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Tag Archives: Disneyland Park

December 11

Posted on December 11, 2015 by disneydetail

December 11, 1995 – The Disneyland Pacific Hotel is Acquired

Pacific Hotel

“The acquisition of the Pan Pacific Hotel enables us to offer additional lodging choices for the guests of the Disneyland Resort.” – President of Disneyland Paul Pressler

On December 11, 1995, the Disneyland Pacific Hotel opened after an extensive deal with the original owners, the Tokyu Group. The hotel was originally built by the Tokyu Group in 1984, and was named the Emerald of Anaheim. In 1989, after a consolidation effort by the Tokyu Group of its two hotel brands, the hotel was renamed the Pan Pacific. In 1995, the hotel was acquired by Disney for $36 million (about $56.5 million in adjusted inflation). In 1996, a special cast-only pin was released this day, celebrating one year of Disney ownership of the hotel.

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December 7

Posted on December 7, 2015 by disneydetail

December 7, 1999 – Cynthia Harriss is Named President of Disneyland

CH

“During her tenure with Disney…Cynthia has proven herself to be a strong leader who has a real passion for everything the Disney name represents.” – Michael Eisner, Former Chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company

On December 7, 1999, it was announced that Cynthia Harriss would be promoted to the position of president of the Disneyland Resort. Harriss originally joined the Disney Company in 1992, holding senior positions in the Disney Store and Disneyland; in this instance she moved up from the position of senior vice president of park operations, an office she’d held since 1997. She remained president over one of the biggest expansions of the Disneyland Resort, and held the office until 2004.

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November 27

Posted on November 27, 2015 by disneydetail

November 27, 1997 – The Disneyland Attraction it’s a small world is Redone for the Holidays

IASMH

“There’s so much that we share that it’s time we’re aware it’s a small world after all.”

On November 27, 1997, he Disneyland attraction it’s a small world was redone for the first time for the holiday season. Colored lights and special holiday themed ornaments and costumes are added to the outer façade as well as the inside attraction, with the holiday songs “Jingle Bells” and “Deck the Halls” interwoven with the original song. The holiday version proved popular enough to be added to the versions of the attraction in Disneyland Paris and Tokyo Disneyland

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November 24

Posted on November 24, 2015 by disneydetail

November 24, 1955 – The Mickey Mouse Club Circus Opens in Disneyland

Mickey Mouse Club Circus

“All the girls were dressed like Tinkerbell…it was pretty dangerous, but it was fun.” – Mouseketeer Mary Espinosa

On November 24, 1955, the Mickey Mouse Club Circus opened in Disneyland; the attraction is considered one of Walt’s few failures. The circus, itself a way to get some publicity for the show, featured several of the popular cast members, including Annette Funicello and Doreen Tracey. The kids would perform various circus acts, but the failure of the circus came in attendance – Disneyland had so many things to explore, and people didn’t want to attend a circus while there. The show lasted one holiday season before it was closed on January 8, 1956.

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November 18

Posted on November 18, 2015 by disneydetail

November 18, 1962 – The Swiss Family Treehouse Attraction Opens in Disneyland

SwissFamilyTreehouse

“Explore the ultimate treehouse.”

On November 18, 1962, the Swiss Family Treehouse attraction opened in Disneyland’s Adventureland. Based on the 1960 live action feature Swiss Family Robinson, the treehouse is entirely man-made, tree included. Thanks to this, the tree has also been given the tongue-in-cheek scientific name Disneyeodendron semperflorens grandis, meaning “large ever-blooming Disney tree.” The grand opening of the attraction featured an appearance by actor John Mills, who starred in the film, and his daughter, Disney Legend Hayley Mills. In 1999, the attraction closed, and soon reopened as Tarzan’s Treehouse. A version of the original attraction exists in Walt Disney World, opening in 1971, while another opened in Tokyo Disneyland in 1993.

