This Week in Disney History: March 12th-March 18th

WDWNT on March 6, 2017

In this week’s edition of ‘This Week in Disney History’ we will explore historical events within the Walt Disney company that helped shape and form the company as it exists today. We will explore the week of March 12th – March 18th. I hope you enjoy this week’s edition as much as I love and enjoy writing about Disney history. I also hope you can have a passion for Disney history just as much as I have a passion for Disney history. I would also like to write other unique articles for the readers. If you have any suggestions or ideas on topics you would like to read, especially Disney history, please comment your ideas and I will happily consider them for future articles. After all, this is for you, not me.

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Billy Crystal- Voice actor for Mike Wazowski in Monsters Inc.

This Week in Disney History: March 12th-March 18th.

  • On March 12th, 1938, Disney’s first full-length animated feature, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, is released in the United Kingdom.
  • On March 13th, 1928, Walt Disney travels by train from New York to California. This train ride is significant because while in New York, Walt Disney lost the rights to Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. After losing the rights to Charles Mintz and Universal Pictures, he hopped on a train and decided to head home. Then while on his ride he got a crazy idea, and telegraphed a message to his brother Roy which read: “LEAVING TONITE STOPPING OVER KC ARRIVE HOME SUNDAY MORNING SEVEN THIRTY DON’T WORRY EVERYTHING OK WILL GIVE DETAILS WHEN ARRIVE.” Walt told Roy not to worry because of an idea he had, and he would explain when he got home. What was that crazy idea you ask? By losing Oswald, Disney developed on that train ride one of the most famous, beloved, and well know Disney characters of all time; Mickey Mouse.
  • On March 14th, 1948, famous comedian, and voice-over actor, Billy Crystal was born in Long Beach, New York. Crystal is the voice of Mike Wazowski from Monsters Inc., as well as the Mike Car from Cars.
  • On March 15th, 2001, the 450-millionth guest was welcomed into the Disneyland Park in California. The lucky guest was Mark Ramirez of Texas, a civilian production management specialist for the U.S. Air Force. It was his first visit to Disneyland. Ramirez, his wife, and 3 daughters were all honored during a ceremony where he was presented a lifetime pass to the Disneyland Resort (Disneyland and Disney California Adventure), a stay at the new Disney’s Grand Californian Resort and Spa Hotel and a gift pack. He was also given the honor of changing the official attendance sign at Disneyland’s Train Station from 400 million to 450 million.
  • On March 16th, 2002, The Walt Disney Studios Park at Disneyland Paris, held its grand opening. During the grand opening, the 2nd Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster debuts. The Walt Disney Studios Park is Disney’s 10th theme park worldwide.
  • On March 17th, 1999, Test Track officially opened at Epcot. The ride was presented by General Motors, and was the fastest ride Disney Imagineers have created.

  • Finally, on March 18th, 1967, the well-beloved and famous Disneyland attraction, Pirates of the Caribbean, opened to the public. The debut kicked off with great excitement, as a group of marauding sea-dogs, led by Wally Boag, first sailed the ship Columbia before bursting through the new attraction’s doors with a battering ram! This was the last attraction Walt Disney worked on extensively before his death. March 18th, 2017, marks the 50th anniversary of the attraction. For more history of this amazing attraction, tune in to Back to the Future LIVE! – The Complete history of Pirates of the Caribbean.

“Why worry? If you’ve done the very best you can, worrying won’t make it any better. I worry about many things, but not about water over the dam.” – Walt Disney

This Week in Disney History: March 5th – March 11th

WDWNT on March 6, 2017

This week in Disney history we will take a look at some of the milestones that happened in the history of the Walt Disney Company during the  week of March 5th-March 11th. All of the factoids are here to inform you and broaden your knowledge so that you too can “be in the know” of Disney History. History and Disney are 2 of my greatest passions and I hope you all enjoy reading and learning about the history of Disney each and every week. This article is designed to share some of the things that help shape and mold the beautiful company we know and love today.

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Original photo of Journey into Imagination at Epcot (I thank imagineeringdisney.com for allowing me to use their photo)

This Week In Disney History March 5th-March 11th. 

