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October 27

October 27, 1982 – The Special Short Film Fun with Mr. Future is Released to Theaters

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“I know you’re all extremely eager to see the energy-efficient trends in future living, but first, let’s take a look at the inefficient trends of the recent past.”

On October 27, 1982, the special short film Fun with Mr. Future was released to theaters for Academy Award consideration. The short was directed by Darrell Van Citters, with story by Citters, Michael Giamo, Ed Gombert, and Joe Ranft. Mr. Future was voiced by Philip Proctor.

The short begins with an audio-animatronic figure named Mr. Future, who announces his intention to show the future lifestyles after comparing them to the inefficient ways of the past. Looking back, we see a mad scientist plugging in a light, then overloading the socket with several electronics. The mad scientist goes overboard, sending the whole town into a blackout. Mr. Future then introduces the thoughts of the audience about the future, before treating the audience to a rare glimpse of the future: machines that make getting ready for work and school done in a snap, chores done by a small machine that accidentally “cleans” the dog, and teleworking. Mr. Future then explores personal computers and teleworking, as well as home entertainment systems by the use of a process called “holography.” The short ends with Mr. Future singing “There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow.”

October 26

October 26, 2009 –Tiana’s Showboat Jubilee Premieres at Walt Disney World

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“Now, the riverside comes alive New Orleans style.”

On October 26, 2009, Tiana’s Showboat Jubilee premiered at Walt Disney World. The celebration was the first of its kind celebrating the 9th official Disney princess from The Princess and the Frog, and combined a parade in Liberty Square, followed by a showboat ride with a live jazz band. A similar celebration opened in Disneyland on November 6. The celebration lasted ten weeks, along with other surprises to celebrate the film, and the celebration ended on January 3, 2010.

October 25

October 25, 1971 – The Official Dedication of Walt Disney World Takes Place

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“May Walt Disney World bring joy and inspiration and new knowledge to all who come to this happy place.”

On October 25, 1971, the official dedication ceremonies of Walt Disney World took place in the heart of Main Street in the Magic Kingdom. The special event was filmed for an NBC special that aired on October 29, and featured a dedication speech by Walt’s brother Roy O. Disney, a marching band led by Music Man creator Meredith Wilson, and special appearances by celebrities, such as Bob Hope. This day kicked off a three-day celebration for the park, which also included a performance by the World Symphony Orchestra in front of Cinderella Castle, conducted by Arthur Fiedler.

October 24

October 24, 2006 – The Soundtrack to the Disney Channel Original Series Hannah Montana is Released Through Walt Disney Records

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“Mix it all together and you know that it’s the best of both worlds.”

On October 24, 2006, the first soundtrack for the hit Disney Channel Original Series Hannah Montana was released through Walt Disney Records. The soundtrack began production after the show premiered with the highest ratings in the channel’s history. It featured songs from the show sung by titular character played by Miley Cyrus, as well as songs by performers The Click Five, Jesse McCartney, Everlife, and B5. The soundtrack debuted at number 1 on the Billboard 200, with a first week sales of 286,000 copies, beating out My Chemical Romance’s The Black Parade and John Legend’s Once Again; it was also the first television soundtrack to reach the top spot on the chart. To date, the album has sold more than 5 million copies.

October 23

October 23, 1942 – The Goofy Short Film How to Swim is Released to Theaters

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“Everyone should learn how to swim.”

On October 23, 1942, the Goofy short film How to Swim was released to theaters. It was directed by Jack Kinney.

The short begins with Goofy modeling a simple bathing suit, before using a piano stool to simulate swimming across his living room. Unfortunately, Goofy doesn’t realize that he’s left his living room and is now “swimming” through traffic, though he manages to head back safely – until he crashes into his bathtub. The next step is to head to the beach, where he barely manages to fit in a beach locker. True to fashion, Goofy ends up with his locker in the bottom of the ocean. Another mishap occurs as Goofy eats his lunch underwater, and ends up with cramps all over. Afterwards, Goofy is taught how to dive, though he is not as elegant as the chart drawing, as he gets caught on the board and lands in an empty pool. His last session is using an inner tube to “surf,” but winds up being thrown onto a deserted island. All is not lost however, when he is surrounded by beautiful, adoring mermaids.

