this day in disney history

[trr1]

4/28

1939:
The Donald Duck short The Hockey Champ, directed by Jack King, is released.
Donald plays a game of hockey with his nephews
1946:
Disney Studios runs an ad - "Walt Disney Needs Girl Artists Now!" in the Los Angeles Times
1949:
Actor Bruno Kirby is born in New York City. He will go on to appear in Disney's 1973 live- action comedy Superdad (playing the role of Stanley) and the 1987 Touchstone Pictures comedy-drama Good Morning, Vietnam (as Lieutenant Steven Hauk). Film fans will also know Kirby from such classics as The Godfather Part II, City Slickers, and When Harry Met Sally
1983:
Total Abandon opens at the Booth Theatre in New York City. The original
stage production, starring Richard Dreyfuss, is funded by Walt Disney
Productions. (Unfortunately it will close after just one performance.)
1989:
A Typhoon Lagoon sneak preview takes place for members of the press.
(The new Disney World water park will open June 1.)
1995:
The ABC television sitcom Family Matters debuts part 1 of the episode
"We're Going to Disney World." Steve Urkel is a finalist in an Innoventions contest and the Winslow family is invited along for the trip.
1997:
The restaurant in Walt Disney World's Cinderella Castle is renamed
Cinderella's Royal Table. Although originally called King Stefan's Banquet Hall - King Stefan was actually Sleeping Beauty's father ... not Cinderella's!
2004:
Comcast announces that it has withdrawn its multi-billion dollar bid to buy Walt Disney. (Comcast first announced its bid last February.)
2009:
A new documentary The Boys: The Sherman Brothers' Story screens for the first time at the Newport Beach Film Festival. The prolific songwriting team of brothers Richard and Robert Sherman are responsible for countless songs heard in Disney theme parks and features. The film, produced and directed by cousins Jeff and Greg Sherman (the sons of Richard & Robert) features interviews with many of the Disney Legends that the songwriting team worked with over the years

 

[trr1]

4/29

1949:
Disney's Pluto's Sweater, directed by Charles A. Nichols, is released in theaters. Pluto has to wear a pink sweater that Minnie has knitted ... much to his dismay and the delight of laughing Figaro (Minnie's cat). The short features the voices of Pinto Colvig (as Pluto), Ruth Clifford (as Minnie Mouse) and the music of Oliver Wallace
1957:
Shirley Temple takes part in the dedication of the Sleeping Beauty Castle walk-through at Disneyland. In attendance is Walt Disney and Temple's oldest daughter Linda, son Charles, and youngest daughter Lori. (Back in 1939 child star Shirley Temple had presented Walt with an honorary Academy Award - one big Oscar & seven little ones - for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.)
1983:
Disney's live-action Something Wicked This Way Comes is released. Based on a Ray Bradbury novel, the film stars Jason Robards, Diane Ladd, and Royal Dano (the voice of Abraham Lincoln for Disney's Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln attraction).
1989:
At the 61st Academy Awards, the live-action/animated Who Framed Roger Rabbit wins Oscars for Film Editing, Sound Effects, Visual Effects, and for Animation Direction.

Disney-MGM Studios holds a press preview with such celebrities as Audrey Hepburn, Bette Midler, Betty White, George Burns, and The Pointer Sisters. As she won't be present when the park officially opens Monday May 1,
Audrey Hepburn leaves her handprints and signature on the courtyard of The Great Movie Ride.
1994:
The first phase of Disney World's All-Star Sports Resort, Surf's Up
(located at 1991 West Buena Vista Drive) opens. A haven for sports
fans, the Florida resort will eventually consist of 5 themed hotels
(10 buildings in all) each bordered by a giant sports icon
2000:
Actor Michael J. Fox pays a visit to Walt Disney World to add his handprints to the Disney-MGM Studios collection.
2005:
Disney's Touchstone Pictures releases The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy in U.S. theaters. A science fiction comedy starring Sam Rockwell, Mos Def, Zooey Deschanel and John Malkovich, it is based on the book of the same name by Douglas Adams.
2009:
Former Imagineers Rolly Crump and (the late) Don Edgren are honored at Disneyland with Main Street windows. Prior to the park's opening, family, friends and fans of the two Disney Legends gather to witness the dedication of the store windows. Walt Disney Imagineering Ambassador Marty Sklar and Disneyland Resort President Ed Grier are on hand for the ceremony.

 

[trr1]

4/30

1923:
Actor Al Lewis is born in New York. Famously known as Grandpa from the hit 1960s television series The Munsters, Lewis appeared in Disney's 1970 live-action film The Boatniks as Bert.
1926:
Actress Cloris Leachman, Nurse Spex in Disney's 2005 live-action feature Sky High, is born in Des Moines, Iowa. Her Disney credits include The North Avenue Irregulars (1979) as Claire Porter, Herbie Goes Bananas (1980) as Aunt Louise, and a 2009 episode of Phineas and Ferb. Leachman also co-starred in the short-lived Touchstone/Disney sitcom The Nutt House as Ms. Frick. (An eight-time Emmy Award winner, Leachman is best known for her roles on the classic TV sitcom The Mary Tyler Moore Show and later the spinoff series, Phyllis.)
1939:
The New York World's Fair, "Building the World of Tomorrow," opens in Flushing Meadows. Disney is represented by a specially commissioned Mickey Mouse cartoon developed for and donated to the Nabisco Pavilion. The following August, the Nabisco Pavilion will also help host "Donald Duck Day" at the Fair. (The World's Fair of 1964-65 will take place at this same location.)
1952:

Mr. Potato Head is first widely introduced to the public when it becomes the first toy ever advertised on television. Over one million kits will be sold in the first year!

