This Week in Disney History: December 24-30

There’s always a great, big, beautiful tomorrow at The Walt Disney Company, because every day is tied to a milestone in the heritage and rich history of a company that has been entertaining millions of people every year. Published every week, this interesting series features highlights from all the divisions of The Walt Disney Company. Let's see what happened this week:

December 24, 1971 – Flight to the Moon opens in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom Park

As you ride the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover in Magic Kingdom Park, you hear, “Paging Mr. Morrow. Mr. Tom Morrow. Please contact Mr. Johnson in the Control Tower to confirm your flight to the moon.” This is a reference to the extinct and fondly remembered Flight to the Moon and Mission to Mars attractions that occupied the space where Stitch’s Great Escape! now resides (for now). Mr. Morrow and Mr. Johnson were the directors of the respective missions.

Dec. 24

1948 – “Tea for Two Hundred” (Donald Duck cartoon) debuts

1970 – Walt Disney Productions releases “The Aristocats”

1971 – Flight to the Moon opens in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom Park

Dec. 25

1950 – “One Hour in Wonderland” (the first Disney television show) airs

1953 – “Canvas Back Duck” (Donald Duck cartoon) debuts

1953 – “How to Sleep” (Goofy cartoon) debuts

1955 – Mike Fink Keel Boats open at Disneyland Park

1957 – Walt Disney Productions releases “Old Yeller”

1958 – Walt Disney Productions releases “Tonka”

1963 – Walt Disney Productions releases “The Sword in the Stone”

1997 – Walt Disney Pictures releases “Mr. Magoo”

1998 – Walt Disney Pictures releases “Mighty Joe Young”

2003 – Walt Disney Pictures releases “Young Black Stallion”

2008 – Walt Disney Pictures releases “Bedtime Stories”

2011 – Touchstone Pictures releases “War Horse,” a DreamWorks film.

2014 – Walt Disney Pictures releases “Into the Woods”

Dec. 26

1927 – “Rickety Gin” (Oswald the Lucky Rabbit cartoon) debuts

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

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

Dec. 27

1926 – “Alice the Lumber Jack” (Alice Comedy) debuts

1930 – “Playful Pan” (Silly Symphony) debuts

1937 – Time Magazine features Walt Disney on the cover for the first time

1940 – “Pantry Pirate” (Pluto cartoon) debuts

1954 – Time Magazine features Walt Disney on the cover for the second time

Dec. 28

1955 – “Man and the Moon” (television show) airs

Dec. 29

1954 – “Beaver Valley/Cameras in Africa” (television show) airs

1995 – Hollywood Pictures releases “Mr. Holland’s Opus” in Los Angeles for Academy Award consideration

Dec. 30

2008 – “Disneyland Dream” (home movie detailing a family’s trip to Disneyland in 1956) is selected for the 2008 Library of Congress National Film Registry

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