Category: Disney This Day
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Disney Animation Strike | DISNEY THIS DAY | September 12, 1941
On this day in 1941, the Disney animation strike reached a turning point as federal mediation concluded and the studio was restructured, changing animation forever. The strike began May 29 when staff grievances about unequal pay, lack of screen credit, and fired union organizers boiled over. After five weeks of nonstop picketing, FDR called in…
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September 11th | DISNEY THIS DAY | September 11, 2001
On this day in 2001, Disney’s U.S. resorts modified operations following the morning terrorist attacks. All four Walt Disney World parks closed early, with cast members forming human chains to gently usher guests toward the exits. The Disneyland Resort never opened due to the time difference. The resorts on both coasts waived charges for rooms,…
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Twenty Something | DISNEY THIS DAY | September 10, 2021
On this day in 2021, the SparkShort ‘Twenty Something’ from Pixar Animation Studios was released on Disney+. Director Aphton Corbin explores the impostor syndrome that often comes with being a young adult. Gia celebrates turning 21 with her first experience at a nightclub. Feeling insecure, she detours to the bathroom where her inner selves take…
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Tapestry of Nations | DISNEY THIS DAY | September 9, 2001
On this day in 2001, the Tapestry of Nations parade at EPCOT ran for the last time. Part of the 15-month Millennium Celebration, the parade was dedicated to peace, unity, and the human spirit. Artist Michael Curry, who designed the puppets for ‘The Lion King’ on Broadway, created 120 elaborate 18-foot puppets for the parade.…
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Martin Freeman | DISNEY THIS DAY | September 8, 1971
On this day in 1971, actor Martin Freeman was born. Marvel fans know him as Everett Ross in ‘Captain America: Civil War,’ ‘Black Panther,’ ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,’ and ‘Secret Invasion.’ Freeman also appeared as Arthur Dent in Disney’s ‘The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy’ and as the voice of Poe De Spell in ‘DuckTales.’…
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Disney Legend Robert Fred Moore | DISNEY THIS DAY | September 7, 1911
On this day in 1911, expert animator and Disney Legend Robert Fred Moore was born. “Freddy” was a pure talent who had very little formal artistic training. Hired by Disney at 19, he quickly rose through the ranks for his expressive character animation. Freddy’s lasting achievements were many and included directing the dwarfs’ animation in…
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Mighty Ducks: The Animated Series | DISNEY THIS DAY | September 6, 1996
On this day in 1996, ‘Mighty Ducks: The Animated Series’ premiered on ABC’s The Disney Afternoon programming block. The show was inspired by the live-action ‘Mighty Ducks’ films and the real-world hockey team in Anaheim. It was about humanoid ducks from outer space who were trapped on Earth and fought criminals between hockey games. Rock…
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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…