Tag: Disney History
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Susan Sarandon | DISNEY THIS DAY | October 4, 1946
On this day in 1946, acclaimed actress, producer, and activist Susan Sarandon was born. For Disney, her roles include Miss Spider in ‘James and the Giant Peach,’ Queen Narissa in ‘Enchanted, Margherita Sarfatti in ‘Cradle Will Rock,’ Jojo Floss in ‘Moonlight Mile,’ and Beverly Clark in ‘Shall We Dance?’ Sarandon even appeared in two episodes…
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Nightmare Before Christmas Enchanted Evening | DISNEY THIS DAY | October 3, 2001
On this day in 2001, Disneyland hosted the “Nightmare Before Christmas Enchanted Evening” before the debut of Haunted Mansion Holiday. Attendees experienced a panel of filmmakers and artists like Henry Selick, Chris Sarandon, and Steve Davison before getting an exclusive preview of the attraction. Guests entered lotteries to purchase limited-edition merchandise such as pins, artwork,…
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Disney World Is Your World | DISNEY THIS DAY | October 2, 1981
On this day in 1981, “Disney World Is Your World” debuted on the Tomorrowland Stage at Magic Kingdom as part of Walt Disney World’s Tencennial Celebration. The Broadway-style musical starred the Kids of the Kingdom alongside classic Disney characters. It was an energetic journey through the park’s themed lands, from Main Street, U.S.A. to Tomorrowland.…
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Walt Disney World’s 25th Anniversary | DISNEY THIS DAY | October 1, 1996
On this day in 1996, Walt Disney World’s 25th Anniversary celebration began with the debut of the Cinderella Castle Cake. Bedecked with bright pink “icing” and oversized candy decorations, the whimsical overlay became a memorable yet controversial park icon. Imagineers used specialized paints, fabrics, inflatable decorations, and temporary structural reinforcements to create the cake effects…
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Enjoy It While You Can – 30 Years Ago at Disneyland
By its middle years, the Disney Decade was not quite living up to the high expectations that had been set by all the breathless hype. Despite this, 1996 was something of a banner year for Disneyland, particularly for its summer entertainment schedule. If only the venerable Disneyland Guidemap had kept pace. Incredibly enough, with all…
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Dream Along With Mickey | DISNEY THIS DAY | September 30, 2006
On this day in 2006, the “Dream Along With Mickey” live musical stage show debuted at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. The 20-minute show was part of the Year of a Million Dreams campaign. Mickey and Friends celebrate the power of dreams with guests, but Donald is unconvinced. Minnie’s wish to be a…
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LinaBell | DISNEY THIS DAY | September 29, 2021
On this day in 2021, LinaBell joined Duffy and Friends when she made her global debut at the Shanghai Disney Resort. LinaBell is a clever, curious pink fox who solves mysteries, loves nature, has a sassy streak, and frequently debuts seasonal outfits. Her story began when she found Duffy lost in the forest and used…
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EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival | DISNEY THIS DAY | September 28, 1996
On this day in 1996, EPCOT officially launched the International Food & Wine Festival. Conceived by George Kalogridis, it began in 1995 as the Walt Disney World Village Wine Festival to boost attendance during the off-season. Festivities ran for 30 days the first year, with 25 marketplace booths selling food and drinks for about $1…
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Sunday Spotlight: Le Pays des Contes de Fées at Disneyland Paris
Le Pays des Contes de Fées is the Disneyland Paris version of the Storybook Land Canal Boats at Walt Disney’s original Magic Kingdom in California. Just like the original version in California, guests board boats and go on a cruise through a variety of stories that come to life in miniature form. This version is…
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Why Every Disney Fan MUST Visit The Walt Disney Family Museum – Daps Magic – Disney and Positive Stuff
If you love Disney theme parks, animation, and history, there is one place on Earth where you can stand in the room with the actual origins of that magic. It isn’t in Burbank or Anaheim—it’s in the Presidio of San Francisco at The Walt Disney Family Museum. In this episode of Daps Magic – Disney…
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Sabrina the Teenage Witch | DISNEY THIS DAY | September 27, 1996
On this day in 1996, ‘Sabrina the Teenage Witch’ debuted on ABC. Starring Melissa Joan Hart, Caroline Rhea, and Beth Broderick, the show was based on the Archie Comics series of the same name. Sixteen-year-old Sabrina Spellman grapples with her magical powers after she discovers she comes from a long line of witches. The cast…
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Three Blind Mouseketeers | DISNEY THIS DAY | September 26, 1936
On this day in 1936, the ‘Silly Symphony’ short ‘Three Blind Mouseketeers’ was released. The cartoon cleverly combines storylines from the nursery rhyme “Three Blind Mice” with Alexandre Dumas’s ‘The Three Musketeers.’ The short follows three blind mouse heroes as they outwit the vengeful Captain Katt. The Captain fills a cellar with mousetraps to stop…
