Walt and the Charlie Chaplin look-alike Contest

When Walt Disney was thirteen years-old he entered and WON a Charlie Chaplin look-alike contest!

(Legend has it that Chaplin himself once entered a similar contest in San Francisco and actually lost!)

Charles Chaplin and Walt Disney at the race track, 1939

Click Here to read 'Charlie Chaplin and Walt Disney Take on World War II'

Space Center Houston by the Imagineers

Space Center Houston (the official visitor's center of NASA's Johnson Space Center) was designed by Walt Disney Imagineering. Space Center Houston is located at 1601 NASA Parkway in Houston, Texas.

The Magic of Disneyland - Tinker Bell's Airplane

On April 07, 2005, a themed airplane adorned with the image of Tinker Bell on the fuselage and golden Mickey Mouse ears on the tail from Alaska Airlines soars into Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The bright blue Boeing 737-400 named the "Magic of Disneyland" celebrates the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney's Anaheim park.

"This is only the second time in more than 25 years that an image other than our trademark Eskimo has appeared on an Alaska Airlines aircraft," said Gregg Saretsky, Alaska's executive vice president of marketing and planning. "I can't think of a better way to congratulate our good friends and partners at Disneyland on their 50th anniversary than to launch this flying invitation to visit ‘The Happiest Place on Earth.'" 

"We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Alaska Airlines by introducing a second Disneyland-themed aircraft just in time for the upcoming May 5 launch of our 50th anniversary," said Claire Bilby, senior vice president of Disneyland sales and distribution marketing. "We look forward to having the ‘Magic of Disneyland' aircraft serve as an iconic vehicle to bring people to Southern California for our ‘Happiest Homecoming On Earth' celebration." 

As to the choice of Tinker Bell — whose words on the side of the aircraft beckon "Follow me to Disneyland" — Bilby noted that the famous pixie is the official hostess of Disneyland. "In the 1950s when Walt Disney shared his new theme park with television audiences across America, Tinker Bell often took the audience on aerial flights to Disneyland. Her pixie dust, filled with the power to make you fly, became the magic ingredient that could transport audiences anywhere."

* On the same day, 22 years before this event (1983), Walt Disney World welcomes its 150-millionth guest - Carrie Stahl!

Click Here to see the Pin 40256: Alaska Airlines - Disneyland's 50th Anniversary Jet (Tinker Bell) and here to buy it on Ebay.

More Pictures Here, Here and Here!

* On the same day, 22 years before this event (1983), Walt Disney World welcomes its 150-millionth guest - Carrie Stahl!

Disney World at Sanford, Florida

At one time, Walt Disney wanted to build Disney World in Sanford, Florida. But his appeal to Sanford's city council was declined. The citizens of Sanford did not want "the crime that was sure to come with tourism."

New York City's New Amsterdam Theatre

Originally completed in 1903, New York City's New Amsterdam Theatre (now operated by Disney) is one of the oldest surviving legitimate theaters on Broadway.

Port Orleans and Dixie Landings Resorts

Effective this day, 10 Years ago, Walt Disney World combines the Port Orleans and Dixie Landings resorts into a single resort called Port Orleans Riverside. The Dixie portion will be called "The Riverside" and the Port portion will be called "The French Quarter."  The total consolidation will occur over the next nine months.

Port Orleans Riverside

The Sorcerer's Apprentice

Disney's Fantasia began production as a short called The Sorcerer's Apprentice. Because of the effort and costs, the Disney brothers realized that they could never make their costs back if they released it as a short. It was decided that a "Concert Feature" should be made.

Journey Into Imagination Generations

Journey Into Imagination, the attraction located within The Imagination! Pavilion at the Epcot, has been through three incarnations since its 1983 opening. All three of them featured a purple dragon named Figment.

A Special Commemorative Medal Honoring Walt E. Disney at the White House

On March 25, 1969, U.S. President Richard Nixon presents Lillian Disney with a special Commemorative Medal (authorized by Congress) honoring her late husband Walt. 

The medal, designed by C. Robert Moore of Walt Disney Productions and struck by the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia, bears a likeness of Walt Disney on one side and Mickey Mouse on the other. The presentation takes place in the State Dining Room at the White House. Among the guests are some 200 third and fourth grade Washington, D.C. area schoolchildren.

"Mrs. Disney, members of the Disney family, ladies and gentlemen, and all of our younger guests here today. Many ceremonies are held in this White House, but none that I think will have more meaning to all of us, young and old, than this one today, because it is my great privilege to present to Mrs. Walt Disney, on behalf of the Congress of the United States, by reason of a joint resolution, and on behalf of all the people of the United States and, I think, of the world, a gold medal; a gold medal honoring Walt Disney for his service through so many years not only to the people of the United Sates, but to the people of the world."

-President Nixon

"I am very grateful to be here, and to see all of you wonderful children who knew him and loved him, too. I think this is a wonderful time in our life. Thank you."

-Lillian Disney

17 years later, on March 25, 1986, Walt Disney World welcomes Don McGrath - the 500 millionth guest to enter a Disney park!

Iwerks Entertainment and the Film Projection Systems for Disney parks

Don Iwerks (the son of legendary Disney animator Ub Iwerks) is the co-founder of Iwerks Entertainment. He has been associated with many accomplishments, including the 360-degree CircleVision camera and projection systems that he worked on with his father. Don's department designed and manufactured hundreds of unique film projection systems for Disney theme parks such as Disney's Star Tours simulator.

