The Disney Look... to the Past! (September 10-16)

Here you are our weekly look... into the Disney past!:

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This Week in Disney History: Sept. 10-16

Sept. 12, 2005 - Hong Kong Disneyland Park opens

Located on Lantau Island, 30 minutes by train from one of Asia’s most dynamic cities, Hong Kong Disneyland Park opened as the 11th Disney theme park, boasting the spirit and imagination of Walt Disney’s original Anaheim, Calif., park and dedicated to the young and young at heart. Operated as a partnership between Disney and the Hong Kong government, Chinese culture and feng shui are incorporated into many aspects of the park’s design. For example, a bend built into the walkway from the train station to the entrance gates ensures good energy or “chi” is directed toward the park. Opening with the park was the 400-room Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel and the 600-room Disney’s Hollywood Hotel. Now commemorating its fifth anniversary during the “Celebration in the Air,” the park will add three new lands by 2014, including Toy Story Playland this fall, followed by Grizzly Trail and Mystic Point.

Sept. 15, 1996 - Ellen’s Energy Adventure opens at Epcot

In a playful update to the signature attraction at the Universe of Energy pavilion, Ellen DeGeneres welcomes Guests into her nightmare: a “Jeopardy!” match where the clues are solely about energy - something she knows nothing about -against Albert Einstein and her genius college roommate, Judy (Jamie Lee Curtis). Fortunately, neighbor Bill Nye (of “Bill Nye, the Science Guy”) jumps in to teach her everything she needs to know. As Guests follow Bill and Ellen in moving theater cars, they travel back in time to the beginning of the universe, through the world of dinosaurs and back to the present, where humans confront the energy challenges looming in the future. Returning to her nightmare, Ellen mounts an impressive comeback, but the outcome hinges on Alex Trebek’s final Jeopardy clue: What is the one source of power that will never run out? Think hard -although the theater cars are partially powered by the 80,000 photovoltaic solar cells mounted atop the pavilion, it’s not the sun.

Also this week in Disney history:

Sept. 10
1932 - The Silly Symphony short “King Neptune” debuts
1988 - “The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh” debuts on ABC
1990 - “Tale Spin” television series debuts in syndication
1993 - “Bill Nye, the Science Guy” television series debuts in syndication
2009 - The first D23 Expo begins at the Anaheim (Calif.) Convention Center

Sept. 11
1968 - The U.S. Postal Service issues a 6-cent postage stamp featuring Walt Disney’s portrait
2001 - All Walt Disney World theme parks and recreation areas close shortly after opening due to terrorist attacks in New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania. The Disneyland Resort announces the closure of its theme parks prior to their scheduled opening.
2008 - A Buzz Lightyear action figure completes its journey with the crew of space shuttle Discovery, landing safely at Edwards Air Force Base in California

Sept. 12
1986 - “Captain EO,” a 3-D film starring Michael Jackson, opens at Epcot
2001 - All Walt Disney World and Disneyland resort theme parks reopen following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, accommodating all resort Guests whose travel plans are affected

Sept. 13
1997 - The second season of “Muppets Tonight” premieres on Disney Channel
2009 - The first D23 Expo concludes in Anaheim, Calif.

Sept. 14
1964 - President Lyndon Johnson presents Walt Disney with the Medal of Freedom at the White House
1980 - The Mickey Mouse Revue closes at Magic Kingdom Park
1985 - “The Golden Girls” debuts on NBC

Sept. 15
1944 - The Goofy cartoon short “How to Play Football” debuts
1958 - The Viewliner miniature train closes at Disneyland Park
2006 - The first annual Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend begins

Sept. 16
1933 - The Silly Symphony short “Pied Piper” debuts
1984 - Restaurant el Marrakesh opens in the Morocco pavilion at Epcot
2008 - Disney announces Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

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