The Disney Look... to the past! (August 13-19)

It's once again Monday, the start of a brand new week. What does this mean? Well, for many, it means the start of a new workweek, for others it means the beginning of a vacation. For us, it means... a new edition of our famous "Disney Look... to the Past!" Let's see what happened this same week, in the past:
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This Week in Disney History: Aug. 13-19

Aug. 15, 2003 - Mission: SPACE soft-opens at Epcot

Florida has been the launch site of every manned NASA mission, from the Mercury program through the space shuttle. So it would seem appropriate that Future World plays home to the International Space Training Center, where plans for man's most ambitious exploration yet are taking shape: the first mission to Mars. Everyone plays a role in your crew's thrilling simulator ride aboard the prototype X-2 Deep Space Shuttle. Whether you're the pilot, navigator, commander or engineer, you'll activate controls during the mission that will slingshot your spacecraft around the moon or activate the wings for a smooth landing on the Red Planet. Mission: SPACE replaced the beloved Horizons attraction, to which it pays homage in the queue - look carefully at the "gravity wheel" and see if you can spot its familiar icon.

Aug. 16, 1999 - "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" debuts on ABC

Initially aired as a weeklong special, this British import became an American sensation for more reasons than its landmark $1 million prize. Each night, 10 lucky contestants compete in a "Fastest Finger" question to determine who sits in the "hot seat" across from inimitable host Regis Philbin. The winner tackles 15 multiple choice questions of ascending difficulty and cash value, able to walk away at any time and utilize three lifelines: 50-50 (eliminate two wrong answers), Ask the Audience, and Phone-A-Friend (but you only get 30 seconds, so make it snappy). Sensational ratings gave it a home on ABC's schedule through 2002, followed by specials intermittently afterward, most recently in 2009. The show was even adapted into a Disney Parks attraction, "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire - Play It!" at Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney California Adventure Park. The show continues in syndication with host Meredith Vieira in a fun, fast-paced new format.

Also this week in Disney history:

Aug. 13
1932 - "Mickey‘s Nightmare" (Mickey Mouse cartoon short) debuts
1942 - Walt Disney Pictures releases "Bambi"

Aug. 14
1942 - "T-Bone for Two" (Pluto cartoon short) debuts
1958 - The original Alice in Wonderland attraction opens in Fantasyland at Disneyland Park

Aug. 15
1946 - Walt Disney Pictures releases "Make Mine Music"
1999 - The Disney Wonder sets sail on its maiden voyage
2009 - Kouzzina by Cat Cora opens within Disney's BoardWalk Resort at the Walt Disney World Resort

Aug. 16
1955 - Dumbo the Flying Elephant opens at Disneyland Park

Aug. 17
1941 - Walt Disney and a staff of 17 animators leave on a goodwill trip to South America
1986 - "Luxo Jr.," the first short produced by Pixar Animation Studios, is released
1998 - "Captain EO" closes at Disneyland Paris, marking the last original run of the 3-D film attraction at any Disney theme park

Aug. 18
1931 - "Blue Rhythm" (Mickey Mouse cartoon short) debuts
1956 - Carnation Plaza Gardens opens at Disneyland Park

Aug. 19
1938 - "The Whalers" (Mickey, Donald and Goofy cartoon short) debuts
1955 - "Bearly Asleep" (Donald Duck cartoon short) debuts
2006 - "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire - Play It!" closes at Disney's Hollywood Studios

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Thanks for reading!

The pictures here posted are subject to the copyright of the Walt Disney Company. All rights reserved.