Disney Christmas Week: One Hour in Wonderland

In the beginning of the television era, the major Hollywood studios declared it to be off limits. While nowadays the networks and studios are typically all part of the same entertainment conglomerates, they were considered enemies in the 1950's. It was Walt Disney who first saw the possible benefits of aligning with this new medium.

On Christmas Day in 1950, Mr. Disney crossed into "enemy territory" by producing One Hour in Wonderland for NBC. Presented by Coca-Cola, it was the first production on television produced by a Hollywood studio. The hour was hosted by Walt Disney and featured Edgar Bergen and Kathryn Beaumont, who was the voice of Alice in the upcoming Alice in Wonderland.

It was the highest rated show that year and it sparked an idea in Walt Disney's mind- could TV help him finance his biggest dream- DISNEYLAND?

Roy O. Disney

When Walt had a crazy dream, it was his brother Roy who always found the money to accomplish it. Roy didn't always agree with his brother's projects, but he always helped make them come true. Roy O. Disney passed away on this day in 1971.

Disney Quote Weekends

"Chewie, we’re home."

Disney Quote Weekends

"Why does everyone want to go back to Jakku?"

The Story of DISNEYLAND: A New Millennium

As the new millennium began, exciting things were happening around DISNEYLAND. Finally realizing the error of its ways, the City of Anaheim embarked on a massive effort to improve the area surrounding DISNEYLAND. Unsightly signs and poles were removed. Lush landscaping was brought in. The results were impressive.

Disneyland Drive

Katella Avenue

Disney was also putting the finishing touches on an impressive array of new offerings that would propel the Anaheim property into the stratosphere.

Disney's California Adventure

Downtown Disney

Disney's Grand Californian Hotel

These new attractions were designed to cement DISNEYLAND Resort as the centerpiece of any Southern California vacation. Downtown Disney and the Grand Californian Hotel were instant successes. Disney California Adventure required some assistance, but altogether, the components came together to make an immersive vacation destination that had the added advantage of being located close together, making park hopping a breeze.

DISNEYLAND wasn't left out of the equation. The park received a remodel of its famed Submarine Voyage attraction and a new Fantasy Faire.

In 2005, the park celebrated its 50th Year in a big way. The huge influx of heavy spending guests, eager to recapture the nostalgia of the past, convinced the company that its crown jewel was DISNEYLAND and investing in its future like Walt had done would result in massive rewards.

So the company embarked on a plan to improve and expand in Anaheim, which resulted in the massive Cars Land in Disney California Adventure and the all new Buena Vista Street.

DISNEYLAND would continue to evolve and grow just like it always had. Who knows what the future holds in store? We do (sorta). Join us next week as our year long salute to Walt Disney's Magic Kingdom comes to its conclusion with a look into the future of DISNEYLAND.

Star Wars Week: A New Voyage, An Empire Grows

When Star Tours first opened, Walt Disney Imagineering touted its ability to re-program the attraction as a major selling point. For 22 years, however, guests embarked on the same journey to Endor. In 2011, however, the company finally re-launched the attraction with a variable ride engine with over 40 different possibilities.

With the release of the new Star Wars sequel, new locations and adventures have been added to the ride, just four years after its initial release.

The negotiations between The Walt Disney Company and Lucasfilm for the updated Star Tours sparked further discussions about possibly making a deal that would result in Lucasfilm getting acquired by Disney. In 2012, the formal deal was announced. The world of Star Wars and Indiana Jones would officially become part of The Walt Disney Company.

Lillian Disney

Walt Disney's wife, Lillian Disney passed away on this day in 1997. Mrs. Disney worked at the Disney Brothers Studio as an inker and caught Walt's eye quite early on. They were soon married and would remain so until Mr. Disney's death. Lillian's biggest contribution to her husband's success was insisting that he change the name of his mouse character from Mortimer to Mickey Mouse. This simple change doubtlessly made their clever little "son" a much bigger success than he might have been otherwise.

Star Wars Week: This Was My First Flight...

In 1982, The Walt Disney Company opened the massive EPCOT Center in Orlando and the response was tepid. The company had spent billions on the place, but hardly anyone was showing up. Despite inheriting this headache from the previous CEO who had been chosen by Roy Disney, Walt Disney's son-in-law Ron Miller felt he had to step things up to get the company back on track. He decided the person who could help him do that was George Lucas.

The company had been presented with motion simulator technology and felt that it could be used for a space themed attraction. Ron wanted the space attraction to be based on the biggest franchise around at the time- Star Wars.

George Lucas was extremely interested and even came up with another possible attraction- Captain EO. Unfortunately, the company wasn't patient with Mr. Miller and ousted him in 1984. His replacement put things on hold, but eventually the great idea was approved and it became an iconic DISNEYLAND attraction.

Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier

A Tribute to Walt- Richard Sherman "Plays it"

"On what would have been Walt's 100th birthday at DISNEYLAND, I began to play his favorite song- 'Feed the Birds' when a bird suddenly flew down from a tree and landed right on my piano. It stayed there until I finished the song, then as quickly as it flew down, it flew away. I’m convinced, that that bird was Walt."

-Richard Sherman