The Disney Look... to the Past! (February 15-21)

Hello, and welcome to the latest edition of the weekly feature known as "The Disney Look... to the Past!"
Enjoy reading all of the following interesting facts about the Walt Disney Parks, Resorts, Movies, and more:
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This Week in Disney History: February 15-21

Feb. 16, 2000 - Disneyland Park kicks off its 45th anniversary celebration

The original Magic Kingdom looked to the stars for inspiration behind an all-new parade and fireworks spectacular to celebrate a milestone year. The aptly named 45 Years of Magic Parade transformed Main Street, U.S.A. into a sight straight from “Fantasia 2000,” with giraffes, sea horses and blue whales mixing with Disney characters and more than 70 park Guests dancing in each performance. The “Believe ? There’s Magic in the Stars” fireworks spectacular replaced the long running “Fantasy in the Sky” fireworks, featuring new pyrotechnic elements like shooting comets and starbursts, plus low-level elements closer to spectators watching from Sleeping Beauty Castle. The procession ran as the Parade of the Stars through 2004, and “Believe” continued until the park’s 50th anniversary celebration began in 2005, but its counterpart “Believe ? in Holiday Magic” fireworks show remains a seasonal fixture at Disneyland Park. The year 2000 also brought Tarzan’s Treehouse and a reimagined Autopia to Disneyland Park, plus the introduction of Disney Pin Trading.

Feb. 17, 1995 - Walt Disney Pictures releases “Heavyweights”

By the time “Heavyweights” was released, Ben Stiller was already the prolific actor, director and writer behind the critically hailed film “Reality Bites” and the Emmy-winning “The Ben Stiller Show.” But in the role of villainous fitness entrepreneur Tony Perkis, he showcased his ability to craft memorable characters that soon made him one of Hollywood’s biggest stars. In “Heavyweights,” Perkis takes over a summer weight loss camp for boys, instituting his infomercial-ready workout system with authoritarian discipline. The tight-knit campers rebel against his cruelness, taking Perkis down and then achieving fitness success on their own terms. Similar themes of self-obsession are woven into Stiller’s characters in later films like “Zoolander” and “Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story.” The film’s co-writer was frequent Stiller collaborator Judd Apatow, himself now an acclaimed producer behind movies like “Bridesmaids” and television’s Golden Globe-winning “Girls.” Now a fan favorite, Disney recently released “Heavyweights” for the first time on Blu-ray with more than 30 extended and deleted scenes.

Also this week in Disney history:

Feb. 15
1899 - Lillian Bounds (Walt Disney’s wife) is born
1950 - Walt Disney Pictures releases “Cinderella”

Feb. 16
1996 - Walt Disney Pictures releases “Muppet Treasure Island”

Feb. 17
1998 - Groundbreaking for Rock ‘n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith takes place at Disney's Hollywood Studios
2004 - Disney announces the purchase of The Muppets from The Jim Henson Company
2012 - “Minnie’s Fly Girls Charter Airline” musical show debuts in Condor Flats at Disney California Adventure Park

Feb. 18
1960 - The Winter Olympics opening ceremony, produced by Walt Disney, is held in Squaw Valley, Calif.
2000 - The 45 Years of Magic Parade and “Believe ? There’s Magic in the Stars” fireworks show officially debut at Disneyland Park

Feb. 19
1985 - Mickey Mouse visits China in commemoration of Disneyland Park’s 30th anniversary

Feb. 20
1986 - WED Enterprises is renamed Walt Disney Imagineering

Feb. 21
1997 - The first Club Disney opens in Thousand Oaks, Calif.

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

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