March 15, 1991 – The Rescue Rangers Raceway Opens in Disneyland
On March 15, 1991, the Rescue Rangers Raceway opened in Disneyland. As part of a promotion for the Disney Afternoon programming block, the attraction Fantasyland Autopia was redesigned to feature the characters from the hit show Chip ‘n’ Dale: Rescue Rangers in the form of cutouts and, sometimes, characters to meet-and-greet near the show if crowds were low. The attraction returned to its original Autopia form on November 10, 1991.
March 14, 2013 – Walt Disney World Announces Disney Springs
“Our fundamental goal is to create a welcoming, comfortable space where families can enjoy time together and instantaneously feel right at home.”
On March 14, 2013, Walt Disney World, and Walt Disney Company COO Tom Staggs, officially announced the revamp of the former Downtown Disney area, now known as Disney Springs. The shopping area was to be expanded significantly, with the number of stores jumping from 75 to over 150. Staggs announced that this would be a massive undertaking that would open in phases, and the whole area would consist of four districts: Town Center, The Landing, Marketplace, and West Side.
March 13, 2009 – New Paradise Pier Sign is Added to California Screamin’
On March 13, 2009, as part of the new expansion and renovation of the Paradise Pier area of Disney California Adventure, the new Paradise Pier sign was added to the California Screamin’ attraction. This new sign replaced the former Mickey Mouse silhouette, and was added to change the look of the area from a modern seaside park to the feel of the seaside in the 1920s. The sign hangs above the loop of the roller coaster.
March 12, 2013 – The Fantasy Faire Area Opens in Disneyland
“Visit the Disney Princesses at Royal Hall, attend live shows, shop, snack and revel in pure fairytale enchantment!”
On March 12, 2013, the Fantasy Faire village area opened in Disneyland, replacing the former Carnation Plaza Gardens. The area features a new character meet and greet where guests can meet the Disney Princesses, along with a special theater that shows dramatic retellings of the stories Beauty and the Beast and Tangled. Guests can also get special pastry snacks from Maurice’s Treats, an old-style snack wagon, and buy princess-themed souvenirs from the store Fairy Tale Treasures.
March 11, 2010 – The First Disney Premier Passports are Offered
“It’s called ‘Disney Premier Passport’ and it’ll feature the same benefits you get with the ‘premium’ annual passes for Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts…”
On March 11, 2010, the Disney Premier Passports were officially offered for guests. These special annual passes give guests the annual pass perks for all American Disney parks. Guests area able to not only get unlimited admission to the six Florida parks (including the two water parks) and two California parks, but are able to get free parking and special Disney publication subscriptions.
March 10, 2001 – The New Pool Nanea Opens at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
“Make a splash at this pool which features a towering volcano, a waterfall, and a thrilling 142 foot-long waterslide.”
On March 10, 2001, the new recreational pool Nanea (meaning “tranquil” opened at Disney’ Polynesian Village Resort in Walt Disney World. This pool featured a volcano with a water slide inside; this volcano was set to go off in timed intervals, but this was a short-lasting venture. The slide inside the volcano measures 142 feet, and the volcano also features a beautiful waterfall.
March 9, 1984 – Roy E. Disney Resigns from The Walt Disney Company Board
“The thing that distinguishes us from everybody else, and always has and always will, is our past…we shouldn’t be intimidated by them; they’re an arrow pointing someplace.”
On March 9, 1984, Roy E. Disney, son of Roy O. Disney and nephew of Walt Disney, resigned from his position on the board of The Walt Disney Company. Tensions had reached a boiling point by 1984, as Disney was not thrilled with the direction the company was going under the leadership of Walt’s son-in-law, Ron Miller. Soon after Disney resigned, he started buying up several shares of the company, raising his stake to 5.2 percent. His actions, however, led to several takeover actions against the company, and forced Miller to resign. Later that year, after gaining backing of the largest group of shareholders to hire Michael Eisner as the CEO and Frank Wells as the president, Disney working with the company as its vice chairman and headed up the animation department.
March 8, 2013 – The Mickey Mouse Short Film Croissant de Triomphe Premieres Online
On March 8, 2013, the first of a new series of Mickey Mouse short films premiered online. The short, entitled Croissant de Triomphe, has Paul Rudish as its executive producer and director, bringing a new art style to the decades-old character. Rudish is known for his work with Dexter’s Laboratory and The Powerpuff Girls, both of which are known for their distinctive art style. The shorts, created as a blend of 2D hand-drawn and 3D computer animations, seek to take the classic Disney characters in new adventures worldwide. In the short film, Mickey must deliver a bag full of croissants to Minnie before her café patrons rebel; it also features a brief cameo by Cinderella and her prince.
March 7, 2016 – The Attraction Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters Opens in Disney California Adventure
“Buckle up – you’re in for a lively ride when these Italian imports roll, reel an’ kick up their wheels in Cars Land!”
On March 7, 2016, the Cars Land attraction Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters opened in Disney California Adventure. Based on the Pixar film Cars, the attraction is sponsored by Alamo car rental. Set in Italy, guests can board a car and “dance” to Italian music, with the cars spinning and moving around; each car has a personal set of moves.
March 6, 2011 – Mars Needs Moms Has Red Carpet Premiere at El Capitan Theater
On March 6, 2011, the Walt Disney Pictures 3D motion-capture film Mars Needs Moms had its red carpet premiere at the Disney-owned El Capitan Theater. The premiere was attended by the stars of film, including Seth Green and Joan Cusack; also in attendance was Berkeley Breathed, the author of the book upon which the movie was based; Disney Channel stars Mitchel Musso, Jake T. Austin, and Adam Irigoyen; and producer Robert Zemeckis, among others. The film was generally released five days later.
disneydetail 