Tag: This Day in Disney History
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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.…
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Buzz Lightyear | DISNEY THIS DAY | September 11, 2009
On this day in 2009, Buzz Lightyear returned to Earth with Space Shuttle Discovery after two missions aboard the International Space Station. The action figure was sent to space in 2008 as part of NASA’s “Toys in Space” educational initiative. His 450-day tenure on the ISS made him the longest-serving toy in space! This Buzz…
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The Disney Afternoon | DISNEY THIS DAY | September 10, 1990
On this day in 1990, ‘The Disney Afternoon’ aired for the first time. The 2-hour programming block, shown from 3-5 PM on weekdays, was broken up into four half-hour cartoons. Each of the seven seasons of ‘The Disney Afternoon’ included a different set of titles, with some programs only lasting one year. ‘Darkwing Duck’ aired…
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Teacher’s Pet | DISNEY THIS DAY | September 9, 2000
On this day in 2000, the animated series ‘Teacher’s Pet’ premiered in ABC’s One Saturday Morning lineup. The show follows 4th grader Leonard and his dog Spot, who dresses up as a human and attends school. The series features some noteworthy voice talent, including Nathan Lane, Debra Jo Rupp, David Ogden Stiers, Jerry Stiller, and…
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Disney’s Sing Me a Story with Belle | DISNEY THIS DAY | September 8, 1995
On this day in 1995, ‘Disney’s Sing Me a Story with Belle’ debuted on the Disney Channel. The live-action series finds Belle from ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ played by Lynsey McLeod, as a bookstore owner in small-town France. She narrates classic animated Disney stories to visiting children with the help of Lewis and Carol, two…
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Bountiful Valley Farm | DISNEY THIS DAY | September 7, 2010
On this day in 2010, the Bountiful Valley Farm area of Disney California Adventure closed after nine years of operation. Offering edutainment, the walkaround farm displays celebrated the importance and variety of agriculture in California. Caterpillar sponsored an interactive exhibit of farm equipment, models of cows highlighted dairy and livestock production, and garden beds of…
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Maliboomer | DISNEY THIS DAY | September 6, 2010
On this day in 2010, the Maliboomer attraction had its last operating day in Paradise Pier at Disney California Adventure. The opening day attraction was a Space Shot-style ride built by S&S Power. It was themed after the so-called “high striker” test-of-strength carnival games, but set in outer space. At 180 feet tall, it was…
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Pluto | DISNEY THIS DAY | September 5, 1930
On this day in 1930, the character that would become Pluto first appeared in the Mickey Mouse short ‘The Chain Gang.’ Pluto is one of two bloodhounds that chase after Mickey after he escapes from Peg-Leg Pete’s jail. He was drawn by Norm Ferguson, a cameraman with no formal training in art. The animation of…
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Pooh’s Hunny Hunt | DISNEY THIS DAY | September 4, 2000
On this day in 2000, Pooh’s Hunny Hunt opened officially at Tokyo Disneyland. Guests enter a giant storybook and board 5-seater honey pots to help Pooh find his favorite snack. The attraction is more technologically advanced than the domestic versions and boasts Disney’s first-ever trackless ride system. A custom “local positioning system” means that each…
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Eric Larson | DISNEY THIS DAY | September 3, 1905
On this day in 1905, animator, Disney Legend, and member of the “Nine Old Men,” Eric Larson was born. Larson was active with Disney between 1933 and 1986, a total of 52 years. He was a lead animator for a long list of feature films and shorts, including ‘Bambi,’ ‘Cinderella,’ and ‘Alice in Wonderland.’ Larson…
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Beezy Bear | DISNEY THIS DAY | September 2, 1955
On this day in 1955, the Donald Duck short ‘Beezy Bear’ was released. It was the fifth appearance of Humphrey the Bear, this time at odds with Donald when he tries to steal honey from Donald’s beehives. Park ranger J. Audubon Woodlore doubts that Humphrey is causing trouble, which makes the situation worse. Fans may…
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Edgar Rice Burroughs | DISNEY THIS DAY | September 1, 1875
On this day in 1875, novelist Edgar Rice Burroughs was born. He was a prolific author of adventure, science fiction, and fantasy stories. His most famous creations were the characters Tarzan and John Carter, both of whom were later given film treatments by Disney – 1999’s ‘Tarzan’ and 2012’s ‘John Carter of Mars.’ It is…
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Disney’s Hercules: The Animated Series | DISNEY THIS DAY | August 31, 1998
