August 28: Test Run For Mickey

On this day in 2003, a test run of Walt Disney World's newest attraction Mickey's PhilharMagic took place in Fantasyland. Located adjacent to Peter Pan's Flight in the Magic Kingdom, it was the 4th attraction to utilize the building. (The theater originally hosted Mickey Mouse Revue back in 1971.)

Mickey's PhilharMagic is a 12-minute long show featuring 3D effects, scents and water as well as Disney film characters. The film is shown on possibly the largest purpose-built seamless 3D screen ever made - with a width of 150 feet and a height of 28 feet! It is unique as it is one of only a few theme park attractions in which Walt Disney Imagineering collaborated with Walt Disney Feature Animation (the two departments had also worked together on Fantasmic!).

At the center of the film is Mickey Mouse performing with his PhilharMagic Orchestra who is interrupted by Donald Duck who has "borrowed" Mickey's sorcerer hat in an attempt to conduct his own magical symphony.

Mickey's PhilharMagic would have a few more runs before its official opening on October 3, 2003.

Click HERE for more August 28 Disney history.