Originally invented by George Lerner in 1949, Mr. Potato Head was sold to Henry and Merrill Hassenfeld in 1951 (the creators of the toy company Hasbro). In 1995 Mr. Potato Head will make his Hollywood debut with a leading role in the Disney/Pixar animated feature, Toy Story
1969:
During a press conference at the Ramada Inn on Highway 50 in Ocoee, Florida (a little suburb on the outskirts of Orlando), Donn B. Tatum (president of Walt Disney World Co.) details the more than 3 years of planning for a "Destination Vacation". It has been two years since special legislation had been passed to allow Disney to build its Florida project, and now the Disney
Company has rented out the entire Ramada Inn for Walt Disney World's official first press event. A large circus tent outside the hotel is filled with models and artist renderings of Walt Disney World for this three-day gala. Among the Disney officials in attendance is Walt's brother Roy O. Disney and Disney publicist Charlie Ridgway. A 16-mm 17-minute film titled Walt Disney World - Phase 1 is screened at the Parkwood Cinema Theater. It shows the master plan and artist' depictions for a theme park (which will open in 1971).
On this same day, RCA releases a press kit to the media explaining their role in the creation of Disney World. RCA is set to create and produce the computer and communications infrastructure for the entire Disney World project. The system, named WEDCOMM--Walter E. Disney Communications Oriented Monitoring and Management System, will establish the first 21st Century information-communications system as a total service for guests, residents and management. The system will link computers, telephones, automatic monitoring and control devices, mobile communications and television in a multi-faceted network capable of expansion as growth demands. (The ambitious plan will vanish quickly, at least from public view, when RCA sells its computer division to Sperry Univac in 1970.)
1989:
The Magical World of Disney airs the 2-hour TV special "The Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park Grand Opening" the night before the park's actual grand debut. Hosted by John Ritter, the program features such TV stars as Harry Anderson, Stefanie Powers, Kate Jackson,Rue McClanahan, Ann Miller, Tony Randall and Hollywood legend George Burns. The show opens with a big
musical number starring singer Smokey Robinson, as he and numerous dancers make their way down Hollywood Boulevard. The closing dance number "Hooray for Hollywood" will win an Emmy for Best Choreagraphy
2007:
Legendary comedian Don Rickles appears at the Dolphin Hotel at Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Rickles is the voice of Mr. Potato Head in Disney/Pixar's Toy Story films and the voice of William in Disney World's Enchanted Tiki Room attraction.)
Veteran comedic actor Tom Poston passes away in Los Angeles at age 85.
Best known for his role on the series Newhart, Poston's Disney credits include The Suite Life of Zack & Cody and the film Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement. Married to actress Suzanne Pleshette, Poston's handprints are
on display in front of Hollywood Hills Amphitheater at Disney's Hollywood Studios.
2009:
Disney announces that it is becoming an equity partner in Hulu, a purveyor of Web video.

 

[trr1]

5/1

1915:
Art Stevens, an animator, writer, title designer,and producer at the Disney Studios, is born in Roy, Montana. He'll begin his career in 1939 as an in-betweener - an artist who makes the drawings between the animator's key poses - on Fantasia and Bambi. He will retire in 1983
1925:
Scott Carpenter, the 4th American astronaut in space, is born in Boulder, Colorado. His Disney credits include the 1986 TV special The Living Seas. The Scott Carpenter Space Analog Station (an underwater habitat) was on display at Epcot in January 1998. Originally a test pilot, Carpenter became the second American to orbit the Earth in May 1962
1940:
Walter E. Disney, of Los Angeles, receives patent #2,201,689 from the United States Patent and Trademark Office, for the "art of animation" camera. The multiplane camera allows for a more realistic three-dimensional image as well as depth and richness to the animation. The device uses up to seven layers of artwork (painted in oils on glass) shot under a vertical and moveable camera.
1946:
Actress Joanna Lumley, the voice of Aunt Spiker in Disney's 1996 James and the Giant Peach, is born in India. (Comedy fans will recognize her from the BBC series Absolutely Fabulous.)
1947:
The rights to use Donald Duck as the official mascot and insignia of the University of Oregon is granted by Walt Disney Productions. (Following Disney's death in 1966, it will become apparent that a formal contract does not exist to allow the school the rights to Donald's image. But in 1973, a written contract will be signed between Oregon's athletic department and Walt Disney Productions, allowing the continued use of the famous cartoon character. Eventually, in 1984, Donald Duck - during the year of his 50th birthday - will be named an honorary alumnus of the university!)
1954:
The Anaheim Bulletin reports that Disney has purchased land in Anaheim, California for an amusement park.
1977:
In a dedication ceremony in Florida, the "Empress Lilly," an historic replica of
a three-decked Mississippi boat (complete with paddle wheel) is christened by Walt Disney's widow, Lillian, for whom it is named. The new Walt Disney World landmark, which contains 3 restaurants - Fisherman's Deck, Steerman's Quarters, and the Empress Room, is unveiled at the Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village. The Empress Room and Steerman's Quarters serve dinner only while Fisherman's Deck features a character breakfast; one of the few character breakfasts available at this time on WDW property. (The Empress Lilly will close on April 22, 1995 and reopen as Fulton's Crab House in March 1996 ... minus the paddle wheel.)
1983:
Card Walker steps down as chairman of Disney, turning the job over to Ray Watson
1985:
The film-making team of Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, and Jerry Zucker sign a two-year deal with Disney. (Within a week, they will begin work on the film, Ruthless People.)
1986:
At EPCOT, The Good Turn Restaurant (opened in The Land since the park's debut in 1982) closes. It will become Garden Grille Restaurant
1989:
The Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park at Walt Disney World opens to the public. Located south of EPCOT, it is Disney's 5th theme park in the world. Although it rains throughout the day, the park is packed. It is the largest
opening day press event in Disney World history. Attractions in the park include Walt Disney Studios Animation Studios (where guests can watch story personnel, animators, artists and technicians produce motion pictures), The Great Movie Ride, SuperStar Television, and The Monster Sound Show. The Great Movie Ride, a replica of the entrance to Graumann's Chinese Theater, features a courtyard for celebrity handprints and signatures. A program called "Star Today" will allow celebrities over the years to leave their mark. The very first "Star Today" is original Mouseketeer Annette Funicello. Released on this same day at the Animation Studios is a 9-minute short titled
"Back to Neverland." The special film features Walter Cronkite and Robin Williams. Among the Hollywood legends visiting the park are George Burns and Bob Hope (who help cut the filmstrip ribbon dedicating the Studios).
Entrance price: $29 for Adults - $23 for Children (ages 3-9)

"The world you have entered was created by the Walt Disney Company & is
dedicated to Hollywood - not a place on a map, but a state of mind that exists wherever people dream & wonder & imagine, a place where illusion & reality are fused by technological magic. We welcome you to a Hollywood that never was - and always will be." -dedication of Disney-MGM Studios (This Day in Disney History 1989)

Disney World's Pleasure Island officially opens on this day in 1989 too. (Although Disney has been admitting guests since April 28.)
1996:
Actress Luana Pattern, who appeared in such Disney films as Song of the South, So Dear to My Heart, and Follow Me, Boys! passes away in California
2001:
Because the city of Anaheim, California, receives two to five emergency calls a day from Disney (including heart attacks and heat stroke as well as accidents) two teams of paramedics will be stationed at the two Disney theme parks beginning on this day. The 12 paramedics, who are expected to shave precious minutes off response time to any accident in the parks, will officially work for the city of Anaheim (however, Disney will pay the city $1.4 million a year to cover the labor costs, and will provide housing and transportation in the resort). Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, already has paramedics within its parks. The Disneyland Resort is getting them now because of the recent expansion.

