Tag: This Day in Disney History
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The Ballad of Nessie | DISNEY THIS DAY | March 5, 2011
On this day in 2011, the short film ‘The Ballad of Nessie’ premiered at Anima, The Brussels International Animation Film Festival. Billy Connolly narrated the Scottish tale of the young Loch Ness Monster who must look for a new home after hers is taken over by a cruel land developer, MacFroogal. The cartoon’s classic style…
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Zootopia | DISNEY THIS DAY | March 4, 2016
On this day in 2016, ‘Zootopia’ debuted in theaters. Judy Hopps moves to the big city to become the first rabbit in the police force. Desperate to prove herself, she must partner with con artist fox Nick Wilde to uncover a surprising conspiracy. The movie was a critical and box office success, earning praise for…
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Orange Bird | DISNEY THIS DAY | March 3, 1971
On this day in 1971, Walt Disney World’s citrus mascot, Orange Bird, made his debut at a press event in Lakeland, Florida. The cheerful bird was sponsored by the Florida Citrus Commission and promoted the state’s sunshine and citrus fruit. Orange Bird often visited guests as a walkaround character at the Sunshine Tree Terrace restaurant…
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Bryce Dallas Howard | DISNEY THIS DAY | March 2, 1981
On this day in 1981, actress and director Bryce Dallas Howard was born. As the eldest child of former actor and Oscar-winning director Ron Howard, filmmaking is in her blood. For Disney, Howard appeared in the 2016 ‘Pete’s Dragon,’ remake, ‘The Help,’ and ‘The Village.’ She directed episodes of the ‘Star Wars’ series ‘The Mandalorian,’…
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Walt Disney | DISNEY THIS DAY | March 1, 1941
On this day in 1941, Walt Disney gave the radio address “Our American Culture” as part of the “Our American Way of Living” weekly broadcast series. Organized by the National Council of Women as World War II raged overseas, the talks sought to combat fascism and authoritarianism with American ideals. Disney’s speech reinforced that “the…
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America Sings Weekend | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 28, 1981
On this day in 1981, “America Sings Weekend” kicked off at Disneyland. The promotion honored all things patriotic. Guests received free admission to the America Sings attraction, which normally required a “D” ticket. Other entertainment included special flag-raising and lowering ceremonies, a photo opportunity with Sam the Eagle, and performances from military bands, drill teams,…
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Toy Story 3 | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 27, 2011
On this day in 2011, Pixar’s ‘Toy Story 3’ won two Oscars at the 83rd Annual Academy Awards. Director Lee Unkrich won for Best Animated Feature, and composer Randy Newman won the Best Original Song category for “We Belong Together.” ‘Toy Story 3’ was nominated for a total of five Oscars, including Best Picture, becoming…
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Walt Disney | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 26, 1942
On this day in 1942, Walt Disney was the recipient of the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award during the Academy Awards Ceremony. The honor is a type of lifetime achievement award that is given by the Academy’s Board of Governors to creative producers who make consistently high-quality films. Amazingly, Disney had only released cartoon shorts…
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Sean Astin | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 25, 1971
On this day in 1971, actor, filmmaker, and trade union leader Sean Astin was born. As the son of actress Patty Duke, Astin began his career as a young actor in ‘The Goonies.’ For Disney, he starred in ‘Encino Man’ and voiced the lead character in ‘Special Agent Oso,’ Hercules in ‘Kingdom Hearts,’ Benngee in…
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Chips Ahoy | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 24, 1956
On this day in 1956, the Disney short ‘Chips Ahoy,’ featuring Donald Duck and Chip ‘n’ Dale, was released. Chip ‘n’ Dale discover an acorn heaven on an island in the middle of a pond. But unfortunately for Donald Duck, they need his ship in a bottle to get there. It was the last Chip…
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Disney Legend Retta Scott | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 23, 1916
On this day in 1916, artist and Disney Legend Retta Scott was born. She was Disney’s first female animator. Her work on 1942’s ‘Bambi’ gave Scott the first animation screen credit for a woman on a Disney film. She was known for her ability to draw animals with power and emotion. Scott also worked on…
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Disney.com | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 22, 1996
On this day in 1996, The Walt Disney Company joined the Internet revolution when it launched its first website, Disney.com. The debut was a partnership with Netscape and America Online, two of the biggest names on the early World Wide Web. Users could preview a virtual scavenger hunt and “AOL Live! Chats” with characters like…
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Anthony Daniels | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 21, 1946