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Newsies: The Musical | DISNEY THIS DAY | September 25, 2011
On this day in 2011, ‘Newsies: The Musical’ premiered on stage at the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, New Jersey. The show was adapted from Disney’s 1992 live-action film and dramatized the historic New York City newsboys’ strike of 1899. Alan Menken wrote additional songs for the stage version, including “Watch What Happens”, “Brooklyn’s Here,”…
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Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color | DISNEY THIS DAY | September 24, 1961
On this day in 1961, ‘Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color’ premiered on NBC. The network move allowed Disney to produce the series in full color, since only NBC broadcast in color then. Walt Disney introduced “An Adventure in Color” and “Donald in Mathmagicland” for the first airing. The pompous yet lovable scholar, Professor Ludwig…
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Disneyland Flag Raising | DISNEY THIS DAY | September 23, 2001
On this day in 2001, Disneyland hosted a flag-raising ceremony as American flags returned to full staff in the wake of the September 11 attacks. A large crowd gathered in Town Square before the Disneyland Band opened the event with patriotic Sousa marches. Disney CEO Michael Eisner and Disneyland President Cynthia Harriss made remarks celebrating…
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Fiesta Latina | DISNEY THIS DAY | September 22, 2001
On this day in 2001, the first annual Fiesta Latina weekend kicked off at Disney’s California Adventure during the park’s first year. The celebration of Latin American culture and Hispanic Heritage Month was centralized in the Pacific Wharf district. It included well-known live music headliners, dancers, community performers, specialty food, arts & crafts, and limited-edition…
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IllumiNations 25 | DISNEY THIS DAY | September 21, 1996
On this day in 1996, IllumiNations 25 debuted at EPCOT to mark the 25th anniversary of Walt Disney World. The anniversary update to IllumiNations, which had run since 1988, added four fireworks barges, a new storyline, contemporary music, and enhanced programming. The new score, featuring pop songs and film themes such as “Circle of Life”…
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Lighthouse Keeping | DISNEY THIS DAY | September 20, 1946
On this day in 1946, the Donald Duck short ‘Lighthouse Keeping’ was released. Donald spends his nights tending a traditional flame-powered lighthouse, but the endlessly rotating beacon makes it impossible to enjoy a quiet book. Bored and irritated, he turns the light on a sleeping pelican, repeatedly flashing it in the bird’s face to wake…
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James Lipton | DISNEY THIS DAY | September 19, 2026
On this day in 1926, writer, lyricist, actor, TV host, and academic James Lipton was born. For Disney, Lipton voiced the Director in ‘Bolt,’ a stern figure who antagonizes the title character. For Fox, he appeared as Warden Gentles in ‘Arrested Development’ and guest-starred on ‘Family Guy’ and ‘The Simpsons.’ Lipton was best known for…
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Captain EO | DISNEY THIS DAY | September 18, 1986
On this day in 1986, the Captain EO attraction opened at Disneyland six days after premiering at EPCOT Center. The 70mm 3-D sci-fi short film was conceived by incoming Disney chiefs Michael Eisner and Frank Wells. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola and executive-produced by George Lucas, it leveraged Michael Jackson at the height of his…
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Disneyland Half Marathon | DISNEY THIS DAY | September 17, 2006
On this day in 2006, the inaugural Disneyland Half Marathon took place in Anaheim. More than 9,700 runners from 15 countries and 49 states participated in the sold-out 13.1-mile race. The course wound its way through the Disneyland Resort, then into the streets of Anaheim, across the outfield at Angels Stadium, and then back to…
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Walt: The Man Behind the Myth | DISNEY THIS DAY | September 16, 2001
On this day in 2001, the documentary ‘Walt: The Man Behind the Myth’ premiered on ABC’s ‘The Wonderful World of Disney.’ The biographical program about Walt Disney’s life and career was created in celebration of his 100th birthday. Narrated by Dick Van Dyke and presented by Walt’s eldest daughter, Diane Disney Miller, the program featured…
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Ellen’s Energy Adventure | DISNEY THIS DAY | September 15, 1996
On this day in 1996, Ellen’s Energy Adventure opened at EPCOT, replacing the opening-day attraction, Universe of Energy. The slow-moving dark ride was a comedic take on energy production from the primeval era to the future, and starred Ellen DeGeneres, Bill Nye the Science Guy, and Jamie Lee Curtis. Illustrating the theme, two acres of…
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Kimberly Williams-Paisley | DISNEY THIS DAY | September 14, 1971
On this day in 1971, actress, author, and philanthropist Kimberly Williams-Paisley was born. She may be best remembered for her breakout role as Annie Banks-MacKenzie in Touchstone’s ‘Father of the Bride’ parts one and two. She appeared on the ABC series ‘According to Jim’ and ‘Nashville.’ Other Disney roles included Gwen Daugherty in ‘Indian Summer’…