Tag: DAPs Magic
-
Neck ‘n’ Neck | DISNEY THIS DAY | January 23, 1928
On this day in 1928, the Oswald the Lucky Rabbit animated short ‘Neck ‘n’ Neck’ was released. In the cartoon, Oswald and Ortensia go for a ride in his jalopy, but soon end up in a race with the police! It was long thought that the film for ‘Neck ‘n’ Neck’ had been lost. Actually,…
-
The Book of Pooh | DISNEY THIS DAY | January 22, 2001
On this day in 2001, the TV series ‘The Book of Pooh’ premiered on Playhouse Disney. It would be the third television series to feature Winnie the Pooh and his friends from the Hundred Acre Wood. Instead of animation, the show used puppets in the ancient Japanese “bunraku” style. ‘The Book of Pooh’ has the…
-
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice | DISNEY THIS DAY | January 21, 1938
On this day in 1938, Disney animators would begin work on “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” segment for Walt Disney’s masterpiece “Fantasia!” The segment was based on a 1797 poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and was put to the music of Paul Dukas. It would popularize this story and further cement Mickey Mouse as Walt Disney’s…
-
Rainy Disneyland Day | DISNEY THIS DAY | January 20, 1962
On this day in 1962, a record low number of guests visited Disneyland – only 389! Heavy rain and wind would force the park to close after only three hours. That Saturday would be one of the lowest attendance numbers ever recorded at Disneyland, and the lowest during Walt Disney’s lifetime. The rainy weather would…
-
Mr. Holland’s Opus | DISNEY THIS DAY | January 19, 1996
On this day in 1996, ‘Mr. Holland’s Opus’ was released in the United States by Disney’s Hollywood Pictures. The film follows Glenn Holland, a composer who strives to make his mark on the world, but takes a job as a high school music teacher to make ends meet. Over the years, Holland discovers that “life…
-
Star Wars Half Marathon – The Light Side | DISNEY THIS DAY | January 18, 2015
On this day in 2015, the first Star Wars Half Marathon – The Light Side took place at the Disneyland Resort. The half marathon was part of a weekend of RunDisney race events, including a 5K, a 10K, and kids’ races. All were themed around ‘Star Wars, with characters and entertainment lining the race route!…
-
Claude Coats | DISNEY THIS DAY | January 17, 1913
On this day in 1913, Imagineer, artist, designer, and Disney Legend Claude Coats was born. His lush watercolor backgrounds added depth and beauty to films like ‘Pinocchio,’ ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,’ ‘Fantasia,’ and ‘Cinderella,’ just to name a few! Coats became an Imagineer in 1955, where he was central to the design of…
-
Disney’s Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular | DISNEY THIS DAY | January 16, 2003
On this day in 2003, the Broadway-style stage show ‘Disney’s Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular’ held a premiere at the Hyperion Theater in Disney California Adventure. The show would become a fan-favorite for its high production values and the Genie’s ad libbed lines. It had over 14,000 performances before it ended in January 2016. A version…
-
Disneyland Hotel | DISNEY THIS DAY | January 15, 1969
On this day in 1969, the Marina Tower officially opened at the Disneyland Hotel. This second tower would feature 319 rooms on 11 stories and a brand new registration lobby—the largest in the U.S. at the time! The Hotel entrance moved to the north side of the complex, where it remains today. An adjacent 3.5…
-
Iron Will | DISNEY THIS DAY | January 14, 1994
On this day in 1994, the family adventure film ‘Iron Will’ was released in theaters. Inspired by a true story, ‘Iron Will’ follows a young man who embarks on a cross country dogsled race to raise money for his family after the death of his father. The film is based on the 1917 Winnipeg-to-St. Paul…
-
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs | DISNEY THIS DAY | January 13, 1938
On this day in 1938, an East Coast premiere of ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ was held at Radio City Music Hall in New York. It was the first Disney picture shown at Radio City and ran for five weeks. In a full-circle moment, a musical production of ‘Snow White,’ known as ‘Snow White…
-
Sofia the First | DISNEY THIS DAY | January 11, 2013
On this day in 2013, ‘Sofia the First’ premiered on the Disney Channel with the episode, “Just One of the Princes.” The show would air for four seasons and become the most-watched program for preschool-age children during its run. The title character was voiced by ‘Modern Family’ actress, Ariel Winter. The show follows Sofia as…
