Category: History
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Mel Brooks | DISNEY THIS DAY | June 28, 1926
On this day in 1926, director, writer, producer, and actor Mel Brooks was born. His career has spanned 70 years, with accolades including an EGOT and multiple lifetime achievement awards. For Disney, Brooks appeared as himself or parodies of himself in ‘Toy Story 4,’ ‘Forky Asks a Question,’ ‘Special Agent Oso,’ ‘Mickey’s Audition,’ ‘Mickey’s 50,’…
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Big Thunder Ranch | DISNEY THIS DAY | June 27, 1986
On this day in 1986, Big Thunder Ranch officially opened in Frontierland at Disneyland. It was modeled after an 1880s working ranch. Original attractions included blacksmith and harness-making demonstrations, plus a farm animal petting area, an authentic log cabin, a livestock stable, and a barbecue restaurant. Guests enjoyed visiting Mickey Moo, a Holstein cow with…
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Rainbow Ridge and the Rainbow Desert | DISNEY THIS DAY | June 26, 1956
On this day in 1956, Rainbow Ridge and the Rainbow Desert debuted at Disneyland. They were the first major upgrades to Frontierland since opening day. Guests now departed from the town of Rainbow Ridge when riding the refreshed Rainbow Mountain Stage Coaches and Rainbow Ridge Pack Mules. Ride capacity was increased, with one August day…
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Great Race | DISNEY THIS DAY | June 25, 1986
On this day in 1986, the third annual Great Race, a transcontinental road rally for antique vehicles, kicked off at Disneyland. Mickey Mouse and the California Governor dropped the green flag on Main Street, U.S.A. to start a record 94 entries on their 11-day, 3,500-mile journey to New York City. The cars and trucks had…
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Toy Story Toons: Hawaiian Vacation | DISNEY THIS DAY | June 24, 2011
On this day in 2011, the Pixar Animation Studios short ‘Toy Story Toons: Hawaiian Vacation’ was released in front of ‘Cars 2.’ It was the first in a series of three ‘Toy Story Toons’ along with ‘Small Fry’ and ‘Partysaurus Rex.’ After the events of ‘Toy Story 3,’ Barbie and Ken plan a romantic getaway…
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Leroy & Stitch | DISNEY THIS DAY | June 23, 2006
On this day in 2006, the animated film ‘Leroy & Stitch’ debuted on the Disney Channel before being released to home video. It was the fourth and final movie in the ‘Lilo & Stitch’ franchise and wrapped up the storyline of ‘Lilo & Stitch: The Series.’ With all of the experiments given new purposes, Lilo,…
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AFI’s 100 Years…100 Songs | DISNEY THIS DAY | June 22, 2004
On this day in 2004, six Disney songs were included on the “AFI’s 100 Years…100 Songs” television special on CBS. John Travolta hosted the show, revealing the American Film Institute’s top songs with cultural impact as chosen from 20th-century cinema. “When You Wish Upon A Star” was the top-ranked Disney song at #7. It was…
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The Parent Trap | DISNEY THIS DAY | June 21, 1961
On this day in 1961, ‘The Parent Trap’ was released in theaters. It starred Hayley Mills in a double role as Susan and Sharon, twins separated at birth. The girls meet at summer camp and then switch places in order to reunite their estranged parents. ‘The Parent Trap’ was based on the 1949 German novel,…
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Moving Day | DISNEY THIS DAY | June 20, 1936
On this day in 1936, the Mickey Mouse short ‘Moving Day’ was released. It came out during the Great Depression and depicted Mickey, Donald, and Goofy being evicted from their home by Sheriff Pete for falling behind on the rent. A runaway piano gives Goofy trouble, and then Donald causes a gas leak that provides…
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The Rocketeer | DISNEY THIS DAY | June 19, 1991
On this day in 1991, ‘The Rocketeer’ premiered at the newly renovated El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood. Modeled after 1930s pulp fiction comics, ‘The Rocketeer’ follows Cliff Secord, a pilot who discovers a rocket pack that allows him to perform high-flying heroics. The El Capitan’s grand re-opening for this film marked the completion of a…
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Luca | DISNEY THIS DAY | June 18, 2021
On this day in 2021, Disney and Pixar’s ‘Luca’ was released on Disney+ during the COVID-19 pandemic. The coming-of-age story explores themes of friendship, feeling different, and finding acceptance. Young sea monsters Luca and Alberto experience an unforgettable summer on the Italian Riviera of the 1950s. Director Enrico Casarosa was inspired by his childhood in…
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Terry Gilkyson | DISNEY THIS DAY | June 17, 1916
On this day in 1916, musician and composer Terry Gilkyson was born. He wrote the Academy Award-nominated song “The Bare Necessities” for ‘The Jungle Book’ and many other classic Disney songs. For The Jungle Book, he was ultimately replaced by the Sherman Brothers. However, this song remained in the film and is a beloved Disney…
