The Disney Look... to the Past! (April 5-11)

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: April 5-11

April 9, 2005 - Space Mountain: Mission 2 opens at Disneyland Resort Paris

In 1995, Discoveryland at Disneyland Park in France was transformed into a golden, gleaming Jules Verne-esque vision of the future, featuring the most out-of-this-world version of Space Mountain yet. Inspired by Verne’s seminal sci-fi fantasy “From the Earth to the Moon,” Guests were literally blasted through the Columbiad cannon into the iconic dome, flying through three inversions while narrowly avoiding asteroids under the gaze of a curiously winking moon. In time for the attraction’s tenth anniversary, and the fiftieth anniversary of Disneyland Park in California, Space Mountain launched Mission 2, taking brave Guests to the far reaches of the galaxy past screaming meteorites and black holes, all to a synchronized musical score by Academy Award-winning composer Michael Giacchino. The iconic 15-ton Columbiad cannon blasts the 24-passenger trains up a 32-degree incline at speeds over 40 MPH, and of the five Space Mountains around the world, it’s the only version which takes riders both outside and upside down.

April 6, 2007 - Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros opens at Epcot

¡Hola, mi amigo! Bienvenidos to the Mexico pavilion, where you’re invited on a twilight cruise to experience the beautiful sights and culture of America’s neighbors to the south. Jose Carioca and Panchito, two-thirds of the Three Caballeros (first introduced in Disney’s 1942 animated feature “Saludos Amigos,”) are there to lead you to their concert tonight - but they need to find their missing member, Donald Duck. Watch closely for the frequently frustrated fowl as you float down the Rio Grande, passing the Mayan pyramid at Chichen Itza or gazing upon cliff divers in Acapulco. The attraction originally opened with the pavilion in 1982 as El Rio de Tiempo, and the 2007 update interspersed new animation inspired by the feathered trio’s full-length 1944 feature, “The Three Caballeros.” The restaurant boats float past is the San Angel Inn, a 17th century-styled hacienda featuring authentic Mexican food.

Also this week in Disney history:

April 5

1965 - “Mary Poppins” wins 5 Oscars at the 37th Academy Awards, including Best Actress honors for Julie Andrews

1998 - The Enchanted Tiki Room (Under New Management) opens at Magic Kingdom Park

1999 - The Studio Costuming Company, a costume issue building for Disney’s Hollywood Studios Cast, opens

2006 - Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique opens in Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World

April 6

1990 - Blue Ribbon Bakery opens at Disneyland Park

1991 - “Darkwing Duck” debuts on Disney Channel

1998 - The new Walt Disney Studios Animation Florida building at Disney’s Hollywood Studios opens

April 7

1939 - Disney’s final Silly Symphony cartoon, “The Ugly Duckling,” debuts

1983 - The 150 millionth guest visits the Walt Disney World Resort

1995 - Walt Disney Pictures releases “A Goofy Movie”

1997 - The original run of “Captain EO” ends at Disneyland Park

2001 - “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire - Play It!” opens at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

2006 - Expedition Everest opens at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

2011 - Groundbreaking takes place for Shanghai Disney Resort in China

April 8

1973 - The Walt Disney Story opens at Disneyland Park

1974 - Treasure Island in Bay Lake (later Discovery Island) opens at the Walt Disney World Resort

2006 - Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast opens at Disneyland Paris

April 9

1961 - Walt Disney dedicates the grotto and wishing well adjacent to Sleeping Beauty Castle, with donations benefitting children’s charities worldwide

April 10

1930 - “The Barnyard Concert” (Mickey Mouse cartoon short) debuts

1988 - “America Sings”closes at Disneyland Park

1992 - Walt Disney Pictures releases “Newsies”

April 11

1997 - Hollywood Pictures releases “Grosse Point Blank”

2003 - The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh opens at Disneyland Park

2003 - “Playhouse Disney - Live on Stage!”opens at Disney California Adventure Park

2009 - Yamabuki, a Japanese restaurant, closes at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel

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

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