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

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: August 10-16

Aug. 16, 1955 – Dumbo the Flying Elephant opens at Disneyland Park

Grab a magic feather and take flight with the star of Disney’s 1941 animated classic. This opening year attraction (technical difficulties kept it grounded for the park’s first month of operation) first allowed Guests to take a spin above Fantasyland aboard one of 10 airborne pachyderms. Circus music and Disney tunes played on an authentic Gavioli band organ built in 1915 add to the light-hearted atmosphere. In 1990, the ride was entirely rebuilt, increasing the fleet to 16 elephants and adding elaborate, fanciful touches like moving gears and ornate fountains. This attraction can also be found at four other Disney Parks, including at Magic Kingdom Park, which now has double the Dumbo with a second spinning carousel added this year as part of its New Fantasyland expansion.

Aug. 15, 1946 – Walt Disney Pictures releases “Make Mine Music”

The years during World War II saw American troops stationed on Disney’s studio lot in Burbank, and animators were too busy with projects supporting Allied forces to focus their efforts on feature-length stories. As a result, “package” films that compiled various animated shorts were released during this time, including “Saludos Amigos” (1942) and “The Three Caballeros” (1944). The first to be released after the war ended, “Make Mine Music” features 10 shorts that are themed around music, including “Casey at the Bat,” “Peter and the Wolf” and “The Whale Who Wanted to Sing at the Met.” Set to the jazzy music of Benny Goodman and his orchestra, “All the Cats Join In” features a set of high-flying young dancers, whose fanciful moves showcase the style of character animator Fred Moore. Other post-war “package” films included “Fun and Fancy Free” (1947), “Melody Time” (1948) and “The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad” (1949).

Also this week in Disney history:

Aug. 10
1960 – “Jungle Cat,” the final installment of the True-Life Adventures series, debuts
1994 – The Concourse Steakhouse opens at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
2011 – Touchstone Pictures releases “The Help”

Aug. 11
1934 – “Orphan’s Benefit” (Mickey Mouse cartoon short) debuts, featuring Donald Duck and Goofy together for the first time
1955 – The Casa de Fritos restaurant opens at Disneyland Park
1995 – Hollywood Pictures releases “Dangerous Minds”

Aug. 12
1965 – Disneyland Park welcomes its 50 millionth Guest
1967 – Flight to the Moon opens at Disneyland Park
1989 – Disney’s Hollywood Studios hosts its first fireworks display
2000 – The Disney Magic begins its first seven-day cruise

Aug. 13
1932 – “Mickey‘s Nightmare” (Mickey Mouse cartoon short) debuts
1942 – Walt Disney Pictures releases “Bambi”

Aug. 14
1942 – “T-Bone for Two” (Pluto cartoon short) debuts
2001 – “According to Jim” (television series) debuts on ABC
2007 – The world premiere of Disney Channel’s “High School Musical 2” is held at AMC Downtown Disney 12 at the Disneyland Resort

Aug. 15
1999 – The Disney Wonder sets sail on its maiden voyage
2003 – Mission: SPACE soft-opens for Guests at Epcot
2009 – Kouzzina by Cat Cora opens on the BoardWalk at the Walt Disney World Resort
2011 – The original version of Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room (formerly called Tropical Serenade) reopens at Magic Kingdom Park

Aug. 16
1999 – “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” debuts on ABC

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

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