…
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Tony Anselmo | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 18, 1960
On this day in 1960, voice actor, animator, and Disney Legend Tony Anselmo was born. A talented artist, Anselmo began working for Walt Disney Animation Studios in 1980. He contributed animation to 20 films during the Disney Renaissance. Anselmo is best known as the current voice of Donald Duck, taking over the role from Clarence…
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Minnie’s Fly Girls Charter Airline | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 17, 2012
On this day in 2012, the “Minnie’s Fly Girls Charter Airline” show debuted in Condor Flats at Disney California Adventure. Amanda, Pat, Kate, and Lee made up the flight crew who sang popular jazz and swing songs from the 1940s through the ‘60s. The aviatrix herself, Minnie Mouse, joined the crew to sing, dance, and…
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The Ugly Dachshund | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 16, 1966
On this day in 1966, the live action comedy ‘The Ugly Dachshund’ was released in theaters. The film follows the misadventures of Brutus the Great Dane who was raised with Dachshunds and thinks he is one of them. When the pups get rowdy, Brutus gets blamed for the damage. His owners the Garrisons, played by…