Animal Kingdom's thrill ride Countdown to Extinction changes its name to Dinosaur!.
2002:
The Sherman Brothers (a songwriting team whose music can be heard in countless Disney films and attractions) are honored at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in California. Actor ________ Van appears with his own Barbershop quartet "The Vantastix." Accompanied by the Jr. Philharmonic Orchestra, they perform Sherman songs from Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (which
both featured ________ Van ).
2009:
Disney's Hollywood Studios celebrates its 20th anniversary. The park opens an hour early, at 8:00 am, with a special rope-drop ceremony to kick off the birthday celebration.

The first phase of Kidani Village, a time-share extension of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, formally opens in Florida. The name comes from the Swahili word for “necklace” and is meant to represent the resort’s layout

 

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5/2

1878:
Actor-comedian & composer Roy Atwell - the voice of Doc in Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs - is born in Syracuse, New York
1937:
Actor, writer, television producer, musician and voice actor Lorenzo Music is born Gerald David Music in Brooklyn, New York. He will go on to voice characters for such Disney television shows as TaleSpin, Disney's Adventures of the Gummi Bears, and Darkwing Duck. (He will be best remembered as the voice of the cartoon cat Garfield and the voice of Carlton the doorman on the CBS television sitcom Rhoda.)
1964:
Disney's 4th World's Fair exhibit, "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln," finally makes its New York debut after weeks of technical problems
1972:
Actor Dwayne Johnson also known by his former ring name The Rock, and occasionally credited as Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, is born in Hayward, California. A former professional wrestler, his Disney credits include the features The Game Plan and Race to Witch Mountain
1982:
Today is the first day of EPCOT Center site tours for Cast Members and their families. Narrated tours for the soon-to-be-open theme park leave every half hour. (EPCOT will have its grand debut on October 1.)
1993:
The Theater of the Stars, a 1500-seat amphitheater opened since the park's debut and located just to the right of the Hollywood Brown Derby restaurant at Disney-MGM, temporarily closes. It will be moved to make way for the construction of the new Sunset Boulevard area.
2004:
Walt Disney World's It's a Small World attraction officially closes for renovations. (It is scheduled to reopen Spring 2005.)
2006:
At 9:02 a.m., Disneyland welcomes 12-year old Emmalee Mason of Colorado Springs, Colorado - the honorary two-billionth guest to visit a Disney Park! Emmalee is presented with a giant golden key and a lifetime pass to all 11 Disney Parks around the world.

 

[Ziana007]

Nice n Wonderful thread !

 

[trr1]

5/3

1896:
Novelist and playwright Dodie Smith is born Dorothy Gladys Smith in Lancashire, England. Her 1956 novel The Hundred and One Dalmatians was loosely adapted into a Disney animated feature and released in 1961. The Hundred and One Dalmatians was inspired by Dodie's own Dalmation pet named Pongo!
1903:
Legendary singer & actor Bing Crosby - one of the narrators of Disney's 1949
animated feature The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad - is born inTacoma,Washington. (The best-selling recording artist until well into the rock era, with over half a billion records in circulation, Crosby's career stretched over more than half a century from 1926 until his death in 1977.
His biggest musical hit ... Irving Berlin's "White Christmas," first introduced in 1942.)
1926:
The El Capitan Theatre, "Hollywood's First Home of Spoken Drama," debuts with the live stage production Charlot's Revue. For the next ten years it will present live plays, with over 120 productions, before offering movies full-time starting in 1942. (Decades later Disney will operate the theater, using it for many Walt Disney Pictures' movie premieres.)
1969:
Ground is officially broken for the California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, California. Also known as CalArts, the school was founded by Walt Disney when the Chouinard School of Music and The Los Angeles Conservatory merged in the early 60s. (Although Disney had died a few years before this ground breaking, the CalArts student newspaper will still be called Walt.)
1994:
Disney announces plans to create a cruise line
1996:
The television sitcom Step by Step airs part 1 of "We're Going to Disney World."
2003:
James Brown (the Godfather of Soul) performs at the House of Blues in Downtown Disney, Florida on his 70th birthday. He will visit Disney World the following day
2004:
An Associated Press article announces the Disney Cruise Line will begin offering cruises from the West coast in 2005 as part of the celebration for
Disneyland's 50th anniversary
2005:
Walt Disney Records celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Disneyland with 4 new CDs to honor the event: "50th Anniversary: A Musical History of Disneyland," "Julie Andrews Selects Her Favorite Disney Songs," "The Official Album of the Disneyland Resort: The Happiest Homecoming on Earth" and "Walt Disney Records Presents: Wishes!"

Disney releases 6 classics from the past to DVD. They include
Pocahontas: 10th Anniversary Edition (a 2-disc package), National Treasure (starring Nicolas Cage), In Search of the Castaways (featuring Hayley Mills), Summer Magic (also featuring Mills), Heidi (starring Jason Robards), and That Darn Cat! (the first Disney film to star Dean Jones).

The media descends on Disneyland to prepare for the next day's party and schmoozefest. The Anaheim park will be closed to the public tomorrow as Disney puts the finishing touches on their 50th Celebration event (which officially begins May 5).
2007:
Mickey Mouse, dressed as the Sorcerer's Apprentice, acts as grand marshal of the 2007 Pegasus Parade in Louisville, Kentucky. The parade - whose theme is "Wonders, Wizards and Wands" - is part of the Kentucky Derby festivities.

Walter M. Schirra Jr., one of the original Mercury Seven astronauts and the only man to fly on NASA's Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs, passes away at age 84. Over the years Schirra made appearances at Disney theme parks for such events as the 2003 debut of Epcot's Mission:SPACE and the unveiling of Disneyland's new Tomorrowland in 1998. In 2003 he appeared on
ABC-TV's broadcast of the 20th Annual Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade
2010:
Almost 5 years to the day after launching at Orlando International Airport, Disney’s Magical Express welcomes it’s 10,000,000th guest! Lori Ogurkis and her family from Hazelton, Pennyslvania, receive a special reception at the airport, complete with a surprise visit and a gift basket from Mickey Mouse. The Ogurkis family ride in their own private motor coach to Disney’s Polynesian Resort to begin their WDW vacation. (Magical Express began running May 5, 2005.)

