Tuesday, December 25, 2012

December 25: Merry Christmas


Click HERE for Christmas Day Disney history.

Friday, December 14, 2012

December 14: Birth of a Supreme Jokester



On this day in 1912, versatile comedian Morey Amsterdam was born in San Francisco, California. Best know to fans of the 1960s TV sitcom The Dick Van Dyke Show as Buddy Sorrell, Amsterdam's career was peppered with Disney moments.

Click HERE to learn more.

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

December 4: A Mouseketeer's Birthday

On this day in 1946, this Mouseketeer
(pictured left) was born in Cleveland,
Ohio. As a teen, she continued to work
in television, making appearances on
such shows as The Donna Reed Show,
Make Room for Daddy and The Man from
U.N.C.L.E. As an adult she was a
successful voice actress who lent her
talents to such animated programs as
Super Friends and  Josie
and the Pussycats. Who is this Mickey
Mouse Club veteran?

Click HERE to find out.

Friday, November 23, 2012

November 23: A Disney World Thanksgiving in NY

On this day in 1972, Disney took part in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. To celebrate the first anniversary of Walt Disney World (which opened in October 1971) giant helium-filled balloons of Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck soared over the parade route.
On the ground below, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs took part in the festivities riding atop a majestic Disney World castle float, while Peter Pan and Wendy matched wits with pirates aboard a float of Captain Hook's ship.

Discover more November 23 Disney history HERE.

Thursday, November 22, 2012

November 22: Happy Thanksgiving



On this day in 1962, 1973, 1984, 2007 and 2012, Disney took part in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parades. Read all about it HERE.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

November 21: Down in New Orleans


On this day in 1940, singer-pianist-songwriter Dr. John was born Malcolm Rebennack in New Orleans, Louisiana. Winner of 5 Grammy Awards and inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011 ... what is Dr. John's Disney connection?

Shimmy on down HERE and find out!

Saturday, October 20, 2012

October 20: Born Today


This composer was born October 20, 1901 in Rumford, Maine. Best known for writing "Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?" and "Someday My Prince Will Come," he received an Oscar nomination for his music in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Who was he?

Just click HERE.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

September 19: Caped Crusader



On this day in 1928 actor Adam West, best known for his role of TV's Batman in the 1960s, was born in Walla Walla, Washington. What is this caped crusader's connection to Disney?

Holy birthday greetings Disney fans ...
just click HERE.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

September 18: The First Lady Of Cartoon Voicing


On this day in 1917 June Foray, one of the most familiar voices in the history of television, radio and film, was born in Springfield, Massachusetts. What is her Disney connection?

We're glad you asked ....

Just click HERE.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Friday, September 7, 2012

September 7: Buzz In Space

On this day in 2009, the astronauts aboard the orbiting Space Shuttle and International Space Station packed up Buzz Lightyear in preparation for the journey home. The 12-inch tall action figure had been on a real space mission since May 2008, when he was launched aboard Discovery's STS-124 mission. Part of an educational partnership between NASA and the Walt Disney Company, Buzz was the star of recorded videos aimed at exciting children about space travel. Upon his arrival back on Earth, Buzz logged 467 days in space! This exact figure of Commander Lightyear was later put on display at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum.

Click HERE for more September 7 Disney history.

Thursday, September 6, 2012

September 6: The Voice of Tiana


On this day in 1972, Tony Award-winning actress and singer Anika Noni Rose was born in Bloomfield, Connecticut. She supplied the voice of Tiana for Disney's 2009 animated feature The Princess and the Frog. Known for her stage work, Rose also played the role of Amneris in Disney's musical production of Aida back in 2000. She was named a Disney Legend in August 2011.

Click HERE for more September 6 Disney history.

Thursday, August 23, 2012

August 23: Marceline News


On this day in 2004, Marceline, Missouri honored the memory of Walt Disney with a ceremony renaming the Marceline Post office as the Walt Disney Post Office Building.

See more August 23 Disney history HERE.

Thursday, August 16, 2012

1924: Fess Parker Born

On this day in 1924 actor Fess Parker, best known as Disney's Davy Crockett, was born in Texas.
Learn much more about the "king of the wild frontier" HERE.

Monday, August 13, 2012

August 13: Where Was Walt?


This photo of Walt Disney was taken on this day in 1941. Where was he?

Just click HERE to find out.

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

August 7: Born Today


This comedic actor has lent his voice to many Disney feature films and TV shows. Born on this day in 1955 in New York City, his family later moved to Cartersville, Georgia.

Who is he and what are his ties to Disney?

Just click HERE.

Thursday, August 2, 2012

August 02: Castaway Cay

It was on this day in 1999, that passengers aboard the Disney Magic became the first guests to ever set foot on Castaway Cay - Disney's private island in the Bahamas. Located 225 nautical miles from Disney's home port of Cape Canaveral, Florida, the 3.1 mile long island was formerly known as Gorda Cay.

Click HERE for much more August 02 Disney history.

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

August 01: Coronado Springs

Walt Disney World's Coronado Springs Resort, featuring a Southwestern U.S./Mexican theme, opened on this day in 1997 at 1000 W. Buena Vista Blvd. With 1,967 rooms and suites, it is categorized as a 'moderate' resort and considered (at that time) the main convention hotel at Walt Disney  World (offering almost 100,000 square feet of meeting and convention space). The entire resort circles Lago Dorado, a large lake which features an island that includes the Dig Site swimming pool.

