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Monthly Archives: December 2018

December 11

December 11, 2007 – Wave Seven of the Walt Disney Treasures Sets is Released

On December 11, 2007, the seventh wave of the Walt Disney Treasures sets was released through Walt Disney Home Entertainment. This wave featured three sets: The Chronological Donald, Volume Three; The Adventures of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit; and Disneyland: Secrets, Stories and Magic. The first set featured Donald Duck’s filmography from 1947 through 1950, including a documentary about the character called “The Many Faces of Donald Duck.” The Oswald set contains all the Oswald cartoons, as of the date of release, that had not been considered lost, and had been remastered; Ozzie of the Mounted, Tall Timber, and Bright Lights were newly rediscovered before the release of the set. The Oswald set also featured three Alice Comedies (known as Before Oswald) and two Mickey Mouse shorts and the Silly Symphony Skeleton Dance (known as After Oswald), as well as the documentary The Hand Behind the Mouse: The Ub Iwerks Story. The last set features a documentary about Disneyland, as well as other specials and tidbits about the Disney Park.

December 10

December 10, 1992 – The NHL Awards a Franchise to the Walt Disney Company

“The Walt Disney Co. is betting that the NHL has recovered from a period of spotty popularity to emerge as the professional sport with the best investment potential, especially in regards to international expansion.”

On December 10, 1992, the NHL officially awarded a new franchise to the Walt Disney Company, which was part of a larger expansion detail that also gave a team to South Florida (which would become the Florida Panthers). The team awarded to Disney became the Mighty Ducks, named after the surprise hit film The Mighty Ducks. The team began to play during the 1993-1994 season. The team played their first game on September 18, 1993. Disney would end up selling the Mighty Ducks in 2005, with the sale final on June 20, 2005.

December 9

December 9, 1985 – Pixar is Incorporated in the State of California

On December 9, 1985, Pixar Animation Studios became incorporated in California. By this point, the company had several successes in computer animation while working for Lucasfilm, including the “Stained Glass Knight” sequence in Young Sherlock Holmes and The Adventures of Andre & Wally B, the first computer animated short film by the studio. In 1986, Steve Jobs completed the purchase of the company from George Lucas and Lucasfilm, officially becoming the independent company Pixar.

December 8

December 8, 2006 – MarketWatch Names Bob Iger as CEO of the Year

“This is a well-deserved honor for Bob, and indicative of the passion and perseverance he brings to all of him endeavors.” – Peggy Williams, President of Ithica College

On December 8, 2006, MarketWatch released a statement naming Walt Disney Company President and Chief Operating Officer Robert Iger as CEO of the Year. Iger was named thanks to his contributions to the innovation of the entertainment industry; MarketWatch looks at the track record of CEOs in terms of stock price, performance for customers, treatment of employees, and corporate-governance initiatives. One of the major initiatives that led to this honor for Iger was the careful negotiations for Disney to buy Pixar for $7 billion, extending an olive branch to the company that had suffered a fractured relationship with Disney for quite some time.

December 7

December 7, 2010 – Wonders of the Younger by Plain White T’s is Released Through Hollywood Records

“We may only have tonight, but till the morning sun you’re mine, all mine.”

On December 7, 2010, the sixth studio album by rock band Plain White T’s, Wonders of the Younger, was released through Hollywood Records. The album featured two promotional singles: “Rhythm of Love” and “Boomerang;” the former peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 38. The album itself received mixed reviews and peaked on two charts: Top Rock Albums (number 23) and U.S. Billboard 200 (number 149).

December 6

December 6, 2012 – The Attraction Under the Sea: Voyage of the Little Mermaid Opens in Walt Disney World

“Descend below the waves – without ever getting wet – for a whimsical musical adventure awash with scenes from the animated classic.”

On December 6, 2012, the dark-ride attraction Under the Sea: Voyage of the Little Mermaid opened in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Park as part of the New Fantasyland expansion. Guests board a clamshell and take a journey through the story of The Little Mermaid, complete with music and dancing audio-animatronic figures. The attraction was also given an interactive queue area, where guests need to find objects to help Scuttle. This attraction is similar to The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Undersea Adventure in Disney California Adventure park.

December 5

December 5, 1985 – The Skyfest Celebration is Held in Anaheim, California

“A million balloon salute to honor Walt Disney and Disneyland’s 30th year.”

On December 5, 1985, to honor Walt Disney’s birthday, the residents of Anaheim celebrated with a special event known as Skyfest. The event featured a release of 1,000,000 balloons, and seven thousand pounds of helium were used to send the balloons skybound. The event not only honored what would have been Walt Disney’s 84th birthday, but also the 30th anniversary of Walt’s dream, Disneyland. This event also set a world record, beating the previous record of 384,800 balloons.

December 4

December 4, 1998 – A Steiff Mickey Mouse Doll Sells for $7,261 at Christie’s Auction

On December 4, 1998, Christie’s Auction House held a teddy bear themed auction at their auction house in London, South Kensington. At this auction, a rare 1930s Steiff Mickey Mouse doll was listed on the block, estimated to sell between £2,000 and £3,000 (around $3,323 to $4,985 at the time; around $5,127 to $7,691, adjusted for 2018 inflation). The doll would end up selling for £4,370 ($7,261; around $11,203 adjusted for 2018 inflation). Steiff had been creating teddy bears and specialty dolls since 1880, and was asked by Walt Disney to help create what would become an iconic Mickey Mouse doll.

December 3

December 3, 1985 – Dumbo is Released on Home Video

“One of the true Disney masterpieces…”

On December 3, 1985, the Walt Disney animated feature film Dumbo was the third film to be released on home video as part of the new Walt Disney Classics line. The film was originally released in VHS form in 1981, but only for rental purposes; the 1985 release was when people could own their own copy to show a new generation from the comfort of their living room. The film would be continually released every so often, whether through a new Disney promotion line, or a new format.

December 2

December 2, 1988 – Disney Acquires KHJ Television Station

On December 2, 1988, The Walt Disney Company finished their acquisition of the Los Angeles-based television station KHJ. The station, originally owned by RKO, had been made available due to corporate issues; Disney had to purchase the license from Fidelity Television, while purchasing the intellectual property from RKO. Once Disney purchased the station, the call letters were changed to KCAL, and was eventually changed to K-CAL 9 in the mid-90s. The station ran Disney’s syndicated animated series, such as the lineup of the Disney Afternoon, as well as investing in other family-oriented series. Disney would eventually sell K-CAL 9 to CBS on February 14, 2002.