Tag: DISNEY THIS DAY
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Man or Muppet | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 26, 2012
On this day in 2012, the song “Man or Muppet” from the 2011 film ‘The Muppets’ won an Academy Award for Original Song. The Oscar winning song was composed by the film’s musical supervisor Bret McKenzie, part of the comedy duo Flight of the Conchords. Jason Segel and Peter Linz performed the vocals, with Linz…
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The Mighty Ducks | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 25, 2005
On this day in 2005, Disney sold the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim hockey team to the Samueli family. Founded in 1993, the club was originally named for the 1992 film, ‘The Mighty Ducks’ about a ragtag youth hockey team that turns failure into success. A ‘Mighty Ducks’ TV series followed in 1996 featuring the team’s…
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Brave | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 24, 2013
On this day in 2013, the Pixar Animation Studios film ‘Brave’ won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. Its main competition that year were two other Disney films, ‘Wreck-It Ralph’ and ‘Frankenweenie.’ At the time, ‘Brave’ would be the seventh Disney-Pixar film to win Best Animated Feature since the category was created in 2001.…
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Snow White – An Enchanting Musical | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 23, 2004
On this day in 2004, the Broadway-style stage show, “Snow White – An Enchanting Musical” premiered at the Fantasyland Theatre in Disneyland. It brought the story of Snow White to life using elaborate sets, special effects, and classic songs, including “Whistle While You Work” and “Heigh-Ho.” The queen’s castle and dwarfs’ cottage were recreated to…
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Columbia | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 22, 1964
On this day in 1964, the Below Decks Maritime Museum opened onboard the Sailing Ship Columbia at Disneyland, six years after the ship debuted. The museum gives an idea of the living conditions of sailors in the late 1700s, during the time that the original ‘Columbia’ circumnavigated the globe. The museum features the captain’s cabin,…
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4017 Disneyana | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 21, 1980
On this day in 1980, Soviet-Ukranian astronomer L. G. Karachkina discovered the asteroid, “4017 Disneya.” It was named in memory of Walt Disney, who the astronomer cited as being an “outstanding American movie producer and master of animation.” The asteroid is about 4 ½ miles in diameter and is found in the main asteroid belt…
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Dapper Day | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 20, 2011
On this day in 2011, the first Dapper Day took place at Disneyland. It is a fan-sponsored event designed as a day for people to “step out in style” in fashions inspired by the elegance of the 1950s and 60s. About 100 participants gathered that first day for a ride and photo op on the…
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Pluto and the Armadillo | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 19, 1943
On this day in 1943, the Mickey Mouse short ‘Pluto and the Armadillo’ was released. In the cartoon, Mickey throws a ball into the jungle for Pluto to fetch. Pluto is confused when he finds a rolled up armadillo that looks exactly like his ball. They make friends and begin to play, but Pluto gets…
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Tony Anselmo | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 18, 1960
On this day in 1960, voice actor, animator, and Disney Legend Tony Anselmo was born. A talented artist, Anselmo began working for Walt Disney Animation Studios in 1980. He contributed animation to 20 films during the Disney Renaissance. Anselmo is best known as the current voice of Donald Duck, taking over the role from Clarence…
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Minnie’s Fly Girls Charter Airline | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 17, 2012
On this day in 2012, the “Minnie’s Fly Girls Charter Airline” show debuted in Condor Flats at Disney California Adventure. Amanda, Pat, Kate, and Lee made up the flight crew who sang popular jazz and swing songs from the 1940s through the ‘60s. The aviatrix herself, Minnie Mouse, joined the crew to sing, dance, and…
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The Ugly Dachshund | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 16, 1966
On this day in 1966, the live action comedy ‘The Ugly Dachshund’ was released in theaters. The film follows the misadventures of Brutus the Great Dane who was raised with Dachshunds and thinks he is one of them. When the pups get rowdy, Brutus gets blamed for the damage. His owners the Garrisons, played by…
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Ward Kimball | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 15, 2006
On this day in 2006, the Ward Kimball steam engine was dedicated at Disneyland at an exclusive ceremony attended by hundreds of Cast Members. Engine No. 5 was the first locomotive to be added to the park in almost 50 years. It was built in 1902 and once operated at Cedar Point in Ohio. Named…
