2005:
Disneyland Resort Paris launches Space Mountain: Mission 2 to the public.
The decade-old roller coaster (which first opened in June 1995) has been upgraded
with new wagons and a faster launch catapult!
Mickey Mouse serve as the Grand Marshal of the National Cherry
Blossom Festival Parade in Washington, D.C.
1954:
Actor Dennis Quaid, the star of Disney's 2002 live-action release The Rookie, is born in Houston, Texas. Quaid played Jimmy Morris, a real-life chemistry teacher/baseball coach who had a brief but famous Major League Baseball career. Quaid also starred in the 1998 remake of Disney's The Parent Trap, playing the role of Nick Parker - the father of identical twins. His Touchstone Pictures' credits include the 2004 The Alamo and
the 2003 Cold Creek Manor.
1958:
The Disneyland TV series features episode 96 - "An Adventure in the Magic
Kingdom." Tinker Bell takes viewers on a tour of Disneyland and the Mouseketeers perform live in Holidayland.
1961:
The TV series Walt Disney Presents airs "Battle for Survival."
At Disneyland, Walt Disney himself dedicates the Snow White Wishing Well and
Grotto - adjacent to Sleeping Beauty Castle. Guests can make a wish and drop
their coins to benefit children’s charities all around the world.
1978:
The University of Southern California chapter of the Delta Kappa Alpha National Honorary Cinema Fraternity recognizes the "Nine Old Men" (a group of early Disney animators) with the
"Pioneer in Film" award.
1991:
Disneyland's Dapper Dans sing "The Star Spangled Banner" as part of the Disney festivities before the California Angels home opener against the Seattle Mariners.
2000:
The Wonderful World of Disney airs the television movie "Angels in the Infield."
A follow-up to the 1994 Angels in the Outfield and the 1997 Angels in the Endzone, this film is about a group of angels
trying to help a baseball team (the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim) win a championship game - while at the same time
helping to reunite the team's pitcher's family.
2002:
The city of Los Angeles declares the El Capitan Theatre (now owned by Pacific Theatres and operated by The Walt Disney Company) to be an historic landmark. The El Capitan Theatre debuted on May 3, 1926, as "Hollywood's First Home of Spoken Drama." Charles Toberman, a prominent Los Angeles developer, erected thirty-six stylish buildings in the heart of Hollywood including the El Capitan.
It is reported that the Jacksonville, Florida radio station
WBWL (600 AM) has been purchased by Disney. Sometime within the next 3 months the station will become a Radio Disney affiliate.
2003:
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences present the 8th Marc Davis Lecture on Animation "Frank and Ollie: Drawn Together," featuring Disney Legends Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston in person, at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills. Leonard Maltin moderates the discussion to honor the animators who are famous members of Walt's "Nine Old Men."
Cast and crew of the hit TLC television series Trading Spaces visit Walt Disney World to tape segments for a future episode that will feature 4 Walt Disney World Cast Members and their homes.
2006:
Expedition Everest: Journey Into Sacred Lands airs on the Travel Channel. The special takes a look at Disney World's newest and most elaborate attraction, Expedition Everest (located in Animal Kingdom).
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In order to
become a real boy,
the Blue Fairy
states that
Pinocchio must be
"brave, truthful,
and unselfish."
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2007:
A.J. Carothers, a Hollywood writer best-known for Disney's 1968 film The Happiest Millionaire, passes away at age 75 in Los Angeles. Carothers worked closely with Walt Disney
for seven years (on features like Miracle of the White Stallions and Emil and the Detectives) and even delivered
a eulogy at Disney's funeral.
1987:
Hollywood Records recording artist and Daytime Emmy-nominated actor Jesse McCartney
is born in New York City. McCartney has appeared as himself in both Disney Channel shows, The Suite Life of
Zack & Cody and Hannah Montana. He is also the voice of Terence in the 2008 film Tinker Bell.
At EPCOT Center the Disney Traders shop opens in World Showcase.
1945:
Legendary drummer Steve Gadd, who as an eleven-year-old appeared as a guest
tap dancing & drumming on TV's Mickey Mouse Club (during the 1956-57 season), is born
in Rochester, New York. Gadd is world famous for his work with Paul McCartney, Paul Simon, Steely Dan,
Al Jarreau, Joe Cocker, Eric Clapton and countless others.
1984:
At the 56th Annual Academy Awards, Disney's Mickey's Christmas Carol is edged out by Sundae in New York in the Short Films, Animated category.
"I wasn't interested in doing a baseball story. My favorite sports movies transcend the sports that they are about." -Dennis Quaid
1986:
The Disney Channel debuts "Survival of the Fittest," the 50th episode of The Edison Twins.
1989:
The Parent Trap III, Disney's second sequel to its 1961 film The Parent Trap, airs on television. Triplets, Megan, Jessie and Lisa Wyatt (played by Joy, Leanna, and Joy Creel) return from summer vacation to discover that their father Jeffrey (Barry Bostwick) is getting married to snob Cassie McGuire (Patricia Richardson). When Cassie hires decorator Susan Ever to redecorate their home, the triplets believe Susan
(Hayley Mills - the star of the original 1961 film) is the right woman for their father!
APRIL 9
APRIL 09
THIS DAY MADE IN THE USA
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Dennis Quaid born
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A
P
R
2009:
Disney World continues to test the new Characters in Flight balloon attraction (operated by Aerophile - a company specializing in tethered helium balloons) at Downtown Disney. Located next to the bridge on the West Side near Planet Hollywood, guests will be able to float some 400 feet into the air and on a clear day see 10 miles in all directions!
(Characters In Flight will have its grand opening 4 days later.)
A group of about 70 people in the Twin Cities become the first members of the general public to see Disney/Pixar's newest animated feature Up.
The special preview takes place at the AMC Southdale. (The film will open May 29.)
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El Capitan named historic landmark
Through a successful long-term, captive breeding program, Disney’s Animal Kingdom has produced approximately 25 percent of the total world population of the Micronesian kingfisher. This tiny bird, native to Guam, is nearly extinct because of predatory snakes introduced
to the island more than 50 years ago.
1962:
The 34th Academy Awards are held at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium in Santa Monica, California. Although nominated for Oscars, Disney's The Absent Minded Professor, Parent Trap, Babes in Toyland, and the animated short Aquamania are all edged out in their respective categories. Competition is tough as this year's big winners include West Side Story (earning 10 Oscars out of 11 nominations), Judgment at Nuremberg, The Hustler and Breakfast at Tiffany's.
2004:
Touchstone Pictures releases The Alamo, starring Dennis Quaid (on his birthday) as Sam Houston, Billy Bob Thornton as Davy Crockett, and Jason Patric as James Bowie. It is based on the historical 1836 standoff between a group of Texan and Tejano men and Mexican dictator Santa Anna's forces at the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas.
"Here at Disneyland, where we have visitors from all over the world, this Disneyland-Variety Clubs International Wishing Well is dedicated to youngsters everywhere. When you throw your coins into this wishing well, just remember that wishes made here at this well will really come true... for the children of the world." -Walt Disney
