Tag: This Day in Disney History
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Memento Mori | DISNEY THIS DAY | October 6, 2014
On this day in 2014, the Memento Mori gift shop opened near the Haunted Mansion in Liberty Square at Walt Disney World. The shop is said to be Madame Leota’s 17th-century home, built near Gracey Manor. Several supernatural touches still give evidence of her presence, like a portrait of her that changes under black light,…
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Swim with the Stars | DISNEY THIS DAY | October 5, 2004
On this day in 2004, Swim with the Stars, an event celebrating three American Olympic gold medalists, was held in Disneyland. Michael Phelps, Ian Crocker, and Lenny Krayzelburg greeted an adoring crowd and swam relays with local kids. Main Street, U.S.A. itself was turned into a lap pool that was 164 feet long, 24 feet…
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Buster Keaton | DISNEY THIS DAY | October 4, 1895
On this day in 1895, actor, comedian, and filmmaker Buster Keaton was born. Keaton was best known for his silent films of the 1920s, which were a great influence on Walt Disney. Keaton’s film ‘Steamboat Bill Jr.’ inspired the title, plot, and music choice of Disney’s ‘Steamboat Willie.’ Keaton’s use of inventive stunts and “comedic…
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Mickey Mouse Club | DISNEY THIS DAY | October 3, 1955
On this day in 1955, the ‘Mickey Mouse Club’ debuted on ABC. The program aired each weekday afternoon for one hour. A cast of 24 kids starred as Mouseketeers, a group that soon became famous. They performed skits and musical numbers based on the day’s theme. Guest stars, Disney cartoons, and special segments made up…
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Buzz Lightyear of Star Command | DISNEY THIS DAY | October 2, 2000
On this day in 2000, ‘Buzz Lightyear of Star Command’ premiered in syndication. Patrick Warburton voiced the title character with Wayne Knight as Emperor Zurg. The storyline sees Buzz investigating criminal activity in the Galactic Alliance as part of the Star Command peacekeeping organization. He often goes up against Zurg in his attempts to overthrow…
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Julie Andrews | DISNEY THIS DAY | October 1, 1935
On this day in 1935, acclaimed actress, singer, and Disney Legend Dame Julie Andrews was born. Her five-octave vocal range and natural grace made her an instant star. Walt Disney personally cast Andrews as Mary Poppins, a role for which she won an Academy Award. Also for Disney, Andrews starred in ‘The Princess Diaries’ and…
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Michael Eisner | DISNEY THIS DAY | September 30, 2005
On this day in 2005, Michael Eisner resigned as CEO of The Walt Disney Company. Disney flourished during Eisner’s 21-year tenure, adding multiple theme parks, a cruise line, new television networks like ABC and ESPN, sports teams, and even the Muppets! He helped usher in the Disney Renaissance and solidified Disney as an entertainment giant.…
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Remember the Titan | DISNEY THIS DAY | September 29, 2000
On this day in 2000, ‘Remember the Titans’ was released in theaters. It was inspired by real events at T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, Virginia. Denzel Washington starred as Coach Herman Boone, the first African American football coach at the recently desegregated school. Fighting against racial prejudice, Coach Boone brings the team together and…
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On Ice | DISNEY THIS DAY | September 28, 1935
On this day in 1935, the Mickey Mouse short ‘On Ice’ was released in theaters. It was the first cartoon where all of the Fab Five characters, Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and Pluto, appeared together. ‘On Ice’ featured three intertwining story lines—Mickey teaching Minnie to ice skate, Goofy attempting to catch fish with tobacco, and…
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Celebrate Mickey: 75 InspEARations | DISNEY THIS DAY | September 27, 2005
On this day in 2005, the “Celebrate Mickey: 75 InspEARations” tour concluded with the auction of 75 Mickey Mouse statues at Sotheby’s. The 6-foot, 700-pound statues were each custom-designed by a celebrity, artist, or athlete. The statues debuted at Walt Disney World on Mickey’s 75th birthday in 2003 and toured the U.S. for two years,…
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Horseless Carriage Days | DISNEY THIS DAY | Thursday 26, 1955
On this day in 1955, the first annual Horseless Carriage Days event was held on Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland. The gathering was sponsored by the Horseless Carriage Club of Southern California and included a parade of lovingly preserved antique cars from 1915 and earlier. Exhibitors wore period costumes as they promenaded down Main Street.…
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Rocket Rods | DISNEY THIS DAY | September 25, 2000
On this day in 2000, the Rocket Rods at Disneyland closed for “refurbishment.” However, the temporary closure turned into a permanent one when no work was ever performed. The high-speed thrill ride that replaced the PeopleMover had suffered mechanical failures and track damage. The attraction was announced as officially closed in April 2001. One Rocket…
