Category: Disney This Day
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Walt Disney | DISNEY THIS DAY | September 5, 1911
On this day in 1911, nine-year-old Walt Disney entered Benton Grammar School in Kansas City, Missouri, following his family’s move from Marceline. Walt had a hard time paying attention in school, mostly because he woke up at 3 AM every day to deliver newspapers. Even so, he devoured books and took up cartooning at school,…
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Tokyo DisneySea Grand Opening | DISNEY THIS DAY | September 4, 2001
On this day in 2001, Tokyo DisneySea first opened to the public. The idea for a second park in Tokyo was first dreamed up in 1987, but 11 years went by before ground was broken. DisneySea has a nautical theme and debuted with seven themed lands, called “ports of call.” The park is designed for…
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Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings | DISNEY THIS DAY | September 3, 2021
On this day in 2021, Marvel’s ‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’ was released in theaters. It was the 25th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the second film of Phase Four. In the movie, Shang-Chi must confront his estranged father, Wenwu, leader of the Ten Rings extremist group, while they search…
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Milton and Rita Mouse | DISNEY THIS DAY | September 2, 1931
On this day in 1931, Disney reached a settlement in their copyright infringement lawsuit against the Van Beuren Corp. Mickey and Minnie Mouse became popular targets for copycats after their 1928 debut. When Walt Disney saw Van Beuren’s ‘The Office Boy,’ he criticized Milton and Rita Mouse as “jerky,” “amateurish,” and “ugly.” A judge ruled…
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Dug Days | DISNEY THIS DAY | September 1, 2021
On this day in 2021, the Disney•Pixar limited series ‘Dug Days’ debuted on Disney+. After the events of ‘Up,’ Carl Fredericksen returns with Dug, sells the Spirit of Adventure airship, and buys a home in the suburbs. Across five adventures, Dug and Carl adjust to their new life while tackling challenges like coping with fireworks…
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Only Murders in the Building | DISNEY THIS DAY | August 31, 2021
On this day in 2021, the first episode of ‘Only Murders in the Building’ premiered on Hulu. A decade after coming up with the concept for the show, Steve Martin joined longtime collaborator Martin Short and Selena Gomez to form a trio of amateur sleuths. The eccentric neighbors bond over their shared love of true…
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Dumb Bell of the Yukon | DISNEY THIS DAY | August 30, 1946
On this day in 1946, the Donald Duck short ‘Dumb Bell of the Yukon’ was released. The story took some loose inspiration from the Russian fairy tale, “The Bear with a Wooden Leg” by A. N. Afanasev. Donald becomes the antagonist when he heads into the Yukon to hunt a bear so that Daisy can…
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Aulani | DISNEY THIS DAY | August 29, 2011
On this day in 2011, Aulani, A Disney Resort and Spa on the western coast of O’ahu, Hawaii, first opened its doors to guests. The first patrons and media were treated to a sunrise ceremony incorporating native traditions with a visit from Mickey and his friends. Imagineer and creative lead Joe Rohde pulled in authentic…
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Ferdinand Horvath | DISNEY THIS DAY | August 278, 1881
On this day in 1881, Hungarian illustrator Ferdinand Horvath was born. He worked as a sketch artist, idea man, and model creator at Disney from 1933 to 1937. His best-known contribution, though uncredited, was development work on ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.’ He also helped with around 60 Mickey Mouse and ‘Silly Symphony’ shorts.…
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ABC Kids | DISNEY THIS DAY | August 27, 2011
On this day in 2011, the ABC Kids TV broadcast aired for the last time. The Saturday morning programming block for kids aged 6-14 took over from “Disney’s One Saturday Morning” in 2002 when Disney bought Fox Family Worldwide. Many of the titles were reruns from the Disney Channel, but ‘Fillmore!’ and ‘Recess’ were original…
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ToonFest | DISNEY THIS DAY | August 26, 2006
On this day in 2006, the first-ever ToonFest was held to celebrate Disney’s “Toontown Online,” a massively multiplayer online game. The event took place at Walt Disney Studios in California and was attended by a sold-out crowd of 1,500 fans. Many guests dressed up as their “Toon” avatar. They participated in an in-game scavenger hunt,…
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Disneyland Hotel | DISNEY THIS DAY | August 25, 1956
On this day in 1956, the Disneyland Hotel hosted its official grand opening gala. Although the hotel first welcomed guests in October 1955, there were only eight rooms open at the time, contrasted with the 204 available the following August. The opening ceremony and ribbon cutting were conducted by co-owners Jack Wrather and Helen Alvarez…
