2004:
It is reported that Progress Energy Florida has signed a deal to provide wholesale power to Disney World Resort's utility. The 5-year deal calls for electricity to be provided starting in January 2006.
1917:
Actor & Disney Legend David Tomlinson, best
known for his role of George W. Banks in the
1964 Mary Poppins, is born in Henley-on-
Thames, England. His Disney live-action credits also include The Love Bug (playing the evil
Thorndyke) and Bedknobs and Broomsticks (as the humbug professor of magical arts, Emelius Browne).
1961:
The TV series Walt Disney Presents airs part 1 of "Andrew's Raiders."
Based on a true story from the American Civil War, it was originally released in theaters as
The Great Locomotive Chase in 1956.
1973:
Neel Tyree replaces Jerry Siggins and begins performing with the Dapper Dans of Walt Disney World (the popular barbershop quartet who appear in the Magic Kingdom).
1993:
The World Roller Hockey League Rink opens on the beach at Disney-MGM Studios. Used by a professional inline hockey league, it will last just one season.
1999:
At Disney's El Capitan Theatre in California, a fully restored 35mm CinemaScope, Dolby Stereo print of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea is shown. Director Richard Fleischer and Academy Award-winning matte artist Peter Ellenshaw are on hand to discuss the 1954 film.
2000:
The Wonderful World of Disney airs the musical "Geppetto," starring Drew Carey.
2001:
Disney officials start the application process for a new Anaheim park that would join its 55-acre California Adventure and the original 75-acres Disneyland. The new 78-acre park could include up to 3,350 hotel rooms, as well as retail, dining and entertainment, parking and transportation facilities. Opening day is still undetermined.
2002:
Swiss Family Robinson: Vault Disney Collection, Old Yeller: Vault Disney Collection, The Parent Trap: Vault Disney Collection, and Pollyanna: Vault Disney Collection are all released on DVD. Many of the releases include interviews, special commentary, and behind-the-scenes footage.
1955:
At the Disney Studios, actor Tim Considine reads for the part of Marty for a new
television serial to be called The Adventures of Spin and Marty. He will be called back
2 days later for a film test and eventually be hired ... for the role of Spin!
Disney Legend & animator Joe Grant left the Disney studio in 1949 (after working on such classics as Snow White and Dumbo) to run a ceramics business & a greeting card business. He returned in 1989 to work on Beauty and the Beast.
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1922:
Seasoned actor of stage, screen & television, Darren McGavin is born in Spokane, Washington. McGavin's Disney TV credits include the role of John Jay Forest in The High Flying Spys and Timothy Donovan in Donovan's Kid. He also portrayed Mayor Ragsdale in Disney's live-action feature Hot Lead and Cold Feet and Duke in the feature No Deposit, No Return. (McGavin is most fondly remembered by cult TV fans as heroic newspaper reporter Carl Kolchak in the classic horror series Kolchak: The Night Stalker. Fans of the film
A Christmas Story remember McGavin for his role of the grumpy father ... who was given to bursts of profanity.)
1950:
The first engine officially runs on the Carolwood Pacific Railroad - Walt Disney's backyard train at his Carolwood Drive home in Holmby Hills, California. The 2,615 feet of track includes a 46 foot long trestle and a 90 foot long tunnel under his wife Lillian's flower bed! Walt controls the track from a special barn that acts as a central headquarters for the railroad's operations. (The backyard railroad will be credited with becoming part of Walt's inspiration for the creation of Disneyland and the actual barn will later be moved to Griffith Park. Learn more at the Carolwood Pacific Historical Society's site.)
1840:
Russian composer Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky is born on this day (or April 25 according to the Julian calendar) in Votkinsk, a small town in present-day Udmurtia. He wrote some of the most popular concert and theatrical music in the classical repertoire, including the ballets Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker. Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker Suite was used in Disney's 1940 Fantasia. The original piece was shortened and the order of the movements rearranged to fit the animated action. The song "Once Upon a Dream" (written by Jack Lawrence & Sammy Fain for Disney's 1951 animated Sleeping Beauty) was actually based on Tchaikovsky's theme from his ballet The Sleeping Beauty (which debuted in 1890).
"Kindly do not attempt to cloud the issue with facts."
-George Banks (Mary Poppins)
2008:
Three months after shouting, "I’m going to Disneyland!" Super Bowl XLII MVP Eli Manning finally rides down Main Street USA at Disneyland. He makes the trip in a classic Cadillac convertible, accompanied by his new bride, Abby McGrew, Mickey Mouse, and other Disney characters. (Manning led the New York Giants to victory over the New England Patriots last February 3.)
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MAY
MAY 7
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2009:
A special pre-release screening of Up (to benefit the Emery Ed Fund) takes place at Pixar Animation Studios in Emeryville, California.
(The new animated comedy adventure will be released May 29.)
Hasbro's EASY-BAKE 2009 "Baker of the Year" Contest takes place at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa in Florida. Seven young finalists from across the U.S. create their tasty treats for a panel of judges ... and Chef Goofy! Catherine Ralston, a 12-year-old from Ohio, takes home first prize for her Queen of Hearts strawberry tart.
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MAY 07
THIS DAY MADE IN THE USA
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1947:
Actor J.D. Hall, the narrator of WDW's The Hall of Presidents (between 2001-2008) is
born. His Disney credits also include episodes of Disney Channel's That's So Raven and Even Stevens. (The
first African American to ever run for S.A.G. President, Hall provided the voice of the character Blade in Spider-Man: The Animated Series.)
2003:
Disney's stage musical Aida receives its Canadian premiere when the
touring company makes a four week stop in Toronto. The show debuts on
this day at the Canon Theatre (where it will play through May 31).
2010:
The landmark Disney Feature Animation building on Riverside Drive in Burbank is
named for the late Roy E. Disney during a dedication ceremony. First opening in 1995
across from the original Disney Studios, the building once housed the office of Roy E. Disney (Walt's nephew
and the former head of Walt Disney Feature Animation) who passed away in December 2009.
1974:
Actor Breckin Meyer is born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. His Disney voice credits include the 2011 animated feature Mars Needs Moms (as Spangro) and the TV series Phineas and Ferb (as Li). Meyer also appeared in the 2005 live-action Herbie: Fully Loaded.
1989:
Sadly on this day, the body of television actor Guy Williams is discovered by police
in his apartment in Buenos Aires, Argentina. It is believed the 65-year-old died sometime
between April 30 and May 6. (The cause will later be determined to be a brain aneurysm.) Williams is best-
remembered for his lead TV roles in Disney's Zorro (1957-59) and later the sci-fi series Lost in Space (1965-68).
As Zorro/Don Diego de la Vega, Williams had appeared at Disneyland (during the show's popular run) for a
series of "Zorro Days" events.
(1924-1989)
1988:
The Disney Channel airs the 1955 animated film Lady and the Tramp.
It is the first time the film has ever been shown on television.
2011:
A "black carpet" premiere for Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides takes place at Disneyland. In attendance are such stars from the film as Johnny Depp, Penelope Cruz, Kevin McNally and Keith Richards. Among the celebrites attending are American Idol winner David Cook, actress Teri Hatcher and Disney Channel star Ashley Tisdale. (The film will generally open in U.S. theaters May 20.)
Over on the East Coast, the 4th and final Grad Nite of 2011 (and the very last Grad Nite ever) takes place at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom at 10PM.
A yearly event for high school seniors since 1972, WDW has decided to retire Grad Nite. Who will be the last guests to leave this historic party the following morning on May 8?
