The Disney Look... to the past! (April 16-22)

As every week, we present to you a glimpse of the things that have interested the Disney World, Lands and Company on this same week... in the past:

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This Week in Disney History: April 16-22

April 22, 1964 - The New York World's Fair opens 

Held in Flushing Meadows Park in the borough of Queens, the 1964 World's Fair was emblematic of the can-do spirit of the Space Age and the promise of tomorrow. But theme park aficionados know it as the place where Walt Disney perfected ride and show technology that still amazes guests to this day, as evidenced in the four attractions he built for the fair. "it's a small world" was a hopeful salute to the children of the world, while the Carousel of Progress followed a family embracing modern conveniences from the turn of the century through the present. The PeopleMover ride system debuted in the Magic Skyway attraction, where riders took a spin through time in a Ford automobile. At the Illinois pavilion, guests marveled at Disney's most sophisticated Audio-Animatronic yet in "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln." Three of the four attractions later found their way to Disneyland Park and two to Magic Kingdom Park.

April 16, 2001 - Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge opens

Jambo! This year, Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge celebrates 10 years of welcoming guests home from their busy day in the parks. A true taste of an African lodge, the property boasts a 43-acre animal preserve – home to more than 30 species of animals and approximately 200 individual hoofed animals and birds that greet guests from right outside their balconies. Guests are introduced to African culture through the architecture, collection of African art – including the 60-to-80-year-old "King's Door" located just inside the entrance to Jambo House – and the welcoming family of cast members. Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge has since expanded to include Disney Vacation Club villas and Sanaa – Swahili for "work of art" – a dining location overlooking the savanna that offers sumptuous African cuisine.

Also this week in Disney history:

April 16

2007 - Disneyland Resort announces the Disneyland Railroad fleet has been converted to run on biofuel instead of diesel

April 17

1958 - The Circarama film "America the Beautiful" debuts at the World's Fair in Brussels, Belgium; the first Disney attraction to open outside a Disney park

April 18

1953 - The Mickey Mouse short "The Simple Things," debuts; more than 30 years would pass before the release of the next one, "Mickey's Christmas Carol" (1983)

1983 - Disney Channel goes on the air

1994 - "Beauty and the Beast: A New Musical" premieres at the Palace Theatre in New York

April 19

1999 - Sales of tobacco products are discontinued at all four Walt Disney World theme parks, and smoking is prohibited except in designated areas

April 20

1946 - Walt Disney Pictures premieres "Make Mine Music" in New York 

1991 - The Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant opens at Disney-MGM Studios

2000 - Walt Disney World officials announce plans for Mission: SPACE at Epcot

April 21

1930 - The animated short "Just Mickey" (aka "Fiddlin' Around") debuts

2009 - Characters in Flight opens in Downtown Disney at the Walt Disney World Resort

April 22

1998 - Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park opens

2002 - Primeval Whirl opens at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park

2009 - Disneynature releases "Earth"

2010 - Disneynature releases "Oceans"

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