Click HERE for much more August 01 Disney history.

Friday, July 13, 2012

July 13: Mickey the Gardener


On this day in 1935, the second Mickey Mouse cartoon produced in color was released. Directed by Wilfred Jackson, it was also the first color appearance of Pluto. What is the name of this Disney short?

Click HERE to find out.

Saturday, July 7, 2012

July 07: Ringo!


On this day in 1940, drummer & actor Ringo Starr was born Richard Starkey in Liverpool, England.
What is this Beatle's connection to Disney?

Click HERE to find out.

Sunday, July 1, 2012

July 01: Boardwalk



On this day in 1996, Disney's Boardwalk Inn opened at Walt Disney World. Located in the Epcot resort area, it is designed to be reminiscent of the New Jersey boardwalks that were famous during the 1920s-1940s.


Click HERE for much more July 1 Disney history.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

May 23: Electronic Music Pioneer

On this day in 1934, Robert Arthur "Bob" Moog was born in New York City. What does this inventor of the famous Moog synthesizer have to do with Disney?



Click HERE to find out.

Friday, March 16, 2012

March 16: Wonka Designer

On this day in 1911, this artist, set designer and musician (pictured left) was born in Fort Collins, Colorado.
Studying art at Chouinard Art Institute in California, he later moved to New York City to work as a magazine illustrator. During World War II, he was assigned to a camouflage research center due to his amazing painting skills. He actually developed a set of paint colors that were used as standard issue hues for the U.S. Army's camouflage needs.
After the war he moved back to California and worked for Warner Brothers for a short time as a set designer. A lifelong model train enthusiast, by chance he met Walt Disney at a model-making shop and began a relationship that changed his professional career.
His most famous work on a Disney feature was the 1954 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, in which he art directed (and had a small acting role in). He also played a huge part in the design of the original Disneyland.
His non-Disney credits included set designer on the 1971 Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
When he wasn't designing, he was strumming his banjo as part of Ward Kimball's Firehouse Five Plus Two Dixieland ensemble.
Who was this talented Disney Legend?

Click HERE to find out.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

March 14: Cartoonist of the Day

Born on this day in 1920 in Seattle, Washington, as a young man this cartoonist began his career at the Walter Lantz Studio in 1938. After 14 months he took a job at Disney, where he learned to draw characters in action situations from every angle. He worked on Pinocchio, Bambi and Fantasia. In awe of his famous boss, he stated: "Once when Walt and I rode alone in the elevator, I remember that by the time I thought of a clever opening line ... we had reached the top floor!"
During World War II he left Disney to join the U.S. Naval Reserve as a photographer's mate third class. After the war he worked as a freelance cartoonist. By 1951 he had created his own character/comic strip which appeared in newspapers all across the country. The successful character later starred in his own live-action television series and ultimately a string of feature films.
Who was this cartoonist?

Just click HERE.

Sunday, March 4, 2012

March 4: Blast From The Past

Fotomat was once a wide-spread retail chain of photo development drive-thru kiosks (yes, in the old days, film from your camera had to be processed). The first parking lot kiosk opened in 1965 and by 1980 there were over 4,000 Fotomats throughout the U.S. Fotomat was also one of the first to offer movies for rent on videocassette.
What was Fotomat's connection to Disney on this day in 1980?
Click HERE to find out.

Friday, March 2, 2012

March 02: Born This Day

On this day in 1948 guitarist Larry Carlton was born in Torrance, California. What does this "master of smooth jazz" have to do with Disney? Play the video and see if his song sounds familiar.



Then click HERE to learn more.

Sunday, February 5, 2012

February 5: "I'm Going to Disney World!"

It was on this day in 2006 that this Pittsburgh Steelers' wide receiver proclaimed the famous words "I'm going to Disney World!" upon his team's victory at Super Bowl XL. Voted MVP at the 2006 championship game, he was originally drafted by the Steelers back in 1998. Considered to be one of the best wideouts in the game, in 2011 he and Kym Johnson won season 12 of  ABC-TV's Dancing With the Stars.

Who is this four-time NFL Pro Bowl selection?

Click HERE to find out.

Friday, February 3, 2012

February 03: Birth of a Broadway Star

This actress, born in Florida on this day in 1982, initially caught the attention of a Disney casting director upon her graduation from college. Her first big role was in the 2004 Disney touring stage show On The Record (playing the part of Kristen). This led her to Broadway's Beauty and the Beast (playing Belle in 2005) and ultimately Mary Poppins (portraying the tile role on Broadway in 2006 and later on the road). She even appeared as herself in a 2007 episode of All My Children.

Who is this award-winning actress/singer?

Click HERE to find out.

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Feb 02: Born This Day

Born in Chicago, Illinois on this day in 1923, this Disney Legend started her career as an actress. Making her film debut at age 9, she went on to appear in such features as Little Women, Anne of Green Gables and a string of Nancy Drew films during the late 1930s. Marrying a successful businessman in 1947, she gave up her career to focus on his expanding entertainment empire. Who was she and what is her connection to Disney history?

Click HERE to find out.