Category: History
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’40 Pounds of Trouble’ (1962) - Disney on Location
It is hard to believe that it was not until 1962 that Disneyland finally appeared on the big screen in a feature film. There had been short subjects and various appearances in television productions, but it was this comedy that brought the first film crews to the Happiest Place on Earth. Some may wonder how…
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Disney’s Hercules: The Animated Series | DISNEY THIS DAY | August 31, 1998
On this day in 1998, ‘Disney’s Hercules: The Animated Series’ debuted in first-run syndication. ‘Hercules’ ran for 52 episodes, with 13 of them airing on ABC as part of Disney’s One Saturday Morning. The show is a spinoff from the 1997 film and explores the time when Hercules is still in training as a hero.…
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Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch | DISNEY THIS DAY | August 30, 2005
On this day in 2005, ‘Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch’ was released direct to home video. The story is a sequel to the original ‘Lilo & Stitch’ film, but takes place before the events of ‘Stitch! The Movie.’ Due to incomplete programming, Stitch has frequent attacks that threaten to ruin his relationship…
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Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship and Restaurant | DISNEY THIS DAY | August 29, 1955
On this day in 1955, the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship and Restaurant opened its gangplank to guests for the first time. As a full-size replica of Captain Hook’s ship, the location was both a quick-service restaurant and a play area for kids. Chicken of the Sea sponsored tasty dishes like tuna burgers, hot…
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Chadwick Boseman | DISNEY THIS DAY | August 28, 2020
On this day in 2020, actor and producer Chadwick Boseman tragically passed away due to complications from colon cancer. He is best known by Marvel fans for his portrayal of T’Challa, the Black Panther, in multiple MCU Infinity Saga films. However, Boseman’s legacy stretches even wider, from a decorated 20-year career on stage and screen…
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Mickey Mouse Club Theatre | DISNEY THIS DAY | August 27, 1955
On this day in 1955, the Mickey Mouse Club Theatre opened in Fantasyland at Disneyland. Located where Pinocchio’s Daring Journey is today, the theater showed Disney cartoons in air-conditioned luxury, all for the price of a “C” ticket. The first 3-D film in a Disney park was shown here starting in 1956 – ‘3D Jamboree’…
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Melissa McCarthy | DISNEY THIS DAY | August 26, 1970
On this day in 1970, actress, comedian, writer, and producer Melissa McCarthy was born. For Disney, she is best known for her portrayal of Ursula in 2023’s live-action remake of ‘The Little Mermaid.’ She also made guest appearances in ‘Thor: Love and Thunder,’ ‘Only Murders in the Building,’ ‘Kim Possible,’ and ‘The Kid.’ McCarthy first…
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Jim Henson’s Mother Goose Stories | DISNEY THIS DAY | August 25, 1990
On this day in 1990, the TV series Jim Henson’s ‘Mother Goose Stories’ debuted in the U.S. on the Disney Channel. Using elaborate puppets created by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, including Mother Goose, the series told the stories behind beloved nursery rhymes. The show was made in Great Britain and was first released to home…
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The Legend of Coyote Rock | DISNEY THIS DAY | August 24, 1945
On this day in 1945, the Pluto cartoon ‘The Legend of Coyote Rock’ was released. Pluto is tasked with guarding a flock of lambs, going on the defensive when Bent-Tail the coyote arrives on the scene. Pluto chases Bent-Tail into the desert, creating the Coyote Rock landmark in the process. The story was inspired by…
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You and Your | DISNEY THIS DAY | August 23, 1990
On this day in 1990, updated versions of the “You and Your” educational cartoon series were released. The shorts were originally created in the 1950s for the Mickey Mouse Club and were hosted by Jiminy Cricket. Jiminy taught young viewers about The Living Machine (how the human body turns food into energy), The Human Animal…
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Ray Bradbury | DISNEY THIS DAY | August 22, 1920
On this day in 1920, author and ardent Disney supporter Ray Bradbury was born. He is well known for his fiction books, including ‘Fahrenheit 451.’ Bradbury and Walt Disney were also close friends. He had a strong interest in science fiction, which led to a fascination with Audio-Animatronics and Imagineering. Bradbury helped design Spaceship Earth…
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PeopleMover | DISNEY THIS DAY | August 21, 1995
