Tag: Puppet
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Disneyland U.S. Naturalization Ceremony | DISNEY THIS DAY | November 14, 1991
On this day in 1991, a first-of-its-kind U.S. naturalization ceremony took place in Town Square on Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland. A total of 251 immigrants from 61 countries were sworn in as U.S. citizens. The event was co-sponsored by the Constitutional Rights Foundation to honor the 200th anniversary of the Bill of Rights signing.…
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Mickey Mouse | DISNEY THIS DAY | November 13, 1978
On this day in 1978, Mickey Mouse received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The accolade was granted in honor of Mickey’s 50th birthday, making him the first animated or fictional character to be given a star on the Walk of Fame. Mickey was recognized in the Motion Pictures category for becoming one…
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The Muppets | DISNEY THIS DAY | November 12, 2011
On this day in 2011, Disney’s ‘The Muppets’ celebrated its world premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood. The event featured a signature green carpet, with Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo, Animal, Walter, and other beloved Muppets joining stars Jason Segel, Amy Adams, and Chris Cooper. Directed by James Bobin, the…
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Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings | DISNEY THIS DAY | November 11, 1991
On this day in 2011, Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings hosted eleven wedding ceremonies across the Walt Disney World Resort for couples from eleven different cities. The special date, 11/11/11, marked the first time the number of weddings at the Resort coincided with the date since the Fairy Tale Weddings program launched in September 1991. The…
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Carl W. Stalling | DISNEY THIS DAY | November 10, 1891
On this day in 1891, trailblazing composer Carl W. Stalling was born. He met Walt Disney in Kansas City and became Disney’s first music director, composing scores for 20 shorts, including ‘Plane Crazy,’ ‘The Gallopin’ Gaucho,’ and ‘The Skeleton Dance.’ Stalling also proposed the ‘Silly Symphonies’ concept, pioneered the synchronization of music and movement known…
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Disney’s LuminAria | DISNEY THIS DAY | November 9, 2001
On this day in 2001, Disney’s LuminAria debuted at Disney’s California Adventure, becoming the new park’s first holiday nighttime spectacular. Presented on Paradise Bay, the show combined dancing fountains, low-level fireworks, a fiber-optic Christmas tree, holiday music, and guest-drawn greeting cards projected during the finale. Despite its ambitious concept, LuminAria received mixed reviews due to…
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Ransom | DISNEY THIS DAY | November 8, 1996
On this day in 1996, the crime thriller ‘Ransom’ was released by Touchstone Pictures. Directed by Ron Howard and starring Mel Gibson, Rene Russo, and Gary Sinise, the film follows a wealthy businessman whose son is kidnapped. After a failed ransom exchange, he shocks the nation by converting the $2 million ransom into a public…
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Mater and the Ghostlight | DISNEY THIS DAY | November 7, 2006
On this day in 2006, the Pixar animated short film ‘Mater and the Ghostlight’ was released, accompanying ‘Cars’ as a home media bonus feature. The short begins with Mater playing pranks on the residents of Radiator Springs. Fed up with Mater’s antics, the Sheriff turns the tables by recounting the spooky story of the Ghostlight,…
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Mickey’s Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse | DISNEY THIS DAY | November 6, 2001
On this day in 2001, ‘Mickey’s Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse’ was released direct to home video. The holiday special was a ‘House of Mouse’ spin-off set during the series’ second season. When a Christmas Eve blizzard strands Mickey and all his friends at the House of Mouse, they celebrate by…
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The Beach Party | DISNEY THIS DAY | November 5, 1931
On this day in 1931, the Mickey Mouse short ‘The Beach Party’ was released. Disney’s leading stars of the early era, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Pluto, Horace Horsecollar, and Clarabelle Cow, embark on a seaside outing that quickly descends into chaos. Pluto antagonizes a crab and then drags an angry octopus onshore, thinking it is…
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Winnie the Pooh: The New Musical Adaptation | DISNEY THIS DAY | November 4, 2021
On this day in 2021, ‘Winnie the Pooh: The New Musical Adaptation’ celebrated its world premiere Off-Broadway at New York City’s Theatre Row. The one-act family musical brought Pooh, Christopher Robin, and their Hundred Acre Wood friends to life across all four seasons through innovative life-sized puppets. Written and directed by Jonathan Rockefeller, the show…
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Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause | DISNEY THIS DAY | November 3, 2006
On this day in 2006, ‘Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause’ was released. In the franchise’s final theatrical installment, Tim Allen returned as Scott Calvin alongside much of the previous cast, with Martin Short joining as Jack Frost. As Santa prepares for the arrival of his in-laws at the North Pole, Frost schemes to invoke…
