The Disney Look... to the Past! (June 14-20)
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: June 14-20
June 15, 1967 - Club 33 opens at Disneyland Park
At 33 Royal Street in the heart of New Orleans Square, a private establishment steeped in lore and legend is hidden in plain sight. Built as an exclusive dining club where Walt Disney could entertain Disneyland investors and dignitaries, Walt did not live to see its opening, but his touch can be felt throughout. The glass elevator in the lobby was modeled precisely after one he saw on a trip to Paris; he picked out the antique furniture and décor along with wife Lillian, complimented by movie memorabilia from "The Happiest Millionaire" and "Mary Poppins." The only way to dine at Club 33 is to be or know a member, of which there are less than five hundred (the waiting list is so long that it's currently closed.) However, guests can peek inside the front door by taking the "A Walk in Walt's Footsteps" guided tour. It's not the only institution of its kind at a Disney park - Club 33 can also be found at World Bazaar in Tokyo Disneyland.
June 18, 1996 - The first residents move into Celebration, Fla.
Due south of Epcot, unbeknownst to most Walt Disney World visitors, is a thriving town developed as a true "experimental prototype community of tomorrow." Celebration is a census-designated, unincorporated community on the southern border of the Reedy Creek Improvement District, developed by Disney and opened to residents in 1996, the first of whom was Terri Haber from Employee Relations. "It really took a pioneering spirit those first few weeks," said Haber, who recalled the challenges of having no neighbors, post office or businesses open upon moving in. "My kids made a tidy sum that summer when they set up a lemonade stand to sell to construction crews and curious tourists alike." Celebration has grown to 9,000 residents, who enjoy a picturesque downtown waterfront with restaurants, a movie theatre and regular celebrations of its own. Although Disney has divested much of its control of the community, many groups supporting Walt Disney Parks and Resorts are still based there. Haber continues to call Celebration home, and her daughter Staci has gone from serving lemonade on the porch to serving guests at the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theatre at Disney's Hollywood Studios. "The best advantage of all was building friendships with all the adventurous new neighbors eager to build a community to call home."
Also this week in Disney history:
June 15, 1967 - Club 33 opens at Disneyland Park
At 33 Royal Street in the heart of New Orleans Square, a private establishment steeped in lore and legend is hidden in plain sight. Built as an exclusive dining club where Walt Disney could entertain Disneyland investors and dignitaries, Walt did not live to see its opening, but his touch can be felt throughout. The glass elevator in the lobby was modeled precisely after one he saw on a trip to Paris; he picked out the antique furniture and décor along with wife Lillian, complimented by movie memorabilia from "The Happiest Millionaire" and "Mary Poppins." The only way to dine at Club 33 is to be or know a member, of which there are less than five hundred (the waiting list is so long that it's currently closed.) However, guests can peek inside the front door by taking the "A Walk in Walt's Footsteps" guided tour. It's not the only institution of its kind at a Disney park - Club 33 can also be found at World Bazaar in Tokyo Disneyland.
June 18, 1996 - The first residents move into Celebration, Fla.
Due south of Epcot, unbeknownst to most Walt Disney World visitors, is a thriving town developed as a true "experimental prototype community of tomorrow." Celebration is a census-designated, unincorporated community on the southern border of the Reedy Creek Improvement District, developed by Disney and opened to residents in 1996, the first of whom was Terri Haber from Employee Relations. "It really took a pioneering spirit those first few weeks," said Haber, who recalled the challenges of having no neighbors, post office or businesses open upon moving in. "My kids made a tidy sum that summer when they set up a lemonade stand to sell to construction crews and curious tourists alike." Celebration has grown to 9,000 residents, who enjoy a picturesque downtown waterfront with restaurants, a movie theatre and regular celebrations of its own. Although Disney has divested much of its control of the community, many groups supporting Walt Disney Parks and Resorts are still based there. Haber continues to call Celebration home, and her daughter Staci has gone from serving lemonade on the porch to serving guests at the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theatre at Disney's Hollywood Studios. "The best advantage of all was building friendships with all the adventurous new neighbors eager to build a community to call home."
Also this week in Disney history:
June 14
1958 – The Sailing Ship Columbia and Alice in Wonderland attractions open at Disneyland Park
1959 – Vice President Richard Nixon dedicates the Matterhorn, Monorail and Submarine Voyage at Disneyland Park
1959 – Disneyland-Alweg Monorail System begins operation at Disneyland Park
1997 – Hercules Weekend takes place in Times Square in New York, with a special Electrical Parade and world premiere of the film
June 15
1961 – The first Grad Nite takes place at Disneyland Park, attended by 8,500 high school seniors
1967 – Club 33 opens in New Orleans Square at Disneyland Park
1990 – Touchstone Pictures releases “Dick Tracy”
2001 – Walt Disney Pictures releases “Atlantis: The Lost Empire”
June 16
1934 – The animated short “Mickey’s Steam Roller” debuts
1955 – Disney’s “Lady and the Tramp” premieres in Chicago
1956 – Tom Sawyer Island opens at Disneyland Park
June 17
1933 – The animated short “Mickey’s Mechanical Man” debuts
1971 – Guest No. 100 million is welcomed to Disneyland Park
1972 – The Main Street Electrical Parade debuts at Disneyland Park
2008 – Toy Story Midway Mania opens at Disney California Adventure Park
June 18
1956 – Storybook Land Canal Boats open at Disneyland Park
1983 – Flights of Fantasy Parade debuts at Disneyland Park
1988 – Mickey’s Birthdayland (that later became Mickey’s Toontown Fair) opens at Magic Kingdom Park
1996 – The first residents move into Celebration, Fla.
1997 – The Kingdom Queen ferryboat at the Walt Disney World Resort becomes General Joe Potter
1999 – Walt Disney Pictures releases “Tarzan”
2010 – Disney/Pixar releases “Toy Story 3”
June 19
1995 – The “Partners” statue of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse is dedicated at Magic Kingdom Park
1998 – DisneyQuest officially opens to Guests at Downtown Disney West Side
1998 – Walt Disney Pictures releases “Mulan”
June 20
1976 – River Country opens at the Walt Disney World Resort
1995 – The ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter opens at Magic Kingdom Park
1995 – Plans for Disney’s Animal Kingdom are announced at the Walt Disney World Resort
1999 – 20th Century Music Company shop opens at Disneyland Park
2008 – “Camp Rock,” starring the Jonas Brothers and Demi Lovato, debuts on Disney Channel
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Thank you for reading, and have a great rest of your weekend!
All photos and information subject to the copyright of the Walt Disney Company. All rights reserved.
Thank you for reading, and have a great rest of your weekend!
All photos and information subject to the copyright of the Walt Disney Company. All rights reserved.
Here a 10 minutes video about Club 33!
ReplyDeletehttp://youtu.be/WY2PWts7kq8