Tag: Disney History
-
Avatar | DISNEY THIS DAY | December 18, 2023
On this day in 2009, ‘Avatar’ was released in the U.S. by 20th Century Fox. It was nominated for nine Oscars at the 82nd Academy Awards and won three. ‘Avatar’ was also the first movie ever to top $2 billion at the worldwide box office. The movie would become a franchise and be incorporated into…
-
The Arrival of the Partners – 30 Years Ago at Disneyland
Do you remember “The Globe of Death?” If you do, it will remain only a vivid memory. That is because, thirty years ago this month, Disneyland dedicated the Partners statue at the center of the park, creating a permanent tribute to the man who started it all, and the mouse that he said started it…
-
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…
-
Two Concert Orchestrions Provide Unique Halloween Music at Disneyland
At Disneyland, there are many different entertainment offerings to enjoy during different seasons. Halloween Time is no different. For guests wandering through the Candy Palace on Main Street, USA, or in Frontierland, two concert orchestrions provide a very different approach to Halloween music. On Main Street, USA at the Candy Palace, the orchestrion is made…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
54 Years of the Haunted Mansion
Today the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland celebrates its 54th anniversary. Since opening originally in 1969, it has been a fan favorite as the happy haunts bring spirited delight to those who make their way through its spooky halls. Haunted Mansion History The Haunted Mansion took many years to come to be. Walt Disney had the…
-
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…
-
A Different Summer at Disneyland Without the Disneyland Resort All-American College Band
On June 21, 2022, the 2022 Disneyland Resort All-American College Band stepped out and performed in Disneyland in front of guests for the first time of its summer season. The arrival of the Disneyland Resort All-American College Band in the parks marked the arrival for summer for many guests who have followed the band for…
-
‘The House of the Future: Walt Disney, MIT, and Monsanto’s Vision of Tomorrow’ Available for Pre-Order
A new book by author David A. Bossert is coming out in November and is now available for pre-order. The House of the Future: Walt Disney, MIT, and Monsanto’s Vision of Tomorrow looks back to the 50s and 60s at the iconic house that was once in Disneyland. The book is set to be released…
-
“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,…
-
Fans Take Final Splash on Splash Mountain’s Final Day at Disneyland
On Tuesday, May 30, 2023, Disney fans descended on Disneyland to take one last splash on Splash Mountain before the attraction closes and is transformed into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. The attraction, which originally opened in 1989 and had been one of the mountains in Disneyland’s mountain range. Daps Magic had several team members on hand…
-
Bring the Whole Family! – 30 Years Ago at Disneyland
After spending so much time on Toontown this year, this month’s entry will get us back into and around the rest of Disneyland. In May of 1993 (May eighth, to be precise) I again renewed my Annual Passport. This time it cost $119, but I felt the expense was worth it, considering the use I…
-
Long Live Fantasmic! – Why Trouble Doesn’t Spell the End for Fantasmic!
There was an outpouring of emotion as people witnessed the recent fiery demise of the massive Maleficent-inspired dragon that is the most memorable aspect of Disneyland’s Fantasmic! The spectacular nighttime water show has performed thousands of times since its debut in May of 1992. For many, Fantasmic! is as iconic as Main Street, the Matterhorn,…
-
Mickey’s Toontown (Part 2) – 30 Years Ago at Disneyland
This month— the suburbs. But first, a short diversion. How should we get there? We could walk (it’s a pleasant walk). Or, we could take the Jolly Trolley. Despite what anyone may have told you, thirty years ago at Disneyland the Jolly Trolley was a real thing. It really traveled along the tracks in Toontown,…
-
Mickey’s Toontown (Part 1) – 30 Years Ago at Disneyland
Last month we looked at the grand opening of Mickey’s Toontown, January 25th, 1993. Or the 24th. Or 26th. This month I anticipated writing up a complete tour of the new land, but after going through the many, many photos that I took that day, I decided to present Toontown over two months. This month…
-
Opening Mickey’s Toontown – 30 Years Ago at Disneyland
Serendipity is a word I have always enjoyed. It sounds as joyful as its meaning: the occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way. This month’s column, all about the opening of Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland 30 years ago, falls on the same week that there will be a dedication…
-
Walt’s Plane at the Palm Springs Air Museum, a Fantastic Day Trip Destination!
After appearing earlier this year at the D23 Expo, Walt’s Plane has made its way to the Palm Springs Air Museum. This plane was purchased by Walt Disney in 1963 and is a Grumman Gulfstream I that was commonly referred to as “The Mouse.” After the D23 Expo, the plane was moved to the Palm Springs Air…
-
Mickey Mouse One: Walt’s Plane to Get Interior Restored and Recreated
It has been a big year for Mickey Mouse One: Walt’s Plane. Earlier this year it had its exterior restored and made the trek from Florida to California for the D23 Expo. Then it was moved to the Palm Springs Air Museum to be on display as a part of a long term loan. Now,…
-
Day Nine: The Disneyland Resort All-American College Band – 24 Days of Thanksgiving
As we continue 24 Days of Thanksgiving I would be remiss if I were not to express my thanks for the Disneyland Resort All-American College Band. This collection of exceptional college students come to the Disneyland Resort each summer and perform throughout the resort. It is always a highlight of the year. Through the years…
-
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…
-
Day Three: Envisioning Novelty – 24 Days of Thanksgiving
As Mr. Daps highlighted yesterday, Walt Disney came up with the idea of Disneyland as he was sitting on a bench in Griffith Park, watching his daughters riding the carousel and dreaming of a place where families could enjoy themselves together. Of course, this was only the beginning of Walt’s great vision, not the end.…
-
New Trailer Released for “Mickey: The Story of A Mouse” Before Arrival on Disney+
A new trailer has been released that gives a look at the upcoming documentary about Mickey Mouse. Mickey: The Story of a Mouse is directed by Jeff Malmberg and will be released on Disney+ on November 18, 2022. This is appropriately Mickey Mouse’s birthday. This documentary will take a look at the story behind the…