2005:
In this day's issue of Advertising Age (an ad-industry journal), Kellogg runs an ad commemorating the late Thurl Ravenscroft, the voice of Tony the Tiger. The headline reads: "Behind every great character is an even greater man." (Disney fans know Ravenscroft as the lead vocalist on the Haunted Mansion theme song "Grim Grinning Ghosts.")
At Epcot, Ice Station Cool located in the Innoventions Pavilion closes. Offering
complimentary refreshments, it will re-open as Club Cool on November 14, 2005.
1944:
In the early morning hours, Allied forces (made up of mostly soldiers from the U.S., United Kingdom, and Canada) invade the Nazi-held Normandy coast of France as D-Day (or the Normandy Invasion) begins. "Mickey Mouse" is used as a password for the invasion by the Allied forces. Taking part in D-Day is Solomon Hersh Frees (later known as voice actor Paul Frees of Disney's Haunted Mansion fame). He will be wounded in action and return home for a year of recuperation. D-Day will be the greatest seaborne invasion mankind has ever seen and a major turning
point in World War II.
1952:
The Disney cartoon Susie, the Little Blue Coupe is released by RKO. Based on a
short story by Bill Peet (a children's book illustrator and a story writer for Disney), it is directed by Clyde
Geronimi and features the voices of Thurl Ravenscroft and Stan Freberg.
1955:
Sandra Bernhard, the voice of Cassandra on Disney's TV version of Hercules, is born in Flint, Michigan.
1959:
The Submarine Voyage attraction (inspired by the 1954 Disney film 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea) opens in Disneyland's updated Tomorrowland. (It will be officially dedicated 8 days later.) The 8 vessels (not actual submarines as they do not submerge) are named Nautilus, Seawolf, Skate, Skipjack, Triton, George Washington, Patrick Henry, and Ethan Allen. Portholes along the sides allowed guests to view the many underwater sights. It is one of the first rides to require an E-ticket.
Also on this day, the Autopia's original track is modified to accommodate the new Fantasyland Autopia.
1962:
The Disney live-action family film Big Red - starring Walter Pidgeon & Gilles Pyant - is released. Based on a 1945 novel by author Jim Kjelgaard, it has been adapted to the screen by Louis Pelletier.
1964:
Allison Fonte, a member of the 1977-1978 TV show The New Mouseketeers, is born.
1967:
Actor Max Casella, the original Timon in Disney's Broadway musical The Lion King, and the voice of Tip in Disney's Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea,
is born in Washington, D.C. In 1998, Casella will win a Theatre World Award for his role of Timon. (TV fans may remember him as Vinnie Delpino from the series "Doogie Howser, M.D" which ran from 1989-1993.)
1975:
America on Parade, a special American Bicentennial event, debuts at Walt Disney World. (It will run through September 6, 1976.)
1987:
The Delta sponsored If You Could Fly replaces the Eastern Airlines If You Had Wings attraction in Walt Disney World's Tomorrowland.
1989:
Hulk Hogan appears as himself on Disney Channel's MMC. Today is Guest Day!
1997:
At Disneyland Paris, Festival Disney is officially renamed as Disney Village at a big party for hotel guests, cast members and 600 other invitees. The all-day party includes live rock music and an evening fireworks display.
2001:
Darkhorse Comics publishes Disney's Atlantis: The Lost Empire. The full color 56-page comic book features a cover by Mike Mignola, whose artistic vision inspired the Disney animated feature.
2002:
After a complete mechanical and exterior restoration, the Roy O. Disney steam locomotive is rededicated in a ceremony at the Main Street USA Train Station at Walt Disney World. His son, Roy E. Disney, who is vice chairman of The Walt Disney Company, participates in the ceremony along with Michael Campbell and Darrell Holmquist, members of the Board of Governors of the Carolwood Pacific Historical Society. (Named in honor of the co-founder of The Walt Disney Company, the engine represents the only object in any Disney theme park to carry Roy O. Disney's name.)
Chip Young of Georgia wins the nose of an old Walt Disney World monorail cab through an online auction.
2006:
Walt Disney Records' soundtrack for the Disney/Pixar animated film Cars is
released. The CD boasts a score from Randy Newman and new songs by Brad Paisley, Sheryl Crow and James Taylor. The film will pull into theaters 3 days later.
Also released this day - Lightning McQueen's Fast Tracks, a collection of all-time favorite driving songs presented by Lightning McQueen.
1985:
Disney World's Bearly Asleep shop opens in Frontierland.
In Disneyland, there is a plaque at
the base of the flagpole in
Frontierland's stockade that reads:
"To Walt Disney, in recognition of
outstanding assistance and
cooperation in extending humane
ideals to peoples throughout the
world." It was presented by the
American Humane Association
in 1955.
1974:
Herbie Rides Again, the sequel to the 1969 film The Love Bug, is released.
Set in San Francisco, Herbie bonds with a female this time - an elderly lady
named Mrs. Steinmetz (played by actress Helen Hayes).
1984:
Disney Chairman Ray Watson meets with Jack Wrather, owner of the Wrather
Corporation, which owns the Disneyland Hotel. They discuss the possibility of Wrather selling the
hotel to Disney.
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2007:
A sneak peek for Annual Passholders begins for Disneyland's newest attraction Finding Nemo: Submarine Voyage (based on the Disney/Pixar animated feature). Built on the site of the 1959 Submarine Voyage attraction, Nemo will open to the general public June 11.
Disney's stage production The Lion King celebrates 10 triumphant years on Broadway with a special anniversary performance in Johannesburg, South Africa (the cultural inspiration for the show).
JUNE
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JUNE 6
JUNE 6
THIS SITE MADE
IN THE
USA
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THIS SITE MADE
IN THE
USA
Disneyland's Submarine Voyage debuts
2008:
The first of 4 Star Wars Weekends kick off at the Disney-MGM Studios in Florida.
This weekend's celebrities include Jeremy Bulloch and Daniel Logan.
"After the making of Susie, my father bought a sky blue Studebaker convertible. It was one of those with a nose that looked like it should have a propeller on the front. It was the first car I learned to drive." -Bill Peet, Jr
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1953:
The wrap party for the animated short Toot, Whistle, Plunk and Boom takes place at Ward Kimball's house. Directed by Kimball and Charles A. Nichols, production had taken some 7-8 months. The first animated cartoon to be filmed and released in widescreen CinemaScope, Toot, Whistle, Plunk and Boom will win the 1954 Academy Award for Best Short Subject (Cartoons).
