The Disney Look... to the past! (April 9-15)

Here you are our weekly look... at the past of the Disney Company!:

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This week in Disney History: April 9-15

April 12, 1992 - Disneyland Paris opens

Located in a Paris suburb,  Euro Disneyland opened its doors on European soil. Renamed Disneyland Paris two years later, its Disneyland Park pays tribute to its continental homeland in many ways: the design of Discoveryland is heavily influenced by European visionaries, including Jules Verne and Leonardo da Vinci, and the way they imagined the future. The centerpiece of this theme park is the Le Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant, a Sleeping Beauty Castle unlike any other. The monument displays embellishments inspired by the natural world, fairy tales and even medieval literature. With its towers spiralling into the sky, the castle has much in common with France's Mont St. Michel, with further inspiration from the works of "Sleeping Beauty" artist Eyvind Earle. The Paris resort also is comprised of the Walt Disney Studios Park, Disney Village and seven resort hotels.

April 12, 1995 - 'Ohana opens at Disney's Polynesian Resort

"Lilo & Stitch" taught moviegoers that "'ohana" means family, but on the second floor of the Great Ceremonial House, one of the most beloved restaurants at the Walt Disney World Resort began serving Polynesian-influenced family style meals years before Experiment 626 landed in our galaxy. Wander inside past the tikis, tropical greenery and an 18-foot oak fire pit, where skewers of grilled chicken, pork loin, sirloin steak and shrimp can be prepared just for you. Try them in the chimichurri, pineapple sweet and sour or house-made peanut sauces, but save room for stir-fried veggies and the famous 'Ohana bread pudding. With a dining room overlooking Seven Seas Lagoon, it's a great spot to watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks. But if a morning alien encounter is a must, come in early for 'Ohana's Best Friends Breakfast featuring Lilo & Stitch.

Also this week in Disney history:

April 9

1961 - Walt Disney dedicates the grotto and wishing well adjacent to Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Park in California with donations benefitting children's charities worldwide

2005 - Space Mountain: Mission 2 debuts at Disneyland Paris

April 10

1930 - "The Barnyard Concert" (Mickey Mouse cartoon short) debuts

1988 - "America Sings" closes at Disneyland Park

1992 - Walt Disney Pictures releases "Newsies"

April 11

1997 - Hollywood Pictures releases "Grosse Point Blank"

2003 - The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh opens at Disneyland Park

2003 - "Playhouse Disney - Live on Stage!"opens at Disney California Adventure Park

2009 - Yamabuki, a Japanese restaurant, closes at Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel

April 12

1946 - The cartoon short "Pluto's Kid Brother" debuts 

1996 - Walt Disney Pictures releases "James and the Giant Peach"

April 13

1935 - "Mickey's Kangaroo," the last black-and-white Walt Disney Studios cartoon short, debuts

April 14

1934 - "The Big Bad Wolf" (Silly Symphony) debuts

1984 - An updated version of the Alice in Wonderland attraction opens at Disneyland Park

2008 - Ollie Johnston, Disney animator and the last of Walt's "Nine Old Men," dies at age 95

April 15

1932 - The Mickey Mouse animated short "Barnyard Olympics" debuts, coinciding with the 1932 Olympics in Los Angeles

1938 - The animated short "Donald's Nephews" debuts, featuring the first appearances of Huey, Dewey and Louie

1962 - The episode "Disneyland After Dark" debuts on "Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color"

1973 - The Walt Disney Story opens at Magic Kingdom Park

1975 - Flight to the Moon closes at Magic Kingdom Park

1983 - Tokyo Disneyland opens

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