The Disney Look... to the past! (June 25 - July 1)

Hello, and welcome to this week's look... to the Disney Past!:

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This Week in Disney History: June 25 - July 1

June 26, 1957 - The Viewliner train opens at Disneyland Park

Walter Disney had a lifelong love with locomotives, even stating that Disneyland Park should "look like nothing else in the world. And it should be surrounded by a train." The Viewliner train, a miniature that operated on a figure-eight track in parts of Fantasyland and Tomorrowland, was touted as the fastest miniature train in the world. The Viewliner was designed by Disney Legend Bob Gurr and powered by an Oldsmobile V-8 "rocket" engine. The attraction even was operated by Walt and Bob during the opening-day festivities, as they hadn't had time to train any ride operators.

July 1, 1996 - Disney's BoardWalk Inn opens at the Walt Disney World Resort

Where can you enjoy delicious saltwater taffy and see a juggler or magician at the same time? No, not Coney Island. It's Disney's Boardwalk Inn and Villas! This resort captures the charm of a 1940's Atlantic City, N.J., featuring an arcade, old-fashioned photo booth, boating and surrey bike rentals. Disney's BoardWalk Inn and Villas also boasts Disney's BoardWalk - modeled after turn-of-the-century beach destinations. It offers over 90,000 square feet of shops, restaurants and nightclubs.

Also this week in Disney history:

June 25

1930 - "The Fire Fighters" (Mickey Mouse cartoon short) debuts

1967 - "America the Beautiful" (CircleVision 360 film) opens at Disneyland Park

June 26

1959 - Walt Disney Pictures releases "Darby O'Gill and the Little People"

1989 - Delta Dreamflight officially opens at Magic Kingdom Park

2006 - Pirates of the Caribbean officially reopens at Disneyland Park with Captain Jack Sparrow and Barbossa Audio-Animatronic figures added to the attraction

June 27

1986 - Big Thunder Ranch opens at Disneyland Park 

1997 - Walt Disney Pictures releases "Hercules"

June 28

1988 - Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa opens at the Walt Disney World Resort

1995 - Main Street Athletic Club opens at Magic Kingdom Park

2003 - Disneyland Park plays host the world premiere of "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl"

June 29

1974 - America Sings opens at Disneyland Park

1996 - Mickey's Toontown Fair opens at Magic Kingdom Park

2007 - Disney-Pixar releases "Ratatouille"

June 30

1950 - "Motor Mania" (Goofy cartoon short) debuts 

1976 - The Kingdom Queen ferryboat joins the Walt Disney World fleet 

2008 - The Innoventions Dream Home opens at Disneyland Park

July 1

1933 - The animated short "Mickey's Gala Premiere" debuts

1966 - Primeval World opens at Disneyland Park 

1975 - WEDway PeopleMover opens at Magic Kingdom Park

1994 - "The Lion King Celebration" parade debuts at Disneyland Park

1994 - Innoventions (formerly Communicore) opens at Epcot

1998 - Touchstone Pictures releases "Armageddon"

1998 - Disney Magic cruise ship departs from its construction shipyard in Italy, bound for America

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Thanks for viewing, and have a great day!