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Walt Disney Elementary School | DISNEY THIS DAY | September 24, 1955
On this day in 1955, Walt Disney attended the dedication of the brand-new Walt Disney Elementary School in Tullytown, Pennsylvania. Flattered by the honor, Disney commissioned a series of character murals and animation cels to line the hallways. Rooms were given Disney-themed names like “Mermaid Lagoon” for the girls’ restroom and “Captain Hook” for the…
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Big Thunder Mountain Railroad | DISNEY THIS DAY | September 23, 1980
On this day in 1980, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World first soft-opened to guests. The Florida version was actually completed first, but was the second location to open, over a year after Disneyland’s version in California. Magic Kingdom’s attraction is modeled after Monument Valley in Arizona. Its themed…
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Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar | DISNEY THIS DAY | September 22, 2015
On this day in 2015, Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar opened in what was then called Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World. Now at Disney Springs, the bar is themed to the Indiana Jones story and the pilot whom Indiana Jones relied on in Raiders of the Lost Arc. Today, Jock Lindsey’s is a popular destination…
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Window Cleaners | DISNEY THIS DAY | September 20, 1940
On this day in 1940, the Donald Duck short ‘Window Cleaners’ debuted in theaters. Pluto and Donald try their luck at washing the windows of skyscrapers, but discover it can be a real “pane!” Predictably, Donald gets himself into a few tough places when Pluto stops paying attention. Back on his platform, Donald then picks…
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Monsanto Hall of Chemistry | DISNEY THIS DAY | September 19, 1966
On this day in 1966, the Monsanto Hall of Chemistry closed in Disneyland’s Tomorrowland. The museum-style walk-through attraction opened with the park in 1955. Its main draw was the “Chematron,” a series of eight giant test tubes that displayed the most fundamental substances in nature. The Hall of Chemistry aimed to inspire guests about the…
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Agatha All Along | DISNEY THIS DAY | Septmeber 18, 2024
On this day in 2024, ‘Agatha All Along’ debuted on Disney+. The 9-part Marvel miniseries was a spinoff of 2021’s ‘WandaVision.’ The show catches up with antihero Agatha Harkness in Westview, still bound by the Scarlet Witch’s spell. A mysterious teen frees Agatha and convinces her and an unlikely coven to travel the mythical Witches’…
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Joe Ranft | DISNEY THIS DAY | Tuesday 17, 2005
On this day in 2005, a “Friends and Colleagues” memorial service for Disney-Pixar animator, voice actor, and creative lead Joe Ranft was held at Pixar Animation Studios. Ranft tragically passed away in a car crash a month earlier. Several hundred admirers gathered to celebrate his life, talents, humor, integrity, and good nature. Disney director John…
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Jennifer Tilly | DISNEY THIS DAY | September 16, 1958
On this day in 1958, actress, voice actress, and professional poker player Jennifer Tilly was born. Disney fans will likely recognize her distinctive voice from her portrayals of Celia Mae in ‘Monsters, Inc.’ and Grace the cow in ‘Home on the Range.’ She also played Madame Leota in the 2003 live-action version of ‘The Haunted…
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Alice the Jailbird | DISNEY THIS DAY | September 15, 1925
On this day in 1925, the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio released the ‘Alice Comedy,’ ‘Alice the Jailbird’ in theaters. Alice and her pal Julius the Cat are riding on a turtle. They snatch a delicious pie cooling in a window. Their fun is soon put to an end when an officer pursues them across the…
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The Golden Girls | DISNEY THIS DAY | September 14, 1985
On this day in 1985, ‘The Golden Girls’ debuted on NBC. The sitcom ran for seven seasons and 180 episodes, gaining acclaim from fans and critics along the way. Bea Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan, and Estelle Getty starred as four vibrant older women who, after losing their husbands, share the ups and downs of…
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Pooh’s Heffalump Halloween | DISNEY THIS DAY | September 13, 2005
On this day in 2005, ‘Pooh’s Heffalump Halloween’ was released direct to home video by Disneytoon Studios. It was a sequel to ‘Pooh’s Heffalump Movie,’ which came out in theaters earlier that year. Winnie the Pooh and the gang take their new friend Lumpy the Heffalump for his first experience with Halloween and trick-or-treating. They…
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Hong Kong Disneyland | DISNEY THIS DAY | September 12, 2005
On this day in 2005, Hong Kong Disneyland opened to the public! It was Disney’s second castle park to open in Asia after Tokyo Disneyland. Hong Kong Disneyland was built on reclaimed land in Penny’s Bay, Lantau Island. Special care was taken to incorporate Chinese culture, customs, and traditions into its creation, including feng shui.…