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Grim, Grinning Ghosts | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 14, 1969
On this day in 1969, “Grim, Grinning Ghosts” was recorded for the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland. This would come on the second day of recording for the attraction, six months before it would open. The producer noticed how good Thurl Ravenscroft, Jay Meyer, Bob Ebright, Chuck Schroeder, and Verne Rowe looked together. They were cast…
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Winnie the Pooh: A Valentine For You | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 13, 1999
On this day in 1999, the television special ‘Winnie the Pooh: a Valentine for You’ premiered on ABC. Pooh and his friends learn that Christopher Robin has a girlfriend and believe he won’t have time for them anymore. Owl tells them about a monster called the “love bug” and the gang try to find a…
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Donald’s Happy Birthday | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 11, 1949
On this day in 1949, the Donald Duck short ‘Donald’s Happy Birthday’ was released. In the cartoon, Huey, Dewey, and Louie save up money to buy their Uncle Donald a birthday present, but Donald tells them to save it. The boys buy their uncle a box of cigars and not realizing their intentions, Donald thinks…
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The Grasshopper and the Ants | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 10, 1934
On this day in 1934, Disney’s Silly Symphony ‘The Grasshopper and the Ants’ was released. It is based on a classic fable and voiced by Pinto Colvig, known for being the original voice of Goofy. In the cartoon, a lazy grasshopper plays his fiddle instead of stocking up on food like the ants. When winter…
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Disney Legend Bill Justice | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 9, 1914
On this day in 1914, animator, engineer, and Disney Legend Bill Justice was born. To begin his 42-year career with Disney, Justice helped animate memorable classics like ‘Fantasia,’ ‘Bambi,’ ‘Alice in Wonderland,’ and ‘Peter Pan.’ He also became an early Imagineer, where he programmed the Audio-Animatronics for Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, Mission to Mars,…
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Blackbeard’s Ghost | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 8, 1968
On this day in 1968, ‘Blackbeard’s Ghost’ was released. Peter Ustinov stars as the ghost of the notorious pirate Blackbeard who is accidentally invoked by a track coach, played by Dean Jones. Summoned into modern times, Blackbeard and the coach must work together to stop thugs from taking over the historic Blackbeard’s Inn. This good…
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Bambi II | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 7, 2006
On this day in 2006, ‘Bambi II’ was released direct to home video. As a “midquel,” it takes place in the time between Bambi losing his mother and growing into an adult. Bambi’s father, the Great Prince of the Forest voiced by Patrick Stewart, cares for his son through the winter and teaches him about…
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Disneyland | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 6, 1985
On this day in 1985, Disneyland began operating seven days a week throughout the year. Up until that time, Disneyland would often be closed Mondays and Tuesdays in the off season, including early spring, fall, and winter. The closure days were used for park upkeep and attraction maintenance. Interestingly, Magic Kingdom and EPCOT at Walt…
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Night Crossing | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 5, 1982
On this day in 1982, the Disney live-action film ‘Night Crossing’ was released. Set during the time when Germany was strictly divided into East and West, the film is based on the true story of how two families escaped the hardships of East Germany in a homemade hot air balloon. John Hurt and Beau Bridges…
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Disney Legend Bob Allen | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 4, 1939
On this day in 1932, Disney Legend Bob Allen was born. Bob started his career with Disney in 1955 where he worked on the Casey Jr. attraction at Disneyland. He advanced to production coordinator at Disneyland and later director of General Services for Walt Disney World. By 1977, he had worked his way up to…
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Society Dog Show | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 3, 1939
On this day in 1939, the animated short ‘Society Dog Show’ was released. In the cartoon, Mickey enters Pluto in a fancy dog show, but they get kicked out after a run-in with the judge. Not giving up, Mickey enters a nervous Pluto as a roller skating trick dog. A fire breaks out and Pluto…
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Tony Jay | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 2, 1933
On this day in 1933, British actor Tony Jay was born. Disney fans will recognize his deep, commanding voice from his portrayals of Judge Frollo in ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame,’ the asylum owner Monsieur D’Arque in ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ Shere Khan in ‘TaleSpin’ and ‘The Jungle Book 2,’ and the narrator of ‘Treasure…