Tag: Disney History
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Hayden Christensen | DISNEY THIS DAY | April 19, 2081
On this day in 1981, actor Hayden Christensen was born. ‘Star Wars’ fans know him best for portraying Anakin Skywalker as he transitions into Darth Vader. Christensen reportedly beat over 1,500 other actors for the role and was chosen because he “[had] the presence of the Dark Side.” He originally appeared as Anakin in ‘Star…
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Hayley Mills | DISNEY THIS DAY | April 18, 1946
On this day in 1946, actress, singer, and Disney Legend Hayley Mills was born. Mills started her acting career at age 13 in ‘Tiger Bay,’ leading to her discovery by Walt Disney. He signed her to a six-film contract with Disney. Mills’ American film debut was in ‘Pollyanna,’ a role for which she earned an…
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Cars’ Road Trip ‘06 | DISNEY THIS DAY | April 17, 2006
On this day in 2006, the “‘Cars’ Road Trip ‘06” kicked off a 41-city tour of North America in promotion of the then-upcoming Disney/Pixar film ‘Cars.’ Guests could meet the life-sized Lightning McQueen and Sally Carrera, pick up giveaways, or enter to win collectibles. The cars were brought to life by movie car creator Eddie…
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Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge | DISNEY THIS DAY | March 16, 2001
On this day in 2001, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge opened to guests at the Walt Disney World Resort. Located near Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park, the Deluxe Resort brings the African safari home. Guest room balconies overlook four savannas that house over 200 animals like zebras, giraffes, wildebeest, and impala. The Lodge was designed by Peter…
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Lemonade Mouth | DISNEY THIS DAY | April 15, 2011
On this day in 2011, the Disney Channel Original Movie ‘Lemonade Mouth’ premiered on TV. Based on a book by Mark Peter Hughes, ‘Lemonade Mouth’ follows five high schoolers who meet in detention and form a band to give a voice to those on the sidelines and conquer their own challenges. ‘Lemonade Mouth’ is seen…
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Radio Disney | DISNEY THIS DAY | April 14, 2021
On this day in 2021, Radio Disney shut down permanently after 25 years on the airwaves. Radio Disney launched in November 1996 as a network of stations geared toward kids and teens. It played contemporary pop and R&B music that steadily leaned into more Disney Channel artists like Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez. The present-day…
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United Artists | DISNEY THIS DAY | April 13, 1931
On this day in 1931, Walt Disney Productions officially announced its move to United Artists for film distribution. Disney had previously worked with Columbia to distribute its cartoons, but had a falling out and was seeking a better deal. United Artists, established by A-list filmmakers to support their own projects outside the big studios, was…
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James and the Giant Peach | DISNEY THIS DAY | March 12, 1996
On this day in 1996, ‘James and the Giant Peach’ was released in theaters. James is an orphan plagued by cruel aunts until he escapes inside a magically enlarged peach across the ocean to New York City with a newfound family of charmed insects. The original 1961 story from Roald Dahl was brought to the…
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Winnie the Pooh | DISNEY THIS DAY | March 11, 2006
On this day in 2006, Winnie the Pooh received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in recognition of his impact on animated films as a symbol of the child in all of us. The star came during Disney’s 18-month celebration of Pooh’s 80th birthday after his creation by A. A. Milne in 1926.…
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Newsies | DISNEY THIS DAY | April 10, 1992
On this day in 1992, the live-action musical ‘Newsies’ was released in theaters. The film dramatizes the real newsboys’ strike during the summer of 1899 in New York City. The youth movement fought against the poor wages offered by the Pulitzer and Hearst newspaper companies. ‘Newsies’ was not a box office success but found a…
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Snow White Wishing Well and Grotto | DISNEY THIS DAY | April 9, 1961
On this day in 1961, Walt Disney dedicated the Snow White Wishing Well and Grotto at Disneyland. This picturesque spot for making wishes, taking photos, or getting engaged started with an anonymous gift of Carrara marble statues. John Hench figured out where to display them and how to use forced perspective and a waterfall to…
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Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast | DISNEY THIS DAY | April 8, 2006
On this day in 2006, Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast opened in Discoveryland at Disneyland Paris. The attraction is one of several at Disney Parks across the world that showcase Buzz Lightyear and allow guests to earn points by shooting lasers at targets while riding on Omnimover vehicles. The primary inspirations for the attraction are Buzz’s…
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Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain | DISNEY THIS DAY | April 7, 2006
