The Disney Look... to the Past! (August 17-23)

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 17-23

Aug. 21, 1995 – The PeopleMover closes at Disneyland Park

Opened in 1967, the PeopleMover gave Guests an elevated guided tour of Tomorrowland as they enjoyed sleek, streamlined comfort aboard one of 62 four-car trains. The 16-minute journey included a look inside several Tomorrowland attractions, with the trains pushed along quietly from below by pacer tires powered by an electric motor. The track was extended in 1977 to enter Space Mountain and the Superspeed Tunnel, which used wraparound screens to put riders in the middle of a high-speed auto race. After its closure, the PeopleMover track was converted into the high-speed Rocket Rods, which operated from 1998 to 2000. At the Walt Disney World Resort, Guests can hop aboard the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover at Magic Kingdom Park, with quiet, pollution-free linear induction motors powering this mass transit system of the future.

Aug. 19, 2011 – The second D23 Expo begins in Anaheim, Calif.

Welcome back to the Anaheim Convention Center, where more than 40,000 fans reveled in all things Disney during three days of presentations and panels, punctuated by huge Disney star appearances. The Disney Legends Ceremony, featuring a tribute to honoree Jim Henson courtesy of The Muppets, kicked off the expo. The Walt Disney Studios provided a look at upcoming movies including Disney’s “Frankenweenie,” “Wreck-It Ralph” and Pixar’s “Monsters University,” plus the cast of “Marvel’s The Avengers” (pictured) was on hand for an exclusive first-look at footage from the film. On the show floor was Walt Disney Imagineering’s Carousel of Projects, containing models of the New Fantasyland expansion at Magic Kingdom Park and Shanghai Disney Resort, plus glimpses of new Audio-Animatronics technology, including The Amazing Destini, who can recognize Guests’ presence and respond to them live. Upstairs, the expanded Treasures of the Disney Archives showcased rare costumes, props and artwork. Tickets are on sale now for the third D23 Expo, returning to Anaheim Aug. 9 to 11, 2013.

Also this week in Disney history:

Aug. 17
1941 – Walt and a staff of 17 animators begin a goodwill trip to South America
1986 – “Luxo Jr.,” the first short produced by Pixar Animation Studios, is released
1998 – “Captain EO” closes at Disneyland Paris, marking the final showing of the 3-D film at a Disney theme park during its original run
2007 – “High School Musical 2” debuts on Disney Channel, followed by a sneak preview of the new animated series “Phineas and Ferb”

Aug. 18
1931 – “Blue Rhythm” (Mickey Mouse cartoon short) debuts
1956 – Carnation Plaza Gardens opens at Disneyland Park
2011 – Disneyland Park hosts a tribute to Golden Horseshoe Saloon performers Wally Boag and Betty Taylor

Aug. 19
1938 – “The Whalers” (Mickey, Donald and Goofy cartoon short) debuts
1955 – “Bearly Asleep” (Donald Duck cartoon short) debuts
2006 – “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire – Play It!” closes at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Aug. 20
1928 – “Hot Dog,” the final Oswald the Lucky Rabbit short produced by Disney, debuts
1932 – “Trader Mickey” (Mickey Mouse cartoon short) debuts

Aug. 21
1992 – Asia’s first Disney Store opens in Yokohama, Japan
2004 – “Brandy & Mr. Whiskers,” a Disney Channel animated series, debuts

Aug. 22
1929 – “The Skeleton Dance” (the first Silly Symphony cartoon) debuts
1956 – Carefree Corner, a Guest registration area, opens at Disneyland Park
1987 – The 10,150-pound cupola is placed on top of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Aug. 23
1955 – The Surrey (a Main Street vehicle) debuts at Disneyland Park
1985 – Meadow Recreation Complex opens at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
1999 – Hollywood Scoops, an ice cream shop, opens at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

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

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