Tag: Disney History
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The Help | DISNEY THIS DAY | August 10, 2011
On this day in 2011, ‘The Help’ was released widely by Disney’s Touchstone Pictures. The film adapted Kathryn Stockett’s 2009 novel and was set during the civil rights movement in Jackson, Mississippi, in 1963. An aspiring author interviews local African American maids about their perspectives on the prominent white families for which they work, exposing…
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Pins Around Our World | DISNEY THIS DAY | August 9, 2001
On this day in 2001, the first major pin trading festival, “Pins Around Our World,” kicked off at EPCOT’s World Showcase. Disney’s official pin trading program began at Walt Disney World in 1999 during EPCOT’s Millennium Celebration. Pin trading soon became a global phenomenon, spreading to all Disney Parks. Guests of the 4-day festival had…
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Freakier Friday | DISNEY THIS DAY | August 8, 2025
On this day in 2025, ‘Freakier Friday’ was released in theaters. Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan reprised their roles from 2003’s ‘Freaky Friday’ as mother Tess and daughter Anna. The story picks up 22 years later, when Anna has a teenage daughter of her own and is about to marry Eric, father of Lily.…
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If D23 Was in 1966 ~ Photoniks ~ Episode 24
In this episode of Photoniks, hosts Mr. Daps and Clocky are getting hyped for D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event by taking a journey back in time! Pretending it’s 1966—when Walt Disney was teasing the future of the park—the duo explores a vibrant gallery of 1967–1968 slides showcasing Tomorrowland at peak retro optimism. Together, they…
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Robert S. Disney | DISNEY THIS DAY | August 7, 1861
On this day in 1861, Robert S. Disney was born, the uncle of Walt and Roy O. Disney. He played a critical role in shaping Walt Disney’s early life in Missouri and eventual success in the film industry. Uncle Robert found financial prosperity in real estate and mining before retiring to California in the 1920s.…
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Golden Zephyr | DISNEY THIS DAY | August 6, 2011
On this day in 2011, the cab of the California Zephyr arrived at its new home at the Western Pacific Railroad Museum in Portola, California. The cab once housed Bur-r-Bank Ice Cream and Baker’s Field Bakery at Disney’s California Adventure. Before that, it was part of a real locomotive that traveled between Chicago and San…
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Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Across the 2nd Dimension | DISNEY THIS DAY | August 5, 2011
On this day in 2011, ‘Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Across the 2nd Dimension’ was released on the Disney Channel. It was the first feature-length movie from the popular ‘Phineas and Ferb’ animated series. The events of the movie are set during the show’s third season. The boys discover that Perry the Platypus is really…
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Stop That Tank! | DISNEY THIS DAY | August 4, 1941
On this day in 1941, Walt Disney Studios signed an agreement with the National Film Board of Canada to produce four animated Public Service Announcements for Canadian War Savings Certificates, plus ‘Stop That Tank!,’ a training film about the anti-tank rifle. Needing to keep to a tight budget and a short production timeline, the four…
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The Princess Diaries | DISNEY THIS DAY | August 3, 2001
On this day in 2001, ‘The Princess Diaries’ was released. Based on the novel by Meg Cabot, awkward teenager Mia receives a visit from her estranged grandmother, Queen Clarisse, and discovers that she is heir to the fictional throne of Genovia. ‘The Princess Diaries’ was Anne Hathaway’s breakout role, as well as Julie Andrews’ first…
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Andrew Gold | DISNEY THIS DAY | August 2, 1951
On this day in 1951, multi-talented musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer Andrew Gold was born. In Disney circles, he is remembered for writing “Thank You for Being a Friend,” a tune that went on to become the iconic theme song for Touchstone’s ‘The Golden Girls.’ He also wrote and recorded the Halloween classic, “Spooky,…
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Flight of the Navigator | DISNEY THIS DAY | August 1, 1986
On this day in 1986, ‘Flight of the Navigator’ was released in theaters. Now a cult classic, the film starred Joey Cramer as a 12-year-old boy who goes missing and reappears unaged eight years later. The goofball robotic alien, “Max,” played by Paul Reubens under the pseudonym “Pall Mall,” takes him on a joy ride…
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A Celebration of Animation Art – 30 Years Ago at Disneyland
Among the delights of experiencing Disneyland in the 1990s was the possibility of seeing, and even meeting, many of the people who had created the happiest place on earth. From time to time, artists who had worked with Walt Disney at the studio and in Imagineering would appear for special anniversaries and events. On July…
