The Disney Look... to the Past! (August 16-22)

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 16-22

Aug. 16, 1955 - Dumbo the Flying Elephant opens at Disneyland Park

Grab a magic feather and take flight with the star of the 1941 animated classic. This opening year attraction (technical difficulties kept it grounded for the park's first month of operation) allowed Guests to take a spin above Fantasyland aboard one of ten airborne pachyderms. Circus music and Disney tunes played on an authentic Gavioli band organ built in 1915 add to the light-hearted atmosphere. In 1990, the ride was entirely rebuilt, increasing the fleet to 16 elephants and adding elaborate, fanciful touches like moving gears and ornate fountains. Dumbo can also be found at four other Disney Parks around the world, with Timothy Mouse overseeing all flights from above. In 2012, the fleet of elephants doubled at Magic Kingdom Park as Dumbo the Flying Elephant reopened in the Storybook Circus area of New Fantasyland, featuring a new interactive waiting area under a colorful "big top" tent.

Aug. 17, 1986 - "Luxo Jr.," the first Pixar Animation Studios short, is released

Shortly after Steve Jobs spun off the Graphics Group from the Computer Division of Lucasfilm, the newly indipendent Northern California animation studio shared a glimpse of the hallmarks that would make it world famous. "Luxo Jr." was first exhibited at SIGGRAPH, an annual conference on computer graphics, where it demonstrated the enormous potential of the computer as an animation tool. But it also reinforced the importance of storytelling, in a relatable scene where a father watches his boisterous son play with a bouncing rubber ball. John Lasseter directed and animated the short himself, modeling the characters after the lamp on his desk. The short earned Pixar its first Academy Award nomination for best animated short film. Luxo Jr. continues to bounce through Pixar's production logo, and the "Luxo Ball" has been hidden as an Easter egg in nearly every Pixar film since.

Also this week in Disney history:

Aug. 16

1999 - "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" debuts on ABC

August 17  
1941  -  Walt and a staff of 17 animators leave on a goodwill trip to South America
1998  -  "Captain EO" closes at Disneyland Paris, marking the final first-run performance of the 3-D film at a Disney theme park
   
August 18  
1931  -  "Blue Rhythm" (Mickey Mouse cartoon short) debuts
1956  -  Carnation Plaza Gardens opens at Disneyland Park

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

2011 - The second D23 Expo begins in Anaheim, Calif.

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 

1995 - The PeopleMover closes at Disneyland Park

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

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

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