The Disney Look... to the Past! (September 7-13)

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: September 7-13

Sept. 12, 2005 – Hong Kong Disneyland Park opens

Located on Lantau Island, 30 minutes by train from one of Asia’s most dynamic cities, Hong Kong Disneyland Park opened as the eleventh Disney theme park and the fifth Magic Kingdom-style park. Operated in partnership between Disney and the Hong Kong government, Chinese culture and feng shui are incorporated into many aspects of the park’s design. For example, a bend built into the walkway from the train station to the entrance gates ensures good energy, or “chi,” is directed toward the park. Opening with the park was the 400-room Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel and the 600-room Disney’s Hollywood Hotel. The park recently expanded with the additions of Toy Story Playland and the all-new Grizzly Gulch, featuring Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars – a bearish new twist on the Big Thunder Mountain concept. The upcoming Mystic Point, featuring Mystic Manor, will debut in 2013.

Sept. 7, 1992 – “Goof Troop” debuts in syndication

Nearly three decades after his last solo short, Goofy returned to the limelight as the star of his own animated series, which entered syndication after premiering on Disney Channel in April 1992. Cast as a single dad who moves back to his hometown of Spoonerville, “Goof Troop” introduced Max, his 11-year-old son, who is surprisingly normal compared to his famously clumsy dad. The normally nefarious Pete plays against type as Goofy’s best friend and neighbor, settled down as a used-car salesman with wife Peg, easygoing son P.J. and energetic daughter Pistol. “Goof Troop” ran for 78 episodes as part of the “Disney Afternoon” programming strip that included “TaleSpin,” “Chip & Dale Rescue Rangers” and “Darkwing Duck.” The cast returned in the 1995 theatrical release “A Goofy Movie”, which follows a now teenaged Max and his father reconnecting on a family road trip gone awry.

Also this week in Disney history:

Sept. 7
1984 – Morocco opens in World Showcase at Epcot, the first country to be added since the theme park opened in 1982
1991 – “Darkwing Duck” (television series) debuts on ABC and in syndication
1998 – Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride closes at Magic Kingdom Park
2008 – “Golden Dreams” closes at Disney California Adventure Park

Sept. 8
1968 – The surrey vehicle closes at Disneyland Park
1998 – Submarine Voyage closes at Disneyland Park

Sept. 9
1973 – Carousel of Progress closes at Disneyland Park
1990 – “The Magical World of Disney” airs for the final time on NBC

Sept. 10
1932 – “King Neptune” (Silly Symphony) debuts
1988 – “The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh” (television series) debuts on ABC
1990 – “Tale Spin” (television series) debuts in syndication
1993 – “Bill Nye – The Science Guy” (television series) debuts in syndication
2009 – The first ever D23 Expo begins at the Anaheim Convention Center
2010 – Bountiful Valley Farm closes at Disney California Adventure Park

Sept. 11
1968 – The United States Postal Service issues a six-cent U.S. postage stamp featuring Walt Disney’s portrait
2001 – All Walt Disney World theme parks and recreation areas close shortly after opening due to terrorist attacks in New York, Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania. The Disneyland Resort announces the closure of its theme parks prior to their scheduled opening.
2008 – A Buzz Lightyear action figure completes his journey with the crew of the Space Shuttle Discovery, landing safely at Edwards Air Force Base in California

Sept. 12
1986 – “Captain EO,” a 3-D film starring Michael Jackson, opens at Epcot
2001 – All Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort theme parks reopen following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, accommodating all resort Guests whose travel plans are affected
2009 – A reboot of the Star Tours attraction is announced at the D23 Expo in Anaheim, Calif.

Sept. 13
1997 – The second season of “Muppets Tonight” premieres on Disney Channel
2009 – The first D23 Expo concludes in Anaheim, Calif.

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

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