The Disney Look... to the Past! (November 5-11)

As usual, let's start another week (even though it's Tuesday already!) with a look at the history of the Walt Disney Company, including its great theme parks and attractions:

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This Week in Disney History: November 5-11

Nov. 5, 1990 - Disney's Yacht Club Resort opens

Disney's Yacht Club Resort evokes the look and feel of a turn-of-the-century seaside resort in New England. Designed by modern traditionalist architect Robert A.M. Stern, who also worked on Disney's BoardWalk Inn and the master plan for the community of Celebration, Fla., this resort resembles the sprawling, shingle-style inns of summer getaway towns like Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. Disney’s Beach Club Resort, which is immediately adjacent, opened two weeks later with a lighter, airier feel more reflective of Victorian-influenced settings like Cape May. The resorts share Stormalong Bay, a 3-acre swimming area with its own lazy river and a water slide that snakes through the remnants of a shipwreck. Nearby is the Beaches and Cream Soda Shop, and if you've never heard of it, your homework assignment is to head over and ask for the Kitchen Sink. Make sure you bring friends.

Nov. 10, 1959 - Walt Disney Pictures releases “Third Man on the Mountain ”
Based on the book “Banner in the Sky” by James Ramsey Ullman, “Third Man on the Mountain” tells the story of Rudi Matt (played by James MacArthur), a kitchen worker whose legendary father, Joseph, had perished in his attempt to climb the rugged Citadel. When Rudi saves the life of Capt. John Winter during a climb, the famous English mountaineer returns the favor by asking him to join his expedition to summit the still unconquered mountain. Walt Disney was fascinated with Switzerland, and much of the principal photography was shot on location in the town of Zermott during an extended family vacation in 1958. The film likely is best known for inspiring the Matterhorn Bobsleds attraction at Disneyland Park, though the landmark Fantasyland attraction opened nearly five months before the film debuted. Standing 147 feet tall, the park’s 1/100-scale recreation of the Swiss peak uses forced perspective to make elements closer to the top, like trees and rock formations, appear farther away.

Also this week in Disney history:

Nov. 5
1937 — “The Old Mill” (Silly Symphony), the first animated film using a multiplane camera, debuts
1997 — Les Chefs de France reopens at Epcot, taking over the space of Bistro de Paris and Au Petit Café
1999 — Touchstone Pictures releases “The Insider”
2004 — Walt Disney Pictures/Pixar Animation Studios release “The Incredibles”

Nov. 6
1942 — “Sky Trooper” (Donald Duck cartoon short) debuts
1998 — Touchstone Pictures releases “The Waterboy”

Nov. 7
1962 — Walt Disney Pictures releases “The Legend of Lobo”
1997 — Cítricos opens at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Nov. 8
1973 — Walt Disney Pictures releases the animated film “Robin Hood”
2002 — Tokyo Disneyland welcomes its 300 millionth guest

Nov. 9
1993 — Fountain View Espresso and Bakery opens at Epcot
1994 — The Skyway attraction closes at Disneyland Park
1999 — The Skyway attraction closes at Magic Kingdom Park
2001 — “LuminAria,” a holiday light and music show, debuts at Disney California Adventure Park

Nov. 10
1953 — “The Living Desert” (True-Life Adventure) debuts
1998 — Innoventions opens at Disneyland Park
2006 — Walt Disney is the first recipient of a star on the Anaheim, Calif., Walk of Fame

Nov. 11
1953 — “Working for Peanuts” (Donald Duck cartoon short) debuts
1956 — Walt Disney appears on the television game show "What's My Line?"

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Thank you very much for reading, and have a great rest of the day!

All photos and information here posted are subject to the copyright of the Walt Disney Company. All rights reserved.