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November 17

Posted on November 17, 2015 by disneydetail

November 17, 2001 – Build-a-Bear Workshop Opens in Disneyland’s Downtown Disney

BuildaBear

“Pick out a cuddly new plush pal and customize him or her with cute clothing, accessories, recorded sounds, and more.”

On November 17, 2001, the Build-a-Bear Workshop store opened in Disneyland’s Downtown Disney area, across from the WonderGround Gallery. A special event was held for the opening, including a meet-and-greet with the store’s mascot Bearemy, a sweepstakes with the chance to win special store-related prizes, and a Stuffed with Hugs special event for the first 200 guests. The store features, along the usual Build-a-Bear selections, special Disney styles, which guests can take home as a souvenir.

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November 2

Posted on November 2, 2015 by disneydetail

November 2, 1963 – Julie Andrews Performs at a Special Promotional Event at the Golden Horseshoe in Disneyland

AndrewsBoag

“Your silvery beams will bring love’s dreams, we’ll be cuddlin’ soon by the silvery moon.”

On November 2, 1963, Julie Andrews and the Dapper Dans joined the cast of the Golden Horseshoe for a special press-only promotional event for Mary Poppins, which would open the following year. Among the songs performed by the cast, Andrews and Wally Boag performed the standard “By The Light of the Silvery Moon.” This was not the first time that Andrews and Boag had shared the stage, as Andrews was a plant in the audience for Boag’s stage act in London.

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August 16

Posted on August 16, 2015 by disneydetail

August 16, 1955 – The Conestoga Wagons Attraction Opens in Disneyland

Conestoga Wagons

“It was the Conestoga, not the Covered Wagon, that developed the West.”

On August 16, 1955, the Conestoga Wagons attraction opened in Disneyland’s Frontierland. The attraction, keeping with the Western theme of the area, took guests around the Rivers of America on trails shared with stagecoaches. The wooden wagons were pulled by horses, and featured popular slogans of the era painted on the canvas tops. The attraction was closed in 1959.

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August 15

Posted on August 15, 2015 by disneydetail

August 15, 1917 – First Manager of Custodial Operations and Disney Legend Chuck Boyajian is Born

Chuck Boyajian

“We Keep Your Castle Shining.”

On August 15, 1917, Charles “Chuck” Boyajian was born into an Armenian family in Akron, Ohio. He served in the Navy during World War II, working as a mechanic on an aircraft carrier. After the war, he moved to California with his wife, Alice, and worked as a foreman for American Building Maintenance, which would be contracted to build a new type of amusement park for Walt Disney. Realizing that his own staff would be needed to make his dream into a reality, Walt hired Boyajian to head up the Janitorial Department. Entrusted with the intimidating task of keeping the Magic Kingdom clean, Boyajian managed to create a reputation of spotlessness and productivity that made Disneyland the cleanest theme park on earth. He trained his own “Disney Dynasty” of custodians that were proud to be considered part of the “Team that Chuck Built.” After establishing the department in Disneyland, Boyajian brought his expertise to Walt Disney World in 1971, and then to Tokyo Disneyland in 1983. After retiring in 1981, he was honored with a window on Main Street. Boyajian passed away in 2004. He was honored for his work in 2005 as a Disney Legend.

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July 31

Posted on July 31, 2015 by disneydetail

July 31, 1955 – The Casey Jr. Circus Train Attraction Opens in Disneyland

Casey Junior

“All aboard for a ‘mini’ tour of the fairytale homes and villages made famous in classic Disney animated movies.”

On July 31, 1955, the Fantasyland attraction Casey Jr. Circus Train opened in Disneyland. Based on the train from the animated feature film Dumbo, the attraction takes guests around the Storybook Land area, giving guests a splendid view of scenes from classic Disney animated features. The attraction, while supposed to be available on opening day of Disneyland, was delayed for two weeks due to mechanical problems. Several of the train cars were also taken from the original merry-go-round as it was refashioned as King Arthur Carousel. A version of the attraction was added to Disneyland Paris, known as Le Petit Train du Cirque.

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