On this day in 1998, ‘Disney’s Hercules: The Animated Series’ debuted in first-run syndication. ‘Hercules’ ran for 52 episodes, with 13 of them airing on ABC as part of Disney’s One Saturday Morning. The show is a spinoff from the 1997 film and explores the time when Hercules is still in training as a hero.…
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Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch | DISNEY THIS DAY | August 30, 2005
On this day in 2005, ‘Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch’ was released direct to home video. The story is a sequel to the original ‘Lilo & Stitch’ film, but takes place before the events of ‘Stitch! The Movie.’ Due to incomplete programming, Stitch has frequent attacks that threaten to ruin his relationship…
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Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship and Restaurant | DISNEY THIS DAY | August 29, 1955
On this day in 1955, the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship and Restaurant opened its gangplank to guests for the first time. As a full-size replica of Captain Hook’s ship, the location was both a quick-service restaurant and a play area for kids. Chicken of the Sea sponsored tasty dishes like tuna burgers, hot…
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Chadwick Boseman | DISNEY THIS DAY | August 28, 2020
On this day in 2020, actor and producer Chadwick Boseman tragically passed away due to complications from colon cancer. He is best known by Marvel fans for his portrayal of T’Challa, the Black Panther, in multiple MCU Infinity Saga films. However, Boseman’s legacy stretches even wider, from a decorated 20-year career on stage and screen…
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Mickey Mouse Club Theatre | DISNEY THIS DAY | August 27, 1955
On this day in 1955, the Mickey Mouse Club Theatre opened in Fantasyland at Disneyland. Located where Pinocchio’s Daring Journey is today, the theater showed Disney cartoons in air-conditioned luxury, all for the price of a “C” ticket. The first 3-D film in a Disney park was shown here starting in 1956 – ‘3D Jamboree’…
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Melissa McCarthy | DISNEY THIS DAY | August 26, 1970
On this day in 1970, actress, comedian, writer, and producer Melissa McCarthy was born. For Disney, she is best known for her portrayal of Ursula in 2023’s live-action remake of ‘The Little Mermaid.’ She also made guest appearances in ‘Thor: Love and Thunder,’ ‘Only Murders in the Building,’ ‘Kim Possible,’ and ‘The Kid.’ McCarthy first…
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Jim Henson’s Mother Goose Stories | DISNEY THIS DAY | August 25, 1990
On this day in 1990, the TV series Jim Henson’s ‘Mother Goose Stories’ debuted in the U.S. on the Disney Channel. Using elaborate puppets created by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, including Mother Goose, the series told the stories behind beloved nursery rhymes. The show was made in Great Britain and was first released to home…
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The Legend of Coyote Rock | DISNEY THIS DAY | August 24, 1945
On this day in 1945, the Pluto cartoon ‘The Legend of Coyote Rock’ was released. Pluto is tasked with guarding a flock of lambs, going on the defensive when Bent-Tail the coyote arrives on the scene. Pluto chases Bent-Tail into the desert, creating the Coyote Rock landmark in the process. The story was inspired by…
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You and Your | DISNEY THIS DAY | August 23, 1990
On this day in 1990, updated versions of the “You and Your” educational cartoon series were released. The shorts were originally created in the 1950s for the Mickey Mouse Club and were hosted by Jiminy Cricket. Jiminy taught young viewers about The Living Machine (how the human body turns food into energy), The Human Animal…
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Ray Bradbury | DISNEY THIS DAY | August 22, 1920
On this day in 1920, author and ardent Disney supporter Ray Bradbury was born. He is well known for his fiction books, including ‘Fahrenheit 451.’ Bradbury and Walt Disney were also close friends. He had a strong interest in science fiction, which led to a fascination with Audio-Animatronics and Imagineering. Bradbury helped design Spaceship Earth…
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PeopleMover | DISNEY THIS DAY | August 21, 1995
On this day in 1995, the PeopleMover closed at Disneyland. Originally part of 1967’s New Tomorrowland rollout, the PeopleMover was a leisurely train ride that glided around a network of overhead tracks. The attraction was propelled by motors on the track that each turned a set of Goodyear tires. It closed as a cost-saving measure…
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Walt Disney: 75 Years of Music | DISNEY THIS DAY | August 20, 2004
On this day in 2004, the Hollywood Bowl presented ‘Walt Disney: 75 Years of Music’ on the first of two nights as part of the “Great American Concert” series. The talented performers included Alan Menken, Judy Kuhn, Jodi Benson, Paige O’Hara, and Dick Van Dyke. The shows paid tribute to Walt Disney’s love of orchestral…