June 14, 1985 – Card Corner Opens in Disneyland
On June 14, 1985, the greeting card shop Card Corner opened on Disneyland’s Main Street. The shop sold cards from Gibson Greetings, the nation’s third largest greeting card company; it also served as the official Disneyland information and registration center. Gibson had a long relationship with Disney, owning a greeting card shop from July 17, 1955 to 1959. Card Corner closed in October, 1988.
March 29, 1955 – Disney Brokers Deal with Atchison, Topeka, & Santa Fe Railway Company
On March 29, 1955, the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway Company became an official sponsor for the new Disneyland park, particularly lending the Santa Fe name to the proposed railroad attraction. This sponsorship, which cost $50,000 a year for five years (almost $474,000 in 2019 dollars), allowed the railway attraction to be known as the Santa Fe & Disneyland Railroad; this name would be changed to simply the Disneyland Railroad when sponsorship ended on September 30, 1974. The money from this sponsorship allowed the attraction to be ready on opening day of the park, July 17, 1955, and featured two steam locomotives: the C.K. Holliday (named for the founder of Atchison and Topeka Railway, Cyrus Kurtz Holliday), and the E.P. Ripley (named for Edward Payson Ripley, the first president of Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway).
October 10, 2002 – The Walt Disney Company and Frito-Lay Announce Multi-Year Partnership
“Our presence at Disney properties is a new channel for us to offer a wide variety of fun snacks catering to consumers’ needs.” – Frito-Lay President and CEO Al Bru
On October 10, 2002, it was announced in a press release that the Walt Disney Company and Frito-Lay had entered into a multi-year agreement where Frito-Lay products would be featured in Walt Disney World and Disneyland Parks. Not only would Frito-Lay snacks, such as Doritos and Lay’s chips, be sold in the parks’ restaurants and snack kiosks, but Frito-Lay would also sponsor several attractions, such as the California Screamin’ roller coaster in Disney California Adventure.
October 5, 1977 – Kikkoman Begins Sponsorship of Adventureland Veranda
“Welcome from KIKKOMAN”
On October 5, 1977, the Japanese food manufacturer Kikkoman began their sponsorship of the Adventureland Veranda, located in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Park. The Veranda served tropical-themed fast food dishes, including a burger with a ring of pineapple. Kikkoman’s corporate sponsorship ended in 1994 when the Adventureland Veranda closed.
July 28, 1993 – Bank of America Ends Partnership with Disneyland
“…Walt was confident of his vision [of Disneyland], and so was Bank of America.”
On July 28, 1993, the company Bank of America cease their association with Disneyland Park. The bank had been a part of the theme park since the park’s opening, as a branch was located on Main Street. The bank was also unique in that it was one of the few banks in the country to have regular Sunday and holiday hours. The association between Disney and Bank of America goes back even earlier than 1955; Bank of America financed Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, which began a long relationship of the bank continuing to finance animated feature films for the company. Bank of America also sponsored the it’s a small world attraction from 1966 to 1992, with the sponsorship also advertising the company’s first modern credit card BankAmericard; this card was the first credit card to be accepted at the Magic Kingdom.
June 8, 1962 – McDonnell Douglas Begins Rocket to the Moon Attraction Sponsorship
On June 8, 1962, the aerospace manufacturer and defense contractor McDonnell Douglas took over the sponsorship of Disneyland’s Tomorrowland attraction Rocket to the Moon. McDonnell Douglas succeeded TWA, who ended their sponsorship in 1961. The sponsorship was a big deal for the company, as it had just been formed in 1967, after a merger between McDonnell Aircraft and Douglas Aircraft Company. This sponsorship ended in 1966, when the attraction would then become Flight to the Moon. McDonnell Douglas sponsored the succeeding attraction until January 5, 1975.
April 29, 1990 – The Pendleton Woolen Mills Dry Goods Store Closes in Disneyland
On April 29, 1990, the Frontierland shop Pendleton Woolen Mills Dry Goods Store closed in Disneyland. It was one of the longest-running original shops and sponsor participant in the park, having opened on July 18, 1955. The shop was popular amongst guests, particularly for its selection of leather and woolen goods that fit the theme of the area. The store eventually became Bonanza Outfitters, which specializes in Western-themed clothing; the store also continues to carry Pendleton button down shirts.
March 7, 2016 – The Attraction Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters Opens in Disney California Adventure
“Buckle up – you’re in for a lively ride when these Italian imports roll, reel an’ kick up their wheels in Cars Land!”
On March 7, 2016, the Cars Land attraction Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters opened in Disney California Adventure. Based on the Pixar film Cars, the attraction is sponsored by Alamo car rental. Set in Italy, guests can board a car and “dance” to Italian music, with the cars spinning and moving around; each car has a personal set of moves.
January 2, 1996 – The World of Motion Pavilion Closes
“It’s fun to be free, to be on the move, to go anywhere with ever a care to.”
On January 2, 1996, the World of Motion Pavilion in Epcot’s Future World officially closed. Sponsored by General Motors, the pavilion provided guests a look at the history of automobiles, with a section called the Transcenter serving as a look at the future of cars. The attraction was replaced by the new General Motors attraction Test Track, which began soft openings in December, 1998.
December 18, 1992 – The It’s a Small World Toy Shoppe Opens in Disneyland
On December 18, 1992, the specialty shop It’s a Small World Toy Shoppe opened in Disneyland’s Fantasyland. The shop, sponsored by Mattel, was opened at the exit of the famous it’s a small world attraction and features several toys and games, along with attraction-themed merchandise such as apparel and cell-phone cases.
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