The Disney Look... to the Past! (07/19 - 07/25)

Here's this week's look at the past of all the Disney attractions, parks and film studios!:

This Week in Disney History: July 19-25

July 24, 1966 - New Orleans Square is dedicated at Disneyland Park

Geometry enthusiasts may be disappointed to learn that the first land added to the park after its opening is not actually square in shape, but despite the misnomer, this charming slice of the Crescent City is among the most intricate and unique sections of Disneyland. With highly detailed belle epoch architecture reminiscent of the French Quarter, New Orleans Square rewards guests who peer into its lavish window displays, sample taste sensations like the Monte Cristo at Café Orleans and clam chowder from the Royal Street Veranda, or find picturesque hidden nooks and corners like Le Court de Anges (the Court of Angels.) The land also hosts three classic Disney Parks attractions: the swashbuckling Pirates of the Caribbean, the grim grinning ghosts of the Haunted Mansion, and the Disneyland Railroad, where the park's opening day dedication by Walt Disney can be heard at the station in Morse code. 

July 21, 1999 - The first Disney's FASTPASS is given out at Kilimanjaro Safaris

Suppose you'd like to venture through the Harambe Wildlife Reserve at Disney's Animal Kingdom, but the posted wait time is two weeks. (Disclaimer: the Kilimanjaro Safaris line has never been remotely close to two weeks in length; this is strictly a hypothetical situation.) No sweat - veer right from the entrance and swipe your park ticket at Disney's FASTPASS distribution kiosk. This complimentary service saves your spot in line at some of Disney's most popular attractions, allowing guests to spend more time enjoying the park - shopping, dining, watching shows - or even riding a ride while you're technically waiting for another ride! Best of all, guests skip the standby line and enjoy a minimal wait once their "return time" arrives. This year also saw Disney's FASTPASS debut at Disneyland Park, where "it's a small world" issued the first ticket on Nov. 19. 

Also this week in Disney history: 

July 19  

1940 - The Donald Duck animated short "Put-Put Troubles" debuts

1946 - The Pluto animated short "The Purloined Pup" debuts

1950 - Walt Disney Pictures releases Treasure Island, the first all-live-action Disney film, and the first Disney film produced in England

   

July 20  

1951 - The Donald Duck animated short "Lucky Number" debuts 

1985 - The 200,000,000th Guest visits the Walt Disney World Resort

   

July 21  

1939 - The Mickey Mouse animated short "The Pointer" debuts

1950 - The Pluto animated short "Pests of the West" debuts 

1986 - Disney leaders announce plans for Pleasure Island at Walt Disney World

   

July 22  

1955 - Rocket to the Moon opens at Disneyland Park

1955 - Candy Palace opens on Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland Park

1994 - The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror officially opens at the Disney-MGM Studios

   

July 23  

1956 - Junior Autopia opens at Disneyland Park

1965 - Mapo, a division of Walt Disney Imagineering, is incorporated

1999 - Walt Disney Pictures releases Inspector Gadget 

   

July 24  

1942 - The Donald Duck animated short "Donald's Gold Mine" debuts 

1985 - Walt Disney Pictures releases The Black Cauldron

2000 - The Disneyland Resort parking garage opens

   

July 25  

1936 - The Mickey Mouse animated short "Alpine Climbers" debuts

1996 - Rainforest Cafe soft-opens for Guests at the Downtown Disney Marketplace

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