This Week in Disney History: December 31 - January 6

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:


Jan. 6: 80 years ago Disney published its first issue of The Bulletin
Extra! Extra! Read all about it! It was on Jan. 6, 1939 that Disney Studio employees could read all about the happenings in their company with the first issue of The Bulletin. Why was it called The Bulletin? According to the newsletter, it’s “as good as any name, we thought. We assure you that the matter was given due consideration, and many a two-cents worth (or better!) was put in.”


And what kind of juicy information would you find therein? Well, the first issue included information about the badminton club, a story about Studio gardener Fred Schlatter, who had been written up in newspapers about his amazing ability to concoct gags for the Donald Duck strip, and a blurb for The Colonial Tea Room on Vermont Ave. announced it would be closed on Tuesdays. That’s the scoop about The Bulletin.

Dec. 31
1936 – Walt and Lillian Disney’s second daughter, Sharon Mae, is born
1957 – Disneyland Resort welcomes its 10 millionth Guest, Leigh Woolfenden
1969 – Walt Disney Productions releases “The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes”
1992 – 8TRAX club opens at Pleasure Island at Walt Disney World
2002 – The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Walt Disney World Resort begins random drop sequences
2009 – Disney completed the acquisition of Marvel Entertainment

Jan. 1
1925 – “Alice Cans the Cannibals” (Alice Comedy) debuts
1926 – “Alice on the Farm” (Alice Comedy) debuts
1938 – Walt Disney Productions sponsors a float in the Tournament of Roses Parade inspired by “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”
1943 – The Academy Award-winning “Der Fuehrer’s Face” (Donald Duck cartoon) is released
1959 – Fantasyland Autopia opens at Disneyland
1966 – Walt Disney serves as grand marshal of the Tournament of Roses Parade
2000 – Walt Disney Pictures releases “Fantasia/2000”
2000 – Roy E. Disney serves as grand marshal of the Tournament of Roses Parade
2005 – Mickey Mouse serves as grand marshal of the Tournament of Roses Parade

Jan. 2 
1937 – “The Worm Turns” (Mickey Mouse cartoon) debuts
1979 – “Dumbo’s Circus Parade” debuts in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World
2001 – Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel opens at Disneyland Resort

Jan. 3
1965 – “The Disneyland Tenth Anniversary Show” (television show) airs

Jan. 4
1936 – “Mickey’s Polo Team” (Mickey Mouse cartoon) debuts
1952 – “Father’s Lion” (Goofy cartoon) debuts
1998 – “Principal Takes a Holiday” airs on The Wonderful World of Disney
2016 – “Galavant” debuts on ABC
2018 – The Edison opens at the Landing at Disney Springs

Jan. 5
1935 – “The Tortoise and the Hare” (Silly Symphony) debuts
1945 – “Tiger Trouble” (Goofy cartoon) debuts
1951 – “Lion Down” (Goofy cartoon) debuts
2018 – “Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire” experience from ILMxLAB and The Void opens at Downtown Disney at Disneyland Resort

Jan. 6
1939 – “The Bulletin,” an employee newsletter for the Disney Studios, is first published
1950 – “Pluto’s Heart Throb” (Pluto cartoon) debuts
1963 – “Three Tall Tales” (television show) airs
1985 – “Black Arrow” premiers on The Disney Channel
2006 – Touchstone Pictures releases “Casanova”
2015 – “Marvel’s Agent Carter” (television series) premieres on ABC

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