  • On March 5th, 1983, the attraction Journey Into Imagination debuted to the public at Epcot. The attraction was about the Dreamfinder teaching Figment and guests to use their imaginations. In 1999, the attraction was updated and reimagined with a change in name to Journey into YOUR Imagination. In 2002, it was reimagined again as guests were unhappy with the changes, becoming Journey Into Imagintion with Figment.
  • On March 6th, 2013, the 20th Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival began.
  • On March 7th, 1942, former Walt Disney Company CEO, Michael Eisner, was born in Mount Kisco, New York. His reign as CEO of the Walt Disney Company began in 1984 and ended in 2005.
  • On March 8th, 1983, former President Ronald Reagan visited EPCOT Center and made a speech about what the promises of Epcot would bring and why it was so important to Walt Disney.
  • On March 9th, 2014, the new daytime parade Festival of Fantasy debuted at Magic Kingdom.  The parade still runs daily at 3:00 PM.

  • On March 10th, 2009, D23: the first official Disney Fanclub, was founded. The “D” stands for Disney, and “23” pays homage to when the Walt Disney Company was created in 1923.
  • Finally, On March 11th, 2007, the Disney Broadway show ‘Tarzan‘ celebrated its 350th show performance.

“Happiness is a state of mind. It’s just according to the way you look at things.”-Walt Disney

Disney Cruise Line to ‘Freeze in Frozen Fractal Fun’ This Summer

WDWNT on March 6, 2017

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Returning again this summer, get ready to build a snowman, because a major winter storm is heading across the fjords all the way to Disney Cruise Line! That’s right folks, Elsa, Anna and the whole gang are taking a little vacation from the small country of Arendelle and heading off to explore the world aboard Disney Cruise Line.

On select sailings aboard the Disney Wonder and Magic throughout May, June, and July 2017, Elsa and the whole gang will be vacationing and bringing back guests a ‘Winter in Summer Celebration’ that include new experiences, a deck party, a stage show and much more! Here are some things to look forward to this coming celebration:

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Memorable Moments With Anna, Elsa, Kristoff and Olaf

Guests can finally “For the First time in Forever” meet Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, and Olaf aboard the DCL and take pictures with them, as well as have them sign autographs. Not only that, but you can find the royal visitors year round! Younger guests who take part in the Oceaneer club can also find ‘Frozen’ adventures year-round as well as kids receiving special surprise visits from the Royal Sisters themselves!

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Frozen Inspired Dining Experiences sure to make you worth melting for!

For those wanting a little ‘chill’ to help beat the summer heat, there are some unique dining experiences just for that. Inspired by the film, you can feast on a menu that features traditional Nordic Fare. For adults ages 21 and older, you can visit the nightclubs aboard and order a specialty frozen drink as pictured above. On Castaway Cay, you can find an Olaf inspired Winterey watering hole which feautures a hand-selected offering of frozen drink such as “Olafs Flurry Freeze” and “Svens Carrot Delight.”

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Frozen Activities

On a surprise morning, the whole atrium lobby will be spiraling into frozen fractals all around when the lobby itself will be decorated with sparkling icicles adorned all along the grand staircase. Then at night take to the deck for a frozen-fied nighttime celebration, “Freezing the Night Away with Elsa and Friends.” Little adventurers can go explore and do a scavenger hunt with Anna where you can go on a chocolate chase and then those wanting to make flurries in frozen fractals, they can make ice and snow in “Do You Wanna Build a Snowman?” To prepare for the deck party, you will be able to learn some Scandinavian dance moves with “Oakens Maypole Swirl and Twirl.”

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In a Port Adventure like only Disney can do, Anna and Elsa join a traditional Norwegian summer celebration for their first appearance in the land that inspired their story. As part of the Disney Cruise Line Northern European summer season, the Disney Magic sails to Ålesund, Norway. (Matt Stroshane, photographer)

Adventures Ashore

On the select sailings of the Disney Magic to Norway, you can see the land that inspired Arendelle from Frozen in Ålesund, Norway. There you can immerse yourself into the sport of Norway with the help of Anna and Elsa in this storybook village.