On this day in 1995, the PeopleMover closed at Disneyland. Originally part of 1967’s New Tomorrowland rollout, the PeopleMover was a leisurely train ride that glided around a network of overhead tracks. The attraction was propelled by motors on the track that each turned a set of Goodyear tires. It closed as a cost-saving measure…
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Walt Disney: 75 Years of Music | DISNEY THIS DAY | August 20, 2004
On this day in 2004, the Hollywood Bowl presented ‘Walt Disney: 75 Years of Music’ on the first of two nights as part of the “Great American Concert” series. The talented performers included Alan Menken, Judy Kuhn, Jodi Benson, Paige O’Hara, and Dick Van Dyke. The shows paid tribute to Walt Disney’s love of orchestral…
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Valiant | DISNEY THIS DAY | August 19, 2005
On this day in 2005, the British animated feature ‘Valiant’ was released in U.S. theaters and distributed by Disney. Set in 1944 at the height of World War II, humble woodland pigeon Valiant bravely steps up to serve his country in the Royal Homing Pigeon Service. The film was inspired by true stories of the…
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The Great Walt Disney Festival of Hits | DISNEY THIS DAY | August 18, 1940
On this day in 1940, ‘The Great Walt Disney Festival of Hits’ package of films debuted at select theaters in the U.S. The release included the first re-release of ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,’ just one year after it was retired from theaters. The lineup also included ‘Ferdinand the Bull,’ ‘The Practical Pig,’ ‘The…
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Toy Story Playland | DISNEY THIS DAY | August 17, 2010
On this day in 2010, Toy Story Playland debuted in Walt Disney Studios Park at Disneyland Paris. Visitors of the Playland shrank down to the size of Andy’s toys among oversized Lincoln Logs, Tinkertoys, and Barrels of Monkeys. The area included three attractions – Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop, Slinky Dog Zigzag Spin, and RC Racer.…
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Dumbo the Flying Elephant | DISNEY THIS DAY | August 16, 1955
On this day in 1955, Dumbo the Flying Elephant first accepted passengers, nearly a month after Disneyland opened. The attraction vehicles arrived only three weeks before the park’s opening, and extra time was needed to troubleshoot mechanical issues. The elephants were originally intended to be pink to represent the hallucination scene from the film, but…
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The Cheetah Girls | DISNEY THIS DAY | August 15, 2003
On this day in 2003, the Disney Channel Original Movie ‘The Cheetah Girls’ aired for the first time. The movie about four teens seeking stardom in the music industry was the first musical DCOM. It was based on a book series of the same name written by Deborah Gregory. ‘The Cheetah Girls’ premiere was watched…
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Michael Ovitz | DISNEY THIS DAY | August 14, 1995
On this day in 1995, The Walt Disney Company appointed Michael Ovitz as president under CEO Michael Eisner, filling the vacancy left by Frank Wells’ untimely passing in 1994. Ovitz was lured away from the Creative Artists Agency, which he helped to found in 1975. Sadly, the move would not last. Ovitz was not an…
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Walt Disney World Information Center | DISNEY THIS DAY | August 13, 2005
On this day in 2005, the Walt Disney World Information Center in Ocala, Florida, closed its doors after 18 years of service.
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Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. | DISNEY THIS DAY | August 12, 2020
On this day in 2020, the two-part season finale of the ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ aired on ABC. Its final two episodes were entitled “The End is at Hand” and “What We’re Fighting For.” ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ was the first MCU television show released after Disney purchased Marvel. Its story lines picked up after the events…
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Richard Nixon | DISNEY THIS DAY | August 11, 1955
On this day in 1955, then-U.S. Vice President Richard Nixon visited Disneyland with his wife and daughters, the first of many visits over the years. The Nixon family was presented with a “Key to Disneyland” by Davy Crockett actor Fess Parker. The Nixons then had a chance to experience many of the park’s attractions, including…
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Disney Legend Ron Dominguez | DISNEY THIS DAY | August 10, 1935
On this day in 1935, Disney Legend Ron Dominguez was born. His family sold 10 acres of land that would become Disneyland to Walt Disney. Dominguez began work as a ticket taker once the park opened. From there, Dominguez worked up to supervisor, then director of operations, and eventually vice president of Disneyland in 1974.…
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Donald’s Vacation | DISNEY THIS DAY | August 9, 1940
On this day in 1940, the Donald Duck short ‘Donald’s Vacation’ was released.