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Shanghai Disney Resort | DISNEY THIS DAY | June 16, 2016
On this day in 2016, the Shanghai Disney Resort officially opened to the public. It was Disney’s twelfth theme park and the first on mainland China. On opening day, the park had six themed lands: Mickey Avenue, Gardens of Imagination, Fantasyland, Adventure Isle, Treasure Cove, and Tomorrowland. Because of Shanghai Disneyland’s commitment to be “authentically…
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Disneyland Grad Nite | DISNEY THIS DAY | June 15, 1961
On this day in 1961, the First Annual Disneyland Grad Nite Party took place from 11:00 PM to 5:00 AM. The first year honorees numbered 8,500 from 33 high schools, making Grad Nite the largest graduation party in the U.S. Grads paid $6 to enjoy unlimited attractions, dancing, and entertainment from the King of Swing,…
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Stellan Skarsgård | DISNEY THIS DAY | June 13, 1951
On this day in 1951, Swedish actor Stellan Skarsgård was born. Disney fans will remember him as Bootstrap Bill Turner in the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ franchise and the Grand Duke in 2015’s live-action ‘Cinderella.’ Skarsgård also had a foray into the Marvel Cinematic Universe with his role as Dr. Erik Selvig across the ‘Thor’…
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Raiders of the Lost Ark | DISNEY THIS DAY | June 12, 1981
On this day in 1981, ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ was released by Lucasfilm. The first ‘Indiana Jones’ film in the crowd favorite franchise, ‘Raiders,’ introduced Harrison Ford as the adventurous and heroic archaeology professor. This first installment saw Indy fighting off the Nazis to gain control of the Ark of the Covenant. It would…
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Autopia | DISNEY THIS DAY | June 11, 2016
On this day in 2016, the Autopia attraction closed at Hong Kong Disneyland after an almost ten-year run in the park. The Hong Kong version of the classic attraction was the first to have fully electric cars instead of gas-powered. An internal audio system filled in the engine noises. Honda Motors sponsored the futuristic attraction…
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Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! | DISNEY THIS DAY | June 10, 2000
On this day in 2000, the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios reopened after a six-month refurbishment, the first extended overhaul since opening day in 1989. The inaugural show was filled with a very special group of fans—500 Floridians all with the last name Jones! Disney gave the invited Joneses red carpet…
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Cars | DISNEY THIS DAY | June 9, 2006
On this day in 2006, Pixar’s ‘Cars’ was released. Talented but arrogant race car Lightning McQueen discovers the importance of the journey, not the finish line, when he takes an unexpected detour to the sleepy Route 66 town of Radiator Springs. ‘Cars’ was the last Pixar film made before the studio was bought by Disney.…
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The Great Locomotive Chase | DISNEY THIS DAY | June 8, 1956
On this day in 1956, Disney’s live-action adventure film ‘The Great Locomotive Chase’ was released. The story was based on a real mission during the Civil War. Union spy James Andrews leads a band of 22 soldiers to steal a Confederate train in Georgia and drive it to Union territory, destroying the railway system as…
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A Night With The Golden Greats | DISNEY THIS DAY | June 6, 1981
On this day in 1981, A Night With The Golden Greats, a special after-hours concert event, was held at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. The concert was part of Walt Disney World Summer Magic and the World Series of Entertainment. The event ran from 9 PM to 1:30 AM and cost $9.95. Guests…
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So Random! | DISNEY THIS DAY | June 5, 2011
On this day in 2011, the musical sketch comedy series ‘So Random!’ debuted on the Disney Channel. The series brought the show-within-a-show from ‘Sonny with a Chance’ to life. ‘So Random!’ was intended to be a third season of the hit series, but actually became its own independent show after Demi Lovato left the franchise.…
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Avengers Campus | DISNEY THIS DAY | June 4, 2021
On this day in 2021, Avengers Campus opened at Disney California Adventure. It was the first in a series of Marvel-themed lands to open worldwide, with other locations in Paris, Hong Kong, and upcoming in Shanghai. The lands are set in the “Marvel Theme Park Universe,” set before the events of the ‘Infinity War’ and…
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Atlantis: The Lost Empire | DISNEY THIS DAY | June 3, 2001
On this day in 2001, the premiere of ‘Atlantis: The Lost Empire’ was held at the El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles. Set in 1914, linguist Milo finds a sacred book that he and a crew of mercenaries use to locate the mythical city of Atlantis. Guests of the star-studded event viewed an interactive exhibition…