Category: History
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Jake and the Never Land Pirates | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 14, 2011
On this day in 2011, ‘Jake and the Never Land Pirates’ debuted on Disney Junior. The show takes place in Disney’s ‘Peter Pan’ universe between the events of J. M. Barrie’s original story and ‘Return to Never Land.’ Three young pirates, Jake, Izzy, and Cubby, along with their parrot Skully, living pirate ship Bucky, and…
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A Disney Valentine | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 13, 1982
On this day in 1982, the ‘Walt Disney’ anthology series aired the episode “A Disney Valentine.” It portrayed Disney romance through shorts and film clips. Mickey and Minnie fall in love at first sight in ‘The Nifty Nineties.’ Donald’s eccentric personality comes out in ‘Donald’s Double Trouble’ and ‘Donald’s Diary.’ Goofy saves a damsel in…
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Bob Iger | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 12, 2016
On this day in 2016, Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger was inducted into the Toy Industry Hall of Fame by the Toy Industry Association. The ceremony was held at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. Iger was recognized for enlarging Disney’s storytelling reach to include Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm, as…
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Gnomeo and Juliet | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 11, 2011
On this day in 2011, ‘Gnomeo and Juliet’ was released. The story drew from William Shakespeare’s classic play, ‘Romeo and Juliet,’ with two garden gnomes from rival households forced to hide their forbidden romance. James McAvoy and Emily Blunt led an all-star voice cast that included Michael Caine, Maggie Smith, and Patrick Stewart. The film…
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Bob Iger | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 10, 1951
On this day in 1951, Disney CEO Robert A. “Bob” Iger was born. Iger started his career with ABC in 1974 as a weatherman in Ithaca, New York. He rose through the ranks at ABC, becoming president in 1994. Iger served as CEO of The Walt Disney Company from 2005 until 2020, returning in 2022-2026.…
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Cold Storage | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 9, 1951
On this day in 1951, the Pluto cartoon ‘Cold Storage’ was released. Pluto has to defend his dog house when it is taken over by an opportunistic stork looking for shelter during sub-zero winter conditions. Pluto and Fred Stork spar over ownership of the structure in creative ways all winter long. Voice actor Clarence Nash,…
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Disney’s California Adventure | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 8, 2001
On this day in 2001, Disney’s California Adventure officially opened its gates as the second theme park of the new Disneyland Resort. On opening day, DCA was made up of three main themed areas showcasing the state of California: Paradise Pier, the Hollywood Pictures Backlot, and the Golden State. The park saw incremental changes to…
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Golden Dreams – 25 Years at Disney California Adventure
25 years ago today, many attractions and experiences were being dedicated ahead of the official opening of Disney California Adventure on February 8, 2001. One of these attractions was Golden Dreams. This was a show about the history of California. It was in the Golden State area of the park in the location where The…
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Golden Dreams | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 7, 2001
On this day in 2001, the Golden Dreams attraction was dedicated at Disney’s California Adventure the day before the park opened to the public. Then-Disney President Bob Iger hosted a ceremony to introduce the theme of the “Golden Dreams” film, an ode to the history and spirit of California. Whoopi Goldberg spoke about her performance…
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The Walt Disney Company | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 6, 1986
On this day in 1986, the House of Mouse was renamed The Walt Disney Company, a moniker that is still in place today. The change came after Walt Disney Productions was restructured on a large scale by incoming CEO Michael Eisner and President Frank Wells. Also on this date, Walt Disney Feature Animation was split…
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Two Happy Amigos | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 5, 1960
On this day in 1960, “Two Happy Amigos” debuted on ABC as an episode of ‘Walt Disney Presents.’ The program served as a sequel to ‘The Three Caballeros,’ reuniting Donald Duck with his friend José Carioca from Brazil. José visits Donald in the United States and the two take a tour of the country through…
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Aladdin – A Musical Stage Spectacular – 25 Years of Disney California
Disney California Adventure will be celebrating its 25th anniversary on February 8, 2026. For the celebration of this milestone, Disney has announced a few things. This includes some special offerings that include new costumes for Mickey and Minnie Mouse on Buena Vista Street, the return of Soarin’ Over California Adventure, new merchandise, food, and a…
