The Disney Look... to the past! (May 28 - June 3)

Here you are our weekly column that shows you all the things (good and bad) that have been done by Disney, at their "World", "Lands" and Company!:

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This Week in Disney History: May 28 - June 3

May 28, 1966 - "it's a small world" opens at Disneyland Park

Walt Disney's vision of brotherhood and world friendship was brought to life by the warm and childlike illustrations of Disney Legend Mary Blair for the 1964 New York World's Fair. Mary envisioned the attraction as a "pop-up book" that looked like the children within the story designed their worlds themselves. When the attraction was moved to Disneyland Park in 1966, Mary also designed the fanciful external façade. The perfect soundtrack for "it's a small world" is the title song, penned by Richard and Robert Sherman. Walt had clear instructions - that the song represent children as the light of the future and people around the world be able to sing it in their language. No small task! The Sherman Brothers succeeded, creating arguably the catchiest Disney attraction theme song of all time, which is now also enjoyed by visitors to the Walt Disney World Resort, Tokyo Disneyland Resort, Disneyland Paris and Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. In February 2009, more Disney magic was added to the classic attraction, in the form of children dressed as their favorite characters such as Pinocchio in Europe, Mulan in China and Nemo in Australia.

June 1, 1989 - Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park opens at the Walt Disney World Resort

Created in the wake of a fierce tropical storm that tossed the unfortunate Miss Tilly shrimp boat onto the top of Mount Mayday, Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park was the second water park to open at the Walt Disney World Resort. The runoff waters from the receding storm produced thrilling slides such as Mayday Falls and the five-story Humunga Kowabunga. Guests can venture into an abandoned banana processing facility to tackle the gravity-defying Crush 'n' Gusher water coaster. But it's not all slipping and sliding - the Surf Pool cranks out 6-foot waves for beginning and avid boardriders, and a sunken tanker offers the chance to snorkel with leopard and bonnethead sharks in Shark Reef. Better yet, pull up a lounge chair and relax on the white sandy beaches, with Miss Tilly's whistle and the geyser blasts of Mount Mayday marking the time.

Also this week in Disney history:

May 28

1960 - Mine Train Through Nature's Wonderland opens in Frontierland at Disneyland Park in California

1994 - Disney's Wilderness Lodge opens at the Walt Disney World Resort

May 29

1990 - The Sorcery in the Sky fireworks show debuts at the Disney-MGM Studios

1991 - Tokyo Disneyland Resort welcomes its 100 millionth guest

1992 - Touchstone Pictures releases "Sister Act"

2009 - Disney-Pixar releases "Up"

May 30

1936 - "Thru the Mirror" (Mickey Mouse cartoon short) debuts

1953 - "Don's Fountain of Youth" (Donald Duck cartoon short) debuts

1967 - Groundbreaking is held for the construction of the Walt Disney World Resort

2003 - Walt Disney Pictures/Pixar Animation Studios releases "Finding Nemo"

May 31

2008 - A Buzz Lightyear action figure joins the crew of space shuttle Discovery mission STS-124, blasting off to the International Space Station

June 1

1987 - If You Had Wings closes at Magic Kingdom Park

1995 - Space Mountain: From the Earth to the Moon opens at Disneyland Paris

1997 - The final performance of "The Lion King Celebration" parade takes place at Disneyland Park in California

June 2

1984 - The Laserphonic Fantasy premieres at the World Showcase Lagoon at Epcot

1989 - Touchstone Pictures releases "Dead Poets Society"

2002 - Epcot leaders dedicate Journey Into Imagination with Figment

June 3

1949 - The Donald Duck/Chip 'n' Dale short "Winter Storage" debuts 

1983 - Bistro de Paris restaurant opens at the France pavilion at Epcot

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