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Tag Archives: Disney Park

September 10

September 10, 1983 – The Flights of Fantasy Parade Ends its Run

“Your imagination will run wild, right before your eyes.”

On September 10, 1983, the Flights of Fantasy Parade ended its run in Disneyland. Beginning on June 18, the parade featured floats and characters from rarely seen films, such as Babes in Toyland, Fantasia, and Pinocchio. The parade also featured Mickey and his friends “floating” into the parade in hot air balloons. This parade was also distinctive for being both a daytime and nighttime parade taking place at both 4pm and 10pm.

September 9

September 9, 2001 – The Country Bear Jamboree Closes in Disneyland

“The Wildest Show in the Wilderness”

On September 9, 2001, the long-running attraction Country Bear Jamboree closed in Disneyland’s Critter Country. Opening on March 24, 1972, and originally located in Bear Country, the Disneyland attraction was based on the original Walt Disney World attraction; the attraction was originally designed to be a show for the proposed Mineral King Ski Resort that was planned by Walt Disney in the 1960s. The attraction was closed to make way for the new Winnie the Pooh themed attraction, The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. While open in Disneyland, there were many special-themed versions of the attraction that featured new sets and costumes, including the Country Bear Christmas Special, as well as the Country Bear Vacation Hoedown

September 7

September 7, 2011 – The Cupola is Installed at the Carthay Circle Theater

“The Disney Parks Blog video team was on hand to catch some great footage of the cupola as it was raised into position on top of the theatre – take a look!”

On September 7, 2011, the Carthay Circle Theater restaurant was given its crowning feature by Walt Disney Imagineering: the cupola, modeled after the one on the original Carthay Circle Theater, where the world premiere of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was held. A cupola is a high bell tower-like structure; the Disneyland version of the classic theater is a replica of the original theater, which was demolished in 1969.

September 1

September 1, 2000 – The Attraction Pooh’s Hunny Hunt Opened in Tokyo Disneyland

気まぐれに進むハニーポット(はちみつの壷)にのって、プーさんといっしょにはちみつ探しの冒険に出発!”

On September 1, 2000, the attraction Pooh’s Hunny Hunt opened in the Fantasyland area of Tokyo Disneyland. The attraction is similar to the Walt Disney World attraction The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, where guests board a large honey pot and travel through the storybook of Winnie the Pooh and entering the scenes from the classic animated feature; however, the Tokyo Disneyland attraction is much more elaborate than the Walt Disney World attraction.

August 30

August 30, 2014 – The American Idol Experience Attraction Closes

“Disney’s American Idol Experience wrapped up its roughly five-year run on Saturday, Aug. 30, with a heartwarming story straight from the fairytale handbook.”

On August 30, 2014, the Hollywood Studios attraction The American Idol Experience closed after one final performance. The winner of the final performance was a 14-year-old guest named Jessica, who won after singing a rendition of “I Want You Back” by the Jackson Five. The attraction, opening on February 14, 2009, was based on the hit FOX reality series, and had guests compete in front of a live audience for the opportunity to be a star. It was announced that the attraction was going to be closed earlier in June, with the original closing date set to be January, though unexpectedly the date was moved up.

August 29

August 29, 1992 – The Dinosaurs Live Parade Ends its Run

“I’m ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille!”

On August 29, 1992, the Disney-MGM Studios parade and show Dinosaurs Live! ended its run. Opening on September 26, 1991, the parade featured the cast of the ABC series Dinosaurs as the “Surprise Family of the Day.” The song for the parade was a rendition of the 1988 song “Walk the Dinosaur,” originally by Was (Not Was). The parade was considered the beginning of adding the characters from the show into a larger presence within Disney-MGM Studios, but after falling ratings, these plans were cancelled. After Dinosaurs Live! ended its run, it was followed by Aladdin’s Royal Caravan.

August 28

August 28, 2003 – Lucky the Dinosaur is Introduced in Disney California Adventure

“If you’re not familiar with Lucky, he’s a free-roaming, people-loving, 12-foot-long, 450-pound dinosaur who has occasionally appeared at Disney Parks.”

On August 28, 2003, the first audio-animatronic figure to walk freely and interact with guests, known as Lucky the Dinosaur, was introduced in Disney California Adventure park. It took Imagineers five years to create the nine feet tall, 450-pound figure. Lucky is also notable for walking on two legs and pushing a cart of flowers, as well as personally interacting with passing guests. After working in Disney California Adventure, Lucky was moved to Disney’s Animal Kingdom in 2005, and then was relocated to Hong Kong Disneyland.

August 27

August 27, 1955 – The Mickey Mouse Club Theater Opens in Disneyland

                     Image credit: D23

“Walt Disney’s Cartoon Carnival”

On August 27, 1955, the Mickey Mouse Club Theater opened in Disneyland’s Fantasyland. The air conditioned theater gave guests a chance to sit down and enjoy some of the classic Mickey Mouse and friends cartoon short films that had dominated the 1930s and 40s. The shorts available were on a rotating schedule, and the theater itself was only open to guests during peak periods at the park. At one point, the theater offered an event called the 3D Jamboree, where guests put on their 3-D glasses to enjoy the short films Melody and Working for Peanuts, which were introduced by the Mouseketeers. As the only theater in the park, until the Opera House opened in the Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln attraction, the theater was also used for special press conferences and cast member events. It was renamed the Fantasyland Theater in 1964, and was converted to a live performance venue. The theater closed on December 20, 1981, to make way for the new Pinocchio’s Daring Journey attraction, which would open in 1983.

August 23

August 23, 2013 – The Princess Fairytale Hall Marquee is Unveiled in New Fantasyland

“The hall, which is set to open this fall, will welcome princess fans into a positively regal character greeting area.”

On August 23, 2013, the marquee for the new Princess Fairytale Hall, a meet-and-greet area, was unveiled in the New Fantasyland expansion of Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Park. This marked a major milestone in the creation of the expansion, with it set to be opened that fall. In the announcement about the hall, it was revealed that guests would be able to meet princesses Cinderella and Rapunzel, with each accompanied by another special princess that would change every so often.

August 18

August 18, 2011 – Betty Taylor and Wally Boag are Honored in Special Ceremony

“…will forever pay tribute to their legendary roles.”

On August 18, 2011, a special ceremony was held at the Golden Horseshoe to honor the contributions by Betty Taylor and Wally Boag, two entertainers whose names were synonymous with the saloon; both had passed away in June earlier that year. The celebration, known as “True Legends of The Golden Horseshoe: A Tribute to Wally Boag and Betty Taylor,” featured special performances by members of the Golden Horseshoe, as well as tributes by special guests, such as Taylor’s sister, Dorothy Fields, and Boag’s daughter, Heather Dinkins. Other special Disney guests were on hand to pay tribute, including Golden Horseshoe Revue choreographer Miriam Nelson; Disney Legends Rob Dominguez, Jack Lindquist, and Richard Sherman, Mouseketeer Bobby Burgess; actor Steve Martin; and Diane Disney Miller, daughter of Walt Disney (the latter two guests gave tribute via video message). Disneyland Resort President George A. Kalogridis was also on hand to honor the pair in his own way by donating $10,000 to the Orange County High School of the Arts in their memory.