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Exclusively aboard the Disney Wonder in the Walt Disney Theatre, Frozen, A Musical Spectacular tells the classic story from the animated feature Frozen and is presented like never before with an innovative combination of traditional theatrical techniques, modern technology and classic Disney whimsy. (Matt Stroshane, photographer)

Spectacular Shows 

Only on the Disney Wonder can you experience the magic and Frozen fun of “Frozen the Musical Spectacular.” Also year-round aboard the Disney Magic, join Anna, Elsa and Olaf in teaching a young girl the power of her dreams in the Disney Cruise Line original production, “Disney Dreams… An Enchanted Classic.”

How will you choose to “let it go” this summer? Will you “for the first time in forever” have the “coldest” vacation of a lifetime?

This Week In Disney History: February 26th – March 4th

WDWNT on March 6, 2017

For the past few weeks, we have been bringing you a new column on WDWNT named ‘This Week In Disney History.’ Each week is meant to provide you tidbits of knowledge from the history of The Walt Disney Company. Some of these milestones may not be as important as others, but each played a specific or unique role in shaping the Walt Disney Company that we know and love today. In today’s edition of ‘This Week in Disney History’, we cover February 26th-March 4th.

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Walt Receiving the Irving Thalberg Memorial Award from David O. Selznick. (Photo courtesy Walt Disney Archives)

This Week In Disney History: February 26th-March 4th

  • February 26th, 1942 was a very special day. On this day, Walt Disney received the Irving Thalberg Memorial Award. The award, named for the legendary head of the Production Divison of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, is periodically given to “Creative producers, whose bodies of work reflect a consistently high quality of motion picture production.” The award is presented at the Governors Awards Ceremonies as part of the Academy Awards.  Disney was the youngest person at the time to receive this award. Actress Norma Shearer (the widow of Irving Thalberg) was so touched by the presentation, gave Disney a kiss as returned to his seat.
  • On February 27th, 1987, Tokyo Disneyland welcomed its 40-millionth guest into the park!
  • On February 28th, 2012, Disney Cruise Line’s ship, the Fantasy, docked at New York harbor making it the first DCL ship to ever dock in New York. Also, on February 28th, 2004, one of the most popular restaurants at Downtown Disney, Earl of Sandwich, opened to the public. The sandwich shop is named after British Navy Officer John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, who is credited with inventing the ‘sandwich.’ The 11th Earl of Sandwich and his son collaborated with Robert Earl, the founder and CEO of Planet Hollywood, to create this one-of-a-kind eatery.
  • On March 1st, 1930, Ub Iwerks, the very first animator of Mickey Mouse, left Disney to set up his own animation studio.  He eventually returned to Disney.
  • On March 2nd, 1976, Walt Disney World welcomed its 50-millionth guest into the park, who was Susan Brummer.
  • On March 3rd, 1937, Bobby Driscoll, who was the voice and model of Peter in ‘Peter Pan,’ was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Also on March 3rd, 1983, Journey Into Imagination at EPCOT Center made its grand debut to the public. The official grand opening ceremony was held on March 5th, 1983.
  • Finally on March 4th, 2011, author Dave MacPherson visited Disneyland.  Who is Dave MacPherson?  He was the very first paying customer to enter Disneyland when the gates opened to the public on July 18, 1955.

If you would like to read or learn about more Disney history, you can visit the Walt Disney Archives site here.

New Costuming Building Being Constructed at Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on February 23, 2017

As we all know, Hollywood Studios is undergoing some massive changes. As part of those enhancements, a new cast costuming building is being constructed.

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This new facility is needed to provide more space for the additional costumes needed for Toy Story Land and and the Star Wars themed land, as well as to replace the old facility.

The location of this new costuming department will be behind the Star Wars land in the southeast corner of the park, backstage. To make room for this new facility, the main entrance roadways are shifting to the east just after the main auto plaza.

Cast members will continue to access the Television lot from this area, and an additional stop sign will be placed at the entrance of the Television lot to ensure a safe arrival. No word was given on when this facility will be opening.

This Week in Disney History: February 12th-18th

WDWNT on February 16, 2017

Today, WDWNT is debuting a new weekly Disney history column, aptly named “This Week in Disney History.”  In this space, we take a look at several important events of this week in the history of The Walt Disney Company. We will not endeavor to cover everything, and what we highlight might not even be the most important happenings of the week, but instead we hope to give you some interesting tidbits to broaden your knowledge of Disney history.

