The Disney Look... to the Past! (October 8-14)

It is time to check out our weekly edition of "The Disney Look... to the Past!" Enjoy:

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This Week in Disney History: October 8-14

Oct. 11, 1982 — Epcot leaders dedicate the American Adventure pavilion

Located directly across the lagoon from Spaceship Earth, the American Adventure pavilion reflects colonial design influences including Independence Hall, Monticello and Boston’s Old State House. Inside the stately structure is a theatrical attraction starring Benjamin Franklin and Mark Twain, who lead a 35-member cast of Audio-Animatronics figures that take Guests on a stirring exploration of American history from the Boston Tea Party through the civil rights movement. The show has been updated in recent years to reflect the events of Sept. 11, 2001, and the inauguration of President Barack Obama. Adjacent to the attraction is the Liberty Inn, which serves all-American fare like hamburgers and funnel cakes; across the way on the waterfront is the America Gardens Theatre, which holds live music throughout the year.

Oct. 12, 1986 — “The Golden Horseshoe Revue” closes at Disneyland Park
Four days before Disneyland Park opened in July 1955, “The Golden Horseshoe Revue” debuted during a celebration for Walt and Lillian Disney’s 30th wedding anniversary. Little could anyone have foreseen the 31-year run in Frontierland that followed. Still the longest-running show in Disneyland Park history, the revue starred saloon owner Slue Foot Sue (played by Betty Taylor for more than three decades) and a chorus of dancehall girls leading a variety show filled with skits, music and plenty of vaudevillian humor. Wally Boag, who originated the dual roles of the traveling salesman and Pecos Bill, has been cited by fellow Disney Legend Steve Martin as the award-winning humorist’s inspiration for trying comedy. Wally and Betty passed away on the same weekend last June, and were honored during a celebration at Disneyland Park last summer. The spirit of the revue lives on with Billy Hill and the Hillbillies, who have headlined the Golden Horseshoe stage since 1994, and the show has a distant cousin in the “Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue” at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground at the Walt Disney World Resort.

Also this week in Disney history:

Oct. 8
1989 — The Contemporary Cafe opens at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
1993 — The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim play their first National Hockey League game at the Anaheim Pond
2003 — Mickey’s PhilharMagic officially opens at Magic Kingdom Park

Oct. 9
1942 — “The Olympic Champ” (Goofy cartoon short) debuts
1988 — “The Magical World of Disney” debuts on NBC
2003 — The Walt Disney Company Chairman and CEO Michael Eisner, along with NASA and HP leaders and two astronauts aboard the International Space Station, dedicate Mission: SPACE at Epcot
2003 — “Wishes,” a new fireworks show, debuts at Magic Kingdom Park

Oct. 10
1931 — “The Barnyard Broadcast” (Mickey Mouse cartoon short) debuts
1957 — “Zorro” premieres on television

Oct. 11
1946 — “Bath Day” (Figaro cartoon short) debuts
1959 — Rainbow Caverns Mine Train closes at Disneyland Park
1998 — Journey Into Imagination and Image Works close at Epcot
2003 — The ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter closes at Magic Kingdom Park

Oct. 12
1995 — The 500 millionth Guest visits the Walt Disney World Resort
2008 — Sun Wheel closes at Disney California Adventure Park (reopened later as Mickey’s Fun Wheel)
2009 — George A. Kalogridis becomes president of the Disneyland Resort

Oct. 13
1950 — “Bee at the Beach” (Donald Duck cartoon short) debuts
1997 — The LEGO Imagination Center opens at the Downtown Disney Marketplace within the Walt Disney World Resort

Oct. 14
1938 — “Farmyard Symphony” (Silly Symphony) debuts
1971 — 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea attraction opens at Magic Kingdom Park
2009 — Sum of All Thrills exhibit opens in Innoventions at Epcot

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Thanks for reading, and have a great rest of the day!