March 9, 1991 – Legends of Hollywood Closes in Disney’s Hollywood Studios
On March 9, 1991, the merchandise shop Legends of Hollywood closed on March 9, 1991, after being open for less than two months on Hollywood Boulevard. The shop was soon replaced by L.A. Cinema Storage (which itself was closed in 2014 to become The Trolley Car Café). A new Legends of Hollywood shop opened on June 12, 1994 on Sunset Boulevard.
March 8, 1999 – The Swiss Family Treehouse Closes in Disneyland
“Explore the ultimate treehouse – and behold breathtaking views – inspired by the classic Disney film, Swiss Family Robinson.”
On March 8, 1999, the long-standing Adventureland attraction Swiss Family Treehouse closed in Disneyland. Based on the treehouse from the 1960 live action feature film Swiss Family Robinson, the man-made tree structure had been open since 1962; it was repurposed to advertise the latest animated feature film Tarzan by becoming Tarzan’s Treehouse. The treehouse was redesigned to fit the treehouse seen in the animated feature, added vignettes and mementos to explain Tarzan’s life story, and included a base camp area set up by Jane and Tarzan. Versions of the Swiss Family Treehouse still exist in other Disney Parks, such as Walt Disney World, Disneyland Paris, and Tokyo Disneyland.
March 4, 1962 – The Restaurant Don DeFore’s Silver Banjo Closes in Disneyland
“Down on New Orleans Street Over in Frontierland Near Tom Sawyer Island is Don DeFore’s Silver Banjo in Enchanting Disneyland. Finest Barbecue this side of the Mississippi!”
On March 4, 1962, the Frontierland food facility Don Defore’s Silver Banjo closed in Disneyland. Opening on June 15, 1957, the restaurant was named after the actor Don DeFore, who was best known for playing “Thorny” Thornberry on The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriett and for playing George Baxter on Hazel. The facility mostly provided barbecue dishes. It was closed to allow the expansion of the Aunt Jemima Pancake House.
February 17, 1960 – The Space Station X-1 Exhibit Closes in Disneyland
“See America from Outer Space”
On February 17, 1960, the Space Station X-1 exhibit, located in Disneyland’s Tomorrowland, officially closed. One of the park’s original opening day attractions, the exhibit gave guests a view of the Earth from what was eventually called the “Satellite View of America.” This scenic painting of the Earth was created by artist Peter Ellenshaw.
February 13, 1993 – Lumiere’s Kitchen Opens in Walt Disney World
Image credit: https://waltdatedworld.com/
On February 13, 1993, the quick service restaurant Lumiere’s Kitchen opened in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Park. Replacing the Black Cauldron-themed restaurant Gurgi’s Munchies & Crunchies, the restaurant served general quick-service fare, such as chicken nuggets and grilled cheese. The restaurant closed on April 30, 2006, and was replaced by the Village Fry Shoppe.
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 5, 2017 – The Starring Rolls Café Closes in Hollywood Studios
On February 5, 2017, the Starring Rolls Café officially closed in Hollywood Studios. Open since May 1, 1989, the café served as a beloved pastry shop within the park, featuring guest favorites such as the Butterfinger Cupcake, the Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcake, and the pastrami sandwich. Many of Starring Rolls’ delicacies were moved to the new Trolley Car Café and sold alongside Starbucks products.
February 1, 1989 – Hollywood Pictures Begins Operations
On February 1, 1989, the Walt Disney Company film division Hollywood Pictures officially began operations. Similar to the Touchstone Pictures label, it was designed to release Disney’s “darker” fare, such as its first release in 1990, Arachnophobia. The studio was originally run by Ricardo Mestres, moving from Touchstone Pictures to run the fledgling studio; he was succeeded by Michael Lynton in 1994. Although the studio had some successes, especially with the works of M. Night Shyamalan, the studio was eventually closed in 2007, as Disney wanted to focus on the internal brand names of the company.
January 31, 2016 – The Show Animagique Closes
On January 31, 2016, the black light show Animagique officially closed. Located in Disneyland Paris’ Walt Disney Studios Paris, the show was an homage to beloved scenes from Disney animated features, ranging from Dumbo to The Lion King, and featured Mickey and Donald as the main characters. The show has Mickey and Donald teaching a drawing class, and Mickey warning Donald not to enter an area called the Cinematheque; Donald disobeys this and, upon entering the magical film vault, is thrown into scenes of the Disney films. This live show featured a variety of effects, including puppetry. After closing, the show was then replaced by Mickey and the Magician.
January 27, 2011 – The Nighttime Show The Magic, The Memories, and You! Premieres in Disneyland
“It turns [it’s a small world] into an animated, coloring pad; it coaxes the singing dolls from inside the attraction to appear outside in the show; and it weaves hundreds of guest photos into a giant, surprise mosaic.”
On January 27, 2011, the new nighttime show The Magic, The Memories, and You! premiered in Disneyland, after a January 19 premiere in Walt Disney World. This show was created as part of the “Let the Memories Begin” year-long promotion. Although this kaleidoscope-style visual was intended to be broadcast on Cinderella Castle in Walt Disney World, the effects were brought to a smaller stage for Disneyland, where it was broadcast on the it’s a small world attraction. The ten-minute show uses technology to change the attraction’s outside façade, and also features around 500 photos and videos that guests submitted to the “Let the Memories Begin” online repository.
disneydetail 