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This Week in Disney History: February 12th-February 18th

  • On February 12th, 2009, Carrie Underwood and David Cook , former American Idol winners, held a concert at the ‘American Idol Experience’ at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in honor of the grand opening of the attraction which would take place on February 14th.
  • On February 13, 2016, Walt Disney Animation’s Zootopia premiered at the Brussels Animation Film Festival in Belgium. The movie was not released to the U.S. until March 4th, 2016. Also, on February 13, 2009, Disney debuted their new tv channel called DisneyXD along with the website DisneyXD.com. They hoped to use this new channel as a means of making shows for boys ages 6-14. The channel is still very popular in 2017.
  • On February 14th, 2013, Walt Disney World celebrated Valentine’s Day by having 50 pre-selected couples to renew their wedding vows at Cinderella Castle while Snow White, Cinderella, Auroa, and their princes were performing on stage with Mickey and Minnie Mouse.
  • On February 15th, 1899, the wife of Walt Disney, Lillian Marie Bounds, was born. They were married on July 13th, 1925. Also, on February 15th, 1950, Walt Disney Animation’s Cinderella premiered in theaters.
  • On February 16th, 2012, Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, The Disney Fantasy, set sail from Cape Canaveral on its maiden voyage.
  • On February 17th, 1998, construction for the ‘Rock n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith’ at Disney’s MGM Studios began.
  • Finally, on February 18th, 1960, the VII Winter Olympic Games began at Squaw Valley, California. This event is significant in Disney history because Walt Disney orchestrated the opening and closing ceremonies for the Olympics. Walt’s official title for the Olympics was ‘Head of Pageantry for the Games’.

“We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” -Walt Disney

BREAKING: Disney Is Trying To Buy Out Disneyland Paris

WDWNT on February 16, 2017

The Walt Disney Company said today that it is offering to buy any outstanding shares of Euro Disney S.C.A., the company that operates the Disneyland Paris resort.  Disney is offering 2 euros per share, which is a 67% premium to yesterday’s closing price.

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Disneyland Paris has been financially troubled for most of its existence, after its rosy visitor predictions didn’t pan out.  A number of financial maneuvers to reorganize it debt has left The Walt Disney Company with an ownership stake of 76.7% of Euro Disney S.C.A. Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal owns 10% of the shares, which leaves 13.3% of the company owned by the public at large.  The Walt Disney Company today announced that is has entered into a share swap agreement with Alwaleed to take 90% of his shares (9% of Euro Disney S.C.A.) in exchange for Disney stock.  Now that The Walt Disney Company owns 85.7% of Euro Disney S.C.A, it wants to buy the rest in order to take full control of Disneyland Paris. According to EU finance laws, once Disney owns 95% of the shares, it can delist them from Euronext Paris stock exchange, effectively giving it full control of the company.

The new plan “affords maximum flexibility to shareholders, addresses the group’s financial needs and reflects its ongoing support for the long-term success of Disneyland Paris,” Disney said. To this end, Disney said it will support Euro Disney’s recapitalization to the tune of 1.5 billion euros. This follows a 2014 rescue plan in which Disney committed to at least 1 billion euros over 10 years.

Disneyland Paris racked up a net loss of 858 million euros (over $900 million) in 2016 after the terrorist attacks in Paris in late 2015 led to a downturn in the tourism industry across France.  Additionally, the European economy hasn’t been been kind to businesses across the continent.  In 2015, the company recorded a net loss of 102 million euros.  The financial saga of Euro Disney is frequently discussed in most writings about the resort, including the recently released “Building Magic – Disney’s Overseas Theme Parks” and the earlier “Once Upon an American Dream: The Story of Euro Disneyland“.

This Week in Disney History: February 19th-25th

WDWNT on February 16, 2017

Last week, we started a new weekly Disney history column aptly named ‘This Week in Disney History.’ Each week we will highlight significant events or milestons that happened during that week in the history of the Walt Disney Company. Not all events will be listed, as these are just some of the highlights. The events listed may not necessarily be the most important events in Disney history, but are intended to give you just a bit of information to broaden your knowledge.