-
Walt Disney World Preview Center | DISNEY THIS DAY | January 10, 1970
On this day in 1970, the Walt Disney World Preview Center opened in Florida, almost two years before the Resort itself would open. The Preview Center would act a first tour of the new “Vacation Kingdom of the World” for over one million guests, 5,000 of which visited on opening weekend. It offered an in-depth…
-
Disneyland’s Chicken Plantation Restaurant | DISNEY THIS DAY | January 8, 1962
On this day in 1962, Disneyland’s Chicken Plantation Restaurant closed to make way for New Orleans Square. A popular dining location since opening day, the Chicken Plantation served fried chicken dinners that some said were the best meal in the park! It was located on the waterfront of the Rivers of America, between what is…
-
Nicolas Cage | DISNEY THIS DAY | January 7, 1964
On this day in 1964, actor, producer, and director Nicolas Cage was born. Disney fans may know him as Benjamin Gates in the ‘National Treasure’ series, Balthazar Blake in ‘The Sorcerer’s Apprentice,’ and the voice of Speckles the mole in ‘G-Force.’ Cage also had notable roles in ‘The Rock,’ ‘Con Air,’ and ‘Gone in 60…
-
Rivers of America | DISNEY THIS DAY | January 6, 2003
On this day in 2003, the Rivers of America in Disneyland was drained for the first time in ten years. Without the river’s six million gallons of water, crews found some strange items, like a toaster and a full bottle of rum! With Tom Sawyer Island closed, Cast Members entertained guests by re-enacting the fence…
-
The Tortoise and the Hare | DISNEY THIS DAY | January 5, 1935
On this day in 1935, the classic Aesop’s fable “The Tortoise and the Hare” was released as a ‘Silly Symphony’ cartoon. Toby Tortoise teaches Max Hare the famous lesson that slow and steady wins the race. Toby beats the odds to prevail over Max, who is distracted from the race when he stops to show…
-
Buddy Baker | DISNEY THIS DAY | January 4, 1918
On this day in 1918, composer, orchestrator, and Disney Legend Norman “Buddy” Baker was born. He had an extensive music career at Disney that began in the mid-1950s. In all, Baker penned almost 200 scores for Disney movies, TV, and the theme parks, including for EPCOT Center, the Mickey Mouse Club, and “Grim Grinning Ghosts”…
-
Mel Gibson | DISNEY THIS DAY | January 3, 1956
On this day in 1956, actor, director, and producer Mel Gibson was born. Disney fans know him for his portrayal of John Smith in 1995’s ‘Pocahontas.’ Gibson performed both the speaking and singing voices of the character. Gibson may be best known for his performances in both the original ‘Mad Max’ and ‘Lethal Weapon’ series.
-
Sherry Lansing | DISNEY THIS DAY | January 2, 1980
On this day in 1980, Sherry Lansing became the first woman to head a major studio when she was hired as president of production at 20th Century Fox. Lansing was responsible for the development and production of all feature films worldwide for the studio. She started her career as a high school math and English…
-
Tower of Terror Float in the Rose Parade | DISNEY THIS DAY | January 1, 2004
On this day in 2004, the Disneyland Resort presented a float in the 115th Annual Rose Parade themed to the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror called “A Sudden Drop in Pitch”. It featured a rotating Sun Wheel, a dangling elevator with live performers, and fireworks. The Tower Hotel stood nearly 100 feet tall, making it…
-
New Year’s Eve Party at Disneyland | DISNEY THIS DAY | December 31, 1957
On this day in 1957, Disneyland hosted its first New Year’s Eve party. A total of 7,500 guests attended at the cost of $3.95 per person. Each ticket included unlimited rides on all attractions (no ticket books needed!), dancing to three live bands, activities until 2AM, and a New Year’s Eve Fun Package with streamers,…
-
The Gallopin’ Gaucho | DISNEY THIS DAY | December 30, 1928
On this day in 1928, the Mickey Mouse short ‘The Gallopin’ Gaucho’ premiered at the Mark Strand Theater in New York City. It was animated by Ub Iwerks, who co-directed with Walt Disney. ‘The Gallopin’ Gaucho’ was a parody of the Douglas Fairbanks film, ‘The Gaucho.’ It would become the second Mickey cartoon. The rights…
-
Daps Magic’s Top Ten Videos of 2023
One of the things that we love to do here at Daps Magic is document and cover the things happening in the realm of Disney and Positive Stuff with video. Since starting our original YouTube channel back in the early 2000s. The first video on our current channel dates back to 2007. This year, we…