2002:
Walt Disney World (and other Orlando, Florida attractions) are featured on Family Vacations in Orlando - broadcast on the Travel Channel.
1909:
Animator-director Wolfgang "Woolie" Reitherman (one of Walt's
"Nine Old Men") is born in Munich, Germany. As a child, his family will move to the U.S. and settle in California.
1952:
Disney's live-action adventure film The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men - starring Richard Todd as Robin Hood, Joan Rice as Maid Marian, and Peter Finch as the Sheriff of Nottingham - is released through RKO Pictures. Also released on this day is the True-Life Adventure film Water Birds.
1956:
At Disneyland, the Mule Pack (one of the park's original attractions) is renamed the Rainbow Ridge Pack Mules.
1959:
Disney's Donald Duck film Donald in Mathmagic Land is released in the U.S., as is the live-action feature film Darby O'Gill and the Little People. Although set in Ireland, the bulk of Darby O'Gill was shot at Disney's ranch in Burbank, California. Second unit footage from Ireland, combined with matte paintings by Peter Ellenshaw, help present a seamless picture of 19th century Ireland.
1968:
The Disney live-action comedy Never A Dull Moment - starring Dick Van
Dyke, Edward G. Robinson, and Dorothy Provine - is released.
Second-rate actor Jack Albany (Van Dyke) finds himself mistaken for fiendish killer Ace Williams and
forced to confront master gangster Leo Smooth (Robinson). Fearing for his life, Jack
must continue with the charade even when he learns he is to play a deadly role in an art theft!
1999:
Disneyland hosts a two-day celebration honoring the Haunted
Mansion's 30th Anniversary. On this evening, over 1000 guests
witness a panel discussion at the Fantasyland Theater with some of the people
who brought the mansion to life. The Dapper Dans (the park's popular singing group)
materialize as the Hitchhiking Ghosts and the Grave Digger to sing a rendition of the attraction's theme
song, "Grim Grinning Ghosts." Released on this same day is The Haunted Mansion: 30th Anniversary
Limited Edition Compact Disc.
The Disney Channel Original Movie Smart House, about a young
computer whiz (played by Ryan Merriman), his widowed father, &
little sister, who win a computerized house that begins to take on a life of its
own, debuts. The film stars Katey Segal as Pat the homes' virtual housemaid.
2006:
Disneyland's Pirates of the Caribbean officially re-opens to guests.
Captain Jack Sparrow and Barbosa (characters from the Pirates of
the Caribbean feature films) have been added to the popular
attraction. Disney Imagineers have also enhanced the attraction
experience with an all-new dynamic digital sound design.
 | ||||||
1995:
Delos Records releases the CD Heigh-Ho! Mozart - featuring Disney tunes in the style of great classical composers.
The Space Mountain
attraction at
Disneyland Paris
is the first and
(so far) only one with an
upside-down loop.
2007:
Disney Theatrical Productions debut a preview of a new touring stage version of "High School Musical," at the Fisher Theatre in Detroit, Michigan. (The official opening will be Wednesday evening, August 1st in Chicago, Illinois at the LaSalle Bank Theatre.)
Walt Disney Records releases Ratatouille Soundtrack, featuring the music of composer Michael Giacchino. Also released - What's Cooking?: Inspired by the Ratatouille Movie ... a smorgasboard of music.
| ||||
1957:
Disneyland's Viewliner (a predecessor to the monorail) debuts. The system is made up of two separate narrow gauge, miniature trains that operate alongside portions of the Disneyland Railroad main line. Billed by Disneyland as "the fastest miniature train in the world," it is Walt's first attempt at "mass-transit" in the park. (The Viewliner will operate until September 1958.)
1904:
Actor Peter Lorre is born in Austria-Hungary (now called Slovakia). Known for his unique speech and mannerisms, Lorre plays the role of Conseil in Disney's 1954 live-action feature 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. (Movie fans also know Lorre for his roles in such classics as Casablanca, Around the World in Eighty Days and The Raven.)
JUNE
advertisement
JUNE 26
JUNE 26
THIS DAY MADE
IN THE
USA
| ||||
| ||||
Woolie Reitherman born
"Successfully adding the popular characters from the Pirates of the Caribbean films with the mythology of our classic attraction is an example of Disney synergy and Walt Disney Imagineering at its finest. These additions will result in an exciting new chapter for the attraction and an unforgettable experience for our guests, giving them another reason to come and be a part of our continuing 50th anniversary celebration."
-Jay Rasulo (Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts)
2009:
The Disney Channel Original Movie Princess Protection Program starring
Demi Lovato and Selena Gomez debuts. It draws 8.5 million viewers - the third best showing for a Disney Channel movie ever!
The 3-day The Museum of Pin-tiquities begins at Epcot's World ShowPlace.
| ||||
1922:
Montgomery's Country Inn opens its doors for the first time in Los Angeles,
California. The restaurant will later be named the Tam O'Shanter Inn and become a regular hangout for
Walt Disney and his animators. Walt will become friends with the owners - even suggesting they open a
coffee shop in his Tomorrowland! Today the Tam O'Shanter is the oldest restaurant in Los Angeles still
operated by the same family in the same location!
