The Disney Look... to the Past! (06/14 - 06/20)
Here you are this week's look to Disney's Past!
This Week in Disney History: June 14-20
June 15, 1967 - Club 33 opens at Disneyland Park
At 33 Royal Street in the heart of New Orleans Square, a private establishment steeped in lore and legend is hidden in plain sight. Built as an exclusive dining club where Walt Disney could entertain Disneyland investors and dignitaries, Walt did not live to see its opening, but his touch can be felt throughout. The glass elevator in the lobby was modeled precisely after one he saw on a trip to Paris; he picked out the antique furniture and décor along with wife Lillian, complimented by movie memorabilia from "The Happiest Millionaire" and "Mary Poppins." The only way to dine at Club 33 is to be or know a member, of which there are less than five hundred (the waiting list is so long that it's currently closed.) However, guests can peek inside the front door by taking the "A Walk in Walt's Footsteps" guided tour. It's not the only institution of its kind at a Disney park - Club 33 can also be found at World Bazaar in Tokyo Disneyland.
At 33 Royal Street in the heart of New Orleans Square, a private establishment steeped in lore and legend is hidden in plain sight. Built as an exclusive dining club where Walt Disney could entertain Disneyland investors and dignitaries, Walt did not live to see its opening, but his touch can be felt throughout. The glass elevator in the lobby was modeled precisely after one he saw on a trip to Paris; he picked out the antique furniture and décor along with wife Lillian, complimented by movie memorabilia from "The Happiest Millionaire" and "Mary Poppins." The only way to dine at Club 33 is to be or know a member, of which there are less than five hundred (the waiting list is so long that it's currently closed.) However, guests can peek inside the front door by taking the "A Walk in Walt's Footsteps" guided tour. It's not the only institution of its kind at a Disney park - Club 33 can also be found at World Bazaar in Tokyo Disneyland.
June 18, 1996 - The first residents move into Celebration, Fla.Due south of Epcot, unbeknownst to most Walt Disney World visitors, is a thriving town developed as a true "experimental prototype community of tomorrow." Celebration is a census-designated, unincorporated community on the southern border of the Reedy Creek Improvement District, developed by Disney and opened to residents in 1996, the first of whom was Terri Haber from Employee Relations. "It really took a pioneering spirit those first few weeks," said Haber, who recalled the challenges of having no neighbors, post office or businesses open upon moving in. "My kids made a tidy sum that summer when they set up a lemonade stand to sell to construction crews and curious tourists alike."
Celebration has grown to 9,000 residents, who enjoy a picturesque downtown waterfront with restaurants, a movie theatre and regular celebrations of its own, including the upcoming Fourth of July parade. Although Disney has divested much of its control of the community, many groups supporting Walt Disney Parks and Resorts are still based there. Haber continues to call Celebration home, and her daughter Staci has gone from serving lemonade on the porch to serving guests at the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theatre at Disney's Hollywood Studios. "The best advantage of all was building friendships with all the adventurous new neighbors eager to build a community to call home."
Also this week in Disney history:
June 14 | ||
| 1958 | - | The Sailing Ship Columbia and Alice in Wonderland attractions open at Disneyland Park |
| 1959 | - | Vice President Richard Nixon dedicates the Matterhorn, Monorail and Submarine Voyage at Disneyland Park |
| 1959 | - | Disneyland-Alweg Monorail System begins operation at Disneyland Park |
| 1974 | - | The "Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue" debuts at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort |
| 1997 | - | Hercules Weekend takes place in Times Square in New York, with a special Electrical Parade and world premiere of the film |
| June 15 | ||
| 1961 | - | The first Grad Nite takes place at Disneyland Park, attended by 8,500 high school seniors |
| 2001 | - | Walt Disney Pictures releases Atlantis: The Lost Empire |
| June 16 | ||
| 1934 | - | The animated short "Mickey's Steam Roller" debuts |
| 1955 | - | Lady and the Tramp premieres in Chicago |
| 1956 | - | Tom Sawyer Island opens at Disneyland Park |
| June 17 | ||
| 1933 | - | The animated short "Mickey's Mechanical Man" debuts |
| 1971 | - | The 100,000,000th Guest is welcomed to Disneyland Park |
| 1972 | - | The Main Street Electrical Parade debuts at Disneyland Park |
| 2008 | - | Toy Story Midway Mania opens at Disney's California Adventure Park |
| June 18 | ||
| 1956 | - | Storybook Land Canal Boats open at Disneyland Park |
| 1983 | - | Flights of Fantasy Parade debuts at Disneyland Park |
| 1988 | - | Mickey's Birthdayland (now Mickey's Toontown Fair) opens at Magic Kingdom Park |
| 1996 | - | The first residents move into Celebration, Florida |
| 1997 | - | The Kingdom Queen ferryboat at the Walt Disney World Resort becomes General Joe Potter |
| 1999 | - | Walt Disney Pictures releases Tarzan |
| June 19 | ||
| 1995 | - | The "Partners" statue of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse is dedicated at Magic Kingdom Park |
| 1998 | - | DisneyQuest officially opens to Guests at Downtown Disney West Side |
| 1998 | - | Walt Disney Pictures releases Mulan |
| June 20 | ||
| 1976 | - | River Country opens at the Walt Disney World Resort |
| 1995 | - | The ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter opens at Magic Kingdom Park |
| 1995 | - | Plans for Disney's Animal Kingdom are announced at the Walt Disney World Resort |
| 1999 | - | 20th Century Music Company shop opens at Disneyland Park |
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