The Disney Look... to the Past! (May 23-29)


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 or concerns about this material, feel free to contact us or just leave a message at the end of this post. Thank you!:

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This Week in Disney History: May 23-29



May 23, 1983 — A renovated Fantasyland opens at Disneyland Park
When Walt Disney first imagined Fantasyland, he pictured it as an enchanting fairytale village. This vision, however, was put on hold due to financial constraints during the initial construction of Disneyland Park. Walt's vision was brought to life on May 25, 1983 when New Fantasyland opened. This 21-month complete redesign was a $41 million restoration project, more than twice the cost of the original construction of the park. In addition to the updated theming and architecture of the land, new and improved attractions were also part of this massive renovation. Imagineers incorporated new technology, such as fiber optics and holography, into many of the attractions, creating a completely new ride experience. Among these attractions were Pinocchio's Daring Journey and Snow White's Scary Adventures. The grand reopening of Fantasyland included a ceremonial lowering of the Sleeping Beauty Castle drawbridge, which had not occurred since the opening day of the park 26 years earlier.



May 23, 2001— The Magic Carpets of Aladdin opens at Magic Kingdom Park
No need to rub a magic lamp for your own Magic Carpet ride. The Magic Carpets of Aladdin let you soar over Adventureland and control your own enchanted carpet. This exciting sky-high attraction was inspired by the 1992 animated film “Aladdin” and opened May 24, 2001, in Magic Kingdom Park. To create a suiting home for this high-flying attraction, a corner of Adventureland was transformed into the Arabian-themed Agrabah Bazaar. It is here the lovable Genie, in a fit of flight and frenzy, has conjured up an entire fleet of 16 magic carpets so Guests can enjoy a fun flight of wonder. With the ability to move up and down, get ready for a shining, shimmering, splendid ride. The attraction has since expanded to Walt Disney Studios Park in Disneyland Paris as the Flying Carpets Over Agrabah, and at Tokyo DisneySea in Tokyo Disney Resort as Jasmine's Flying Carpets.

Also this week in Disney History:
May 23
1922 — Walt Disney incorporates Laugh-O-Gram Films, his first cartoon company in Kansas City
1983 — A renovated Fantasyland opens at Disneyland Park, including the new attraction Pinocchio's Daring Journey
1997 — Light Magic debuts at Disneyland Park
2001 — The Magic Carpets of Aladdin opens at Magic Kingdom Park

May 24
1968 — President Lyndon B. Johnson presents a Congressional Gold Medal to Lillian Disney, commemorating Walt Disney's “distinguished public service and outstanding contributions to the United States and to the world” 
2004 — Toontown Online, a new internet multiplayer game from Disney Interactive, debuts

May 25
1983 — Pinnochio's Daring Journey opens at Disneyland Park
2007 — Walt Disney Pictures releases “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End” 
2007 — Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island opens at Disneyland Park
2011 — Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar and Tangaroa Terrace open at the Disneyland Hotel
2012 — The nighttime street celebration Mad T Party debuts at Disney California Adventure Park

May 26
1986 — Spaceship Earth reopens at Epcot featuring a new narration by Walter Cronkite
1990 — Mickey's Starland (formerly Mickey's Birthdayland) opens at Magic Kingdom Park
2006 — Disney-Pixar's “Cars” premieres at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte, N.C.

May 27
1933 — The Silly Symphony short “Three Little Pigs” debuts
1948 — Walt Disney Pictures releases “Melody Time” 
1977 — Space Mountain opens at Disneyland Park
1985 — Epcot hosts the Presidential Inaugural Parade for Ronald Reagan
1995 — Casey's Corner opens at Magic Kingdom Park
2011 — Mickey's Soundsational Parade debuts at Disneyland Park

May 28
1960 — Mine Train Through Nature's Wonderland opens in Frontierland at Disneyland Park
1966 — “it's a small world” opens at Disneyland Park
1994 — Disney's Wilderness Lodge opens at the Walt Disney World Resort
1999 — The Main Street Electrical Parade returns to Magic Kingdom Park

May 29
1990 — The Sorcery in the Sky fireworks show debuts at Disney's Hollywood Studios
1991 — Tokyo Disneyland welcomes its 100 millionth guest
1992 — Touchstone Pictures releases “Sister Act” 
2009 — Disney-Pixar releases “Up” 
2011 — A new pool area featuring Monorail-themed water slides opens at the Disneyland Hotel
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Thank you for reading, and have a great rest of your week!

All photos and information subject to the copyright of the Walt Disney Company. All rights reserved.

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