Tag: DISNEY THIS DAY
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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…
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Jasmine’s Flying Carpets | DISNEY THIS DAY | July 18, 2011
On this day in 2011, the Jasmine’s Flying Carpets attraction debuted in the Arabian Coast at Tokyo DisneySea. Like its sister attractions, The Magic Carpets of Aladdin at the Magic Kingdom in Florida and Flying Carpets Over Agrabah at Disneyland Paris, it was inspired by 1992’s ‘Aladdin.’ The Tokyo version changes the setting to Jasmine’s…
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Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln | DISNEY THIS DAY | July 17, 2001
On this day in 2001, on the 46th anniversary of Disneyland, “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln: The Journey to Gettysburg” was dedicated. The Mr. Lincoln Audio Animatronic was modernized from the ground up for the new show. The storyline was changed to focus on the Civil War. Guests wore binaural “3-D” headphones and followed the…
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Disney Villains | DISNEY THIS DAY | July 15, 1991
On this day in 1991, Disneyland’s Fantasyland turned sinister when the Disney Villains shop debuted. Its location behind Sleeping Beauty Castle has held many shops over the years, starting with Merlin’s Magic Shop (similar to today!). Disney Villains took over with wickedly delightful decor and character meet and greets, paying homage to Maleficent and other…
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Winnie the Pooh | DISNEY THIS DAY | July 15, 2011
On this day in 2011, ‘Winnie the Pooh’ was released in theaters. The film was based on three previously unadapted stories from A. A. Milne. The Hundred Acre Wood friends are out searching for honey (and Eeyore’s tail), but find a note that makes them think Christopher Robin has been abducted. They set out to…
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The Legend of Mythica | DISNEY THIS DAY | July 14, 2006
On this day in 2006, The Legend of Mythica show debuted in the Mediterranean Harbor at Tokyo DisneySea for the park’s 5th Anniversary Celebration. The elaborate daytime spectacular chronicled how spiritual companions, portrayed by Mickey and Friends, are humanity’s connection to the mythical world in order to bring love and harmony back to us. The…
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Disney’s Rockin’ the Bay | DISNEY THIS DAY | July 13, 2002
On this day in 2002, “Disney’s Rockin’ the Bay” kicked off a six-week summer concert series at Disney’s California Adventure. Performers with Top 10 hits from the 1960s and ‘70s headlined two shows daily until August 23. The Beach Boys started off the series and were followed by 18 other recording groups like Chubby Checker…
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Brian Grazer | DISNEY THIS DAY | July 11, 1951
On this day in 1951, film and television producer Brian Grazer was born. He is best known for founding Imagine Entertainment with Ron Howard in 1985. Their projects are some of Hollywood’s most successful, having grossed over $15 billion. Grazer co-wrote and produced ‘Splash’ in 1984, the first-ever film for Disney’s Touchstone Pictures. The duo…
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Cinderella Castle Mystery Tour | DISNEY THIS DAY | July 11, 1986
On this day in 1986, the Cinderella Castle Mystery Tour debuted at Tokyo Disneyland. Guided adventures inside Cinderella Castle turned ominous when the Magic Mirror took control and led guests into the dark dungeons to face off against Disney Villains. Encountering all manner of spooky elements along the way, guests had to outmaneuver the Evil…
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The Fox and the Hound | DISNEY THIS DAY | July 10, 1981
On this day in 1981, the buddy drama ‘The Fox and the Hound’ was released. Orphaned red fox Tod, voiced by Mickey Rooney, befriends hound puppy Copper, voiced by Kurt Russell. As the unlikely companions grow up, they must fight against their instincts to be enemies. ‘The Fox and the Hound’ marked a major transition…
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Tom Hanks | DISNEY THIS DAY | July 9, 1956
On this day in 1956, actor, screenwriter, and cultural icon Tom Hanks was born. Known for countless comedic and dramatic roles, his breakout film was ‘Big’ in 1988. For Pixar, Hanks has voiced Woody in the ‘Toy Story’ films and commercials since 1995. For Disney, he portrayed his distant cousin, Walt Disney, in ‘Saving Mr.…
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How to Have an Accident in the Home | DISNEY THIS DAY | July 78, 1956
On this day in 1956, the educational Donald Duck short, ‘How to Have an Accident in the Home’ was released. Accident-prone Donald is a model for J.J. Fate, an embodiment of destiny, as Fate illustrates how carelessness is responsible for everyday mishaps. ‘How to Have an Accident in the Home’ was the first of many…
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Mickey Steps Out | DISNEY THIS DAY | July 7, 1931
On this day in 1931, the Mickey Mouse cartoon ‘Mickey Steps Out’ was released. A dapper Mickey is on his way to Minnie’s house, but an overeager Pluto almost sabotages the trip. As they arrive, Minnie is playing the piano, and Mickey joins in, whistling and dancing. Pluto, ready for shenanigans, chases a stray cat…
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Sylvester Stallone | DISNEY THIS DAY | July 6, 1946
On this day in 1946, actor and filmmaker Sylvester Stallone was born. For Marvel, he portrayed Stakar Ogord in ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ Vol. 2 and Vol. 3. He was a guest star on ‘The Muppet Show’ in 1979. Stallone’s most famous characters, Rocky and Rambo, were spoofed in many animated Disney TV shows, including…
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Disney Store | DISNEY THIS DAY | July 5, 1996
On this day in 1996, the 500th Disney Store opened its doors to shoppers. The 5,000 square foot location was found at the Metro Center in Phoenix, Arizona. The first Disney Store debuted in Glendale, California, in March 1987. It was an idea from Michael Eisner and Frank Wells to make Disney merchandise available outside…
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Disneyland Preview | DISNEY THIS DAY | July 4, 1955
On this day in 1955, Disneyland hosted a special Fourth of July preview day for elite Walt Disney Studios employees and their families about two weeks before the park opened. These first guests toured only Main Street, U.S.A., Adventureland, and Frontierland. No mechanical ride systems were ready, the railroad track was incomplete, there was little…
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Midget Autopia | DISNEY THIS DAY | July 3, 1966
On this day in 1966, the Midget Autopia reopened in its new home at Walt Disney Municipal Park in Marceline, Missouri. Walt donated the attraction when it closed at Disneyland to make way for the “it’s a small world” mall. The Midget Autopia was meant for very small children and ran on a center guide…
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The Great Mouse Detective | DISNEY THIS DAY | July 2, 1986
On this day in 1986, ‘The Great Mouse Detective’ was released. It was based on the children’s book series ‘Basil of Baker Street’ by Eve Titus and Paul Galdone, with inspiration from Sherlock Holmes. Famous mouse detective Basil and his sidekick Dr. Dawson help young Olivia after her father is kidnapped by Basil’s nemesis, Professor…
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Disney’s BoardWalk Inn and Villas | DISNEY THIS DAY | July 1, 1996
On this day in 1996, Disney’s BoardWalk Inn and Villas opened at Walt Disney World. The Deluxe Resort is themed after New England seaside towns like Atlantic City and Coney Island, set in the early 1900s. Appropriately, the resort has a quarter-mile boardwalk with carnival games, boardwalk eats and treats, the Atlantic Dance Hall, and…