1957:
Emmy Award-winning voice actress Nancy Cartwright is born in Dayton, Ohio. Her Disney credits include Kim Possible (as Rufus), Goof Troop, Timon and Pumbaa, Aladdin and the features The Little Mermaid and Who Framed Roger Rabbit?. (TV fans know her best as the voice of Bart Simpson.)
1965:
In Miami, Florida Governor Haydon Burns confirms the rumors that Disney
"will build the greatest attraction yet known in the history of Florida."
"Walt Disney World is a tribute to the philosophy and life of Walter Elias Disney ... and to the talents, the dedication and the loyalty of the entire Disney organization that made Walt Disney's dream come true. May Walt Disney World bring joy and inspiration and new knowledge to all who come to this happy place ... a magic kingdom where the young heart of all ages can laugh and play and learn ... together." -Roy O. Disney's dedication
Magic Kingdom Town Square - This Day in Disney History 1971
2005:
Herbie: Fully Loaded is released to DVD.
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1904:
Disney animator & director Vladimir "Bill" Tytla (considered by many to be the best character animator working during the Golden Age) is born in Yonkers, New York. Among his most famed masterpieces is Grumpy in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Stromboli the evil puppeteer in Pinocchio, and the old magician in "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" - a Fantasia segment.
1924:
Billy Barty, the original voice of Journey into Imagination's Figment, is born William John Bertanzetti in Millsboro, Pennsylvania. Founder of Little People of America, Barty sustained a Hollywood career for almost 70 years! He was also the voice of Baitmouse in the 1990 animated feature The Rescuers Down Under.
1941:
Singer-actress Helen Reddy, whose credits include Disney's 1977
Pete's Dragon (as Nora), is born in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Gordon Tootoosis, a Canadian actor of Cree and Stoney descent,
is born in Saskatchewan, Canada. He supplied the speaking voice for
Kekata, the shaman of the Powhatan, in Disney's 1995 Pocahontas.
1948:
TIME magazine runs an article about Disney titled
"The Mighty Mouse" in this week's issue.
1955:
Mickey Mouse Club airs on ABC-TV. Today is Guest Star Day.
1970:
Actor/singer/dancer Adam Pascal is born in the Bronx, New York. He will go
on to star in such Broadway shows as RENT and Disney's musical hit Aida.
1971:
The formal dedication of Walt Disney World in Florida, takes place with Walt's brother
Roy O. Disney officiating.
Standing alongside Roy O. Disney during the dedication in Town Square is Mickey Mouse (portrayed by Cast Member Doug Parks).
A grand opening parade down Main Street USA, featuring a
1,076-piece band, is led by Music Man Meredith Wilson (the
composer of "76 Trombones").
(A 90-minute TV special will air 4 days later.)
Among the 1,076 musicians marching down Main Street is Michael Hamlin, a high school trumpeter from Venice, Florida.
"It was a long day of practicing the music and marching.
I remember it being a bit hot that day. When it was all over and
most of the band participants had left, we were still waiting for our bus. Then Roy Disney came by to thank us and to shake our hand. He was a very nice man for taking the time out to do that. I will remember this forever. We were all awarded a certificate and 10 ticket books ... I still have one of them! I also received a thank you letter from Meredith Wilson." -Mike Hamlin
1973:
The TV special Walt Disney - A Golden Anniversary Salute airs.
Hosted by Dean Jones, the special features such guests as Julie Andrews, Annette Funicello, Buddy Ebsen, Fred MacMurray and animators Wolfgang Reitherman and Ward Kimball.
1988:
Animator & Disney Legend Eric Larson passes away at a Pasadena, California hospital at age 83. He was one of Walt's original "Nine Old Men."
1990:
Stay Awake: Interpretations of Vintage Disney Films is released on CD for the first
time. A 1988 tribute record album recorded by various artists performing songs from Disney films, it was
produced by Hal Willner (best known for assembling tribute albums and events featuring a wide variety of
artists and musical styles).
1993:
Actor Vincent Price, best remembered for his many horror films, passes away in California. Price was the voice of Ratigan in Disney's 1986 animated feature The Great Mouse Detective.
The Broccoli & Co. shop in EPCOT's The Land closes.
1998:
The Famous Jett Jackson premieres on Disney Channel with the episode "Going Up!"
2000:
Thirty lucky Haunted Mansion fans dine in the popular Disneyland attraction as part of a $2000 a plate Fantasy Dinner offered by the park.
1968:
This day's issue of LIFE magazine features Mickey Mouse's 40th birthday, with illustrations of Mickey watches from the 1930s along with new Timex watches retailing for $12.95. (The total production - meant to last a year - will sell out in less than a month!)
1985:
Mickey's Character Shop opens at Disney's Village Marketplace in Florida.
Roy O. Disney raised $400-million and spent the next five years after the death of his brother Walt, building Walt Disney World. He pulled it off with a series of convertible and common stock issues that left the company debt-free when the Florida theme park opened in 1971!
1997:
The Disney Channel Original Movie Under Wraps, about a trio of 12-year-old kids who discover a mummy in the basement of a dead man's house, debuts.
1989:
NBC-TV airs what will be the last episode of The Nutt House, a new comedy series developed by Mel Brooks for Touchstone/Disney.
1991:
CBS-TV airs The Dream is Alive: 20th Anniversary Celebration at Walt Disney World. The special is hosted by Michael Eisner and Regis Philbin.
2007:
Walt Disney World Resort unveils the new official logo for Disney's Hollywood Studios (currently known as Disney-MGM Studios). The theme park is scheduled to officially change its name January 7, 2008.
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2008:
The second annual Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 13K race
takes place at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida.
OCTOBER 25
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Today is World Pasta Day
THIS DAY MADE IN THE USA
OCTOBER 25
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WDW Formal Dedication
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2009:
Disney Channel premieres Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Choo Choo Express.
1910:
Artist Tyrus Wong is born in Toishan, China. Seeking better opportunities, he and his father
came to the U.S. to live in Los Angeles. Wong started at the Walt Disney Studios in 1938 as an entry-level in-
betweener. Later, his beautiful landscapes and forest renditions helped him become a lead inspirational artist on
the production of Bambi. (Wong later worked for Warner Bros. Studios, Columbia, RKO and 20th Century Fox.)
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Day 3 of WDW's three-day grand opening celebration.
2011:
Pop legend Brian Wilson releases his newest CD, In the Key of Disney. The album features the former Beach Boy taking on tunes made famous in films such as The Little Mermaid, Toy Story, Dumbo, The Lion King and Wilson’s favorite Disney movie, Pinocchio.
2010:
A high-tech, talking Mickey Mouse character (with a moving mouth and blinking
eyes) begins making regular appearances at Disney California Adventure as part of a new show.