 

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5/4

1852:
Alice Liddell - the inspiration for Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass - is born in London, England.On July 4, 1862, in a rowboat traveling on The Isis from Folly Bridge, Oxford to Godstow for a picnic outing, 10-year-old Liddell asked Charles Dodgson (who wrote under the pen name Lewis Carroll) to entertain her and her two sisters with a story. As the Reverend Robinson Duckworth rowed the boat, Dodgson told the girls fantastic stories of a girl, named Alice, and her adventures after falling into a rabbit-hole. Enamored with the story, Liddell asked Mr. Dodgson to write it down for her. (In 1951, Disney will release the animated Alice in Wonderland, based primarily on Dodgson's Adventures in Wonderland with a
few additional elements from Through the Looking-Glass.)
1944:
Russi Taylor, the voice of Minnie Mouse since 1985 (longer than any other
actress), is born in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She has also voiced Huey, Dewey, and Louie Duck and Webby Vanderquack in the DuckTales television series. Taylor was married to the late Wayne Allwine, the third voice of Mickey Mouse. They were both named Disney Legends in 2008.
1965:
The Orlando Sentinel reports rumors of an "East Coast Disneyland."
1977:
Space Mountain opens in Disneyland. Based on concepts by Imagineer John Hench, Space Mountain at Disneyland was designed by Bill Watkins. It is the second Space Mountain in existence, as the first one opened at WDW in January 1975. Also opening as part of the Space Mountain complex is the Starcade arcade, Space Place Restaurant and Tomorrowland Space Stage. (SM will have an official grand opening May 27.)
1997:
'Piano' Bob Jackson debuts his one man cabaret show at Riverside's River Roost Lounge at Walt Disney World's Port Orleans Riverside Resort.
1998:
At Disneyland, astronaut Buzz Aldrin and Buzz Lightyear attend the re-opening of the Moonliner attraction. The original TWA Moonliner was a futuristic exhibit at Tomorrowland that stood 80-feet tall. Designed by John Hench, it was retired in 1967. A scaled down version with the familiar TWA red stripes but without the TWA logo is now part of the new 1998 version of Tomorrowland. It is used to promote Coca-Cola.
2000:
Pixar Animation Studios announces that Brad Bird, the critically-acclaimed director and writer of animated feature films, has joined the company as a director. At this time Bird is known for his 2-D hand-animated 1999 Warner Bros. film The Iron Giant. He will go on to direct the 2004 release The Incredibles and later the 2007 Ratatouille.
2003:
The Godfather of Soul James Brown and his family visit Walt Disney World
2005:
Disneyland closes to the public on this day for a VIP and Celebrity party in honor of the 18-month 50th Celebration event (which will officially kick off the next day). A gold carpeted Main Street leads guests to the entrance of
Frontierland where the festvities are being held. Earlier in the afternoon the premier of "Disneyland – The First 50 Years" takes place with a ceremony hosted by Steve Martin and Donald Duck. Also in attendance is actress Julie Andrews, Disneyland's 50th Anniversary Honorary Ambassador. The evening ends with the premiere of the "Remember Dreams Come True" fireworks spectacular
2009:
The full list of nominees are revealed for this year's MTV Movie Awards. Miley Cyrus (Disney's Hannah Montana) is nominated for two categories - "Breakthrough Performance - Female" and "Best Song from a Movie" (a brand-new category) for her hit song "The Climb." Competing against Cyrus for "Breakthrough Performance - Female" are fellow Disney gals & High School Musical stars Vanessa Hudgens and Ashley Tisdale. The awards show will be held at Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, California, May 31.

 

[trr1]

5/5

1915:
Ben Wright - the voice of Grimsby in Disney's 1989 classic The Little Mermaid and the voice of Wolf in the 1967 film The Jungle Book - is born to an English mother and an American father in London, England. (Wright worked extensively in American radio, supplying crisp, erudite diction as the radio incarnation of Sherlock Holmes.)
1927:
Actress Pat Carroll, the voice of the villainess Ursula in Disney's 1989 classic The Little Mermaid, is born in Shreveport, Louisiana. She also voiced Ursula's sister Morgana in The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea.
1929:
Singer, voice actress and Disney Legend Ilene Woods (the first wife of Disney composer George Bruns) is born in New Hampshire. In 1948, as a favor for songwriter friends Mack David and Jerry Livingston, Woods will record "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo," "A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes," and "So This is Love." Upon hearing Woods, Walt will hire her as the title voice of Cinderella. (Woods later married Ed Shaughnessy, longtime drummer on Johnny Carson's "Tonight Show.")
1987:
Disneyland introduces Disney Dollars, its exclusive line of currency featuring Mickey Mouse on the $1 bill and Goofy on the $5 bill.
1995:
The ABC television sitcom Family Matters debuts part 2 of the episode "We're Going to Disney World."
2005:
In an historic first, all 10 of the Disney theme parks around the world collectively kick off the festivities for the "Happiest Celebration on Earth" to mark the 50th anniversary of Disneyland. (The opening of Hong Kong Disneyland in September will add #11 to the 18-month long global celebration.)

In Anaheim, the opening ceremony for Disneyland's 50th Anniversary
takes place in front of the Sleeping Beauty Castle. Special guests
include singer LeeAnn Rimes (singing "Remember When"), Art Linkletter (who co-hosted the television grand opening in 1955), and legendary actress-singer Julie Andrews (the Honorary Ambassador of the 50th anniversary and star of Mary Poppins). A special anniversary fireworks show called "Remember ... Dreams Come True" (sponsored by American Honda Motor Co.) debuts to the general public for the first time.

Down in Florida, Epcot's new Soarin' (a simulator attraction) officially opens as does the Disney-MGM Studios' Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show. Cinderellabration, a glittering stage show, officially premieres too - at the Magic Kingdom. Also officially debuting is Disney's Magical Express - a complimentary round-trip airport transfer for Disney World hotel guests
2006:
Disney's acquisition of Pixar Animation Studios is completed - Pixar is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company.