On this day in 2006, the Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain attraction opened in Disney’s Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World. The rollercoaster is set in the Himalayas of northern India within the fictional kingdom of Anandapur. Guests take a railroad expedition through the Forbidden Mountain and meet its guardian, the Yeti,…
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The Castaway | DISNEY THIS DAY | April 6, 1931
On this day in 1931, the Mickey Mouse cartoon ‘The Castaway’ was released. A shipwrecked Mickey finds himself washing ashore on an island that is home to all kinds of animals. He eats bananas, plays a waterlogged piano, fends off some attackers, and escapes on a floating turtle. ‘The Castaway’ reused some animated scenes from…
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Sterling K. Brown | DISNEY THIS DAY | April 5, 1976
On this day in 1976, actor Sterling K. Brown was born. Marvel fans know him as N’Jobu from ‘Black Panther.’ For Disney, Brown can be heard in ‘Frozen II’ as the voice of Lieutenant Mattias. He also narrated the ‘One Day at Disney’ documentary series on Disney+. Hulu subscribers can watch Brown in ‘Paradise’ and…
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Cinderella | DISNEY THIS DAY | April 4, 2011
On this day in 2011, a “Royal Edition” of the animated classic ‘Cinderella’ was issued on DVD in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The limited edition release commemorated the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton, held in London’s Westminster Abbey on April 29 that year. Each copy was numbered individually and came with…
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Monsanto Night Presents Walt Disney’s America on Parade | DISNEY THIS DAY | April 3, 1976
On this day in 1976, the ‘Monsanto Night Presents Walt Disney’s America on Parade’ television special aired on local stations across the country. The program was hosted by comedy legend Red Skelton, who contributed humorous segments to the spectacle of the patriotic parade. America on Parade debuted the previous summer as an elaborate celebration of…
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Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show | DISNEY THIS DAY | April 2, 2016
On this day in 2016, the Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show closed at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World. The high energy production was based on a version from Paris and demonstrated how vehicle stunts are filmed for action movies. More than 40 cars, motorcycles, and watercraft were used in the show, with…
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DCA 0.1 ~ Photoniks ~ Episode 19
Welcome to Photoniks! In this episode of Photoniks, Mr. Daps and Clocky take a look at what they are calling DCA 0.1. The original Disney California Adventure, or Disney’s California Adventure. This is our little tongue-in-cheek April Fool’s Day episode! We hope you enjoy this take on looking at historic Disneyland Resort photos. Join the conversation and share your…
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Old Fashioned Easter Parade | DISNEY THIS DAY | April 1, 1956
On this day in 1956, Disneyland held its first “Old Fashioned Easter Parade” down Main Street, U.S.A. The parade was intended to invoke the nostalgia of small-town America at the turn of the century. Director of Entertainment Tommy Walker organized a procession of antique vehicles from the Horseless Carriage Club. No Disney characters or prerecorded…
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The Arrival of King Triton – 30 Years Ago at Disneyland
Most Disney theme park fans are familiar with “in-betweens,” those smaller areas and experiences that fill out a full day at the park. This month, we are looking back at one that appeared somewhat magically, and then it was gone. Triton Gardens quietly opened in early 1996. According to the February 9, 1996 issue of…
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Ewan McGregor | DISNEY THIS DAY | March 31, 1971
On this day in 1971, actor Ewan McGregor was born. Star Wars fans know him as the young Obi-Wan Kenobi in the ‘Star Wars’ prequel trilogy and the ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’ streaming series. For Disney, McGregor starred in the live-action ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ ‘Valiant,’ and ‘Christopher Robin.’ His role in ‘Moulin Rouge!’ for 20th Century…
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The Happiest Balloon on Earth | DISNEY THIS DAY | March 30, 2006
On this day in 2006, “The Happiest Balloon on Earth” began an 11-week tour across western North America in honor of the Disneyland Resort’s 50th anniversary. The Mickey Mouse-shaped hot air balloon was dressed in a golden ear hat for the occasion. It stood 98 feet tall, weighed 410 pounds, and was made up of…
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Disneyland Kids’ Amateur Dog Show | DISNEY THIS DAY | March 29, 1958
On this day in 1958, the Disneyland First Annual Kids’ Amateur Dog Show began at the park. Children aged 6 to 14 competed in various contests with their dogs. The ten categories included largest dog, prettiest dog, best trick, longest ears, and best costume. The two-day event resulted in the finalists getting to walk their…