The Disney Look... to the past! (Jan. 29 - Feb. 4)

As every week, here you are an article that lists all the important events that have made history in the Disney Parks, attractions, movies and much more!! This week, we'll read about the release of a classic Disney movie and  the best Disney fireworks show on Earth (you know which one is this!).

Read about all of this and much more:

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This Week in Disney History: Jan. 29 - Feb. 4

Jan. 29, 1959 - Walt Disney Pictures releases "Sleeping Beauty"

Walt Disney's adaptation of the story of Princess Aurora (nee Briar Rose), her betrothed Prince Phillip, the wicked Maleficent and an untimely run-in with a spinning wheel spent more than eight years in development and production. Drawing from the 17th century fairy tale by French author Charles Perrault, the Tchaikovsky ballet and the Brothers Grimm retelling of the story, "Sleeping Beauty" was not initially an enormous box office success, but has since grown to become a Disney classic with six theatrical rereleases to date.

 

Jan. 30, 1988 - "IllumiNations" debuts at Epcot

"IllumiNations" was the fourth nighttime show in the history of Epcot. This 14-minute program choreographed water fountains, lighting effects, lasers and pyrotechnics to music by Ludwig van Beethoven and George Gershwin. After a successful eight-year run, followed by a special edition commemorating Walt Disney World's 25th anniversary, the show was overhauled again for the Millennium Celebration. "Illuminations: Reflections of Earth" debuted in 1999, telling the story of planet Earth and its inhabitants through the phases of chaos, order and meaning.

Also this week in Disney history:

Jan. 29

1943 - "Donald's Tire Trouble" (Donald Duck cartoon short) debuts 

1959 - Walt Disney Pictures releases "Grand Canyon" (featurette) 

1998 - The Southern Seas makes its last cruise on Seven Seas Lagoon at the Walt Disney World Resort

Jan. 30

1998 - Hollywood Pictures releases "Deep Rising"

Jan. 31

1986 - Touchstone Pictures releases "Down and Out in Beverly Hills"

1996 - Olde World Antiques and Silversmith Shop closes in Liberty Square at Magic Kingdom Park

Feb. 1

1994 - The Disney Inn reopens as Shades of Green, a military recreation resort at the Walt Disney World Resort

1995 - Tomorrowland Power & Light Co. (arcade) opens at Magic Kingdom Park

2003 - The Diamond Horseshoe Revue closes at Magic Kingdom Park

Feb. 2

1967 - Roy O. Disney holds a press conference in Winter Park, Fla., outlining specific plans for construction of the Walt Disney World Resort

1986 - "The Disney Sunday Movie" debuts on ABC

1992 - Disney's Dixie Landings Resort (now the Riverside portion of Disney's Port Orleans Resort) opens at the Walt Disney World Resort

Feb. 3

1931 - "Birds of a Feather" (Silly Symphony) debuts

1939 - "Society Dog Show" (Mickey, Pluto cartoon short) debuts

1945 - Walt Disney Pictures releases "The Three Caballeros" in the United States

1993 - Walt Disney Pictures releases "Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey"

Feb. 4

1966 - Walt Disney Pictures releases "Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree" 

1986 - The Walt Disney World Golf Resort becomes The Disney Inn (now Shades of Green)

1987 - Walt Disney World leaders host the groundbreaking ceremony of Typhoon Lagoon Water Park

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