The Disney Look... to the Past! (July 6-12)

Hello, and welcome to the latest edition of the weekly feature known as "The Disney Look... to the Past!"
Enjoy reading all of the following interesting facts about the Walt Disney Parks, Resorts, Movies, and more:
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This Week in Disney History: July 6-12

July 10, 1981 – Walt Disney Pictures releases “The Fox and the Hound”

When they were young, Tod and Copper were best friends. Tod was an orphaned red fox who ended up living on the farm of a friendly widow, while Copper was a precocious puppy being raised by his master to become a hunting dog. They didn’t know they were supposed to be enemies, but as they grew up, they realized things were changing. One day, Tod has to move to a wilderness preserve, where Copper’s master soon takes him hunting for the first time. Though they’re matched against each other as adversaries, neither will shake the bond forged in their younger days, especially once their lives are on the line. “The Fox and the Hound” features some of the first Disney work by animators who have charted the course of the medium over the past three decades, including John Musker, Ron Clements, Brad Bird, Glen Keane, Tim Burton and Don Bluth. Tod and Copper were voiced by actors Mickey Rooney and Kurt Russell.

July 11, 1987 – The Disney Gallery opens at Disneyland Park

When Pirates of the Caribbean opened in 1967, it included a second-story space above its entrance intended to become an apartment for Walt and Roy Disney. Upon Walt’s passing, Roy decided not to move forward with these plans, and the space was used for various purposes until Imagineer Tony Baxter had the idea of opening it up to Guests. By ascending a curved staircase to the front door overlooking New Orleans Square, Guests could get a glimpse of this unique space while viewing rare concept artwork and artifacts from Walt Disney Imagineering, plus enjoy special exhibitions and artist signings. The original location closed in 2007 to make way for the Disneyland Dream Suite, but reopened in 2009 in the former location of the Bank of Main Street, U.S.A., which even incorporates the bank’s old vault door into the layout (pictured above). Tokyo Disneyland opened its own branch of the Disney Gallery above World Bazaar in 1993.

Also this week in Disney history:

July 6
1925 – Walt and Roy O. Disney make a $400 deposit on a lot at Hyperion Avenue to build a new animation studio
1994 – Groundbreaking held for the Disney Institute at the Walt Disney World Resort
1994 – The original run of “Captain EO” closes at Epcot

July 7
1931 – The animated short “Mickey Steps Out” debuts
1963 – Walt Disney Pictures releases “Summer Magic”
2006 – Walt Disney Pictures’ “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest” opens in theaters
2006 – Pirates of the Caribbean reopens at Magic Kingdom Park with Captain Jack Sparrow and Barbossa characters added to the attraction

July 8
1938 – The Donald Duck cartoon short “Good Scouts” debuts
1956 – The Donald Duck cartoon short “How to Have an Accident in the Home” debuts
1985 – Michael Eisner and Florida Gov. Bob Graham announce plans for the Disney-MGM Studios (now Disney’s Hollywood Studios)
1994 – “Legend of the Lion King” opens at Magic Kingdom Park
1996 – The CircleVision 360 film “American Journeys” closes at Disneyland Park
1997 – “The Lion King” stage production debuts at Orpheum Theater in Minneapolis

July 9
1932 – The Silly Symphony short “The Bears and the Bees” debuts
1982 – Walt Disney Pictures releases “Tron”

July 10
1987 – Walt Disney Pictures releases “The Brave Little Toaster”

July 11
1953 – The Goofy cartoon short “How to Dance” debuts
1986 – Cinderella Castle Mystery Tour opens at Tokyo Disneyland
1987 – The Disney Gallery debuts at Disneyland Park

July 12
1989 – Star Tours opens at Tokyo Disneyland

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Thank you for reading, and have a great rest of your weekend!

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