The Disney Look... to the Past! (February 1-7)

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: February. 1-7

Feb. 1, 1994 - Shades of Green opens at the Walt Disney World Resort

Opened as The Golf Resort in 1971 and renamed The Disney Inn in 1986, the United States Department of Defense began leasing this Walt Disney World resort as one of its Armed Forces Recreation Centers for active and retired personnel, then purchased the resort outright in 1996. Located near Magic Kingdom Park and Disney’s Polynesian Resort, the name refers to the different shades of green incorporated into the uniforms of the five branches of the Armed Forces, although not coincidentally the resort is surrounded by the green fairways of Disney’s Palm and Magnolia Golf Courses. With 586 oversized Guest rooms, Shades of Green maintains the country club feel of its predecessor resorts with flowing waterfalls and lush gardens, plus multiple restaurants, a full-service spa and a Mickey Mouse-shaped swimming pool.

Feb. 1, 2008 - “Phineas and Ferb” officially debuts on Disney Channel

Phineas Flynn is the red haired, smooth talking brains of the operation, and Ferb Fletcher is the tall, soft-spoken can-do man. These devoted stepbrothers’ summer plans are way more ambitious than making bunk beds - they’re going to build roller coasters, raise mummies from the dead, reunite 80s hair metal bands and possibly give a monkey a shower, as long as their older sister Candace doesn’t bust them. And hey, where’s Perry? Their pet platypus leads a double life as Agent P, protecting the Tri-State Area from the nefarious Dr. Doofenshmirtz. First previewed on Disney Channel in summer 2007, “Phineas and Ferb” was created by Dan Povenmire and Jeff “Swampy” Marsh, respectively the voices of Dr. Doofenshmirtz and Major Monogram, Agent P’s boss at O.W.C.A. (the Organization Without a Cool Acronym). Now in its fourth season, look for a special crossover episode with the Marvel Universe this summer.

Also this week in Disney history:

Feb. 1

1995 - Tomorrowland Power & Light Co. (arcade) opens at Magic Kingdom Park

2003 - The Diamond Horseshoe Revue closes at Magic Kingdom Park

Feb. 2

1967 - Roy O. Disney holds a press conference in Winter Park, Fla., outlining specific plans for construction of the Walt Disney World Resort

1986 - “The Disney Sunday Movie” debuts on ABC

1992 - Disney’s Dixie Landings Resort (now the Riverside portion of Disney’s Port Orleans Resort) opens at the Walt Disney World Resort

Feb. 3

1931 - “Birds of a Feather” (Silly Symphony) debuts

1939 - “Society Dog Show” (Mickey, Pluto cartoon short) debuts

1945 - Walt Disney Pictures releases “The Three Caballeros” in the United States

1993 - Walt Disney Pictures releases “Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey”

Feb. 4

1966 - Walt Disney Pictures releases “Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree”

1986 - The Walt Disney World Golf Resort becomes The Disney Inn (now called Shades of Green)

1987 - Walt Disney World leaders host the groundbreaking ceremony of Typhoon Lagoon

Feb. 5

1953 - Walt Disney Pictures releases “Peter Pan” (LINE, 2/21)

1992 - “Beauty and the Beast” is nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture

1996 - Ye Olde Christmas Shop opens in Liberty Square at Magic Kingdom Park

Feb. 6

1859 - Elias Disney (Walt Disney’s father) is born

1943 - Walt Disney Pictures releases “Saludos Amigos”

2009 - it’s a small world reopens at Disneyland Park with 29 Disney and Pixar characters incorporated into the attraction

Feb. 7

1940 - Walt Disney’s “Pinocchio” premieres in New York City

1997 - The Richard Petty Driving Experience debuts at the Walt Disney World Resort Speedway

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

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