The Disney Look... to the Past! (December 27-January 2)

Hello Orlando Theme Park News Readers, and welcome to the newest edition of the weekly feature known as "The Disney Look... to the Past!"

As always, we hope you will enjoy reading all of the following interesting facts about the Walt Disney Parks, Resorts, Movies, and more. If you have any questions about this material, feel free to contact us or leave a message at the end of this post. Thank you!:

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This Week in Disney History: December 27 - January 2

Jan. 1, 1959 - Fantasyland Autopia opens at Disneyland Park

Beginning originally as the Junior Autopia, the new and improved Fantasyland Autopia made its first appearance inside Disneyland Park in 1956. This go-kart style attraction allowed Guests to maneuver specially designed cars through an enclosed track comprised of guardrails. When it initially opened, the attraction represented America's first multilane limited-access highway. The cars went through a series of enhancements after the attraction debuted, including the introduction of spring-loaded bumpers, which provided an optimal amount of safety to drivers. As part of the Disney's Afternoon Avenue makeover of Fantasyland at the time, the ride transformed into the Rescue Rangers Raceway and that theming was maintained until 1992. After both the Tomorrowland and Fantasyland Autopias closed their doors, a brand-new, much larger track opened in 2000 and was sponsored by Chevron.

Jan. 1, 2000 - Walt Disney Pictures Releases "Fantasia 2000"

As with its predecessor "Fantasia" which debuted in 1940, "Fantasia 2000" takes audiences on a journey of sight and sound, bringing together a new generation of filmmakers and animators to tell stories and create breathtaking imagery. The film, which visually interprets classical compositions by Beethoven, Gershwin, Dukas and more, premiered for the first time in 1999 at Carnegie Hall as a part of a five-city concert tour that traveled through London, Paris, Tokyo and California. The initial release was followed by a debut in IMAX theaters, and the film holds the title of being the first animated feature issued in IMAX format. "Fantasia 2000" is noted for using computer-generated imagery in combination with hand drawn animation, and unlike its predecessor, the film predominantly features piano in more than half of the selections.

Also this week in Disney History:

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, FL

1943 - "Der Fuehrer's Face" (Donald Duck cartoon short) debuts

1959 - Fantasyland Autopia opens at Disneyland Park

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

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

2005 - Mickey Mouse is Grand Marshal of the Rose Parade

Jan. 2

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

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

1996 - World of Motion closes at Epcot

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

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

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