 

[trr1]

5/6

1916:
Actress & Disney Legend Adriana Caselotti is born to musical parents in
Bridgeport, Connecticut. Her father, Guido, teaches music in New York,
while her mother, Maria, had performed at the Royal Opera in London. At age 18 she will supply the voice and personality to Walt Disney's very first feature-length cartoon heroine, Snow White.
1964:
Voice artist/actress Dana Hill is born in Los Angeles, California. Her Disney credits include The Hunchback of Notre Dame, A Goof Troop Christmas, and Disney's Wonderful World TV episode "The Kids Who Knew Too Much." (National Lampoon movie fans know her as Audrey Griswold in the 1985 comedy feature European Vacation.)
1969:
Imagineers Roger Broggie and Earl Vilmer (a railroad superintendent with over 20 years experience) arrange for the purchase of 5 railroad engines (and miscellaneous spare parts) from the United Railways of Yucatan, Mexico. These will be shipped to the Tampa Ship Repair and Dry Dock Company, rebuilt (with the exception of one locomotive - found to be in poor shape), and later used for Disney's new Florida theme park. (The Mexican government originally opposed the idea of Disney buying its "railroad technology." A law on the books forbade the export of the equipment, but since the engines were originally built in Pennsylvania and later imported to Mexico - the law did not apply and permission was granted to buy and move the equipment to Florida.)
1988:
The second new World Showcase pavilion to be added to the original
roster, Norway, opens at Disney World's EPCOT. It includes the Flording shop, Puffin's Roost shop, Kringla Bakeri og Kafe restaurant, and the Restaurant Akershus.
1989:
The body of television actor Guy Williams is found in his apartment in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He apparently died of a heart attack a week earlier. Williams is best-remembered for his lead TV roles in Lost in Space and Disney's Zorro.
1995:
ABC-TV airs Disney's Freaky Friday, a new made-for-TV version of the classic
1976 feature. The remake stars Shelley Long and Gaby Hoffmann as the mother and daughter whose personalities get switched
2005:
Legendary Disney artist and writer Joe Grant passes away days before
his 97th birthday at his home in Glendale, California. His work ranged from
the early classics like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Alice in Wonderland, and Dumbo to modern animated features such as The Lion King, Pocahontas, Mulan, and The Incredibles
2009:
Stitch's Supersonic Celebration, a live stage show in the Tomorrowland section of the Magic Kingdom at WDW, officially debuts. (It will run for only 6 weeks.)(what a waste of money)

 

[trr1]

5/7

1917:
Actor & Disney Legend David Tomlinson - best known for his role as 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 Brown).
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 portrays 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 know McGavin for his role of the grumpy father who is given to bursts of profanity.)
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!
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
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
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
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.
2010:
The landmark Disney Feature Animation building on Riverside Drive in Burbank is named for the late Roy E. Disney during a dedication ceremony

 

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5/8

1884:
Farmer, railroad worker, clerk and 33rd President of the United States,
Harry S Truman is born in Lamar, Missouri. In 1957 he will visit Disneyland
and later be immortalized in Disney World's The Hall of Presidents.
"One of the most famous overage kids was (former President of the United States) Harry S. Truman, who went on
almost all the rides except Dumbo, during his Disneyland visit. Mr. Truman wanted nothing to do with any elephant, even Dumbo. When he decided to see the miniature fairy tale settings in Storybook Land, there was a slight delay. The canal boat was fully loaded, but, for some reason, the pretty young operator seemed unable to get it going. Finally, she turned to her noted guest -'Pardon me, Mr. Truman,' she said. 'If you would lift your foot off the brake, we could start.' "The former President of the United States instinctively lifted his right foot and the boat took off. He looked down at the brakeless floorboard; then joined the laughter at having fallen for this old wheeze that operators on many of the rides frequently pull on unsuspecting patrons." -Walt Disney (June 1958)
1926:
Legendary comedian/actor Don Rickles - the voice of Mr. Potato Head in Pixar's Toy Story films and the voice of William in Disney World's Enchanted Tiki Room attraction - is born in Queens, New York. Rickles' Mr. Potato Head is also featured in the Toy Story Midway Mania! attraction at both Disney's California Adventure and Disney's Hollywood Studios.Rickles has acted in comedic and dramatic roles, but is best known as an insult comic.
1991:
Newspapers report that Disney has proposed a $3.1 billon project to build a new theme park called WESTCOT in Anaheim. The tentaive plans call to build hotels, retail space and a second theme park (patterned after Epcot) on 470 acres.
2007:
Disneyland Golden Horseshoe performer Fulton Burley passes away at age 84 in California. In 1962, while performing at the Hacienda Hotel in Las Vegas, Burley received a call from his pal Wally Boag, with whom he had worked as a contract player at MGM. Wally, who had been performing in the Golden Horseshoe Revue for seven years, needed to replace one of his fellow cast members. Burley went on to appear in the popular show through October 1986! He also supplied the voice of Michael, the Irish parrot, for the Enchanted Tiki Room attraction. Burley was honored as a Disney Legend in 1995

 

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5/9

1860:
Novelist James M. Barrie, creator of Peter Pan, is born in
Kirriemuir, Scotland. His famous character first appeared in The Little White Bird a novel for adults published in 1902. Barrie's book attained prominence and longevity due to several chapters written about the character and mythology of Peter Pan. Those chapters were later published separately as Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens as a children's book. Barries' 1911 novel Peter and Wendy was actually first produced as a successful stageplay in 1904 under the title Peter Pan: or, The Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up.
Since featuring the character in their 1953 animated film, Walt Disney has continued to use Peter Pan as one of their traditional characters, featuring him in the sequel film Return to Neverland, in their parks as a meet-and-greet character, and as the focus of the Fantasyland dark ride, Peter Pan's Flight.
1954:
Walt Disney's daughter Diane marries USC football player Ron Miller at the All Saints by the Sea Episcopal Church in Montecito, California. The "football" ceremony features a minister who was a former player & coach, and a five-tier cake topped with female and male football players. (Diane and Ron will have seven children.)
1981:
Legendary Disneyland entertainer Wally Boag guest stars on episode 116 of TV's The Muppet Show. In honor of Boag, the Muppets salute vaudeville with a balloon animal act, bagpipes, and a hypnotist!
2005:
Roy E. Disney (Walt's nephew) and Stanley P. Gold file suit in Delaware Chancery Court against The Walt Disney Company and certain members of the Board of Directors of the Company alleging that the Board made false statements to the company's shareholders about its CEO search in order to induce shareholders to vote for the incumbent Board at the 2005 meeting.

