Category: Disney This Day
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Disneyland Marathon | DISNEY THIS DAY | March 26, 1995
On this day in 1995, Disneyland hosted the inaugural (and only) Disneyland Marathon in celebration of the park’s 40th anniversary. In all, 2,200 runners participated. The course made a double loop through Disneyland and then took to Anaheim area streets. The route had to be remeasured during the race when bicycle escorts turned left instead…
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D2: The Mighty Ducks | DISNEY THIS DAY | March 25, 1994
On this day in 1994, ‘D2: The Mighty Ducks,’ was released in theaters. It was the sequel to 1992’s ‘The Mighty Ducks.’ The film follows Coach Gordon Bombay and the reunited Mighty Ducks hockey team as they compete as Team U.S.A. at the Junior Goodwill Games. Setbacks soon follow and it looks like the favored…
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Tangled: The Series | DISNEY THIS DAY | March 24, 2017
On this day in 2017, ‘Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure,’ also known as ‘Tangled: The Series,’ premiered on TV. It was set between the events of the ‘Tangled’ film and the follow-up short film, ‘Tangled Ever After.’ The show followed Rapunzel as she got to know her parents and the kingdom of Corona. All of the major…
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Meet the Robinsons | DISNEY THIS DAY | March 23, 2007
On this day in 2007, characters from ‘Meet the Robinsons’ began meeting guests in what was then Disney-MGM Studios at Walt Disney World. Lewis Robinson, Wilbur Robinson, and Bowler Hat Guy interacted with fans inside the Magic of Disney Animation building for the rest of the year. The meet & greet began a week before…
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Keegan-Michael Key | DISNEY THIS DAY | March 22, 1971
On this day in 1971, actor, comedian, writer, and producer Keegan-Michael Key was born. Disney fans will recognize his voice as Kamari the hyena (formerly Banzai) from 2019’s live action ‘The Lion King,’ Ducky the stuffed duckling toy from ‘Toy Story 4,’ and Bjornson the Cheesemonger from the ‘Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers’ movie. Key…
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Muppets Most Wanted | DISNEY THIS DAY | March 21, 2014
On this day in 2014, the musical comedy ‘Muppets Most Wanted’ was released in theaters. It was a sequel to 2011’s ‘The Muppets,’ and starred Ricky Gervais, Tina Fey, and Ty Burrell. ‘Muppets Most Wanted’ has several similarities to the Muppets’ second film, ‘The Great Muppet Caper’ from 1981, with both films being set in…
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Aladdin | DISNEY THIS DAY | March 20, 2014
On this day in 2014, the stage musical ‘Aladdin’ debuted on Broadway at the New Amsterdam Theatre. As of March 2024, ten years later, the show is still running in the same venue. ‘Aladdin’ was first developed into a musical in 2011. It brought back three songs written by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman that…
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Glenn Close | DISNEY THIS DAY | March 19, 1947
On this day in 1947, stage and screen actress Glenn Close was born. Close is known by Disney fans as Cruella de Vil in the live action ‘101 Dalmatians’ and ‘102 Dalmatians’ films as well as the voice of Kala in ‘Tarzan’ and ‘Tarzan 2.’ Marvel fans know her as Nova Prime in the ‘Guardians…
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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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Disneyland: The First 50 Magical Years | DISNEY THIS DAY | March 15, 2009
On this day in 2009, ‘Disneyland: The First 50 Magical Years’ ended its run at the Main Street Opera House. The experience featured an exhibit made up of models, photos, concept art, and sculptures as well as a 17-minute film hosted by Donald Duck and former Cast Member Steve Martin. The attraction took a nostalgic…
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Pixar Play Parade | DISNEY THIS DAY | March 14, 2008
On this day in 2008, the Pixar Play Parade debuted at Disney California Adventure. It featured units from Pixar favorites like ‘Monsters University,’ ‘The Incredibles,’ ‘Finding Nemo,’ ‘A Bug’s Life,’ ‘Toy Story,’ and ‘Cars.’ The parade ran in DCA until 2017 and then transferred to Disneyland for Pixar Fest in 2018. A version even appeared…
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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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Miss Adventure Falls | DISNEY THIS DAY | March 12, 2017
On this day in 2017, the Miss Adventure Falls raft ride opened in Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park at Walt Disney World. The attraction centers around Mary Oceaneer, a Society of Explorers and Adventurers character that was created for the Disney Cruise Line. Originally titled “Miss Fortune Falls,” the ride takes place at the shipwreck…
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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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Pirates of the Caribbean | DISNEY THIS DAY | March 7, 1997
On this day in 1997, the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction at Disneyland was rededicated for its 30th year following a three-month refurbishment. The renovation would mark the first major changes in the ride’s history, addressing some of the problematic scenes. The pirates who previously chased women now saw the roles reversed. The “Pooped Pirate”…
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A Whole New World | DISNEY THIS DAY | March 6, 1993
On this day in 1993, the single version of “A Whole New World” from ‘Aladdin’ reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It would be the first theme from a Disney animated film to achieve this feat, and the only one to do so until “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” in 2022. Composed by Alan…
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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…