May 25, 1983 – The Specialty Store Mickey’s Christmas Chalet Opens in Disneyland
Image credit: http://duchessofdisneyland.com
On May 25, 1983, the specialty Christmas store Mickey’s Christmas Chalet opened in Disneyland’s Fantasyland area. The shop sold Disney-themed Christmas ornaments and décor year round until it closed on May 17, 1987. The store could be seen as a promotional shop for the featurette Mickey’s Christmas Carol, which was released in December of 1983.
May 23, 1982 – The Television Special Computers Are People, Too! Premieres
“Computers – they’re everywhere! There’s no escaping them, no matter who you are.”
On May 23, 1982, the television special Computers Are People, Too! premiered. Created as promotional tool for the live action feature film Tron, the feature sought to not only soothe the public’s fears that they would be displaced by computers and robots, but to show how people would work with machines peacefully. It was directed by Denis Sanders, and starred Elaine Joyce, Joseph Campanella, and Michael Iceberg.
The special begins with Elaine Joyce playing a computer game while other computer systems work around her. She loses her game, and the computer bets her “double or nothing” to play again. She wonders if she, as a singer, dancer, and actress, will be replaced by computers and machines. The main computer reminds her that computers are people as well, and simulates a juggler. Joyce then introduces the computer of the future: Telecommunicative Operative Memory, or TOM for short. TOM explains that he is an extension of a person’s intelligence, and on the verge of a partnership with several types of people, such as artists and athletes. He provides several examples of machine meeting art, including several clips from the upcoming film Tron. Joyce wonders how to work with TOM if she doesn’t know how the computer thinks. She panics, thinking that the computer will take over, but TOM reminds her that she has the control. TOM interviews several people about computers, and introduces a special summer camp in California that teaches campers how to use and code on a computer.
An early example of how computer animation was created using dancers hooked up to machines.
TOM then introduces how animation is done with computers, with the earliest example going back to Lee Harrison in 1960, with dancers wired to computers to capture the motion. He then goes through the advancements over the decades, and explains how we are then at 3-D animation. The consensus from artists is that computers will not replace creativity, but enhance it. Another animator relays the story of his search for a design machine, and then realized that he would have to create it. TOM then shows the graphical designs by the computer in a long, colorful segment. The segment then moves into how the computer can create special sound effects, or even create a “one-man band” through the use of a synthesizer known as the Fairlight CMI.
As Joyce remarks that she has the freedom to move TOM doesn’t because she is a dancer, TOM remarks that the computer has made advances in human understanding of human movement. The engineer talks about the difference between different types of athletic events and movements, ranging from dancing to diving. The engineers use the computer to look at the styles of two dancers and to determine the dancers’ centers of gravity. They see a flaw in one of the dancers’ takeoff and advise her how to correct it. After seeing this, Joyce thinks that her career as an artist is over due to technology. TOM informs her that he is powerless without her, and need her creativity. TOM then explains that computer games are the first foray into using computers, and shows several titles such as Pac-Man and Frogger. The segment also shows how computers created the look of Tron and its several games. Joyce finally accepts that the computer is the partner of the artist, rather than the adversary. The special ends with Joyce dancing alongside a computer animated counterpart.
May 16, 1986 – The Magic Carpet ‘Round the World Film Attraction Closes in Tokyo Disneyland
On May 16, 1986, the last version of the film attraction Magic Carpet ‘Round the World closed in Tokyo Disneyland. Originally premiering in Walt Disney World on March 16, 1974, it moved to Tokyo Disneyland’s Tomorrowland area on April 15, 1983, complete with new footage of Europe and the United States. The film has not been shown since this closing.
May 9, 1984 – The Television Special Disney’s All-Star Mother’s Day Album Premieres on CBS
“What makes mothers all that they are? Might as well ask what makes a star…”
On May 9, 1984, the television special Disney’s All-Star Mother’s Day Album premiered on CBS; this was a compilation of several clips from the Disney catalog about mothers, ranging from the animated short films to clips from Bambi, Dumbo, and Peter Pan.
May 1, 1989 – The Theater of the Stars Opens in Disney-MGM Studios Park
On May 1, 1989, the amphitheater Theater of the Stars opened on Hollywood Boulevard of Disney-MGM Studios park (now Hollywood Studios). The area was known for featuring the stage show version of the animated feature film Beauty and the Beast. It was temporarily closed on May 2, 1993, as the park prepared for the expansion of Sunset Boulevard, and was eventually moved and reopened in the expanded area.
April 24, 1989 – The Serial Teen Angel Premieres on the Mickey Mouse Club
On April 24, 1989, the serial Teen Angel premiered on the 1989 reboot of the Mickey Mouse Club. Similar to the serials of the original program (such as Annette and Spin and Marty), this was a limited serial that aired only twelve episodes. It told the story of Buzz Gunderson, who had been killed in a car crash in 1959 and brought back as a guardian angel. Buzz is tasked to help hapless Dennis Mullen through various tasks that, when completed, will allow him to get into heaven. The series starred Jason Priestly as Buzz, Adam Biesk as Dennis Mullen, and Renee O’Connor as Nancy Nichols. The series was popular enough to warrant a sequel serial called Teen Angel Returns.
April 19, 1983 – The Series Disney Studio Showcase Premieres on Disney Channel
On April 19, 1983, the television series Disney Studio Showcase premiered on Disney Channel as one of the first programs of the new channel. The series took viewers behind the scenes at the Walt Disney Studios, including a variety of upcoming Disney projects and ideas, such as the Tim Burton-directed short film Hansel and Gretel. The series ended its run on April 25, 1985.
April 18, 1983 – The Disney Channel Show Mousercise Premieres
“Come on everybody and Mousercize, Mickey’s Mousercize!”
On April 18, 1983, the aerobics show Mousercise premiered on Disney Channel. The show was modeled after the popular exercise programs of the time and was based on an exercise album released by Disneyland Records in 1982. It featured Kellyn Plasschaert as the main instructor, and Steve Stark as a facilitator on a discussion on health and safety. The show ran for 60 episodes.
April 15, 1983 – The Restaurant Royal Street Veranda Opens in Tokyo Disneyland
“ジャズが流れる街角のドリンクバー”
On April 15, 1983, the quick service restaurant Royal Street Veranda opened in Tokyo Disneyland’s Adventureland area. Sponsored by Kirin, this juice bar provides Kirin lemon soda, apple tea soda, and mix orange soda. The stop also features specialty candy and decorated cases.
April 13, 1984 – The Alice in Wonderland Attraction Finishes Remodeling
“You’re late for a very important date!”
On April 13, 1984, the Fantasyland attraction Alice in Wonderland finished its extensive remodeling, and reopened the following day. Open since June 14, 1958, the ride was closed on September 6, 1982, to be redesigned as part of the new Fantasyland expansion. This expansion included new sculpted figures, updated animation, and state-of-the-art special effects. Original Alice actress Kathryn Beaumont came back to reprise her role and record new lines for the update.
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