 

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5/10

1922:
Emmy Award-winning actress Nancy Walker, who appears in the 1973 live-action feature The World's Greatest Athlete as Mrs. Petersen, is born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (She will be best remembered to TV fans as Rosie on the commercials for Bounty paper towels and as Ida Morgenstern on the comedy series Rhoda.)
1936:
Disc jockey and voice actor Gary Owens is born in Mitchell, South Dakota. Known for his polished baritone speaking voice (generally offering deadpan recitations of total nonsense), fans of the 1960s TV series Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In know Owens as the show's announcer. He was the voice of Walt Disney's Epcot Center ride, World of Motion (which operated between 1982 and 1996) and narrated the 1954 short Pigs is Pigs - his first Disney credit. Owens has also lent his talents to The Love Bug, Return from Witch Mountain, Walt Disney World's 15th Anniversary Celebration, Buzz Lightyear of Star Command, and Wizards of Waverly Place. Ironically Owens received a Hollywood Walk of Fame Star in 1980 ... right next to Walt Disney!
1959:
Walt Disney's daughter Sharon marries Robert B. Brown (a designer with an architectural firm) at the Presbyterian Church in Pacific Palisades, California.
A reception follows at the Hotel Bel Air in Beverly Hills.
1977:
Film, television and theater actress Joan Crawford passes away in New York City at age 72. Known for her appearances in such features as Grand Hotel and What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, in 1955 she became involved with the Pepsi-Cola Company, through her marriage to company president Alfred Steele. After his death in 1959, Crawford was elected to fill his vacancy on the board of directors. In 1963, it was Crawford who suggested that Pepsi contact Walt Disney to build a "little boat ride" for the 1964/65 World's Fair in New York!
1996:
The television sitcom Step by Step airs part 2 of "We're Going to Disney World."

The television comedy series Boy Meets World airs the episode "The Happiest Show on Earth" - which takes place at Disney World.
2008:
Disney's Hollywood Studios previews Toy Story Mania for annual passholders only. The new 3-D attraction will officially open May 31.

 

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5/11

1883:
Sketch artist Albert Hunter is born in Zurich, Switzerland. He will be the first ever inspirational sketch artist to work at the Walt Disney Studio (between 1931-1942). Hunter will be known for his significant contribution to the visual styles of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Pinocchio.
1904:
Surrealist artist Salvador Dalí is born in the town of Figueres, in Catalonia, Spain. Best known for his striking bizarre, dreamlike images, Dalí is considered one of the most important painters of the 20th century. In 1945 Walt Disney collaborated with him on the short Destino (which is the Spanish word for "destiny"). Storyboarded by studio artist John Hench and Dalí for eight months in late 1945 and 1946, financial concerns later caused Disney to cease production. Destino was abandoned for decades (until its release in 2003), but Dalí and Walt remained lifelong friends.
1911:
Tony Award-winning comedic actor Phil Silvers is born in Brooklyn, New York. His Disney credits include The Strongest Man in the World as Krinkle and The Boatniks as Harry Simmons. (TV fans will know him best as Sergeant Bilko!)
1912:
Animator Don Towsley is born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His Disney credits include such features as Pinocchio, Fantasia, Dumbo, and Bambi. (Towsley also worked on the TV classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas!)
1913:
Composer, arranger, trumpeter & Disney Legend Salvador "Tutti" Camarata is born in Glen Ridge, New Jersey. In 1956 Walt Disney will hire him to help form Disney Records and to be music director & producer for the label. Two years later, Camarata will purchase a building (an old auto repair shop on Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA) that will become Sunset Sound Recorders. Sunset will be one of the best independent studios in Hollywood. During his 16 year association with Disney, Camarata will produce over 300 albums! (Camarata was an amazing innovator - he invented the idea of the isolation booth for recording studios!)
1920:
Actor Denver Pyle is born in Bethune, Colorado. Pyle's Disney credits include the features Escape to Witch Mountain & Return from Witch Mountain, and the Disneyland TV episodes Hog Wild & The Boy Who Talked to Badgers. (He is best known to fans of The Dukes of Hazzard as Uncle Jesse.)
1942:
Actor, television broadcaster, radio personality, & voice-over specialist Terry McGovern is born Berkeley, California. He is the voice of Launchpad McQuack in such Disney movies and television shows as Darkwing Duck, DuckTales the Movie: Treasure of the Lost Lamp, and Ducktales: Treasure of the Golden Suns.
1993:
The hit TV sitcom Full House goes to Disney World in part 1 of "The House Meets the Mouse." (The cast stayed at the Grand Floridian while shooting.)
2002:
Starting on this day, the Disney Magic cruise ship will alternate
each week between its new western Caribbean itinerary calling
on Key West, Grand Cayman, Cozumel and Castaway Cay and
its present eastern Caribbean route to St. Maarten, St. Thomas
and Castaway Cay. (The Disney Magic departs on its 7-night
itineraries each Saturday from its year-round home port atPort Canaveral, Florida.)

Legendary Disney storyman and children's book author Bill Peet passes at
age 87 at his home in Studio City, California. Credited with co-writing such
animated classics as 101 Dalmatians and The Sword in the Stone, Peet first
joined the Disney Studio in 1937 at age 22 drawing Donald Duck.
2010:
On this evening's episode of ABC's Dancing with the Stars, the Gipsy Kings perform a Spanish-language version of the song "You've Got a Friend in Me" (which will appear on the Toy Story 3 Soundtrack).

 

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5/12

1934:
Winnie the Bear (the real life inspiration for Winnie-the Pooh) passes
away at the London Zoo at the ripe old age of 20 (a good life span for a bear).
1936:
Comedy Hall of Famer and actor George Carlin, the voices of Filmore in the 2006 Cars and Zugor in the 2005 Tarzan II, is born in New York City
1939:
Ron Ziegler - who worked at Disneyland as a Jungle Cruise skipper during his college years (at the University of Southern California) and later became U.S. President Nixon's press secretary - is born in Covington, Kentucky.
1950:
Actor Bruce Boxleitner, the co-star of Disney's 1982 Tron and its 2010 sequel, is born in Elgin, Illinois
1956:
The Main Street Horseless Carriage begins operating at Disneyland
1967:
Florida's Governor Claude R. Kirk, Jr. signs legislation enabling Walt Disney
Productions' operation of Walt Disney World. Thus the Reedy Creek Improvement District is created, and out of this district - the cities Lake Buena Vista and Bay Lake are established. Now Florida Taxpayers will not have to spend public money on Disney construction, and the Disney company will not have to rely on state agencies for approval of anything built. Because Disney has so many plans for the theme park, the company decides to build it in phases. Phase One will consist of a theme park, two resort hotels called the "Tempo Bay Resort Hotel" and the "Polynesian Village Resort," and a campground. The theme park will be a larger version of the Disneyland Park. The park and the two hotels will be situated around a large, man-made lagoon.
1993:
Walter Elias Disney is inducted into the Hall of Famous Missourians.
Created by the Missouri Capitol Society, Inc., the Hall of Famous Missourians occupies the 3rd floor rotunda area of the Capitol
1994:
It is reported that David McCullough, president of the Society of American
Historians, has begun a campaign to prevent the Walt Disney Company from
building a Civil War theme park near Manassas Battlefield in Virginia. McCullough has announced the creation of Project Historic America, a group of 30 historians and writers that will try to persuade Disney to go elsewhere
2001:
A crew of Walt Disney World chefs - from Victoria & Albert's, the Contemporary Resort, and the Grand Floridian Resort - take part
in an event called "Folktales & Fairytales" at the Mennello Museum
of American Folk Art. The event benefits the Orlando Opera, the Winter Park Public Library and the Mennello Museum
2005:
Members of the Board of Governors of the Carolwood Pacific Historical Society gather in Disneyland to congratulate fellow Society Governor, animator, and Disney Legend Ollie Johnston for receiving the "Walter E. Disney Railroad Preservation Award," the highest honor given by the Society
2009:
Today is the final day of business for the Virgin Megastore at Downtown Disney, Florida. Opened since 1997 (as part of the new West Side) it was the eleventh Virgin Megastore in the U.S. The closing leaves a gaping 49,000 square-foot vacancy across from the Wolfgang Puck Café, between DisneyQuest and the AMC 24 Theatres Complex