"It's a Small World" Tune by the Sherman Brothers

Disney's It's a Small World attraction was originally supposed to feature a medley of national anthems from countries represented. But the result would've been a cacophony of noise. So it was decided that the Sherman Brother's catchy tune would be used throughout the attraction instead.

Pirates of the Caribbean

Opening on March 18, 1967, Pirates of the Caribbean represented Disneyland's largest Audio-Animatronic project to date.

ºoº The name on the coat of arms hanging over the Treasure Room finale scene reads Marco Daviso, an obvious reference to the artist and character designer who lent the attraction all of its great sight gags.

ºoº Pirates features the oldest continuously running example of the MAPO Flicker, a special-effects dimmer mimicking the look of a candle or torch. It was developed by Roger Broggie, head of MAPO, WDI's Manufacturing & Production Organization. MAPO also refers to Mary Poppins, the film that provided the original funding for the group.

ºoº The Auctioneer is voiced by Paul Frees - The Ghost Host at the Haunted Mansion and the original narrator for The Hall of Presidents.

ºoº Disneyland's Pirates of the Caribbean features two drops rather than WDW's one. While both are required to move Guests out below the Park's railroad tracks, the Florida version cannot go as deep because of the extremely high water table in the area.

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Vinylmation of the Day

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Disney Fun Fact of the Day

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Today's Past in Disney History

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This Day in Disney Parks History

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Disney Tales [5 Weekly tales]

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The Disney History

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Marcio Disney Blog

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The Japanese Downtown Disney

Tokyo Disney Resort's shopping, dining, and entertainment complex is called Ikspiari (the Japanese equivalent of the Downtown Disney complexes at the U.S. parks).

Take a look at how beautiful is The Disney Store at Ikspiari:

Here's the link to the official Ikspiari site: http://www.ikspiari.com/

Some other pictures fro Ikspiari

Pinocchio's Original Soundtrack

In 1940 RCA Victor released an album described as "recorded from the original soundtrack of the Walt Disney Production Pinocchio." This was the first time the phrase "original soundtrack" was used to refer to a commercially available movie recording.

Thomas Edison Square

During the early planning stages of Disneyland, a Thomas A. Edison Square was to be built as an addition to the Main Street area.

Thomas Alva Edison (February 11, 1847 – October 18, 1931) was an American inventor, scientist, and businessman who developed many devices that greatly influenced life around the world, including the phonograph, the motion picture camera, and a long-lasting, practical electric light bulb. Dubbed "The Wizard of Menlo Park" (now Edison, New Jersey) by a newspaper reporter, he was one of the first inventors to apply the principles of mass production and large teamwork to the process of invention, and therefore is often credited with the creation of the first industrial research laboratory.

Edison is considered one of the most prolific inventors in history, holding 1,093 U.S. patents in his name, as well as many patents in United Kingdom, France, and Germany. He is credited with numerous inventions that contributed to mass communication and, in particular, telecommunications. His advanced work in these fields was an outgrowth of his early career as a telegraph operator. Edison originated the concept and implementation of electric-power generation and distribution to homes, businesses, and factories – a crucial development in the modern industrialized world. His first power station was on Manhattan Island, New York.

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ºoº Marcio Disney Family Sites Network ºoº

Disney's Dream Makers

http://sites.google.com/site/marciodisney/

Disney Picture of the Day

http://marciodisneypictures.blogspot.com/

Vinylmation of the Day

http://vinylmationoftheday.blogspot.com/

Disney Fun Fact of the Day

http://tinyurl.com/MDFunFact

Today's Past in Disney History

http://tinyurl.com/PastDisney 

This Day in Disney Parks History

http://thisdayindisneyparkshistory.blogspot.com/

Disney Tales [5 Weekly tales]

http://sites.google.com/site/marciodisney/disney-tales

The Disney History

http://thehistoryofdisney.blogspot.com/

Marcio Disney Blog

http://marciodisney.blogspot.com/

Disney Pin of the Day

http://pinoftheday.blogspot.com/

Marcio Disney Digital Media

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Paul McCartney & Lady and the Tramp

Singer-songwriter Paul McCartney (best known as one of The Beatles) names Lady and the Tramp as his all-time Disney favorite!

Peter Pan and Walt's Nine Old Men

Peter Pan was the final Disney animated feature released through RKO and the final Disney film in which all members of Walt's Nine Old Men worked together as directing animators.

The Second Voice of Mickey Mouse

February 01, 1991:
Drummer, sound effects genius, and the second voice of Mickey Mouse, James Macdonald passes away at age 84 in Glendale, California. The original head of Disney's sound effects department, he first voiced Mickey back in 1947. For over 50 years Macdonald created sound effects that have become an integral part of Disney films and theme parks. Recently, Macdonald had been scheduled to contribute sounds to the Splash Mountain attraction at Disney parks in Tokyo and Florida.

He is the silhouetted tympani player in the Disney film Fantasia. Originally a drummer, he was the creator of hundreds of one-of-a-kind gadgets and props used to make sound effects.

Jan 31, 1994 - Epcot's CommuniCore East and West close.

CommuniCore (which is short for Community Core) was an Epcot attraction held in two buildings to the east and west of Spaceship Earth.  Both featured technology exhibits.

High School Musical

High School Musical was Disney Channel's most successful movie at the time it aired (January 20, 2006), with 7.7 million viewers in its first broadcast.