The Disney Look... to the Past! (08/02 - 08/08)

Here's this week look at Disney's history!:

This Week in Disney History: August 2-8

August 6, 1961 - Flying Saucers opens at Disneyland Park

It was the dawn of the Space Age. Yuri Gagarin had become the first cosmonaut to orbit the Earth, but man's dreams of outer space still drew largely from comic books and campy science fiction movies. Leave it to Disneyland to envision a futuristic version of the bumper cars: individual pods styled after the UFOs of sci-fi lore that hovered on a cushion of air, which riders maneuvered by shifting their body weight to bump into unsuspecting pilots. At the end of the ride cycle, a large arm scooped the saucers back into the loading area for the next guests. The Flying Saucers only lasted five years, owing largely to the space-age technology not yet being perfected; the location is now the theatre where Captain EO plays. But Disneyana enthusiasts who never rode it will get a taste of what it was like in 2012, when Luigi's Flying Tires opens as part of Cars Land at Disney California Adventure. 

August 4, 2009 - Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort opens

Opening with the Walt Disney World Resort in 1971, the A-frame design of Disney's Contemporary Resort stands among the most iconic pieces of Disney architecture. Last year, it was joined by another modern class, as Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort welcomed home the first Members into its 295 two-bedroom equivalent Disney Vacation Club villas. The sleek, crescent-shaped design is both homage to and an evolution of the original tower, linked by a sky bridge to the amenities of the Grand Canyon Concourse. But Members and guests enjoy their own recreation facilities, including Bay Cove Pool, a children's interactive water play area, shuffleboard courts and a barbeque pavilion. One of its most unique offerings is the Top of the World Lounge and observation deck on the top floor, allowing Disney Vacation Club Members views of all four Walt Disney World theme parks, including Magic Kingdom Park - which is literally next door. 

Also this week in Disney history: 

August 2  

1999 - The Disney Wonder cruise ship arrives at Port Canaveral from Italy

2001 - Soundstage 2 at The Walt Disney Studios in Burbank is renamed the Julie Andrews Stage 

2002 - Touchstone Pictures releases Signs

   

August 3  

1935 - "Mickey's Fire Brigade" (Mickey Mouse cartoon short) debuts

1988 - The Walt Disney Company and French leaders host the groundbreaking ceremony for the Disneyland Paris Resort 

2001 - Walt Disney Pictures releases The Princess Diaries

   

August 4  

1995 - Leaders preside over the ground-breaking of Disney's Animal Kingdom

   

August 5  

1955 - The 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea exhibit opens at Disneyland Park

1967 - Adventure thru Inner Space opens at Disneyland Park

1992 - The 400,000,000th Guest visits the Walt Disney World Resort

1992 - The Walt Disney Story closes at Magic Kingdom Park

   

August 6  

1996 - Rainforest Café officially opens at the Downtown Disney Marketplace

1999 - Hollywood Pictures releases The Sixth Sense

2003 - Walt Disney Pictures releases Freaky Friday

   

August 7  

1992 - Touchstone Pictures releases 3 Ninjas

2004 - The world premiere of Walt Disney Pictures' The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement is held at AMC Downtown Disney 12 Theatres at the Disneyland Resort 

   

August 8  

1952 - The special cartoon "The Little House" debuts

2001 - "The Wayne Brady Show" debuts on ABC

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