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March 5

Posted on March 5, 2013 by disneydetail

March 5, 1983 – The “Journey into Imagination Attraction” Opens in Walt Disney World’s Epcot Theme Park

Journey into Imagination

“Figment the playful, purple dragon is your guide on this whimsical tour of the Imagination Institute.”

On March 5, 1983, the “Journey into Imagination” attraction opened in the Future World pavilion in Walt Disney World’s Epcot theme park. The attraction’s host was a top hat-wearing red-bearded man called the Dreamfinder (played by Chuck McCann) who collects dreams with his Dream Catcher, and creates a new character, Figment, the dragon (voiced by Billy Barty), from a figment of his imagination. Visitors were taken to several different rooms filled with imaginative ideas, and at the end of the attraction, their pictures are taken as they travel on the omnimover. The attraction was closed on October 10, 1998, to be completely renovated into the Journey into YOUR Imagination 3-D movie, hosted by Dr. Nigel Channing (played by Eric Idle). This version was then closed on October 8, 2001, and reopened again on June 2, 2002, as “Journey into Imagination with Figment.” The song performed in the attraction, “One Little Spark,” was written by the Sherman Brothers, and has been used in all three incarnations; the most recent incarnation has Figment voiced by Dave Goelz.

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February 21

Posted on February 21, 2013 by disneydetail

February 21, 1997 – The First Star Wars Weekends Are Held in Walt Disney World

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“From Friday to Sunday each weekend, you can immerse yourself in the beloved saga that takes place in a galaxy far, far away.”

On February 21, 1997, the first Star Wars Weekends event took place at Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios. This festival, held from the 21st through the 23rd, coincided with the release of the “special edition” versions of the original Star Wars trilogy. The celebrations included a few Star Wars celebrities, including Warwick Davis, who played Wicket W. Warrick the Ewok. It was held a few more times in 1997, then disappeared for a few years until it was brought back in 2000. The event has grown in recent years, including a Jedi Training Academy and an interactive attraction called “Carbon Freeze Me” where guests can have their faces scanned and reproduced in a prism of carbonite.

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February 14

Posted on February 14, 2013 by disneydetail

February 14, 2009 – The American Idol Experience Opens in Walt Disney World

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“Could you be the next American Idol? Be a part of this exciting daily competition to find a rising star!”

On February 14, 2009, the Walt Disney World attraction “The American Idol Experience” opened in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Based on the popular reality television show, the attraction puts guests 14 years of age and older in an actual audition, beginning with singing a song a capella in front of the judges. Guests who move to the second audition sing karaoke style to pop songs, classic standards, or Disney tracks. The attraction has five shows a day, with three guests performing in each show. The winners of each show compete in the final competition in front of a live audience, who votes for the performer they like the best. The final winner of the day is awarded a “Dream Ticket,” which allows the winner to bypass the line at an American Idol audition.

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February 6

Posted on February 6, 2013 by disneydetail

February 6, 1914 – Voice Actor and Disney Legend Thurl Ravenscroft is Born

Thurl

“Little did I know back then that the basso voice singing about gold doubloons and pieces of eight belonged to the same man who provided the voice for Tony the Tiger, and so many characters in Disney films, and the Disneyland park.” – Leonard Maltin

On February 6, 1914, Thurl Arthur Ravenscroft was born in Norfolk, Nebraska. In 1933, he headed for California to attend the Otis Art Institute, and joined a barbershop quartet known as The Sportsmen Quartet, who went on to perform on the Jack Benny radio program. Ravenscroft would soon find success with a new quartet known as the Mellomen, who performed in The Glenn Miller Story  and later a film with Elvis Presley.  The Disney Studios hired the Mellomen often; they sang in animated films Alice in Wonderland and Lady and the Tramp, and television serials Cavalcade of Songs and The Legend of Elfego Baca. Ravenscroft leant his voice to the theme songs of two Disney serials: “Boys of the Western Sea” and “The Hardy Boys: Mystery of the Applegate Treasure.”

Ravenscroft’s voice is used extensively in Disneyland, most famously in the Haunted Mansion attraction as one of the singing busts in the end of the ride (surprisingly, Ravenscroft’s bust is often mistaken as that of Walt Disney). His voice can also be heard in Pirates of the Caribbean, Splash Mountain, and in the Enchanted Tiki Room as Fritz, the German parrot. Ravenscroft also had many famous non-Disney roles, including the song “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” in the famous television Christmas special, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, and his most famous role, Tony the Tiger of Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes. He was inducted as a Disney Legend in 1995, and passed away in 2005.

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January 25

Posted on January 25, 2013 by disneydetail

January 25, 2003 – Tokyo Disneyland’s Disney’s Dreams on Parade Begins

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“Dream on, dream of the magic right here where the magic’s made…”

