Tag: This Day in Disney History
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Dude Duck | DISNEY THIS DAY | March 2, 1951
On this day in 1951, the Donald Duck cartoon short ‘Dude Duck’ was released. Donald heads to the Bar-None Dude Ranch for a relaxing vacation. However, he is the last one off the bus and ends up with the last pick of the horses. His not-so-faithful steed Rover Boy wants nothing to do with Donald…
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Ron Howard | DISNEY THIS DAY | March 1, 1954
On this day in 1954, actor, director, and producer Ron Howard was born. He is best known for his roles on ‘The Andy Griffith Show,’ ‘American Graffiti,’ and ‘Happy Days,’ as well as being an Oscar-winning director. Howard’s work for Disney began in 1969 on the vinyl LP, “The Story and Song from the Haunted…
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Star Tours | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 28, 1997
On this day in 1997, a 10th anniversary rededication ceremony for the Star Tours attraction was held at Disneyland. Chewbacca and Carrie Fisher, famous for her portrayal of Princess Leia, were on hand to carry out a lightsaber ribbon cutting. The ceremony was reminiscent of the medal ceremony at the end of ‘A New Hope.’…
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Lab Rats | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 27, 2012
On this day in 2012, the kids’ comedy TV series ‘Lab Rats’ premiered on Disney XD. The show follows Leo Dooley who discovers three teenagers with bionic powers, Adam, Bree, and Chase. The group becomes close friends as they encounter adventurous situations but still attempt to live a normal life. ‘Lab Rats’ would have four…
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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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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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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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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…