The Disney Look... to the Past! (Dec. 21-Jan.3)

Hello, and welcome to the latest edition of the weekly feature known as "The Disney Look... to the Past!" Today we have a special, longer edition of "The Disney Look... to the Past" to share with you! Enjoy:
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This Week in Disney History: December 21-January 3

Jan. 2, 1996 - World of Motion closes at Epcot

The wheel-shaped, glass-and-steel encased Transportation pavilion housed this opening day attraction, which enjoyed a 14-year run in Future World. After ascending the striking portico at the entrance aboard an Omnimover vehicle, Guests journeyed through the whirlwind history of transportation, from the invention of the wheel through more modern innovations like automobiles and aircraft. The finale delivered a vision of transportation in the futuristic city of CenterCore, showing Guests how they would appear in sleek, wildly designed vehicles yet to come. “Nine Old Men” animator Ward Kimball consulted on the attraction, and his influence was seen in trademark gags like the “world’s first traffic jam.” In 1998, Test Track opened in the pavilion, allowing Guests to race through a General Motors vehicle proving ground. The attraction was reimagined in 2012, giving Guests a chance to design their own Chevrolet concept car and take it for a spin on a virtual test course.

Dec. 25, 1963 - Walt Disney Pictures releases “The Sword in the Stone”

In medieval England, the king has passed without a rightful heir, leading the country into the dark ages. A miraculous stone appears in London, with the decree that anyone who pulls the sword embedded inside will become the new king. Many try, but none are successful, and the sword is forgotten. This will change soon after Wart, a young squire with a cruel family, stumbles into the cottage of the all-powerful wizard Merlin. Taking the boy on as his apprentice, Merlin uses his magic to teach Wart about physics, gravity, love, and defeating the occasional witch. His family isn’t amused by these lessons, but when a jousting tournament is announced to decide the throne, Wart ends up showing them, and all of England, his rightful place. Based on a story by English fantasy author T. H. White, Wolfgang Reitherman directed from a script by Bill Peet, and the score from the Sherman Brothers received an Academy Award nomination. At Disneyland Park, a replica of the sword of the stone sits in front of the King Arthur Carrousel in Fantasyland.

Also this week in Disney history:

Dec. 21

1937 - Walt Disney Pictures releases “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” the first full-length animated feature

1944 - Walt Disney Pictures world-premieres “The Three Caballeros” in Mexico City

1958 - The first Candlelight Processional is presented at Disneyland Park

1960 - Walt Disney Pictures releases “Swiss Family Robinson”

Dec. 22

1995 - Chef Mickey’s opens at Disney’s Contemporary Resort 

2000 - Touchstone Pictures releases “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”

2007 - The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror opens at Walt Disney Studios Park in Disneyland Paris

Dec. 23

1954 - Walt Disney Pictures releases “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea”

1987 - Touchstone Pictures releases “Good Morning Vietnam”

Dec. 24

1937 - “Lonesome Ghosts” (Mickey, Donald and Goofy cartoon short) debuts

1955 - Mike Fink Keel Boats open at Disneyland Park

1970 - Walt Disney Pictures releases “The Aristocats,” the first full-length animated cartoon completed without Walt

1971 - Flight to the Moon opens at Magic Kingdom Park

Dec. 25

1950 - Disney airs its first ever television program, the holiday special “One Hour in Wonderland” on NBC

1957 - Walt Disney Pictures releases “Old Yeller” 

1983 - Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Parade is televised for the first time

2002 - Miramax Films releases “Gangs of New York”

2004 - Miramax Films releases “The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou”

Dec. 26

1941 - “The Art of Self Defense” (Goofy cartoon short) debuts

1947 - “Pluto’s Blue Note” (Pluto cartoon short) debuts

Dec. 27

1940 - “Pantry Pirate” (Pluto cartoon short) debuts

Dec. 28

1998 - Character breakfast at Fulton’s Crab House officially closes

Dec. 29

1995 - Hollywood Pictures releases “Mr. Holland’s Opus” in Los Angeles

Dec. 30

1890 - Raymond Arnold Disney (Walt’s brother) is born

1928 - “Gallopin Gaucho” (Mickey short with sound) premieres in New York

Dec. 31

1936 - Walt and Lillian Disney adopt their second daughter, Sharon Mae Disney

1992 - 8TRAX nightclub opens at Pleasure Island

Jan. 1

1888 - Elias Disney and Flora Call (Walt’s parents) marry in Akron, Fla.

1943 - “Der Fuehrer’s Face” (Donald Duck cartoon short) debuts

1966 - Walt Disney is Grand Marshal of the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Calif.

1959 - Fantasyland Autopia opens at Disneyland Park 

1992 - Disney’s Eagle Pines and Osprey Ridge golf courses open at the Walt Disney World Resort

2000 - Walt Disney Pictures releases “Fantasia 2000”

2000 - Roy E. Disney is Grand Marshal of the Tournament of Roses Parade

2005 - Mickey Mouse is Grand Marshal of the Tournament of Roses Parade

Jan. 2

1937 - “The Worm Turns” (Mickey Mouse cartoon short) debuts

1977 - Mine Train through Nature’s Wonderland closes at Disneyland Park

1984 - The Astuter Computer Revue closes at Epcot

2001 - Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa at the Disneyland Resort welcomes its first Guests

Jan. 3

1964 - “Disneyland’s 10th Anniversary” TV special airs on “Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color” (television series) 

1994 - Kitchen Kabaret closes at Epcot 

2001 - The Downtown Disney District soft opens at the Disneyland Resort

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Thank you for reading, and have a great rest of your weekend!

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