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December 16

Posted on December 16, 2012 by disneydetail

December 16, 1952 – WED Enterprises is Founded

“Well, WED is, you might call it my backyard laboratory, my workshop away from work. It served a purpose in that some of the things I was planning, like Disneyland for example…it’s pretty hard for banking minds to go with it…so I had to go ahead on my own and develop it to a point where they could begin to comprehend what I had on my mind.” – Walt Disney

On December 16, 1952, the design and development organization WED Enterprises was founded by Walt Disney (with WED being Walt’s initials). The organization was founded to help create Disneyland. The first three Imagineers (a portmanteau of ‘Imagination’ and ‘Engineer’) working on this project, and first three employees of WED, were Harriet Burns, Fred Joerger, and Wathel Rogers, who had been working on the Disneyland project before the organization was formed. Walt would sell his interest in WED Enterprises to Walt Disney Productions in 1965, with the whole organization moving to Glendale in 1961. In 1986, the organization was renamed Walt Disney Imagineering.

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November 23

Posted on November 23, 2012 by disneydetail

November 23, 1998 – The Kona Café at Disney’s Polynesian Resort Opens

Image Credit: Official Walt Disney World site

“The Kona Café infuses a bit of Asian zest into traditional American breakfast, lunch, and dinner fare in Disney’s Polynesian Resort.”

On November 23, 1998, the Kona Café in Walt Disney World’s Polynesian Resort opened. The restaurant is mid-sized, and is located on the second floor of the Great Ceremonial House. It is known for its Tonga Toast, a breakfast dish consisting of French toast stuffed with deep fried bananas, topped with sugar and cinnamon. Kona Café is also known for its 100% Kona Coffee, and its open pastry kitchen that provides desserts.

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November 16

Posted on November 16, 2012 by disneydetail

November 16, 2004 – The Attraction Stitch’s Great Escape! Officially Opens

Image Credit: Tumblr

“Magic Kingdom theme park may not be big enough to contain Stitch, and you never know when and where he will appear next!”

On November 16, 2004, the Tomorrowland attraction Stitch’s Great Escape opened in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom park. The attraction is based on the successful 2002 animated feature Lilo and Stitch. Guests are taken to the Galactic Federation Prisoner Teleport Center for training, when they are interrupted by Captain Gantu informing everyone that there is a Level 3 prisoner being transported to the teleportation chamber. Guests are then led to the chamber, watching as the prisoner (Stitch) wreaks havoc with the system. The attraction was a rebuild of the ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter attraction that opened in 1995 and closed in 2003. The Stitch animatronic figure is rather complex, being the first figure of its kind to be able to spit water.

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October 14

Posted on October 14, 2012 by disneydetail

October 14, 1971 – The 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Attraction Opens in Walt Disney World’s Tomorrowland

“We are underway and proceeding on a course that will take us on a voyage through liquid space. En route, we will pass below the polar ice cap, and then probe depths seldom seen by man.”

On October 14, 1971, the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea attraction opened in Tomorrowland of Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. The underwater submarine ride was based on the hit 1954 film, rather than the Disneyland version of the ride, which was based on the nuclear submarines in the news of much of the 1950s. The ride became highly popular, and was one of the biggest and most expensive Disney attractions. The ride, however, was closed on September 5, 1994, and was replaced with Pooh’s Playful Spot in 2005.

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October 7

Posted on October 7, 2012 by disneydetail

October 7, 1919 – Actress and Disney Legend Betty Taylor is Born

“Betty’s role as leading lady in Disneyland’s Golden Horseshoe Revue helped turn it into the longest-running stage show in entertainment history.” – George Kalogridis, Disneyland Resort President

On October 7, 1919, actress Betty Taylor was born in Seattle, Washington, and begin taking dance lessons at an early age. At age 18, she led her own band known as Betty and Her Beaus. She then performed on a western radio show called “Sons of the Pioneers,” and went on to perform in Las Vegas with Frank Sinatra. In 1956, before hitting the road again, Taylor heard of auditions being held in the new Disneyland theme park, and won the role of Slue Foot Sue in the Golden Horseshoe Revue. The show became immensely popular, with the troupe appearing in an episode of “Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color.” Taylor retired from the show in 1987, but continued to appear in special events. She passed away on June 4, 2011, one day after her Golden Horseshoe Revue partner Wally Boag died. She was inducted into the Disney Legends in 1995.

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September 30

Posted on September 30, 2012 by disneydetail

September 30, 2006 – Dream-Along With Mickey Debuts at Walt Disney World

Image Credit: Walt Disney World official site

“Mickey invites you to join him and celebrate the magic of dreams at this fun-filled, dream-inspired musical show where adventure and ‘happily ever after’ come alive right in front of your eyes.”

On September 30, 2006, the musical stage show Dream-Along With Mickey debuted at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. The show stars not only Mickey and the gang, but includes appearances by Cinderella, Aurora, Snow White, Captain Hook, and Peter Pan, among others. As the celebration part of the show begins, Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty appears, and Mickey has to stop her from turning dreams into nightmares, with the help of the audience. The show is 20 minutes long, and takes place at Main Street within the Magic Kingdom.

