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Tag Archives: Attraction

July 10

July 10, 2014 – The Attraction Ratatouille: L’Aventure Totalement Toquée de Rémy Opens in Disneyland Paris

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“Shrink down to the size of Remy and duck, dive, dodge and scurry to safety in a dazzling chase across a gigantic kitchen.”

On July 10, 2014, the Pixar attraction Ratatouille: L’Aventure Totalement Toquée de Rémy opened in Disneyland Paris. The 4D attraction, inspired by the Pixar film Ratatouille, gives guests the experience of being a rat with Remy in the famous Gusteau’s restaurant. The adventure begins when they are discovered by Chef Skinner, who hunts them down through the restaurant. The attraction, while remaining true to the spirit of the film, also explores the culture of the country of the film’s setting: France.

July 5

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July 5, 1988 – The Film Norway – The Film Opens in Epcot’s Norway Pavilion

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“Norway…it was born in challenge, in a thousand years of challenging the seas.”

On July 5, 1988, the seventy millimeter film Norway – The Film opened in the Norway Pavilion of Epcot’s World Showcase. Also known as The Spirit of Norway, the film was shown at the end of the Maelstrom attraction, where guests could sit and learn a bit more about the people and culture of Norway. The film closed alongside Maelstrom on October 5, 2014, to make way for a new attraction featuring the characters from the film Frozen.

July 4

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July 4, 1999 – The Bear in the Big Blue House Show Premieres in Disney-MGM Studios

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“I heard all these wonderful voices calling my name!”

On July 4, 1999, the Bear in the Big Blue House Show premiered in the Disney-MGM Studios Park in Walt Disney World. Based on the hit Playhouse Disney show produced by Jim Henson Productions, the show featured the characters of Bear, with his friends Ojo, Treelo, Pip, Pop, Shadow, and Luna. It was housed on Soundstage 5, and the 15-minute show had guests sitting on a carpeted floor. The show ended its run on August 4, 2001, and was replaced with Playhouse Disney – Live on Stage, which included several characters from this show.

June 29

June 29, 1974 – The Tomorrowland Attraction America Sings Opens in Disneyland

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“Yankee Doodle! Yes folks, that was America’s first popular song, and that’s what this show is all about: America’s music.”

On June 29, 1974, the attraction America Sings opened in Disneyland’s Tomorrowland, occupying the carousel theater that held GE’s Carousel of Progress after it moved to Walt Disney World. The attraction introduced to the audience the history of American music, using 100 characters to illustrate the sounds of four different eras. It was hosted by a character called Sam the Eagle, who had a variation of the song “Yankee Doodle” before each area. Sam had an owl as a co-host and a weasel as a frequent interrupting guest. The attraction closed on April 10, 1988, and many of the characters were transferred to the Riverboat scene in Splash Mountain.

June 26

June 26, 1989 – The Delta Dreamflight Attraction Opens in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom

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“The attraction also featured visions of the aircrafts of the future.”

On June 26, 1989, the Delta Dreamflight Tomorrowland attraction opened in the Magic Kingdom. The attraction replaced If You Could Fly, being a redesigned version of the attraction that took guests through a whimsical look at the history of aviation. The attraction, sponsored by Delta Airlines, had guests boarding Omnimovers to take them through several scenes depicting important moments in flight history. In 1996, Delta ceased sponsorship of the attraction, and in 1998, it was closed. It was soon replaced with Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin.

June 16

June 16, 1956 – The Storybook Land Canal Boats Attraction Opens in Disneyland

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“Cast off on a colorful canal boat for a ‘mini’ tour of fairytale destinations seen in classic Disney animated movies.”

On June 16, 1956, the Storybook Land Canal Boats attraction opened in Disneyland’s Fantasyland. It was a revamped version of the Canal Boats of the World, which opened and closed in 1955. Guests board a 12-person boat and slowly pass by miniature scenes from classic Disney films, ranging from Snow White and the dwarves’ cottage, to the houses of the Three Little Pigs. The attraction was revamped in 1994 to include scenes from Aladdin and The Little Mermaid while removing Toad Hall. Scenes from the animated feature film Frozen have been added recently to the attraction, making it the first change since the 1994 addition. A version of this attraction is available in Disneyland Paris, known as Le Pays de Contes de Fées.

