Tag: Walt Disney
-
United Artists | DISNEY THIS DAY | April 13, 1931
On this day in 1931, Walt Disney Productions officially announced its move to United Artists for film distribution. Disney had previously worked with Columbia to distribute its cartoons, but had a falling out and was seeking a better deal. United Artists, established by A-list filmmakers to support their own projects outside the big studios, was…
-
Wally Feignoux | DISNEY THIS DAY | March 26, 1906
On this day in 1906, continental cinema representative and Disney Legend Wally Feignoux was born. Wally was hired in 1936 to represent Disney in Europe. WWII broke out a few years later, putting Disney’s interests and personnel in Europe at great risk. Wally heroically kept the Paris office open from 1936 to 1945 during the…
-
Walt Disney Commemorative Gold Medal | DISNEY THIS DAY | March 25, 1969
On this day in 1969, U.S. President Richard Nixon presented Lillian Disney with the Walt Disney Commemorative Gold Medal. Congress passed Public Law 90-316 to honor Disney’s service to motion pictures, theme parks, goodwill, and philanthropy. The award was sculpted by Blaine Gibson and struck by the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia. Six thousand bronze replicas…
-
Laugh-O-Gram | DISNEY THIS DAY | March 20, 1921
On this day in 1921, the first of six Laugh-O-gram films debuted at the Newman Theatre in Kansas City, Missouri. The series of minute-long shorts were some of the first films Walt Disney ever made. They depict a young Walt hand-drawing various subjects onto a single frame. The films were made in the shed behind…
-
Vision Becomes Reality as Orlando Honors Walt Disney World Announcement Site
Between April 1964 and September 1965, people in the Central Florida area were wondering who was buying up so much of the land near Kissimmee, 22 miles southwest of Orlando. The land was purchased by Walt Disney Productions using dummy corporations like M.T. Lott Real Estate and Reedy Creek Ranch Corporation. If it were made…
-
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…
-
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…
-
D23 to Host Walt’s Los Angeles Tour Presented by The Walt Disney Archives
D23 Gold Members are invited to an exciting, exclusive experience presented by the Walt Disney Archives, which will take members on a history-helmed tour of Los Angeles centered around Walt Disney. Members will enjoy another day of sun around Tinseltown with factual friends at the Archives—exploring sites and stories from when Walt was just someone in the…
-
Walt’s Storytellers Statue Gets Put Behind Walls in Disney California Adventure
When Disney California Adventure had its grand reopening in 2012, one highlight for many Disney fans was a new statue of Walt Disney that was found on Buena Vista Street. Called Storytellers, this statue shows Walt Disney having just stepped off the train from Kansas City with a “suitcase and a dream.” Of course, a…
-
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…
-
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.…
-
New D23 Spotlight Series To Feature Walt Disney’s Enchanted Adventureland March 28
The D23 Spotlight Series continues with a look at Walt Disney’s Enchanted Adventureland. Adventureland is one of the five original themed lands of Disneyland, and is one of the lands featured in each Magic Kingdom-style park that varies in theme and look. This event will take place at Disney’s Glendale Creative Campus on Saturday, March…
-
Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 4, 1966
On this day in 1966, the short film ‘Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree’ was released. The story was based on the first two chapters of A.A. Milne’s ‘Winnie-the-Pooh,’ marking the first time Disney adapted these beloved works for the screen. The story stayed true to its source material except for the addition of…
-
Visionary Vibes: Unpacking the Lessons of Disneyland Handcrafted
In this episode, Mr. Daps reflects on the documentary ‘Disneyland Handcrafted’ and shares key lessons learned from Walt Disney’s vision and passion in creating Disneyland. He emphasizes the importance of having a clear vision, the contagious nature of passion, the beauty in the messy process of creation, the power of human hands in bringing ideas…
-
Details Released for ‘Walt’s Animation Experience’ Presented by the Walt Disney Archives
Have you ever wanted to experience the Walt Disney Studios with a focus on Walt Disney Animation as it was in the days of Walt Disney? Now, thanks to Walt’s Animation Experience from the Walt Disney Archives, you can! Well, you can have the chance to! D23 has announced details about this experience, along with…
-
Disneyland Handcrafted: The Magic of Creation
Last week, Daps Magic was given the incredible opportunity to attend the premiere of Disneyland Handcrafted at Walt Disney Studios in Burbank. The latest film from Leslie Iwerks aims to tell the story of the creation of Disneyland with never-before-seen footage. Heading into the screening, I must admit I was a bit suspicious. For the…
-
Touring Walt Disney’s Office at the Walt Disney Studios
Disneyland Handcrafted will be arriving on Disney+ and on the Disney YouTube channel on January 22, 2026. When it does, fans will get an in-depth look at the year leading up to the opening of Disneyland. This includes never-before-seen footage of the ups and downs of constructing this first-of-its-kind park. It is a film that…
-
Leslie Iwerks Gives Gift to Disney Fans with ‘Disneyland Handcrafted’
On Thursday, January 8, 2026, the world premiere of Disneyland Handcrafted was held at the Walt Disney Studios. This new documentary from Leslie Iwerks chronicles the year leading up to the opening of Disneyland. On hand for this special evening were Disney Legends, celebrities, members of the media, and D23 members. Blue Carpet Ahead of…
-
‘Disneyland Handcrafted’ – A Gift Connecting the Present with the Past
On January 22, 2026, Disneyland Handcrafted will be released on Disney+ and the Disney YouTube Channel. When it does, viewers will get a look behind the scenes as Disneyland was built. This is a film that isn’t just a documentary; it is a labor of love. Leslie Iwerks has a long history, and her family…
-
Walt Disney | DISNEY THIS DAY | January 8, 1936
On this day in 1936, Walt Disney was awarded the National Order of the Legion of Honour, Chevalier by France. This national order of merit is the highest and most prestigious decoration in France. The recognition was established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802. Disney received the Legion of Honor distinction for his pioneering work in…
-
Walt Disney | DISNEY THIS DAY | January 1, 1966
On this day in 1966, Walt Disney served as Grand Marshal of the Tournament of the Roses Parade for the first and only time. Walt rode together with Mickey Mouse. The pair was joined by about two dozen Disney characters walking alongside their car. Fittingly, the theme of the parade was “It’s a Small World,”…
-
Man and the Moon | DISNEY THIS DAY | December 28, 1955
On this day in 1955, “Man and the Moon” was released as part of a three-part ‘Disneyland’ television series about space travel. Disney animator Ward Kimball directed, co-wrote, and co-hosted the episode that discussed humanity’s fascination with the moon across history. Aerospace engineer Dr. Wernher von Braun described scientists’ preparations for a mission to orbit…
-
One Hour in Wonderland | DISNEY THIS DAY | December 25, 1950
On this day in 1950, ‘One Hour in Wonderland’ aired on NBC as Walt Disney’s very first television special. Walt hosted the program as a holiday party at his home. Guests included Edgar Bergen and his ventriloquist dummies, Bobby Driscoll, Kathryn Beaumont, and Walt’s two daughters. The group watched various Disney clips plus a sneak…
-
Disney’s Riviera Resort | DISNEY THIS DAY | December 16, 2019
On this day in 2019, Disney’s Riviera Resort opened at Walt Disney World. Plans for the resort were first announced at the D23 Expo in 2017. The Riviera is a Disney Vacation Club resort located close to EPCOT on the Disney Skyliner gondola system. It is styled after Walt Disney’s trips to the Mediterranean, including…