2003:
Jules Engel, a pioneering animator and the founding director of the California
Institute of the Arts Experimental Animation Program, passes at the age of 94 in
California. Engel began his career in the late 1940s at Walt Disney Studios where he was first recognized
for his work on the Chinese and Russian dance sequences in Fantasia and on the animated feature Bambi.
(Engel was one of the original members of the animation studio United Productions of America, and with the
late Robert Cannon, developed such cartoons as Gerald Mc Boing Boing, Madeline and Mr. Magoo!)
The second annual ABC Primetime Preview Weekend begins at
Disney's California Adventure.
The Florida chapter of the National Kidney Foundation hosts a 5K Fun Run and Walk Race at Disney World.
2005:
Toy Story celebrates its 10th anniversary with the release of a special two-disc DVD edition. The film is also released on UMD (a first for Buena Vista). UMD (Universal Media Disc)
is a Sony created disc format for use on their PlayStation Portable entertainment system.
It is reported that Disney's Buena Vista Music Group (which produces soundtracks for Disney movies and albums for singers such as Hilary Duff) has signed a deal with EMI, the world's third-largest music company.
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1869:
Writer Felix Salten is born Siegmund Salzmann in Budapest, Hungary.
His 1926 book "Bambi, A Life in the Woods" will later be made into an animated feature by Walt Disney. The idea
will come to Salten while on vacation in the Alps after being charmed by the wildlife there. He will base the name, Bambi, on the Italian word "bambino", meaning baby. Another of his stories "The Hound of Florence," a fantasy
about a man who turns into a dog will be the inspiration for Walt Disney's 1959 live-action film The Shaggy Dog.
1926:
The Alice Comedy Alice Charms the Fish is released.
1937:
Actress-comedienne Jo Anne Worley, known for her performances on TV's
Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, and her work in Disney films and TV specials, is born
in Lowell, Indiana. Her Disney voice credits include Kim Possible: The Secret Files, A Goofy Movie,
and Beauty and the Beast. Worley also hosted a 1972 episode of The Mouse Factory, and appeared in
the 1976 live-action comedy The Shaggy D.A. and the 1977 TV episode The Mouseketeers at Walt Disney World.
1976:
America on Parade has its final run at both Disneyland and Disney World.
Featuring oversized head costumes of historic Americans, the parade's unique soundtrack - synthesizers
and antique carousel organs - has been prepared by Don Dorsey (his first project for Disney).
1982:
The Disneyland attraction Alice in Wonderland temporarily closes while Fantasyland
is being updated. ("Alice" will re-open in April 1985.)
Still about a month away from officially debuting, EPCOT Center opens at 9 a.m. on
this Labor Day for the Family Construction Preview. Family members of any of the park's
construction workers can wander through Future World and World Showcase until 6 p.m.
1995:
The Disneyana Convention 1995 kicks off at Walt Disney World.
1996:
Night of Joy 1996 begins at Disney World's Magic Kingdom. To be held over 3 nights
(September 6, 7 & 13), performers include D.C. Talk, Michael W. Smith, Newsboys, Hezekiah Walker, Rebecca
St. James, and Clay Crosse.
2001:
A 24-karat gold sculpture called "Celebration Mickey ... 100 Golden Years of Magic" is the main auction item at the 2001 Official Disneyana Convention. The live auction, held at the Disneyland Resort, starts at 7 p.m. Valued at over $1 million, the two-foot tall "Celebration Mickey" was created to observe Walt Disney's 100th birthday. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to The Walt Disney Company's compassion program for children with life-threatening illnesses.
2002:
Contemporary Christian music takes center stage at Walt Disney World's Magic
Kingdom for the first of 2 sold out evenings. With more performers each night than at anytime
in the history of the annual event, this evening's line-up includes Plus One, Kirk Franklin, Benjamin Gate,
Mary Mary, Steven Curtis Chapman, ZOEgirl, Natalie Grant, and Phat Chance,
2004:
After a weekend of punishment from Hurricane Frances, Walt Disney World re-opens with a limited schedule. Only the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Typhoon Lagoon,
Downtown Disney and the Wide World of Sports Complex are opened.
Disney Villains: The Essential Guide, published by DK, hits store shelves.
There are enough of the famous "Mouse Ear" hats sold each year at Walt Disney World to cover the head of every man, woman, and child in Pittsburgh!
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2006:
Disney Channel Germany airs High School Musical for the first time.
2007:
Mickey's Mystery Pin Machine makes its debut at MouseGear in Epcot.
1993:
Adventures in Wonderland - a new series starring Elisabeth Harnois as Alice - premieres on Disney Channel.
2008:
The Disney Magic enters dry dock for a bow-to-stern overhaul that is scheduled be completed September 24. Among the changes Disney plans for the 10-year-old ship is a big revamping of the adults-only Quiet Cove retreat area. The Cove Café coffee lounge will get a new seating area with plush chairs, and the Cove's adults-only pool will be redone with a cascading waterfall. Disney also plans an upgrade to cabins, which will include new flat-screen LCD television sets mounted on swivel arms.
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SEPTEMBER 6
THIS DAY MADE
IN THE
USA
SEPTEMBER 6
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"Jules (Engel) always encouraged me to think beyond traditional approaches, yet to stay within the framework of character animation." -John Lasseter
2009:
The fourth annual Disneyland Half Marathon, which winds through the
Disneyland Resort area and out into Anaheim itself, takes place. Jaeyung Hyung, 38,
of Las Cruces, New Mexico, crosses the finish line with a time of 1:10:44 to lead the estimated field of nearly
12,000 participants!
Five of Pixar's directors - Andrew Stanton, Pete Docter, John Lasseter, Brad Bird and Lee Unkrich - receive the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the 66th Venice International Film Festival. Presented by George Lucas, it is the first time the accolade has been given to a group rather than an individual filmmaker.
"I really enjoyed running the race here. There were so many people, and Disney made it a lot of fun." -Hyung
1972:
Tony Award-winning actress and singer Anika Noni Rose is born in Bloomfield, Connecticut. She is the voice of Tiana in Disney's animated 2009 feature The Princess and the Frog.
Rose was named a Disney Legend on August 19, 2011.
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4th Disneyland Half Marathon
In Memory of Jules Engel (1909-2003)
2010:
Today is the final day Disney California Adventure visitors will be able to ride the tall Maliboomer attraction. Tomorrow crews plan to start removing the ride which Disney has long planned to demolish. The thrill ride, which shoots visitors up 180 feet, will no longer fit with the theme of the Paradise Pier area, which will take on an early 1900s feel.
ALICE
1985:
Night of Joy 1985 kicks off for the first of two consecutive nights in the Magic Kingdom at Disney World. (Actually this is the second night for this year's event as a single Night of Joy was also held last May 17.) This evening's lineup includes AD, David and the Giants, David Meece, Michael W Smith and White Heart.
1986:
Magic Kingdom hosts Night of Joy 1986 for a second evening at Disney World
with musical guests Darrell Mansfield, Leon Patillo, Petra, Stryper, Russ Taff,
Sheila Walsh, and The Winans.
1991:
Chrisitian music acts Margaret Becker Band, DC Talk, Mylon & Broken Heart, Petra, Whiteheart, and BeBe & CeCe Winan take part in Disney World's Night of Joy 1991 for the first of two evenings.