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Hal Smith | DISNEY THIS DAY | August 24, 1916
On this day in 1916, actor and voice artist Hal Smith was born. He started his career as a radio DJ and then served in the U.S. Army during WWII. Smith took over the voice roles of Goofy, Grumpy, and Sleepy from Pinto Colvig after his death. He voiced Owl in Winnie the Pooh and…
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Nik Ranieri | DISNEY THIS DAY | August 22, 1961
On this day in 1961, character animator Nik Ranieri was born. He was hired by Disney in 1987 to work on the title character in ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit.’ Ranieri went on to animate some of the most recognizable characters in the Disney Renaissance and beyond, including Ursula in ‘The Little Mermaid,’ Lumiere in ‘Beauty…
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Carefree Corner | DISNEY THIS DAY | August 22, 1956
On this day in 1956, Carefree Corner opened on Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland. The spot was a resource center for guests sponsored by the Insurance Company of North America. Guests could immortalize their visits by signing registry books from their home state or country. In a time before Guest Services moved to City Hall,…
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Hayden Panettiere | DISNEY THIS DAY | August 20, 1989
On this day in 1989, actress, singer, model, and activist Hayden Panettiere was born. Disney fans remember her fondly as the voice of young Princess Dot in ‘A Bug’s Life,’ where she made her film debut. She also played Suri in ‘Dinosaur,’ Kari and later Xion in the ‘Kingdom Hearts’ franchise, Sheryl Yost in ‘Remember…
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Mickey Mouse Funhouse | DISNEY THIS DAY | August 19, 2021
On this day in 2021, ‘Mickey Mouse Funhouse’ began as a regular series on Disney Jr. The show was geared toward preschoolers and was a similar series to ‘Mickey Mouse Mixed-Up Adventures’ and ‘Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.’ Funny, the enchanted talking playhouse took Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, and Pluto on fantastical trips through the Adventure…
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Bill Clinton | DISNEY THIS DAY | August 18, 1946
On this day in 1946, former U.S. President Bill Clinton was born. Clinton became the first sitting president to have not only an Audio-Animatronic figure, but a speaking role in the newly reimagined Hall of Presidents attraction at Walt Disney World. The president recorded a speech about America’s value system and quest for democracy at…
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Carnation Plaza Gardens | DISNEY THIS DAY | August 18, 1956
On this day in 1956, Carnation Plaza Gardens opened at Disneyland. The iconic red-and-white pointed canopy roof at the end of Main Street was home to a quick service dining location, open air dance floor, community performances, and character meetings. The hugely popular “Date Nite at Disneyland” events began the following year, featuring swing music…
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WEDWay PeopleMover | DISNEY THIS DAY | August 17, 1981
On this day in 1981, a WEDWay PeopleMover opened at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas. It was the first and is still the only PeopleMover built outside the Disney theme parks. The airport circuit runs underground and is called the Subway. It connects the terminals and a hotel in an 18-minute round trip.…
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Disney Post | DISNEY THIS DAY | August 16, 2012
On this day in 2012, Disney Post, the official blog of The Walt Disney Company, launched online. Known as “The Walt Disney Company Newsroom,” the website gives an inside look at the business side of Disney, including background from the studios, media networks, parks and resorts, consumer products, and entertainment. Disney Post seeks to give…
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Merlin’s Sword in the Stone Ceremony | DISNEY THIS DAY | August 15, 2006
On this day in 2006, Merlin’s Sword in the Stone ceremony ran for the last time in Walt Disney World. For nearly 13 years, Merlin selected temporary rulers of Fantasyland in front of Cinderella’s Golden Carousel. Although the strong attempted to retrieve Excalibur from the stone, only someone with honor, decency, and inner strength, usually…
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The Enchanted Tiki Room–Under New Management | DISNEY THIS DAY | August 14, 2011
On this day in 2011, Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World soft-opened to guests after a major refurbishment. Iago and Zazu took over Adventureland between 1998 and 2011. They starred in “The Enchanted Tiki Room–Under New Management,” a modernized show that wasn’t a hit with all guests. After…
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Free Guy | DISNEY THIS DAY | August 13, 2021
On this day in 2021, the sci-fi action comedy ‘Free Guy’ was released in theaters by Disney’s 20th Century Studios. Ryan Reynolds plays Guy, a mild-mannered bank teller who learns he is a background character in a video game. In order to save his world, Guy must recreate himself as a hero and team up…