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Bunk’d | DISNEY THIS DAY | July 31, 2015
On this day in 2015, ‘Bunk’d’ premiered on the Disney Channel. The series was a spinoff of ‘Jessie’ and carried over the Ross siblings – Emma, Ravi, and Zuri – this time into summer camp adventures. The kids head to Camp Kikiwaka in Moose Rump, Maine, where their parents met. Despite the kids’ lack of…
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Mineral Hall | DISNEY THIS DAY | July 30, 1956
On this day in 1956, Mineral Hall opened in Frontierland at Disneyland. The combination free exhibit and gift shop was operated by the Black Light Corporation of America. Guests could see normal-looking rocks transform into fluorescent, glowing specimens under UV black lights. They could also purchase Disney-branded mineral samples to take home along with portable…
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Alice in Wonderland | DISNEY THIS DAY | July 28, 1951
On this day in 1951, ‘Alice in Wonderland’ was released in the United States. Work on the project began in the 1930s with a live actress envisioned for Alice, similar to the ‘Alice Comedies.’ But Walt Disney was not pleased with the early drafts and concept art, which he felt were too dark. It took…
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In the Bag | DISNEY THIS DAY | July 27, 1956
On this day in 1956, the Humphrey the Bear cartoon ‘In the Bag’ was released. Tourist season in Brownstone Park is over, but the litter they left is overflowing. Ranger J. Audubon Woodlore devises a scheme to get the bears to clean up the park for him, but soon Humphrey is the only one left…
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The Parent Trap II | DISNEY THIS DAY | July 26, 1986
On this day in 1986, ‘The Parent Trap II’ debuted directly on the Disney Channel as part of its “Hayley Mills Film Festival.” In fact, Hayley Mills was the only actress to return from the original 1961 film, reprising her double role. Sharon is now divorced and living in Florida. Her 11-year-old daughter Nikki and…
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Alpine Climbers | DISNEY THIS DAY | July 25, 1936
On this day in 1936, the Mickey Mouse short ‘Alpine Climbers’ was released. While mountaineering in the Swiss Alps, Mickey and Donald get into trouble with a mother eagle and a thieving goat. Pluto imbibes a little too much with a St. Bernard rescue dog after a clash with an eagle chick. ‘Alpine Climbers’ is…
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New Orleans Square | DISNEY THIS DAY | July 24, 1966
On this day in 1966, New Orleans Square opened at Disneyland. It was the park’s first new land and cost about $18 million to build – more than the Louisiana Purchase in 1803! The design of the three-acre plaza was meant to evoke the French Quarter of the 1850s. Opening day highlights were shopping, dining,…
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Junior Autopia | DISNEY THIS DAY | July 23, 1956
On this day in 1956, the Junior Autopia debuted at Disneyland to share demand with the popular Autopia attraction. The idea of a highway driving seemed futuristic in this time before interstate highways. It was geared toward younger kids and was the first version to have a center guide rail. The cars were the same…
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Captain America: The First Avenger | DISNEY THIS DAY | July 22, 2011
On this day in 2011, ‘Captain America: The First Avenger’ was released widely. It was the fifth film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and part of Phase One. Steve Rogers, strong of heart but not of body, is selected to receive Super Soldier serum during WWII. His super hero transformation sets him on a path…
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Behind the Attraction | DISNEY THIS DAY | July 21, 2021
On this day in 2021, the first five episodes of the documentary series ‘Behind the Attraction’ debuted on Disney+. The show reveals the creation stories of Disney attractions and destinations. Imagineers, Cast Members, and historians give insights about how these icons came to be and have changed over time. The first release included the Jungle…
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Spirited Away | DISNEY THIS DAY | July 20, 2001
On this day in 2001, Studio Ghibli’s modern classic ‘Spirited Away’ was released. Young “Sen” works to free herself and her parents after unintentionally entering the spirit world of the “kami.” John Lasseter, a friend of director Hayao Miyazaki, convinced Disney to purchase the North American distribution rights and was executive producer for the English-dubbed…
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The Purloined Pup | DISNEY THIS DAY | July 19, 1946
On this day in 1946, the solo Pluto cartoon ‘The Purloined Pup’ was released. Pluto is a rookie police dog searching for kidnapped Ronnie, a Saint Bernard puppy from a wealthy family. Menacing Bulldog Butch is holding her for a 10,000-bone ransom. Pluto saves the day for Ronnie, but then has to battle Butch through…