 

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5/13

1971:
Singer-songwriter Elton John visits Disneyland for the very first time during his second U.S. tour. He is to perform at the neighboring Anaheim Convention Center the following day
1992:
Disneyland's Fantasmic! - a new night-time fireworks and visual hydrotechnic
show - is officially dedicated in Frontierland. The 22-minute presentation, featuring fireworks, live actors, water effects, fire, music, boats, decorated rafts and projections onto large mist screens, takes place over the Rivers of America. (A second Fantasmic! will debut in 1998 at Disney-MGM in Florida.)
2001:
The Wonderful World of Disney airs "Child Stars: The Shirley Temple Story."
2002:
For security reasons, Walt Disney World no longer allows guests to bring water coolers into the water parks
2005:
The "Herbie and Friends Cruise America Tour," to celebrate Volkswagen's 50th anniversary and the release of Disney's Herbie: Fully Loaded, kicks off with a ceremony at the Santa Monica Pier in California. The cross-country caravan tour (made up of all Air-cooled VWs) will make stops in over a dozen states.

 

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5/14

1921:
Character actor Richard Deacon is born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His Disney credits include the feature films Blackbeard's Ghost, The Gnome-Mobile,
Lt. Robin Crusoe, U.S.N., and That Darn Cat!. Deacon also portrayed Uncle Archie in 5 episodes of the 1958 mini-series Walt Disney Presents: Annette and played the role of Father Ignacio in a 1959 episode of Disney's Zorro series. (TV fans know him best as Mel Cooley on The ________ Van Show and as Lumpy's father Fred on Leave It To Beaver.)
1923:
Walt Disney (at this time living & working in Kansas City) writes to New York
film distributor Margaret J. Winkler. He is looking for a distributor for his new Alice's Wonderland film (a pilot for a possible series of shorts).
1942:
Academy Award-winning composer and songwriter Frank Churchill passes
away in California. In December 1930, he joined The Walt Disney Studios where he scored nearly 65 animated shorts - including "Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf" for The Three Little Pigs. Churchill also co-wrote such timeless tunes as "Whistle While You Work," "Heigh-Ho," "Someday My Prince Will Come," and "Baby Mine," and later became supervisor of music at Disney. He was named a Disney Legend in 2001.
1944:
Filmmaker George Lucas is born in Modesto, California. His popular Star Wars and Indiana Jones adventure movies are the inspiration for the Disney attractions Star Tours and Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye. Lucas was also the executive producer of Captain EO. One of the most
successful and celebrated filmmakers in cinema history, his film career is nominated by writing and production. The animation studio Pixar was first founded as the Graphics Group, one third of the Computer Division of Lucasfilm.
1952:
Academy Award-winning movie director, producer and writer Robert Zemeckis is born in Chicago, Illinois. He is known for his innovative use of special effects, especially in Who Framed Roger Rabbit (in which he directed the live-action sequences) and Disney's 2009 A Christmas Carol. (Zemeckis first came to public attention in the 1980s as the director of the Back to the Future movie series before going on to direct Forrest Gump and Cast Away.)
1971:
Walt Disney Productions releases The Aristocats (the twentieth
animated feature in the Disney animated features canon) in Argentina
1972:
In Los Angeles, Sotheby's holds the first auction devoted to Disneyana.
1992:
CBS This Morning broadcasts segments from Disneyland. Weatherman Mark McEwen plugs various attractions at Disneyland, such as "Fantasmic!," and then delivers the nation's weather forecast. Disney's popular barbershop harmony group, the Dapper Dans open a segment of the show by entering on a fire truck, and singing and playing the CBS This Morning theme song: "Oh, What a Beautiful Morning" (from Oklahoma!).
1999:
Walt Disney Pictures' 1982 landmark computer-animated feature Tron returns for a special one-week limited engagement at The El Capitan Theatre in California.
2001:
Disney Online and Compaq Computer Corporation unveil an all-new high-tech exhibit at Disney's Internet Zone at INNOVENTIONS (located at Walt Disney World's Epcot). Disney's Internet Zone features the Mission: SPACE Launch Center exhibit. The experience is a precursor to the Mission: SPACE attraction which is scheduled to open in 2003.
2005:
Sadly, a 26-year-old African elephant whose calf died in its womb last month at Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom, dies from a uterine infection.

The creative teams behind three Disney Channel series, Walt Disney Television Animation's Kim Possible and Brandy & Mr. Whiskers and the Playhouse Disney hit from William Joyce and Nelvana Ltd., Rolie Polie Olie, win Daytime Emmy Awards at the 32nd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards creative arts ceremony in Beverly Hills, California.
2007:
Disney announces the donation of $12.5 million to the city of Orlando, Florida for a new performing arts center, the same day Walt Disney World officials unveil the rededicated Walt Disney Amphitheater at Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando.
2010:
Space shuttle Atlantis launches on its final planned mission to deliver an Integrated Cargo Carrier and a Russian-built Mini Research Module to the International Space Station. STS-132 Commander Ken Ham has requested that two very special (and quite small) "guests" join the six-person crew on Atlantis’ 32nd flight ... two Disney 3-inch-tall Vinylmation figures. The Mission: SPACE-inspired figure from Park Series #3, and a "Create-Your -Own" blank figure that the astronauts have decorated, are both aboard Atlantis!
(Upon their return, they will be put on display in the special V.I.V. - "Very Important Vinylmation" - Case at D-Street at Downtown Disney West Side at Walt Disney World.)