Picture of Clarence Nash, the original voice of Donald Duck

This Week in Disney History: February 19th-February 25th

  • On February 19th, 1985 – Mickey Mouse visited China to surprise Chinese nationals in honor of Disneyland’s 30th anniversary. He traveled to 30 different cities in 30 days.
  • On February 20th, 1985 – the original voice for Donald Duck for over 50 years, Clarence Nash, passed away at age 80. He was not only the voice of Donald, but also Daisy Duck, and Donald’s nephews (Huey, Dewey, and Louie).
  • On February 21st, 1955 – the voice of Stinky Pete from Toy Story 2 and Disneyland 50th Anniversary host Kelsey Grammer was born in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.
  • February 21st, 2010 – Walt Disney’s Broadway production of The Lion King, celebrated a very important milestone; their 5,125th performance, making it the 8th longest running show in Broadway history!
  • February 22nd, 1971 – Maria Lea Carmen Imutan Salonga was born in the Philippines. Lea was the singing voice of Mulan in Disney’s Mulan, as well as the singing voice of Princess Jasmine in Disney’s Aladdin.
  • February 23rd, 1939 – Walt Disney received an honorary Oscar at the 11th Academy Awards for ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’. The custom-made statuette consisted of one standard Oscar statuette standing over seven minurature statuettes.
  • February 23rd, 2000 – Phil Collins, the composer for Disney’s ‘Tarzan’, wins a Grammy for his work on the film.
  • February 23rd, 2016 – Walt Disney World’s first permanent employee, Phil Smith, passes at age 83.
  • February 24th, 1940 – one of the most famous songs in Disney History, ‘When You Wish Upon A Star’, from the movie ‘Pinnochio’, was recorded by Frances Langord.
  • February 25th, 2012 – Walt Disney Imagineering and cast members from Disney California Adventure buried a time capsule containing items from the park. The capsule will not be opened by Disneyland Resort cast members until 2037.

“I love the nostalgic myself. I hope we never lose some of the things from the past.” -Walt Disney

New Medals for Disneyland’s Tinkerbell Half Marathon Weekend

WDWNT on February 16, 2017

Tinker Bell Half Marathon Medal

On your marks, get set, run! This year’s sponsor for the Tinkerbell half marathon is PANDORA Jewlery. David Brotherton, who is the Art Director at Disney Yellow Shoes, was the mastermind creator behind this new medal in collaboration with PANDORA jewelry. David has been designing runDisney medals for last 6 years, but he says making this Tinkerbell half marathon was indeed his most favorite. Graphic designers from PANDORA have said that Daivd truly is a genius when it comes to design and that his expertise and knowledge was immeasurable and sparked this amazing creative partnership.

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For the marathon weekend, they have medals for the runDisney kids races which feature Disney Captain Jake and the Neverland Pirates, as well as the adults race medals for the Neverland 5k and Tinkerbell 10k which feature some beloved characters from ‘Peter Pan’. They even have a medal for those brave enough to conquer the Pixie Dust Challenge, which combines the 13.1 mile Tinkerbell Half marathon PLUS the 6.2 mile Tinker Bell 10k.

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Pixie Dust Challenge Medal

Registration is still open for these races including the Pixie Dust Challenge. For registration and more info on these runs, please visit the official site for the Tinker Bell Marathon Weekend, here.

*All of these run events listed are all at the Disneyland Resort.

February 1st – This Day in Disney History

WDWNT on February 6, 2017

Disney has a very rich and unique history, all starting in 1923 and continuing an incredible legacy to this day. Now, let’s take a trip back in time and enjoy a short glimpse of what happened today in Disney history.

  • On February 1, 2014, Disney’s animated film Frozen was the big winner at the Annie Awards, with a total of 5.
  • On February 1, 2013, Tony Baxter, who was the Senior Vice President of Creative Development at Walt Disney Imagineering, stepped down after more than 30 years of service.
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Tony Baxter

  • On February 1, 2008, Robert A. Iger signed a contract for 5 years minimum to be the Chief Executive Officer of the Disney Company, but has stayed on and is still the current CEO.
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Robert A. Iger

  • On February 1, 1998, Walt Disney World’s 25th Anniversary Celebration finally concluded.
  • On February 1, 1991, James Macdonald, the second voice of Mickey Mouse, passed away at age 84 in Glendale, California.
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James Macdonald

  • On February 1, 1972, the very first price increase in the park ticket price for the Magic Kingdom occurred when admission went from $3.50 to $3.75.
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1972 Magic Kingdom Ticket

This is just some of what happened on this day in Disney history.