On this day in 1946, actor Anthony Daniels was born. He is famous for his longstanding portrayal of protocol droid C-3PO in the ‘Star Wars’ saga. Daniels is the only actor to be included in every ‘Star Wars’ theatrical film from 1977 to 2019. He also participated in many ‘Star Wars’ spinoffs across television, video…
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Moose Hunters | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 20, 1937
On this day in 1937, the Mickey Mouse short ‘Moose Hunters’ was released. Hoping to attract a bull moose during a hunting expedition in the woods, Goofy and Donald dress up in a questionable female moose costume. Meanwhile, Mickey attracts a moose of his own while hiding in a tasty bush. The trio gets into…
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Keller’s Jungle Killers | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 19, 1956
On this day in 1956, the Keller’s Jungle Killers circus act opened at Disneyland. The big cat show was held over after the Mickey Mouse Club Circus closed. College professor George Keller grew up training house cats and eventually upgraded to wild cats like lions, tigers, and leopards. He and the big cats performed their…
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Mickey’s Surprise Party | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 18, 1939
On this day in 1939, the animated short ‘Mickey’s Surprise Party’ was released to the Nabisco snack company to be shown at the New York World’s Fair. Minnie’s batch of cookies is ruined when her dog Fifi gets popcorn into the batter, and they explode. Mickey saves the day by bringing home some Nabisco treats.…
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Joseph Gordon-Levitt | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 17, 1981
On this day in 1981, actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt was born. He began his career as a child actor, appearing in Disney’s ‘Angels in the Outfield’ in 1994. That role earned him a Young Artist Award and a Saturn Award nomination. Gordon-Levitt went on to voice Jim Hawkins in ‘Treasure Planet’ and Jiminy Cricket in the…
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Muppet Treasure Island | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 16, 1996
On this day in 1996, the swashbuckling musical ‘Muppet Treasure Island’ was released to theaters. It was the fifth Muppet film and the second directed by Brian Henson. The story largely followed Robert Louis Stevenson’s 1883 tale. The film starred Tim Curry as Long John Silver, who said it was his favorite acting role. Kevin…
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Team Disney Anaheim | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 15, 1996
On this day in 1996, the Team Disney Anaheim building officially opened on the north side of Disneyland. Designed by famed postmodernist architect Frank Gehry, the structure was intended as an interpretation of a cartoon. It is known for its custom quilted stainless steel facade that appears to change color from iridescent green to blue…
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Jake and the Never Land Pirates | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 14, 2011
On this day in 2011, ‘Jake and the Never Land Pirates’ debuted on Disney Junior. The show takes place in Disney’s ‘Peter Pan’ universe between the events of J. M. Barrie’s original story and ‘Return to Never Land.’ Three young pirates, Jake, Izzy, and Cubby, along with their parrot Skully, living pirate ship Bucky, and…
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A Disney Valentine | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 13, 1982
On this day in 1982, the ‘Walt Disney’ anthology series aired the episode “A Disney Valentine.” It portrayed Disney romance through shorts and film clips. Mickey and Minnie fall in love at first sight in ‘The Nifty Nineties.’ Donald’s eccentric personality comes out in ‘Donald’s Double Trouble’ and ‘Donald’s Diary.’ Goofy saves a damsel in…
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Bob Iger | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 12, 2016
On this day in 2016, Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger was inducted into the Toy Industry Hall of Fame by the Toy Industry Association. The ceremony was held at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. Iger was recognized for enlarging Disney’s storytelling reach to include Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm, as…
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Gnomeo and Juliet | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 11, 2011
On this day in 2011, ‘Gnomeo and Juliet’ was released. The story drew from William Shakespeare’s classic play, ‘Romeo and Juliet,’ with two garden gnomes from rival households forced to hide their forbidden romance. James McAvoy and Emily Blunt led an all-star voice cast that included Michael Caine, Maggie Smith, and Patrick Stewart. The film…
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Bob Iger | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 10, 1951
On this day in 1951, Disney CEO Robert A. “Bob” Iger was born. Iger started his career with ABC in 1974 as a weatherman in Ithaca, New York. He rose through the ranks at ABC, becoming president in 1994. Iger served as CEO of The Walt Disney Company from 2005 until 2020, returning in 2022-2026.…