 

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5/15

1908:
Illustrator/writer & Disney Legend Joe Grant is born in New York City.
He will become interested in drawing while watching his father (an art director for William Randolph Hearst's newspapers) illustrate. In 1933, Walt Disney will discover Grant through his celebrity caricatures in the Los Angeles Record and invite him to design the movie star caricatures for the cartoon Mickey's Gala Premiere. Grant will go on to work on such early classics as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Dumbo and Fantasia. Grant will temporarily leave Disney in 1949 to pursue other artistic ventures, but later return in the late 1980s to contribute concepts, character designs, story ideas and gags for Aladdin, The Lion King, Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Hercules.
1937:
Disney's Silly Symphony cartoon Little Hiawatha is released.
Directed by David Hand, a young Indian brave sets off into the forest to prove his worth by hunting big game. Unfortunately, he finds that some of the game is a lot bigger than he is!
1974:
Card Walker, Disney president and chief operating officer, announces to a
meeting of the American Marketing Association that Walt Disney Productions will be moving ahead "in a phased program" with the development of Walt Disney's concept for EPCOT. The process of taking Walt's EPCOT (an idea for a real city) apart and concocting something different with the pieces has begun.
1977:
The Wonderful World of Disney airs the episode "Disney's Greatest Villains" hosted by Hans Conried on NBC-TV. It showcases Disney's upcoming release The Rescuers and introduces its arch-villain, Madame Medusa. The Rescuers will be released in June. (Conried's long list of Disney credits include Peter Pan (as the voice of Captain Hook), One Hour in Wonderland, Ben and Me, Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier, and The Story of Anyburg U.S.A.)
1978:
Actor David Krumholtz is born in New York City. Disney fans known him best as the sarcastic head elf Bernard in The Santa Clause (1994) and its 2002 sequel The Santa Clause 2: The Mrs Clause. (Fans of TV's Numb3rs know Krumholtz for his role of Charlie Eppes.)
1995:
The California Grill restaurant opens on the 15th floor of the Contemporary
Resort (former site of Top of the World) at Walt Disney World. Located on the
resort's top floor, the restaurant offers dining guests a spectacular view of the nightly fireworks extravaganza at the nearby Magic Kingdom.
1998:
Bill Nye - of the syndicated television show Disney Presents Bill Nye the Science Guy - wins a Daytime Emmy for Performer in a Children's Series.

Disney's Touchstone Pictures releases The Horse Whisperer starring Robert Redford and based on the 1995 novel of the same name by Nicholas Evans
2003:
Mexican American billionaire Arturo "Arte" Moreno makes history by becoming the first Hispanic to own a major sports team in the United States when he purchases the Anaheim Angels baseball team from the Walt Disney Company
2004:
Cartoonist Jack Bradbury passes away at the age of 89. At the age of twenty, he joined the Disney Studio and worked as an inbetweener from 1934-1938 on such cartoons as The Band Concert and Through The Mirror. He later became a full animator and worked on several key scenes in Disney features, including the stag fight in Bambi, the Pegasus family gliding into a watery landing in Fantasia, and Figaro walking across Gepetto's bed in Pinocchio
2008:
Florida Governor Charlie Crist applauds Walt Disney World Resort for its achievement of 100 percent of its lodging properties earning the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Green Lodging Program designation - covering all 23 of its resort hotels plus Disney’s Vero Beach Resort. Launched in 2004 by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Florida Green Lodging Program establishes environmental guidelines for hotels and motels to conserve natural resources and prevent pollution.
2011:
Epcot's 18th International Flower & Garden Festival comes to a close.

 

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5/16

1928:
Walt Disney applies for a trademark for "Mickey Mouse," for use in motion pictures.
1946:
Walt Disney and his wife Lillian arrive in St. Louis, Missouri (after a brief stopover in Walt's boyhood town of Marceline). They have traveled to St. Louis in order to attend an awards ceremony, being held the following day
1961:
Kevin McDonald, the voice of Pleakley in Disney's 2002 Lilo & Stitch, is born Montreal, Canada. McDonald also appears in the 2005 live-action feature Sky High, as Mr. Medulla. (Comedy fans may remember him as a member of the Canadian troupe - Kids In The Hall.)
1974:
The Disney barbershop harmony group, The Dapper Dans appear on The
Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. Tenor John Sherburn, lead Creighton Hogan, baritone Jerry Siggins and bass Doug Scott will be guests on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson for the next three weeks, as the show's regular band are "withholding their services" as per their membership in Local 47 of the American Federation of Musicians. (The previous contract had expired on April 30 which led to an impasse with the TV networks resulting in a work stoppage.) Because the Dapper Dans perform acapella (and without their organ chimes) they are not in violation of the union’s action.
1989:
An animation cel and background from Disney's 1934 Mickey Mouse cartoon Orphan's Benefit are sold for $286,000. It is the highest price ever paid (at this time).
1990:
Muppet creator, filmmaker, and television producer Jim Henson dies of pneumonia less than 24 hours after being rushed to a New York hospital. The fifty-three-year-old was misdiagnosed earlier in the week and had he been put on antibiotics only 8 hours earlier, it is believed Henson would have survived. A memorial service for Henson will air on PBS and draw millions of viewers and dozens of celebrities in reverence for his life and work. (He was completing negotiations with the Disney company to include his Muppets at their theme parks at the time of his death.)
1991:
Jim Henson's Muppet*Vision 3-D opens at the Disney-MGM Studios theme
park at Disney World. The attraction is housed in a 500-plus seat multi-
media 3-D theater located in a further expansion of the backlot annex area
2003:
The 4th annual Star Wars Weekends blasts off for the first time this season at Disney-MGM Studios in Florida. For only the second time in its history, the event will be held for 5 consecutive weekends. With the exception of 1997, the 2000 and 2001 events were held over 4 weekends.

The 30th Daytime Emmy Awards are presented at New York City's Radio City
Music Hall. Disney's Teacher's Pet wins for Outstanding Special Class Children's Animated Program and actor Shia Lebeouf, of Disney Channel's Even Stevens, wins for Outstanding Performer in a Children's Series
2009:
Disney-Pixar's newest animated feature Up has its world premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood