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Monthly Archives: December 2017

December 31

Posted on December 31, 2017 by disneydetail

December 31, 1992 – The Club 8TRAX Opens in Walt Disney World’s Pleasure Island

“Those looking to return to the disco era of spinning balls, lighted dance floors and groovy atmosphere will definitely want to check out 8TRAX.”

On December 31, 1992, the club 8TRAX opened in Walt Disney World’s Pleasure Island area of Downtown Disney. Replacing the former club Cage, it was a 1970s-themed club, featuring music from that era playing until midnight, with lighted dance floors and dancers accompanying the music. The club closed on September 27, 2008.

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December 30

Posted on December 30, 2017 by disneydetail

December 30, 1980 – The Selective Service System Contacts Mickey Mouse

“It may be that somebody is pulling our leg, but it was released on official stationary.” – Bob Roth, Disneyland Spokesperson

On December 30, 1980, senior Disneyland officials were amused when they received a letter from the Selective Service System regarding Mickey Mouse. The service was reminding 18-year-olds that they had to register for the draft, and wrote that Mickey had “not responded to our initial request for necessary date of birth information,” seemingly unaware that Mickey was a 52-year-old fictional mouse.

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December 29

Posted on December 29, 2017 by disneydetail

December 29, 2013 – Downton Abbey Actress Elizabeth McGovern Visits Walt Disney World

“Downton at Disney?”

On December 29, 2013, Walt Disney World caught Downton Abbey fever when actress Elizabeth McGovern, who plays Cora Crawley, visited the parks. McGovern notably visited Epcot and took a photo with several cast members from the United Kingdom Pavilion, spoofing the iconic cast photo in front of Highclere Castle, with the pavilion’s landscape subbing for the castle. On hand for the photo was Goofy, dressed in top hat and tails, while McGovern posed in a casual outfit.

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December 28

Posted on December 28, 2017 by disneydetail

December 28, 1972 – Walt Disney World’s Airport Closes

“Shawnee Airlines now serving Sarasota, Miami, Tampa and Walt Disney World”

On December 28, 1972, Walt Disney World’s personal STOLport (Short Take-Off and Landing) airport, also known as Lake Buena Vista Airport, closed permanently. The airport had opened in 1971 to be a private airfield for the park, shuttling guests and cast members between the park and the two nearby airports: Orlando International Airport and Tampa International Airport. When the airport closed, it was considered a failed experiment by Disney; it was closed thanks to low customer participation and rising debt.

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December 27

Posted on December 27, 2017 by disneydetail

December 27, 1954 – Walt Disney Appears on the Cover of Time

“To enchanted worlds on electronic wings.”

On December 27, 1954, Walt Disney appeared on the cover of Time Magazine for the second time (coincidentally, the first time was on December 27, 1937, celebrating the release of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs). The cover was painted by Boris Chaliapin, and the cover story featured Walt’s role in shaping television content with his television series, which had premiered nine weeks earlier. The story also touched on Walt’s upcoming dream in development, which would become Disneyland.

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December 26

Posted on December 26, 2017 by disneydetail

December 26, 1989 – The World Traveler Shop Opens in Epcot

“This shop at International Gateway is your passport to Epcot and Disney souvenirs plus cold beverages for your voyage.”

On December 26, 1989, the merchandise stop The World Traveler opened in Walt Disney World’s Epcot Park. Located at the International Gateway near the World Showcase, this shop provides the first bit of merchandise to travelers taking the ferry to get to Epcot from certain Walt Disney World resorts. The shop provides a variety of merchandise ranging from pins to housewares. It also provides cold drinks for guests to take with them in the park, especially on hot Florida days.

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December 25

Posted on December 25, 2017 by disneydetail

December 25, 1956 – The People & Places Featurette Samoa is Released to Theaters


On December 25, 1956, the People & Places Featurette Samoa was released to theaters. It was the seventh featurette in the series to be released, and was filmed in CinemaScope. The 32 minute documentary took audiences through the island of Samoa (known formally as the Independent State of Samoa), where they could see the day-to-day living of the inhabitants, including their fishing trade and ritual dances during the evening fia fia (translated as “happy time”).

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December 24

Posted on December 24, 2017 by disneydetail

December 24, 1954 – The People & Places Featurette Siam is Released to Theaters

On December 24, 1954, the People & Places Featurette Siam was released to theaters. This was the second People & Places featurette, following 1953’s The Alaskan Eskimo. It was directed by Ralph Wright, with photography by Herb and Trudy Knapp. The featurette takes viewers on a tour of Siam (now known as Thailand), featuring their traditional dances and day-to-day conditions, along with a trip to Bangkok.

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December 23

Posted on December 23, 2017 by disneydetail

December 23, 1999 –Restaurant Agrabah Café Opens in Disneyland Paris

“Follow in the footsteps of Aladdin for an enticing buffet in the heart of a colorful, bustling Agrabah.”

On December 23, 1999, the all-you-can-eat buffet Restaurant Agrabah Café opened in Adventureland at Disneyland Paris. The menu includes dishes from Moroccan and Middle Eastern cuisine, and guests are able to spot Aladdin at points during their meal. The restaurant is highly popular, and reservations are highly recommended months in advance.

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December 22

Posted on December 22, 2017 by disneydetail

December 22, 1982 – Power Goes Out in Disneyland

On December 22, 1982, hurricane-force winds continued to blast through the West Coast, and at 4:34 pm, the power goes out in Anaheim, including Disneyland Park; the force winds had knocked over a Northern California powerline. Almost 8,000 guests were escorted from the park by cast members with flashlights, with many guests having been stranded on rides. The power returned to the park almost a few hours later, but the park had been safely evacuated and closed at that point.

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