October 22

October 22, 2010 – The Rolling Stage Show “Disney Channel Rocks!” Premieres in Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Disney Channel Rocks

“Turn the beat up, party up!”

On October 22, 2010, the rolling stage show “Disney Channel Rocks!” premiered in Disney’s Hollywood Studios Park. The show traveled along Hollywood Boulevard before stopping for its main performance in front of the Sorcerer’s Hat. It was similar to its predecessor, “High School Musical 3: Senior Year – Right Here! Right Now!” in its format and showcasing song structure. The show itself featured music from several popular Disney Channel films, including Camp Rock and StarStruck. It closed on April 6, 2013.

October 21

October 21, 2003 – The Soundtrack to the Animated Feature Brother Bear is Released Through Walt Disney Records

Brother Bear Soundtrack

“Tell everybody I’m on my way, new friends and places to see…”

On October 21, 2003, the soundtrack to Disney’s 44th Animated Feature Brother Bear was released to theaters. The soundtrack featured a score by Mark Mancina and Phil Collins, and original songs by Collins. Besides Collins, the album features performances by Tina Turner, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Oren Waters, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Oren Waters, and the Bulgarian Women’s Choir. One song, “Welcome,” was used as the theme song for the Disneyland parade Walt Disney’s Parade of Dreams. The album peaked at number 52 on the Billboard 200, while the song “Look Through My Eyes” charted at the number 5 position on the Adult Contemporary chart.

October 20

October 20, 1983 – The Featurette Mickey’s Christmas Carol Premieres in England

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“Merry Christmas, Uncle Scrooge!”

On October 20, 1983, the special Mickey Mouse featurette Mickey’s Christmas Carol premiered in England. The featurette was Mickey’s first film appearance since the 1953’s short film The Simple Things. This British premiere had the featurette paired with a re-release of the animated feature film The Jungle Book. It was based on the book A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, and would go on to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Short Film. The short was written by Burny Mattinson, Tony L. Marino, Ed Gombert, Don Griffith, Alan Young, and Alan Dinehart; it was directed by Mattinson. The featurette starred Alan Young as Scrooge, Wayne Allwine as Mickey Mouse, Clarence Nash as Donald, Hal Smith as Goofy, Eddie Carroll as Jiminy Cricket, and Will Ryan as Willie the Giant and Pete.

October 19

October 19, 1955 – The Disney Anthology Episode “The Story of the Silly Symphony” Airs

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“Next week, Walt Disney brings you ‘The Story of the Silly Symphony.’”

On October 19, 1955, the episode of Disneyland entitled “The Story of the Silly Symphony” aired on ABC. The episode covered some of the more popular entries in the Silly Symphony line, including The Practical Pig, Three Orphan Kittens, Little Hiawatha, and The Old Mill, as well as the special short film Ferdinand the Bull. The episode was directed by Clyde Geronimi and written by Bill Peet. It is one of a select few episodes to cover the Silly Symphony line.

October 18

October 18, 1926 – The Alice Comedy Alice the Fire Fighter is Released to Theaters

Alice the Fire Fighter

On October 18, 1926, the Alice Comedy Alice the Fire Fighter was released to theaters. It was the 35th Alice Comedy produced, and starred Margie Gay as Alice.

The fire bell sounds as a large fire ravages a hotel downtown. Inside the fire station, the fire fighters are sound asleep, until the bell quickly gets them moving in droves. Everyone sets off, while the hotel is evacuated quickly, and Alice heads to the scene as the fire chief. The crew arrives in comedic fashion to find one person stuck at the top of the hotel. They are able to rescue those that are stuck, but find another problem with putting out the fire, as the hose isn’t long enough. Julius gets exhausted trying to put out the fire by the bucketful, and there is another person stuck in the burning building. Two firefighters attempt to catch him with a trampoline, but they miss. Alice hears the cry of another woman stuck on the top floor, but she is rescued by a fire fighter that falls in love with her.