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.

Sunday, December 25, 2011

December 25: Holiday Greetings

On this Christmas Day in 1950, Walt Disney's very first television special "One Hour in Wonderland" aired on NBC-TV.
Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and the gang took viewers on a trip into the Hollywood magic land of Walt Disney Studios to attend a Yuletide party. Hosted by Walt himself, special guests included Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy.

Learn more about "One Hour in Wonderland" (and other December 25 events in Disney history) by clicking HERE.

Thursday, December 15, 2011

December 15, 1966

(1901-1966)

"I'm not Walt Disney anymore.
Walt Disney is a thing. It's grown to
become a whole different meaning than just one man."

Click HERE for more December 15 Disney history.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

December 07: I Wanna Be Like You

Singer, actor, songwriter, bandleader and trumpeter Louis Prima was born in New Orleans, on this day in 1910. Best known for his hit versions of "That Old Black Magic," "Just a Gigolo," and "Jump Jive an' Wail," Prima was the voice of King Louie the orangutan for Disney's animated The Jungle Book. His distinct voice can be heard on the film's song "I Wanna Be Like You."

Click HERE for much more about Louis "The King of the Swing" Prima and December 7 Disney history.

Thursday, December 1, 2011

December 01: Volume 1, Number 1

"The Disney News will take you behind the scenes for fascinating stories of people and places which make possible the kind of entertainment that you have come to expect from Walt Disney. This is Volume 1, Number 1 and we hope you like it."

With those printed words, the Disney News was first published on this day in 1965. Just 16 pages long, articles included:
Walt's cruise on the U.S. Coast Guard's training vessel, Eagle
Disneyland's new Miss Ambassador Connie Swanson
The return of Maurice Chevalier to the U.S. for his role in Monkeys Go Home!
Schedule of movie releases for 1966
New attractions that would debut in Disneyland the following year

A free benefit for members of the Magic Kingdom Club during the 1960s, the Disney News would become the Disney Magazine in 1994.

Click HERE for more December 01 Disney history.

For an in depth view of all the Disney publications, visit Tim's Disney News Archive.