The Disney Look... to the Past! (08/16 - 08/22)

Here's this week's look in Disney history: 

August 16-22

August 16, 1955 - Dumbo the Flying Elephant opens at Disneyland Park

Grab a magic feather and take flight with the star of the 1941 animated classic. This opening year attraction (technical difficulties kept it grounded for the park's first month of operation) allowed guests to take a spin above Fantasyland aboard one of ten airborne pachyderms. Circus music and Disney tunes played on an authentic Gavioli band organ built in 1915 add to the light-hearted atmosphere. In 1990, the ride was entirely rebuilt, increasing the fleet to 16 elephants and adding elaborate, fanciful touches like moving gears and ornate fountains. Dumbo can also be found at four other Disney Parks, with Timothy Mouse overseeing all flights from above.

August 17, 1986 - "Luxo Jr.," the first Pixar Animation Studios short, is released

The first short produced by the fledgling northern California studio shares a glimpse of the hallmarks that would make it known the world over. "Luxo Jr." was first exhibited at Siggraph, an annual conference on computer graphics. It demonstrated the enormous potential of the computer as an animation tool while reinforcing the importance of storytelling, as a father (inspired by the architect's lamp on John Lasseter's desk) watches his boisterous son play with a bouncing rubber ball. The short earned Pixar its first Academy Award nomination; Luxo Jr. continues to bounce through Pixar's logo, and the "Luxo Ball" has been found hiding in nearly all of its films since.

Also this week in Disney history:

August 16  

1999 - "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" debuts on ABC

   

August 17  

1941 - Walt and a staff of 17 animators leave on a goodwill trip to South America

1998 - "Captain EO" closes at Disneyland Paris, marking the final first-run performance of the 3-D film at a Disney theme park 

   

August 18  

1931 - "Blue Rhythm" (Mickey Mouse cartoon short) debuts

1956 - Carnation Plaza Gardens opens at Disneyland Park

   

August 19  

1938 - "The Whalers" (Mickey, Donald and Goofy cartoon short) debuts

1955 - "Bearly Asleep" (Donald Duck cartoon short) debuts

1955 - Casa de Fritos restaurant opens at Disneyland Park

2006 - "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire - Play It!" closes at Disney-MGM Studios 

   

August 20  

1928 - "Hot Dog" (the final Oswald the Lucky Rabbit cartoon produced by Disney) debuts 

1932 - "Trader Mickey" (Mickey Mouse cartoon short) debuts

   

August 21  

1992 - Asia's first Disney Store opens in Yokohama, Japan

1995 - The PeopleMover closes at Disneyland Park 

2004 - "Brandy & Mr. Whiskers," a Disney Channel animated series, debuts

   

August 22  

1929 - "The Skeleton Dance" (the first Silly Symphony cartoon) debuts

1956 - Carefree Corner, a Guest registration area, opens at Disneyland Park

1987 - The 10,150-pound cupola is placed on top of Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

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