On January 25, 2003, Disney’s Dreams on Parade began in Tokyo Disneyland’s Magic Kingdom. The parade was created specifically for the 20th anniversary of Tokyo Disneyland, and each character in the parade represents a different dream. Flora, Fauna, and Merriweather begin on a float of Cinderella’s castle, welcoming guests. The first section is the “Dreams of the Good Old Days,” featuring Daisy Duck, the Three Little Pigs and the Big Bad Wolf, and Mary Poppins and Bert. Dreams of the Frontier Spirit follows this, with Chip ’n’ Dale, Clara Cluck, Horace Horsecollar, Clarabelle Cow, Woody, and Jessie. Pluto, Brer Rabbit, Brer Bear and Brer Fox follow this with the Dreams of Friendship, continued with Dumbo, Pinocchio, Geppetto, Mickey Mouse, Alice, Mad Hatter, Peter Pan, and Wendy with the Dreams of Imagination. Goofy brings the Dreams of Laughter with Sulley and Mike from Monsters, Inc.; Buzz Lightyear comes next with the Dreams of Infinity. Dreams of Paradise continues the parade with Donald Duck, King Louie, and Baloo. The parade ends with the Dreams of Happily Ever After, with Snow White and her Prince, Princess Aurora and Prince Phillip, Belle and the Beast, Cinderella and Prince Charming, and Mickey Mouse. The parade finished its run on March 30, 2006; a CD and Blu-Ray of the parade were released for purchase.

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January 24

Posted on January 24, 2013 by disneydetail

January 24, 1993 – Mickey’s Toontown Opens in Disneyland

Toontown

“It’s the place where some of your favorite Toons call home!”

On January 24, 1993, Mickey’s Toontown area opened at Disneyland. The area was inspired by the town of the same name from the hit 1988 film Who Framed Roger Rabbit? The Disneyland version of the area was supposed to have Roger Rabbit as the star of the town, along with Judge Doom and Baby Herman; these plans were scaled back considerably after the dismal performance of Euro Disney. Instead, the Disneyland version took its cue from the Walt Disney World version of Toontown, which was named Mickey’s Birthdayland, and includes residences for Chip ’n’ Dale, Donald Duck, Goofy, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and Roger Rabbit. The area itself is more suited to younger children, including gentler rides and residences as playhouses.

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January 16

Posted on January 16, 2013 by disneydetail

January 16, 1994 – The First Walt Disney World Marathon Takes Place

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“Welcome to the 1994 inaugural Walt Disney World Marathon!”

On January 16,1994, 8,500 runners ran the very first Walt Disney World Marathon. The 26.2-mile run took place through the then-three theme parks, including normal and backstage roads. The winner was Leonid Shetsov of Russia with a time of 2 hours, 14 minutes, and 27 seconds. The event took off, and has grown significantly, adding several half-marathons and a 10-miler. The event celebrated its 20th anniversary in January 13, 2013, with a special medal created for the event.

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January 9

Posted on January 9, 2013 by disneydetail

January 9, 1987 – Star Tours Opens in Disneyland’s Tomorrowland

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“A galaxy of trouble awaits, but don’t worry, the Force will be with you, always!”

On January 9, 1987, Star Tours, the new Tomorrowland attraction, opened in Disneyland. Originally, the idea for a space-themed ride was to be based on the 1979 live-action film The Black Hole, but was shelved due to the film’s dismal box office. The ride was done in cooperation with George Lucas at a time when Disney was not creating any blockbuster animated films, but wanted to bring something new to audiences in the park. The attraction became immensely popular, and was updated in 2011.

The ride was a military simulator-like experience that told a story. In the original attraction, guests entered vehicles called StarSpeeders, with a robot trainee pilot named REX (voiced by Paul Reubens). Forty passengers could fit in the StarSpeeders, which in the Lucas version, traveled to the moon of Endor and back.

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January 4

Posted on January 4, 2013 by disneydetail

January 4, 1918 – Composer and Disney Legend Norman “Buddy” Baker is Born

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“During the 28 years I worked at the Studio, Walt never came to a recording. He had confidence in me and everyone else. He trusted his people. He also knew what kind of music worked – not the notes, the kind.”

On January 4, 1918, Norman Baker was born in Springfield, Missouri. He earned his Doctorate in music at Southwest Baptist University, and was brought to the Disney Studios in 1954 by staff composer George Bruns. Bruns asked Baker to help compose for the new Disney anthology serial Davy Crockett. Baker would stay at the studio, composing for nearly 50 films, including The Fox and The Hound and Donald in Mathmagic Land. Baker kept contributing to Disney’s television ventures, but was eventually tapped to help with the musical scores of the attractions at the 1964 World’s Fair, particularly Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln and the Carousel of Progress. With X Atencio, Baker would write the popular tune “Grim Grinning Ghosts,” heard at the Haunted Mansion. He then became the musical director for EPCOT, composing for the Future World pavilions and the World Showcase, including Innoventions, Impressions de France, and Adventure Thru Inner Space. In 1983, Baker retired from the studio, as one of the last staff composers on contract for a major Hollywood studio. He continued to score for Disney attractions, and was named a Disney Legend in 1998. Baker passed away on July 26, 2002.

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December 25

Posted on December 25, 2012 by disneydetail

December 25, 1983 – The Walt Disney World Very Merry Christmas Parade is Broadcast on Television

Image Credit: startedbyamouse.com

Image Credit: startedbyamouse.com

“Live Christmas Day on ABC!”

On December 25, 1983, the Walt Disney World Very Merry Christmas Parade was first broadcast on ABC, and has aired annually since then. The first hosts of the 90 minute special were journalist Joan Lunden and entertainer Mike Douglas (who was also known as the singing voice of Prince Charming in 1950’s Cinderella). The parade was broadcast live from Walt Disney World, and would continue to be a live broadcast until the 90s, when the parade was filmed at least a month beforehand to be ready to broadcast on Christmas Day.

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