The Disney Look... to the Past! (August 2-8)

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 2-8

Aug. 6, 1961 - Flying Saucers opens at Disneyland Park 

It was the dawn of the Space Age. Yuri Gagarin had become the first cosmonaut to orbit the Earth, but man's dreams of outer space still drew largely from comic books and campy science fiction movies. Leave it to Disney Imagineers to envision a futuristic version of the bumper cars: individual pods styled after the UFOs of sci-fi lore that hovered on a cushion of air, which riders maneuvered by shifting their body weight to bump into unsuspecting pilots. At the end of the ride cycle, a large arm scooped the saucers back into the loading area for the next guests. The Flying Saucers only lasted five years, owing largely to the space-age ride system not yet being perfected, and the location is home to the theatre where “Captain EO” plays. But with a half century’s worth of technological advancements at their back, Imagineers created a Flying Saucers-like attraction in the world of Disney-Pixar’s “Cars,” letting Guests bump and glide once more on Luigi’s Flying Tires, part of Cars Land at Disney California Adventure Park.

Aug. 4, 2009 - Bay Lake Tower opens at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Opening with the Walt Disney World Resort in 1971, the A-frame design of Disney's Contemporary Resort stands among the most iconic pieces of Disney architecture. It was joined by another modern classic when Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort welcomed home the first Members into its 295 two-bedroom equivalent Disney Vacation Club villas. The sleek, crescent-shaped design is both an homage to and an evolution of the original tower, linked by a sky bridge to the amenities of the Grand Canyon Concourse. Tower Guests enjoy their own recreation facilities, including Bay Cove Pool, a children's interactive water play area, shuffleboard courts and a barbeque pavilion. One of its most unique offerings is the Top of the World Lounge, named for the club formerly located atop Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Its observation deck on the top floor allows of all four Walt Disney World theme parks, including Magic Kingdom Park, located just across the street.

Also this week in Disney history:

Aug. 2

1999 - The Disney Wonder cruise ship arrives at Port Canaveral from Italy

2001 - Soundstage 2 at The Walt Disney Studios in Burbank is renamed the Julie Andrews Stage

2002 - Touchstone Pictures releases “Signs”

Aug. 3

1935 - “Mickey’s Fire Brigade” (Mickey Mouse cartoon short) debuts

1988 - The Walt Disney Company and French leaders host the groundbreaking ceremony for the Disneyland Paris Resort

2001 - Walt Disney Pictures releases “The Princess Diaries”

Aug. 4

1995 - Leaders preside over the ground-breaking of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park 

Aug. 5

1955 - The “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” exhibit opens at Disneyland Park

1967 - Adventure thru Inner Space opens at Disneyland Park

1992 - The 400 millionth Guest visits the Walt Disney World Resort

1992 - The Walt Disney Story closes at Magic Kingdom Park

2011 - “Phineas and Ferb: Across the 2nd Dimension” premieres on Disney Channel

Aug. 6

1996 - Rainforest Café officially opens at the Downtown Disney Marketplace

2003 - Walt Disney Pictures releases a remake of “Freaky Friday”

Aug. 7

1992 - Touchstone Pictures releases “3 Ninjas”

2004 - The world premiere of Walt Disney Pictures’ “The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement” is held at AMC Downtown Disney 12 at the Disneyland Resort

Aug. 8

1952 - The special cartoon “The Little House” debuts

2001 - “The Wayne Brady Show” debuts on ABC

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

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