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Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 4, 1966
On this day in 1966, the short film ‘Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree’ was released. The story was based on the first two chapters of A.A. Milne’s ‘Winnie-the-Pooh,’ marking the first time Disney adapted these beloved works for the screen. The story stayed true to its source material except for the addition of…
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Glow Fest – 25 Years of Disney California Adventure
On February 8, 2026, Disney California Adventure will celebrate its 25th anniversary. Leading up to this milestone day, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse will debut new outfits, the original Soarin’ Over California will return, and there will be merchandise, food, and a day-of commemorative map. Daps Magic is celebrating the anniversary by sharing some favorite…
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Pixar Animation Studios | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 3, 1986
On this day in 1986, Pixar Animation Studios was founded when Steve Jobs purchased the Computer Division of Lucasfilm with a $10 million investment. The new independent company originally sold high-end computer hardware, called the Pixar Image Computer. Disney was an early buyer of the technology for their CAPS system, which digitized the ink and…
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California Screamin’ – 25 Years of Disney California Adventure
On February 8, 2001, what was then known as Disney’s California Adventure opened at the Disneyland Resort. With it came Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and Downtown Disney District, which had opened the month before. This coming week, the 25th anniversary of Disney California Adventure will be celebrated by the Disneyland Resort. This will…
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Help Wanted: Kids | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 2, 1986
On this day in 1986, the Disney Sunday Movie series debuted on ABC with the film “Help Wanted: Kids” starring Cindy Williams and Bill Hudson. The premiere marked Disney’s return to broadcast television and a revival of the anthology format of years past. New Disney CEO Michael Eisner served as the host of the series.…
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A Day in the Life of Donald Duck | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 1, 1956
On this day in 1956, the ‘Disneyland’ anthology series aired “A Day in the Life of Donald Duck.” The episode blended animation and live action to show Donald blundering through a typical day at the Disney Studios. Donald interacts with artist Roy Williams, some of the Mouseketeers, and their host, Jimmie Dodd. He has a…
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Down and Out in Beverly Hills | DISNEY THIS DAY | January 31, 1986
On this day in 1986, ‘Down and Out in Beverly Hills’ was released by Touchstone Pictures. The story was adapted from a French play, “Boudu Saved from Drowning.” A drifter at the end of his rope is saved by a wealthy but dysfunctional couple. They invite him to live with them, a decision that broadens…
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Phil Collins | DISNEY THIS DAY | January 30, 1951
On this day in 1951, musician, singer-songwriter, actor, and Disney Legend Phil Collins was born. A lifelong performer, Collins is known for being the drummer and lead singer of the band Genesis. He later split off as a solo artist, co-writing the songs for ‘Tarzan,’ including the Oscar-winning “You’ll Be in My Heart.” He also…
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Treasure Island | DISNEY THIS DAY | January 29, 1951
On this day in 1951, the Lux Radio Theater presented a one-hour dramatization of Disney’s ‘Treasure Island’ about a year after the film’s release. The Lux live radio show aired every Sunday afternoon between 1934 and 1955, turning recent film and Broadway releases into three-act audio dramas. For ‘Treasure Island,’ Bobby Driscoll reprised his role…
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Elijah Wood | DISNEY THIS DAY | January 28, 1981
On this day in 1981, actor Elijah Wood was born. He began acting at the age of eight in a minor part in ‘Back to the Future Part II.’ For Disney, he starred in the title role of ‘The Adventures of Huck Finn,’ Beck in the animated series ‘TRON: Uprising,’ Jace Rucklin in ‘Star Wars…
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Toy Story Funhouse | DISNEY THIS DAY | January 27, 1996
On this day in 1996, the Toy Story Funhouse opened in Tomorrowland at Disneyland. The attraction ran for four months and was located in what is now Alien Pizza Planet. It had Mr. Potato Head’s Playroom with giant Lite-Brite and Spirograph walls, a Totally Interactive! Room with the new ‘Toy Story’ video game, Woody’s Roundup…
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Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin | DISNEY THIS DAY | January 26,1994
On this day in 1994, Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin debuted in Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland about one year after the land’s opening. Guests board Lenny the Cab, Benny’s twin cousin, for a tour of Toontown but soon have to escape the Toon Patrol’s plot to cover the city in “Dip.” Car Toon Spin was…