Featured Attractions

Wednesday, November 30, 2016

1951 - Alice in Wonderland


In 1951, Walt Disney continued the trend of releasing animated features with Alice in Wonderland.

 

The film was not as well received as Cinderella, but it later gained an audience, spawning the classic Mad Tea Party and Alice dark ride attractions in DISNEYLAND.

Look to the Stars!


 

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

1950 - Cinderella


The Disney Studios had taken a break from making full length animated features during World War II because of a cash flow problem caused by so many of its foreign markets getting closed off during the war. It would take five years for the studio to return to the big screen with a feature- 1950's Cinderella.

 

The film would be a true return to form, introducing new characters and bringing Disney back to the big screen. Despite the planning and construction of DISNEYLAND Park starting to take up more of Walt Disney's time, he would ramp up feature production while also entering the realm of live action films. The 1950's would be extremely busy at Walt Disney Productions.

Friday, November 25, 2016

1949 - Mickey Mouse Park


In 1949, Walt Disney continued to suss out an idea he had for a theme park to be located across the street from The Walt Disney Studio in Burbank- Mickey Mouse Park.

 

His ideas would soon outgrow the available land he had in Burbank. He would need a much larger parcel to build out his dreams...

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

1948 - Melody Time


1948 brought another of the lower cost package films to theaters- Melody Time.

 

Little did the world know that Walt Disney was ramping things up. The 1950's were on the horizon and Mr. Disney saw a great big beautiful tomorrow- just a dream away!

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

1947 - Uncle Scrooge Debuts!


Uncle Scrooge, relative to Donald Duck, would make his debut in Disney Comics, created and drawn by the legendary Carl Barks.

 

Uncle Scrooge would eventually make the jump from the comics to the screen, appearing as (who else) Ebenezer Scrooge in Mickey's Christmas Carol. He would later appear in DuckTales, always voiced by Mr. Ed's Alan Young.

 

Monday, November 21, 2016

1946 - Make Mine Music


The Disney package film Make Mine Music premiered in 1946.

 

The film featured the classic Disney short Peter and the Wolf. The film is rarely shown in full these days, though its pieces are often shown outside of the full film.

 

Thursday, November 17, 2016

1945 - The Three Caballeros!


During World War II, the United States was afraid that the Axis Powers could gain a foothold in South America. The U.S. government enlisted the help of Walt Disney to go on a goodwill tour and possibly produce a picture afterwards. The result of that was the surprise hit Saludos Amigos. Walt Disney featured Donald Duck in the feature, as he was extremely popular in Latin and South America. Of course, a followup film was produced- The Three Caballeros.

 

The film brought Donald Duck together with his south of the border friends Panchito and Jose Carioca, three friends who entertain guests at Disney California Adventure daily during !Viva Navidad! as part of the DISNEYLAND Resort's annual Christmas celebration.

 

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

1944 - Snow White Returns


Prior to 1944, it was not common for a film to return to theaters once its initial run was over. Regardless of how beloved or successful a movie became, audiences weren't guaranteed to ever see it again once its original release was finished.

 

In 1944, however, Walt Disney Productions decided to test out a reissue of  Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. In the seven years that had passed since the original release, a new generation of children had grown up never having seen the film.

 

The reissue was a huge success, starting a tradition that continues until today, with DVD and Blu-ray reissues of Disney's biggest hits.

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

1943 - Chip 'N Dale Begin


Chip 'N Dale burst onto the scene for the first time in 1943. The two characters began their careers annoying Pluto in the short Private Pluto.

 

It would be the first of many appearances by the two who would eventually become most associated with Donald Duck. The company continues to honor the rascally twosome, giving them their own cartoon show in the late 1980's and featuring them as unofficial mascots at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel at Disneyland.

 

A closeup look at certain carpets in the hotel uncovers hidden chipmunks. Walt Disney's little chipmunks are still beloved over 70 years after their introduction.


Monday, November 14, 2016

1942 - Bambi


In 1942, Bambi, the first feature length Disney film that doesn't depict humans was released in theaters.

 

The film was one of Disney's more realistic depictions of nature. The animators carefully studied real animals, taking lessons from the Chouinard Art Institute. 

Tuesday, November 8, 2016

U.S. Election Day


 

1941 - Dumbo


In 1941, the lovable Dumbo flew into everyone's hearts. 

 

Dumbo became a huge hit, helping the studio's coffers during World War II. The Magic of Dumbo still enchants visitors of all ages.

 

Monday, November 7, 2016

1940 - Fantasia and Pinocchio


1940 was a banner year for Walt Disney Productions. Two of Walt Disney's masterpieces were released that year- Pinocchio and Fantasia. 



Both films featured Hugh technological advances that would influence nearly every animated film that would follow.


Saturday, November 5, 2016

Christmas time at Disneyland



Jean-Jacques Perrey, 1929 - 2016


Famed composer Jean-Jaques Perrey, whose whimsical moog composition Baroque Hoedown provided the soundtrack to many a summer night spent at DISNEYLAND has passed away.



His work with Moog synthesizers caught the attention of DISNEYLAND's entertainment department, who believed it would be the ideal music for its festival Pageant of electrosynthemagnetic musical sounds- the Main Street Electrical Parade. The beloved composition was even worked into Light Magic and Disney's Paint the Night parades. His musical work will live on in the hearts of generations of DISNEYLAND guests, most of whom have never heard of Mr. Perrey.


Thursday, November 3, 2016

1939 - A Special Oscar


The Academy Awards pretty much ignored Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in 1938. The public wasn't happy about it so the Academy decided to present Walt Disney with a whimsical, honorary trophy featuring a full sized statuette and seven small ones. Presented by Shirley Temple, the statue can be seen at the Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco's Presidio.


Wednesday, November 2, 2016

1938 - Flora Disney Passes Away


In 1938, his biggest success heralded around the world, Walt and Roy Disney proudly bought their parents a nice house in Southern California for them to retire in. Sadly, Flora Disney would pass away due to a gas leak in the house. The Disney boys were devastated.



Tuesday, November 1, 2016

1937 - Snow White Premieres


In 1937, the first project that would be labeled "Disney's Folly" would premiere at the Carthay Circle Theater- Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.





Mr. Disney would be proud that the biggest names in Hollywood turned out for his crazy "kiddie picture". Snow White would become a phenomenon, bringing huge profits to the studio.