June 14

June 14, 1959 – The Matterhorn Bobsleds Attraction Opens in Disneyland

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“Embark on a thrilling, high-speed run down the icy slopes of Switzerland’s most famous peak.”

On June 14, 1959, the Matterhorn Bobsleds attraction opened in Disneyland as the park’s first thrill attraction. Part of the first Disneyland expansion, the attraction was based on the Disney live-action film Third Man on the Mountain as well as the Swiss mountain of the same name. It is also the first tubular steel roller coaster in the world, with its design becoming the standard for roller coasters around the world. Although it is 1/100th of the actual size of its namesake, the use of forced perspective makes it appear much larger than it is. The attraction is also known for having a basketball court hidden inside, with popular lore stating that it was added to get past height restrictions within the city of Anaheim, although this myth has been disproved. Guests enter a six-person sled and slide through the icy caves of the mountain while trying to avoid the wrath of the Abominable Snowman. Guests can also pick one of two tracks for different views of Disneyland: the Fantasyland track, and the Tomorrowland track. Guests also have an opportunity to see mountain climbers on the side of the mountain, including very special appearances by Goofy and Mickey. Disneyland is the only Disney Park to have this attraction.

June 12

June 12, 1922 – Performer and Disney Legend Fulton Burley is Born

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“Whenever I mention Fulton to anybody who knew him, they immediately smile every time.” – D23 Writer Scott Wolf

On June 12, 1922, Fulton Burley was born. Raised in Canada, Burley loved to sing at an early age, performing for weddings and on the radio. He studied law and music at the Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, but dropped his law studies to pursue a career in entertainment. Burley was able to secure a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, and appeared in supporting roles in several films. In 1943 he landed a role in the Diamond Horseshoe Review after a telephone audition, and continued to tour with several musical productions, honing his skills in music and comedy. In 1962, after receiving a call from friend (and eventual fellow Disney Legend) Wally Boag, Burley came to work at the Golden Horseshoe Review at Disneyland. While there, he not only gained popularity with the show, but recorded the voice for Michael in the Enchanted Tiki Room attraction. In 1987, Burley retired from Disney, but came back in 1997 to help rerecord the lines for the updated version of the Enchanted Tiki Room alongside Boag and Thurl Ravenscroft. He was honored as a Disney Legend in 1995. In 2007, Burley passed away from heart failure at the age of 84.

June 8

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June 8, 2005 – Disney Donates Two Park Attraction Parts to the Smithsonian

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“During the parks’ 50th anniversary, it seemed a perfect time for Disneyland to officially join hands across the continent with the Smithsonian and bring these two great American institutions together.” – Michael Eisner, Former CEO of the Walt Disney Company

On June 8, 2005, the Walt Disney Company officially presented two new items for the collection at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History: a Dumbo from the Dumbo the Flying Elephant attraction, and a Tea Cup from the Mad Tea Party attraction. These two items were picked specifically to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Disneyland, as both attractions have been in the park since it opened in 1955. The ceremony included an appearance by Michael Eisner and Mickey Mouse.

June 5

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June 5, 1999 – The Attraction The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh Opens in Walt Disney World

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“Glide and bounce and swirl through some of the most popular scenes and settings of Winnie the Pooh.”

On June 5, 1999, the attraction The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh opened in the Magic Kingdom of Walt Disney World. Replacing the Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, there is a small Easter egg of Mr. Toad in the attraction, handing over the deed to the character of Owl. The attraction takes guests through the adventures in the Hundred Acre Wood, based on the hit 1997 film of the same name. The attraction has an interactive walkthrough to entertain young children, which includes a hide-and-seek game in Rabbit’s garden and a space to explore Eeyore’s home. The ride itself is a dark ride, with areas illuminated by special black lights. Similar attractions have been opened in Disneyland (April 11, 2003), Hong Kong Disneyland (September 12, 2005), and Tokyo Disneyland (although renamed as Pooh’s Hunny Hunt).