Category: History
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Sunday Spotlight: A Moment with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
There have been many magical moments that I have experienced through the years, first as an Annual Passholder and then as a Magic Key holder, at Disneyland. One that always seems to pop up and bring and make me smile was a day when Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs enjoyed a day together at…
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History of the Disney Park Castles
October 16, 2023 marked the 100th anniversary of The Walt Disney Company. When we think of Disney, we think of great storytelling, wonderful movies, and great music. Of course, we also think of the castles at each of the Magic Kingdom-style parks. We start with Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland, which was dedicated on the…
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Sunday Spotlight: World of Color: Villainous!
The first year of Oogie Boogie Bash at Disney California Adventure included a new version of World of Color. Called World of Color: Villainous!, this show followed the story of a young girl named Shelley Marie as she encounters multiple Disney villains. This version of World of Color only was presented in 2019. In 2020…
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Sunday Spotlight: Space Shuttle Endeavour
For this week’s Sunday Spotlight I thought we would take a trip to the past and remember one of the most magical things I’ve seen in the skies over the Disneyland Resort. It isn’t fireworks, lightning, or Tinker Bell. Instead, it’s the Space Shuttle Endeavour. This ship made its last flight aboard a specially modified…
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Sunday Spotlight: Richard Sherman Performs “Feed the Birds”
Through the last 18 years of Daps Magic we have been very privileged to get to experience some very magical moments. There are a few of them that are even more magical and stand out from the rest. One of these is getting to hear Richard Sherman perform Feed the Birds from Mary Poppins. Back…
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Sunday Spotlight: DJ’s Haul-O-Ween Dance ‘n Drive
There are plenty of fun and entertaining things to experience during Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort. Some of these things come back on a yearly basis, and some of these things disappear. One of the entertainment offerings that has disappeared is DJ’s Haul-O-Ween Dance ‘n Drive. This was a Halloween (or should we say…
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Sunday Spotlight: EPCOT Forever
EPCOT Forever debuted at EPCOT on October 2019. It was originally created as an interim show between Illuminations: Reflections of Earth and Harmonious, which debuted in the fall of 2021. The show is a musical celebration of the history of EPCOT. It returned to EPCOT after the conclusion of Harmonious in the spring of 2023.…
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Sunday Spotlight: Voyage of The Little Mermaid
Voyage of The Little Mermaid was a show that could be seen at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This show opened in 1992 and continued until 2020 in the Animation Courtyard. It closed when Walt Disney World Resort closed down and then never reopened when the parks did after the pandemic. The show was a shorter version…
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Sunday Spotlight: Lightning at Oogie Boogie Bash
There have been many magical moments through the nearly two decades of Daps Magic that are core memories. As I sit here thinking about them, I think of meeting Richard Sherman for the first time, the first day of Disneyland’s 50th anniversary, my first press event. All of these moments were absolutely magical and I…
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Sunday Spotlight: Jake the Droid
Jake the Droid (officially J4-K3) was a friendly and inquisitive droid that was occasionally be found in Tomorrowland at Disneyland. He was (or perhaps still is) a prototype droid. Basically this means he was still under development. When he appeared at Disneyland, he was always learning and growing, and loved to interact with guests. Jake…
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Sunday Spotlight: Olaf in Fantasyland
There was a time when you could find Olaf in Fantasyland at Disneyland. This goes back about ten years ago when Olaf arrived on the roof of a building where Anna and Elsa were meeting. He arrived in November 2013 and immediately began delighting guests throughout the day and the night as they waited to…
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Sunday Spotlight: Frozen – Live at the Hyperion
Welcome back to another Sunday Spotlight! This week we take a look back at Frozen – Live at the Hyperion. This theatrical recreation of Frozen was presented at Disney California Adventure from May 2016 through March 2020. The show basically followed the plotline that was seen in Frozen, the musical movie that was released by…
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Celebrating 60 Years of Tropical Magic: The Enchanting History of Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room at Disneyland
Today, let’s raise our glasses filled with tropical cocktails (or our Dole Whips) and embark on a journey to the heart of the enchanted Polynesian paradise that is Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room at Disneyland. As the Tiki Room celebrates its 60th anniversary, let’s take a moment to appreciate the rich history and enduring charm…
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“Animazement – The Musical” – 25 Years Later
25 years ago today Animazement – The Musical debuted in the Fantasyland Theatre at Disneyland. This magical musical began with a new theme song written for the show itself called It Starts with a Sketch and then went on a musical adventure through several different Disney stories. This included The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast,…
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Check Out the History of the Dapper Dans at Disney Parks on National Barbershop Quartet Day!
