July 11, 1927 – The Alice Comedy Alice’s Medicine Show is Released to Theaters
On July 11, 1927, the Alice Comedy Alice’s Medicine Show was released to theaters. It was the 54th Alice Comedy released, and the 7th to feature fourth and final Alice actress Lois Hardwick. Like many of the Alice Comedies starring Hardwick, the film has since been classified as a lost film.
July 10, 1993 – The Television Special Disneyland Presents Tales of Toontown Premieres
On July 10, 1993, the television special Disneyland Presents Tales of Toontown premiered on television, distributed by Disney and ABC Domestic Television. The feature was used to promote the newest land in Disneyland, which opened on January 24, 1993. The hour-long special featured Jerry Hawkins as detective Spence Dempsey, who is brought to Toontown by his pal Goofy to discover the cause of the craziness occurring there. Written by Wayne A. Brown, Lisa Cappel, and Robin Mensinger, it starred Ray Johnson as the Gatekeeper, Steve Glaudini as the Toon Docotr, Dave Burkhart as the Planning Commissioner, Wayne Allwine as Mickey Mouse, Tony Anselmo as Donald Duck, and Bill Farmer as Goofy. It was directed by Bruce Stuart Greenberg.
July 9, 1955 – The New York Times Publishes Article on Disneyland
“Fantastic Amusement Park, at Cost of $16,500,000, to Open July 18.”
On July 9, 1955, an article ran in the New York Times about the soon-to-open Disneyland theme park. Entitled “Disneyland Gets its Last Touches,” the article focused on Walt Disney’s vision for a brand new type of amusement park, to which the article wrote “For its appellation ‘amusement park’ is inadequate, for it has no banalities as roller coasters, Ferris wheels, and dodge-‘ems in a milieu of honky-tonk.” This was one of many articles used to promote this new type of park, which was seen as very different from the amusement parks of its time.
July 8, 2013 – Disney and Old Navy Announce Clothing Line Partnership
“By combining Disney storytelling with Old Navy’s relaxed, playful styles, we’ve achieved a product line that truly celebrates our classic characters.” – Jodi Rosenblatt, director of sales for Disney Consumer Products
On July 8, 2013, Old Navy announced a special partnership with Disney through the creation of a new clothing line called “Mickey Through the Decades.” The line features rare artwork from the Walt Disney Archives to highlight the changes Mickey and the gang have gone through over the years. Prices for the clothes ranged from around $13 to $15; during the sale of the shirts, customers could enter to win a custom Disney tour and download several digital Disney items.
July 7, 2006 – The Pirates of the Caribbean Attraction Reopens
“Drink up me hearties, yo ho.”
On July 7, 2006, the popular attraction Pirates of the Caribbean reopened after an extensive refurbishment that added an audio-animatronic figures of the character Jack Sparrow from the franchise of the same name. The reopening of the attraction coincided with the release of the second film in the series, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest. Jack Sparrow appears in a few scenes within the attraction, including hiding behind a dressmaker’s dummy, peering out of a barrel, and celebrating his good fortune after finding and collecting treasure.
July 6, 1994 – The Captain EO Attraction Closes
“We are here to change the world.”
On July 6, 1994, the 3D musical film attraction Captain EO closed in Walt Disney World’s Epcot Park. Opening on September 12, 1986, the attraction featured pop star Michael Jackson in a science fiction musical adventure, with Jackson playing the titular role and fighting against the Supreme Leader (played by Anjelica Huston) and her army of darkness. The film was popular enough to become an attraction in the other Disney Parks, including Tokyo Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, and Disneyland. The last version of the attraction was officially closed in 1998; after Jackson’s death in 2009, the attraction was brought back to the parks for a limited time.
July 5, 2007 – Disney Announces Removal of Epcot Sign on Spaceship Earth
“We think the timing of the removal is right.”
On July 5, 2007, Epcot’s Vice President Jim MacPhee announced that the Epcot letting, Mickey Mouse arm, and wand attached to the Spaceship Earth attraction would be removed, with the removal date to be before October 1st. The removal of the structure coincided with the park’s 25th anniversary, with Spaceship Earth itself once again becoming the sole icon of the park. The arm holding the wand was, at the time, the tallest structure in all of Walt Disney World, at a height of 257 feet.
July 4, 1977 – New West Magazine Publishes Article on Space Mountain
“…Space Mountain puts you in a drama you can believe viscerally. People stagger off looking as if they had been to outer space…”
On July 4, 1977, an edition of New West magazine was published; it was founded by Clay Felker in 1976 to cover all aspects of life in California. In this issue, writer Charlie Haas takes a look at Disneyland’s newest attraction, Space Mountain. He notes that the ride, after opening in May, is still immensely popular, with people waiting up to four hours to ride the attraction. After noting the costs for the attraction, and the complexities in creating it, Haas notes that “Space Mountain is perhaps the world’s best amusement park ride…because its many devices are combined so effectively.” He then describes the attraction in detail, and how the attraction was built.
July 3, 2017 – The Animation Academy Closes
“Learn to draw your favorite Disney characters!”
On July 3, 2017, the Animation Academy, located in Walt Disney World’s DisneyQuest, closed. Opening on June 19, 1998, his was an instructor-led activity where guests could learn how to draw classic Disney characters on a digital screen, and purchase their sheets to take home as a souvenir. This was the first version of the Animation Academy, with similar ones opening in L’Art de l’Animation Disney of Disneyland Paris, Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios Park, Disney California Adventure, and Hong Kong Disneyland’s Town Square.
July 2, 2016 – The Coca-Cola Store Orlando Opens in Disney Springs
“Pop inside to browse exclusive merchandise, meet the Coca-Cola Polar Bear and savor views from the rooftop beverage bar.”
On July 2, 2016, the Coca-Cola Store Orlando opened in Walt Disney World’s Disney Springs area. Designed to resemble a 1920s bottling plant, the store is several stories and features a rooftop bar where guests can relax with a drink and view the entire Disney Springs. The partnership between Coca-Cola and Disney goes back to 1942, and the store is a culmination of the best of both brands joining forces.
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