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Tag Archives: 2010s

April 3

April 3, 2016 – Muppets Courtyard Area Opens in Disney’s Hollywood Studios Park

On April 3, 2016, the area surrounding the attraction Muppet*Vision 3D was renamed Muppets Courtyard, after a majority of the Streets of America area of the park was closed to make way for the Star Wars Land expansion. After the renaming of the area showed up in park maps, several additions were made to the area through the rest of 2016, including the opening of the Muppet-themed restaurant PizzeRizzo. This name was only temporary, however, as the area was folded into what is now known as the Grand Avenue.

March 12

March 12, 2011 – Tokyo Disney Parks Closes Due to Earthquake

On March 12, 2011, Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea Park closed to examine the damage caused by the Touhoku earthquake that occurred the day prior. When the earthquake hit, 69,000 people were reportedly stranded at the parks, with most guests able to vacate by the next day. As park operational calendars were updated with closings through the 21st of March, crews were brought in to assess the damage. Flooding and caved pavements were spotted throughout the park, and were subsequently fixed before the parks eventually reopened on April 28, 2011; this was the longest closing of any Disney park.

March 7

March 7, 2010 – Up Wins Two Academy Awards

“Boy, never did I dream that making a flip book out of my third grade math book would lead to this.”

On March 7, 2010, the 82nd Academy Awards were held at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, California. Nominated for five awards, Pixar’s animated feature film Up walked away with two: Best Animated Feature, and Best Original Score. It was the second animated feature film to ever be nominated for Best Picture, but lost out to The Hurt Locker. For animated feature films, it won against Coraline, Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Princess and the Frog, and The Secret of Kells.

March 1

March 1, 2012 – The Disney Fantasy is Christened During Star-Studded Event

“I christen thee the Disney Fantasy. May God bless this ship and all who sail on her.”

On March 1, 2012, the newest ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet was christened during a star-studded event held in New York City. Named the Disney Fantasy, the ship carried on the maritime tradition of naming someone as the ship’s godmother, and Disney bestowed this honor on recording artist Mariah Carey. Her then-husband Nick Cannon joined Minnie Mouse to christen the ship with a bottle of champagne. A variety of stars were on hand to celebrate this ship, including Neil Patrick Harris, Alan Cumming, and Erin Andrews. Disney CEO Bob Iger and Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Thomas Staggs were also on hand at the ceremony.

February 25

February 25, 2010 – Alice in Wonderland Holds Royal World Premiere in London

“The long trip down the rabbit hole otherwise known as the promotional tour for Alice in Wonderland is just getting underway – check out what the stars wore to the London premiere…”

On February 25, 2010, the live action feature film Alice in Wonderland premiered at the Leicester Square Odeon cinema in central London. Though the film cast and fans were greeted by a torrential downpour, many turned out to Leicester Square to see the area transformed into Wonderland, complete with a green carpet (rather than the traditional red). Most of the stars were in attendance, including Mia Wasikowska, Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, and Helena Bonham Carter. The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall were on hand to see the film and greet the cast; the film also served as a fundraiser for The Prince’s Foundation for Children and the Arts. The film would go on to have its general release on March 5, 2010.

February 19

February 19, 2010 – The Alice in Wonderland Great Big Ultimate Fan Event is Held at Hollywood & Highland Center

“How is it you’re being so great big? ~ Tweedledee to Alice—she’s eaten far too much cake and grown to enormous heights”

On February 19, 2010, to promote the concept album inspired by the upcoming live action film Alice in Wonderland, Walt Disney Pictures and Buena Vista Records, in conjunction with Hot Topic, KIIS-FM, and MySpace, hosted the Great Big Ultimate Fan Event. Four musical artists featured on the album were on hand to perform, including 3OH!3, Metro Station, Kerli, and Never Shout Never. Actors from the film were also available for special meet-and-greets with fans, including Mia Wasikowska, Anne Hathaway, and Helena Bonham Carter. Other special surprises were planned for guests, including a Wonderland-style makeover for the Hollywood Hot Topic store inside the facility where the event was held.

February 14

February 14, 2018 – The Specialty Shop Disney Home Opens in Disneyland

“Bring the magic home by adding a dash of pixie dust of pixie dust to every room in your castle.”

On February 14, 2018, the Disney-themed home goods store Disney Home opened in Disneyland’s Downtown Disney area. The store’s offerings range from dishware to art, as well as decorative and seasonal décor, covering a range of Disney characters and franchises. The store also changes its offerings over the seasons.

February 12

February 12, 2013 – The Pixar Short The Blue Umbrella Premieres at Berlin International Film Festival

On February 12, 2013, the Pixar short film The Blue Umbrella made its debut at the Berlin International Film Festival; it would later be released alongside with the animated feature film Monsters University. The short was written and directed by Saschka Unseld, and features a score by Jon Brion. The film is notable for not starting in the traditional manner of a story department, but in the camera and staging department.

The short begins on a day that quickly becomes rainy, and the citizens of the city quickly pull out their umbrellas as the rain falls rhythmically on a city that becomes alive. Out of a sea of black umbrellas, one bright blue one marvels at the rain, until he spies a red umbrella next to him. He can’t help but stare at her, and she looks back at him, the mutual attraction between the two palpable. The two stay close to each other for a while, but are quickly separated as their owners go separate ways. The blue umbrella, realizing he’s about to be put away, uses the wind to free himself and fly across the city, on the lookout for the red umbrella. Spying her, he makes his way over, but is swept into the highway by a passing bus. The city tries to help him, but unfortunately, he is hit by a car and left on the sidewalk. His owner eventually finds him and pulls him up, and he is also greeted by the red umbrella, whose owner stopped to help. The pair are seen enjoying time together as their owners talk over coffee.

February 11

February 11, 2011 – Mickey’s Toontown Fair Closes in Walt Disney World

On February 11, 2011, the Mickey’s Toontown Fair area closed in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Park. The area originally opened on June 18, 1988 as Mickey’s Birthdayland, which was created to celebrate Mickey’s 60th birthday; after the birthday celebrations were over, it became Mickey’s Starland on May 26, 1990, and then became Mickey’s Toontown Fair on June 29, 1996. The area featured Disney character-related attractions, such as Mickey’s Country House; Minnie’s Country House; Donald’s Boat; and The Barnstomer, a Goofy-themed rollercoaster. The area was closed due to the expansion of Fantasyland, and was eventually replaced by the Storybook Circus area; however, the area reused The Barnstormer attraction, which was retooled to fit the circus theme of the area.

February 10

February 10, 2015 – Walt Disney Records Releases The Legacy Collection: Pinocchio

“I had strings but now I’m free, there are no strings on me!”

On February 10, 2015, the sixth entry into Walt Disney Records’ Legacy Collection, featuring the music of Pinocchio, was released. This two-disc edition, released to coincide with the animated feature film’s 75th anniversary, featured the film’s full soundtrack, as well as three recordings of songs cut from the film, and five songs sung by Cliff Edwards (playing Jiminy Cricket) featured in The Mickey Mouse Club television series.