Today is National Barbershop Quartet Day. For this annual holiday, it is only appropriate to recognize and honor the Disney Parks very own Barbershop Quarter, the Dapper Dans. Since 1959, the Dapper Dans have been making melodies at Disney Parks starting at Disneyland and then expanding to Walt Disney World Resort and beyond. To celebrate…
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Remembering the Last Show of Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple Four Years Later
On November 4, 2018 Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple had its final training show in Tomorrowland. This show, which taught younglings, the ways of the Jedi inspired guests young and old during its run at the Disneyland Resort. During the process, the Padawans would learn to face their fears as they found themselves facing…
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Halloween Time Mad T Party – Daps From the Past
The Mad T Party began its run at Disney California Adventure on June 15, 2012. This was the same day that Disney California Adventure was rededicated. This began a run that continued until November 30, 2014. It would return On May 22, 2015, through March 30, 2016, as part of Disneyland Resort’s Diamond Celebration. The…
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ElecTRONica – DAPS From the Past
ElecTRONica made its debut at Disney California Adventure on October 8, 2010 in Hollywood Land. This nighttime offering celebrated the world of TRON in conjunction with the arrival of TRON: Legacy in theaters. It included entertainment, Laserman, a DJ playing electronic dance music, a preview of TRON: Legacy (in the MuppetVision 3D Theater), a recreation…
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Great Patriotic Moments in History… in the Disney Parks
Happy 4th of July! As we come together today to celebrate the Declaration of Independence in the United States of America it seems only appropriate to look back at a few great patriotic moments in history… in the Disney Parks… that DAPS MAGIC has captured on camera! These are some of the DAPS MAGIC team’s…
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Drawn to the Magic at Disney California Adventure – DAPS from the Past
On May 7, 2004, a new show called Drawn to the Magic debuted at Disney California Adventure. The show was about three animators who brought Disney animated stories to life with music and some Disney magic. It culminated with the arrival of three Disney characters. Frequently the characters were Sorcerer Mickey, Cinderella, and either Woody…
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Easter Eggs at Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree – DAPS From the Past
Happy Easter! A few years ago Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree was the place to be for some special offerings at Disneyland throughout the year. In the spring, it was a great time to see some characters, entertainment, food, and Easter eggs! These eggs were specially decorated by Disney artists and were themed to various Disney,…
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The Grand Opening of Disney’s California Adventure: A Personal Memoir
Can you recall, precisely, where you were in the early morning hours of February 8, 2001? I certainly recall where I was. I was at the Happiest Place on Earth, trying to get some sleep on the freezing cold pavement of the parade route between Sleeping Beauty Castle and the Matterhorn. As I shifted from…
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Live From the Space Stage: A Halyx Story is a Beautiful Journey into Forgotten Disney History
In 1981, there was one rock band that took over the Tomorrowland stage and took over Disneyland at night. This Star Wars-inspired rock band took hold of many fan’s hearts and lived on for the last almost 40 years. While many fans remember Halyx fondly, you’ll find that even more Disneyland fans have never heard the…
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The Evolution of “it’s a small world”: From the World’s Fair to Disneyland
Prep for the 1964 World’s Fair In 1963, WED Enterprises was knee deep in projects; not only for Disneyland, but pavilions for the 1964-1965 World’s Fair in New York. They were working on Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln for the State of Illinois Pavilion, Magic Skyway for Ford, and Carousel of Progress for General Electric.…