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September 13

Posted on September 13, 2012 by disneydetail

September 13, 1920 – Performer and Disney Legend Wally Boag is Born

“My longest job before the Golden Horseshoe Revue was 54 weeks. And to think it all began with a two-week contract I signed with Walt Disney when the park opened.”

On September 13, 1920, longtime Disneyland performer Wallace Vincent Boag was born in Portland, Oregon. A trained dancer, Boag was teaching his own dance classes at 16, but had turned his attention to honing his comedic skills at age 19. Boag performed at prestigious venues at a young age, including Radio City Music Hall, the Palladium in London, and the Tivoli Theater in Australia. In 1945, Boag was signed with MGM Studios, appearing in such films as Without Love and The Thrill of Romance.

His chance to work with the Disney Studios began in 1955, when a friend told him about auditions for a routine in the new Disneyland Park known as the “Golden Horseshoe Revue.” Boag won a role in the show, and soon became a favorite of Walt’s. While performing the Revue, Boag would also make appearances on “The Mickey Mouse Club,” “Disneyland,” and “Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color,” particularly in an episode of the latter program celebrating the Revue’s 10,000th performance in 1962. Boag also appeared in Disney films, including The Absent-Minded Professor and The Love Bug; in addition to these, Boag provided the voice of Jose the parrot in the Enchanted Tiki Room. In 1971, Boag left California to open the Diamond Horseshoe Revue at Walt Disney World, but returned to Disneyland where he remained until his retirement on January 28, 1982. He was inducted as a Disney Legend in 1995, and passed away on June 3, 2011.

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September 4

Posted on September 4, 2012 by disneydetail

September 4, 2001 – The Tokyo DisneySea Theme Park Opens

“Welcome one and all to a world where Imagination and Adventure set sail. Tokyo DisneySea is dedicated to the spirit of exploration that lives in each of us.”- Michael Eisner

On September 4, 2001, the Tokyo DisneySea theme park opened at the Tokyo Disney Resort, located just outside of Tokyo in Urayasu, Chiba, Japan. Similar to Tokyo Disney, the resort is not operated by the Walt Disney Company; the theme is licensed from Disney and operated by the Oriental Land Company. Guests can enter seven themed areas, also known as “ports of call”: Mediterranean Harbor, American Waterfront, Port Discovery, Lost River Delta, Arabian Coast, Mermaid Lagoon, and Mysterious Island. The resort has become very popular, becoming the fourth most visited theme park in the world, with more than 11 million annual visitors.

The resort has had many special events, including a live performance by popular boyband Arashi, which performed a medley of Christmas songs and their own songs, becoming the first musical group to perform their own songs in the park. Popular artist Misia was also asked to compose and perform an anniversary song for the park’s fifth anniversary; the song was titled “Sea of Dreams: Tokyo DisneySea 5th Anniversary Theme Song.” Many attractions and nighttime shows from the other parks have also been brought to Tokyo DisneySea, including Fantasmic! and Turtle Talk with Crush.

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September 2

Posted on September 2, 2012 by disneydetail

September 2, 1979 – The Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Attraction Opens in Disneyland’s Frontierland

Image credit: Official Disneyland website

“Folklore tells of mysterious rumblings and strange noises emanating from the depths of the 104-foot-tall Big Thunder Mountain.”

On September 2, 1979, the Frontierland attraction Big Thunder Mountain Railroad opened. The attraction was designed by Disney designer Tony Baxter, who was interested in the scenery at Utah’s Bryce Canyon National Park. The mountain of the attraction is completely man-made by Disney Imagineers, built with cement and paint. To create the authenticity of the attraction, Imagineers studied ghost towns in the West, and built carts, buckets, and mining equipment. The attraction replaced the Mine Train Through Nature’s Wonderland attraction, which had replaced the Rainbow Caverns Mine Train attraction that closed in 1959. Many of the set pieces from both attractions are still in use.

The legend of the ride goes back many years, with Native American tales claiming that supernatural forces will be unleashed upon those who try to take gold from the mountain. The Big Thunder Mining Company was not swayed by these claims, and continued to build a mine shaft within the mountain; however, reports claim that many carts begin to move into the mountain without their engineers, driven by these supernatural forces.

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August 16

Posted on August 16, 2012 by disneydetail

August 16, 1955 – The Fantasyland Attraction Dumbo Flying Elephants Opens in Disneyland

Image credit: official Disneyland website

“Feel a lighthearted thrill as Dumbo lifts off the ground, leaving the cares of the world behind.”

On August 16, 1955, the popular Fantasyland attraction Dumbo Flying Elephants opened at Disneyland. The ride was based on the 1941 classic animated feature Dumbo, namely the iconic scene where Dumbo learns to fly. Guests ride in Dumbo-shaped gondolas which they control with levers to move them up and down. The ride is accompanied by the music of an authentic Gavioli organ, built in 1915, playing the familiar songs of popular Disney films.

The ride was remodeled in 1990 with parts that were supposed to be shipped to EuroDisney, but were kept in Disneyland as they were not needed as early as expected. A new attraction was built in Disneyland Paris in 1992. The ride has also been built in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, opening October 1, 1971, and Tokyo Disneyland, opening April 15, 1983.

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