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Monsters, Inc. | DISNEY THIS DAY | November 2, 2001
On this day in 2001, Pixar’s ‘Monsters, Inc.’ debuted in theaters. The film introduced audiences to Monstropolis, where scarers Sulley and Mike Wazowski must secretly return a human child named Boo after she wanders into the monster world. Directed by Pete Docter, ‘Monsters, Inc.’ was Pixar’s first feature not led by John Lasseter. The filmmakers…
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Walt Disney | DISNEY THIS DAY | November 1, 1966
On this day in 1966, the American Forestry Association presented their Distinguished Service Award to Walt Disney at a ceremony in Williamsburg, Virginia. The prize honored Disney’s outstanding contributions to conservation, including his support for the National Wildlife Federation. In his unscripted remarks, Disney emphasized the responsible stewardship of natural resources and his vision for…
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Saturday Night at the World Halloween Party | DISNEY THIS DAY | October 30, 1976
On this day in 1976, Walt Disney World hosted the “Saturday Night at the World Halloween Party.” The event was part of a special ticketed Saturday night series that debuted earlier that year, with a new theme each week. Magic Kingdom Park was open until midnight, as compared with the normal 7 PM closing time.…
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Winona Ryder | DISNEY THIS DAY | October 29, 1971
On this day in 1971, actress Winona Ryder was born. Best remembered for some of her more eccentric roles, Ryder first achieved success in the late 1980s and 1990s in films like Tim Burton’s ‘Beetlejuice.’ For Disney, she voiced Elsa Van Helsing in ‘Frankenweenie’ and appeared in 2023’s ‘Haunted Mansion.’ Ryder also starred in several…
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Squanto: A Warrior’s Tale | DISNEY THIS DAY | October 28, 1994
On this day in 1994, Disney released ‘Squanto: A Warrior’s Tale’ in theaters. It starred Adam Beach as the legendary Indigenous American hero Squanto. The film dramatically recounted Squanto’s capture by the English, enslavement in Europe, courageous escape, and return to New England. There, he helped prevent conflict between the indigenous tribes and the Pilgrims,…
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Walt Disney’s EPCOT ’66 | DISNEY THIS DAY | October 27, 1966
On this day in 1966, Walt Disney filmed his final on-camera appearance, “Walt Disney’s EPCOT ’66.” It was a 24-minute presentation outlining his vision for the Florida Project and EPCOT, the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. Shot in a single day, the film showcased plans for what would become Walt Disney World, with EPCOT as…
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Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck | DISNEY THIS DAY | October 26, 1986
On this day in 1986, Mickey and Donald made their official debut on China Central Television when the network launched ‘Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck,’ a 30‑minute program dubbed in Mandarin. Under an agreement signed by Disney CEO Michael Eisner, CCTV aired 104 episodes over two years, introducing Disney’s iconic characters to millions of Chinese…
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Walt Disney World Dedication | DISNEY THIS DAY | October 25, 1971
On this day in 1971, the three-day dedication of Walt Disney World culminated in a formal ceremony at Magic Kingdom. Nearly 100,000 guests, including numerous celebrities, were in attendance to witness the momentous occasion. The weekend’s grand finale started with the world’s largest marching band, 1,076 members strong, playing “76 Trombones” in front of Cinderella…
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A Disney Halloween | DISNEY THIS DAY | October 24, 1981
On this day in 1981, ‘A Disney Halloween’ first aired as a 90-minute television special. The show combined spooky clips from archival shorts and features, like “Night on Bald Mountain” from ‘Fantasia,’ “Heffalumps and Woozles” from ‘Winnie the Pooh,’ “The Old Mill,” “Lonesome Ghosts,” and “Trick or Treat.” The Magic Mirror introduced favorite scenes with…
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Dumbo | DISNEY THIS DAY | October 23, 1941
On this day in 1941, ‘Dumbo’ debuted in theaters. Based on a story by Helen Aberson-Mayer and Harold Pearl, the tale follows Jumbo Jr., a baby circus elephant born to Mrs. Jumbo. He is ridiculed and dubbed “Dumbo” because of his enormous ears. After he is separated from his mother, his friend Timothy Mouse helps…
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Walt Disney World Airport | DISNEY THIS DAY | October 22, 1971
On this day in 1971, the Walt Disney World Airport was dedicated and began flight service. Also known as the Lake Buena Vista Airport or “STOLport” for “Short Take Off and Landing,” the 2000-foot airfield was located near the Magic Kingdom. Shawnee and Executive Airlines provided connecting service from Orlando and Tampa. It was known…
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Disney Legend Mary Blair | DISNEY THIS DAY | October 21, 1911
On this day in 1911, designer, animator, Imagineer, and Disney Legend Mary Blair was born. Famed for her bold colors and whimsical, modern style, Blair became one of Disney’s most influential artists. She joined Disney in 1940 and was named art supervisor after the South America tour. She helped define the studio’s visual identity through…