The Disney Look... to the Past! (Nov. 30-Dec. 6)

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: November 30-December 6

Nov. 30, 2010 - “Epic Mickey” is released for Nintendo Wii

The sorcerer Yen Sid once created a beautiful world where animated characters that time had forgotten could live happily ever after. But young Mickey Mouse wandered into his workshop and accidentally ruined it, creating the evil Shadow Blot and turning the world into the dark, ravaged Wasteland. Years later, the Shadow Blot returns to suck Mickey into Wasteland, where a Mad Doctor tries to steal his heart and destroy him. He escapes and meets Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, who’s jealous of Mickey’s success and is working to rebuild Wasteland for its overlooked residents. Armed with a magic paintbrush, Mickey must atone for his past deeds by joining the fight to restore Wasteland and win Oswald’s trust. “Epic Mickey” was created by Disney Interactive Studios in partnership with Warren Spector’s Junction Point Studios. Spector, a father of the “cyberpunk” gaming genre, designed Wasteland with wild, steampunk-inspired reinterpretations of Disney animated works and theme park attractions, filled with rare characters and hidden references to discover. Mickey and Oswald return to Wasteland in “Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two,” now available for major consoles.

Dec. 5, 2001 - Chester and Hester’s Dino-Rama is dedicated at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

If you need to slow things down after escaping extinction aboard Dinosaur, park your time rover and take the convertible for a drive down Route 66 in DinoLand U.S.A. The faded, cracked asphalt is reminiscent of stretches of the Mother Road in the American southwest, lined with lovably kitschy tourist traps like the dinosaur-themed roadside attractions set up by Chester and Hester. These enterprising locals knew Guests would flock in herds to visit the Dino Institute, so they built their Dinosaur Treasures souvenir stand just down the road. The sales became more profitable than their nearby gas station, and in time they were able to build an entire carnival. Hop in line for a dizzying ride aboard Primeval Whirl (opened April 18, 2002), a roller coaster whose cars rotate 360 degrees along a crazily curving track. You can also take the controls for a flight aboard Triceratop Spin, or try winning a prize at one of the six Fossil Fun Games. Teeming with playful tackiness, Dino-Rama showcases many examples of creative recycling, like stacks of used truck tires as planters and old license plates as attraction exit signs.

Also this week in Disney history:

Nov. 30
1931 - “Mickey Cuts Up” (Mickey Mouse cartoon short) debuts

Dec. 1
1955 - Maxwell House Coffee House opens at Disneyland Park (now the location of Disney Showcase)
1971 - The Roy O. Disney engine begins service on the Walt Disney World Railroad
1994 - Parasailing becomes an offering at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Dec. 2
1935 - Marc Davis (animator and one of Walt’s “Nine Old Men”) joins The Walt Disney Studios
1965 - Walt Disney Pictures releases “That Darn Cat”

Dec. 3
1948 - “Mickey and the Seal” (Mickey Mouse cartoon short) debuts
1980 - Leaders host the ground-breaking and dedication ceremonies of Tokyo Disneyland Park

Dec. 4
1942 - “How to Fish” (Goofy cartoon short) debuts
2001 - Disneyland Resort Paris becomes the official name of the Euro Disney property
2001 - Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream is dedicated at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
2001 - Touchstone Pictures releases “The Royal Tennenbaums”

Dec. 5
1901 - Walt Disney is born in Chicago, Ill.
1930 - “Pioneer Days” (Mickey Mouse cartoon short) debuts
2001 - Walt Disney’s hometown of Marceline, Mo., celebrates his 100th birthday
2001 - The Sorcerer’s Hat icon is dedicated at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
2011 - The animated holiday special “Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice” debuts on ABC

Dec. 6
1903 - Ruth Flora Disney (Walt’s sister) is born;

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

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