2005:
Disney releases 4 live-action features from the past to DVD. They include the 1966 Lt. Robin Crusoe, the 1967 The Adventures Of Bullwhip Griffin, and the 1971 films The Barefoot Executive and Million Dollar Duck.
1987:
The Wonderful World of Disney airs "Bride of Boogedy" - about a family of practical jokers who are haunted by a ghost.
1992:
The Euro Disney Resort, featuring the Euro Disneyland park, opens in France, east of
Paris. Inaugural ceremonies are broadcast to the entire continent by five national networks. Although 500,000 visitors
are expected, only 50,000 are admitted because of protests from French people who fear their culture will be damaged
by Euro Disney. Power cables are vandalized by some French citizens, which black out the road signs to Disneyland on
the motorway. Euro Disney also premieres its 5 hotels (Hotel Cheyenne, Santa Fe, Newport Bay Club, Hotel New York
and Disneyland Hotel) and a campground (Davy Crockett Ranch) located several miles away from the main resort area.
Opening day attractions, restaurants and shops in 5 themed lands and a Main Street include:
1993:
One year after its opening, Euro Disneyland welcomes its 10.5-millionth guest.
1996:
Disney's claymation and live action movie,
James and the Giant Peach (featuring the voices of Paul Terry, Richard Dreyfuss and Susan Sarandon) is released in U.S. theaters. It is based on the story by Roald Dahl (author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.)
1997:
Carl Barks - the genius behind the creation of Scrooge McDuck and the cartoonist who drew the comic book version of Donald Duck - celebrates his 96th birthday at a special weekend
event at Walt Disney World.
1995:
In Florida, the Polynesian's Papeete Bay Verandah, opened since 1971,
becomes the 'Ohana restaurant - featuring the world's largest fire pit.
The Los Angeles production of Beauty and the Beast opens at the Shubert
Theatre. Most of the Original Broadway Cast including Susan Egan, Terrence
Mann, Gary Beach, Beth Fowler, Burke Moses & Tom Bosley reprise their
roles for the production.
2007:
Hilton Hotels Corp. breaks ground for a resort development adjacent to Walt Disney World Resort.
1907:
(as well as an author & illustrator), is born in Dallas, Texas. He will start his career in animation working at Disney from 1929-1936. Gramatky will be best known for his classic children's book, Little Toot. Nine years after it is first published, Little Toot will be animated by the Disney Studio and be included as one of the seven musical segments in the feature Melody Time.
1964:
At the soon-to-be-open World's Fair in New York, Walt Disney, Henry Ford Jr., and
Robert Moses (president of the New York World's Fair Corporation) visit the Ford
Pavilion. The three are photographed by the press riding the "Magic Skyway."
"In those days, there was a very small group. We would do the story at night with Walt clowning around, acting like crazy, and in the daytime we did the animation." -Hardie Gramatky
1926:
Actress Jane Withers, best known for being one of the most popular child film stars of the 1930s and early 1940s, is born in Atlanta, Georgia. She is one of the voices of Laverne the
gargoyle for Disney's 1996 The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Actress Mary Wickes is also the voice of Laverne, but
sadly passed away during production. Withers provided the remaining dialogue, and later the voice for Laverne in
The Hunchback of Notre Dame II.
1946:
Disney's short Pluto's Kid Brother, directed by Charles Nichols, is released.
APRIL 12
APRIL 12
THIS DAY MADE IN THE USA
Lt. Robin Crusoe is the only movie for which Walt Disney received a story credit (as Retlaw Yensid - Walter Disney spelled backward).
 | ||||
| ||||
| ||||
A
P
R
2009:
Disney World's newest attraction Characters in Flight, a tethered helium filled balloon ride (operated by Aerophile - a company specializing in tethered helium balloons) continues its "soft opening" at Downtown Disney. The balloon, which can hold up to 30 guests (depending on weather conditions), rises 400 feet above Disney World for a breathtaking view.
| ||||
Euro Disneyland opens
The idea of incorporating topiary figures into Disney parks and resorts began with Walt Disney himself. The first topiaries appeared in Disneyland’s Fantasyland area in 1963. The figures later were moved to their permanent location in the forecourt of Disneyland’s
It’s A Small World attraction in 1966.
2010:
Disney Store introduces a new line of eco-friendly products in celebration of the upcoming 40th Anniversary of Earth Day.
1961:
Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin becomes the first human in space, when he makes a 108-minute orbital flight in his Vostok 1 spacecraft. Mercury astronaut Alan Shepard would become the first American in space less than a month later.
Today there is a plaque commemorating Gagarin's milestone flight in Epcot's Mission: SPACE.
ADVENTURELAND:
Pirates of the Caribbean attraction, Les Cabane des Robinson attraction, Adventure Isle area, Captain Hook's Galley restaurant, Blue Lagoon Restaurant, Aux Epices Enchantees restaurant, and Explorer's Club restaurant
DISCOVERYLAND:
Star Tours attraction, Orbitron - Machines Volantes attraction, Videopolis stage, Cinémagique theater showing the film Captain EO, Café Hyperion restaurant, and Café des Visionnaires restaurant
FANTASYLAND:
Les Pirouettes du Vieux Moulin Ferris wheel attraction, Peter Pan's Flight attraction, Mad Hatter's Tea Cups attraction, Alice's Curious Labyrinth maze attraction, Dumbo Flying Elephants attraction, It's a Small World attraction, Blanche-Neige et les Sept Nains attraction, Les Voyages de Pinocchio attraction, Le Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant attraction, Le Carrousel de Lancelot attraction, Toad Hall Restaurant, Auberge de Cendrillon restaurant, and the Pizzeria Bella Notte restaurant
FESTIVAL DISNEY:
Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show, L.A. Bar and Grill restaurant,
Key West Seafood restaurant, and Annette's Diner restaurant
FRONTIERLAND:
Cottonwood Creek Ranch Critter Corral attraction, Mark Twain Riverboat attraction, River Rogue Keelboats attraction, Pueblo Trading Post shop, Rustler Roundup Shootin' Gallery attraction, Indian Canoes attraction, Thunder Mesa Riverboat Landing attraction, Phantom Manor attraction, Silver Spur Steakhouse restaurant, Cowboy Cookout Barbeque restaurant, Fuente del Oro Restaurante, Lucky Nugget
Saloon restaurant, Thunder Mesa Mercantile Building, and Last Chance Café
restaurant
MAIN STREET:
Fire Truck vehicle, Omnibus vehicle, Horse-Drawn Streetcars, Cable Car Bake Shop, Boardwalk Candy Palace shop, Disney & Co. shop, Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlour, Market House Deli shop, Casey's Corner shop, Plaza East Boutique shop, Plaza West Boutique shop, Harrington's Fine China & Porcelains shop, Ribbons & Bows Hat Shop, Harmony Barber Shop, Storybook Store, Glass Fantasies shop, Walt's - An American Restaurant, Victoria's Home-Style Cooking restaurant, and Plaza Gardens Restaurant
2011:
The Incredibles Blu-ray hits store shelves in a 4-disc combo
pack that also includes the film on DVD.
