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Tag Archives: Disney Park

July 2

Posted on July 2, 2015 by disneydetail

July 2, 1999 – The Live Show Tarzan Rocks Opens in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park

TarzanRocks

“Two worlds, where primitive meets civilized, where man and beast coexist as one.”

On July 2, 1999, the live-action show Tarzan Rocks opened in the Theater in the Wild in the DinoLand U.S.A. area of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park. The half-hour show, based on the 1999 animated feature film Tarzan and sponsored by McDonald’s, featured several types of performances, including dancers, inline skaters, and gymnasts in all areas of the theater. Songs from the show were performed by a rock band that occupied a scaffolding on the stage, with the singers acting as narrators for the “Two Worlds Concert Tour.” Halfway through the show, the characters Tarzan and Jane appear to act out scenes from the film before performing complex aerial acrobatics. After this, the stage is taken over by Terk, who starts “Trashing’ the Camp” with audience participation. The show then ends with a musical and dance spectacular to the song “You’ll Be in My Heart.” The show closed on January 21, 2006.

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June 29

Posted on June 29, 2015 by disneydetail

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

AmericaSings

“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.

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June 27

Posted on June 27, 2015 by disneydetail

June 27, 1997 – The Hercules “Zero to Hero” Victory Parade Begins in Disney-MGM Studios

HZ2HVP

“When the Hercules – Zero to Hero Victory Parade rolled into Disney’s Hollywood Studios…it once and for all answered the question, ‘Who put the ‘glad’ in ‘gladiator’?’”

On June 27, 1997, the Hercules “Zero to Hero” Victory Parade began its run in the Disney-MGM Studios (now known as Hollywood Studios). The 14-minute parade promoted the 1997 animated feature film Hercules, featuring the characters of Hercules, Meg, the Muses, Phil, and Hades. A similar parade called the Hercules Victory Parade began in Disneyland on the same day. The parade ran until 1998, which was then replaced with a parade for the film Mulan.

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June 26

Posted on June 26, 2015 by disneydetail

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

Delta Dreamflight

“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.

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June 16

Posted on June 16, 2015 by disneydetail

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

Monstro_SLCB

“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.

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June 15

Posted on June 15, 2015 by disneydetail

June 15, 1961 – The First Grad Nite is Held in Disneyland

“You only graduate once. So get your friends together, party with other high school seniors from all over the country and don’t miss this celebration of a lifetime!”

On June 15, 1961, the first Grad Nite celebration is held in Disneyland. Celebrating the graduation of high school seniors, the first event had 8,500 students congregating at the happiest place on earth. This number grew extensively in the decade, with 100,000 students soon going to celebrate all night at Disneyland. In 2009, over 5 million grads had come to celebrate at the park. Any school is able to participate, and students must adhere to a dress code. Walt Disney World had their own version of Grad Nite that began in 1972, but ended in 2011.

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June 14

Posted on June 14, 2015 by disneydetail

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

Matterhorn

“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.

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June 12

Posted on June 12, 2015 by disneydetail

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

fultonburley

“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.

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June 9

Posted on June 9, 2015 by disneydetail

June 9, 1984 – The Laserphonic Fantasy Show Debuts at Epcot

Laserphonic

On June 9, the Laserphonic Fantasy light show debuted in Epcot. The show was a precursor to Illuminations, which opened in 1988. Laserphonic Fantasy was an elaborate laser and effects show, featuring the music of composer Don Dorsey, performed in full orchestral. The show took many cues from its predecessor, A New World Fantasy, and was one of the first shows to use lasers on a water-droplet screen. The show did not feature spotlights on specific countries; this addition was made for Illuminations.

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June 8

Posted on June 8, 2015 by disneydetail

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

Dumbo

“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.

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