The Disney Look... to the Past! (August 23-29)

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: Aug. 23 - 29

Aug. 24, 1956 - Omnibus opens at Disneyland Park

The Main Street Vehicles have been a mainstay on Main Street, U.S.A. since Disneyland first opened its gates in 1955. Based on popular vehicles in the early 1900s, these horse-drawn and motorized vehicles not only transport Guests through town, but also help establish the era and story of Main Street, U.S.A. Summer of 1956 saw the introduction of the Omnibus, a double-decker bus painted in British racing green. Inspired by the big buses that toured New York's Fifth Avenue in the 1920s, the Omnibus seats up to 45 passengers. Today, Guests can sit on the upper level of the Omnibus to enjoy one of the best and most unusual perspectives on Main Street, U.S.A.

Aug. 29, 1964 - Walt Disney Pictures releases "Mary Poppins"

A magical English nanny, Mary Poppins, arrives at the home of Mr. and Mrs. George Banks, facing the park at No. 17, Cherry Tree Lane in London, to the delight of their young children, Jane and Michael. The proper English father is preoccupied with his job at the bank; the mother, an ardent suffragette, is not really aware that their two children are unhappy. Mary Poppins has come to change all of this and soon has everyone wrapped around her finger. Mary, along with her friend Bert and a host of chimney sweeps, teaches the children how to have fun. This famed Disney masterwork features Julie Andrews (Mary Poppins) and Dick Van Dyke (Bert) and is set to a delightful musical score provided by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences gave the film 13 nominations from which it won five Oscars for Best Actress (Julie Andrews), Best Song ("Chim Chim Cher-ee"), Best Music Score (the Sherman Brothers), Best Film Editing (Cotton Warburton) and Best Special Visual Effects (Peter Ellenshaw, Eustace Lycett and Hamilton Luske). The entire film was shot on soundstages at the Disney Studio in Burbank. The film is based on the popular book written by P.L. Travers.

Also this week in Disney history:

Aug. 23

1955 - The Surrey (a Main Street vehicle) debuts at Disneyland Park

1985 - Meadow Recreation Complex opens at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground 

1999 - Hollywood Scoops, an ice cream shop, opens at Disney's Hollywood Studios

Aug. 24

1942 - The animated film "Saludos Amigos" world premieres in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

2002 - Disney California Adventure Park hosts the first ABC Primetime Preview Weekend

Aug. 25

1985 - Disneyland Park welcomes its 250 millionth Guest

1989 - Leaders dedicate The Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular at Disney's Hollywood Studios

Aug. 26

1949 - "Tennis Racquet" (Goofy cartoon short) debuts

2009 - The keel laying ceremony for the Disney Dream cruise ship is held in Papenburg, Germany

Aug. 27

1958 - Fire Engine opens at Disneyland Park 

1964 - "Mary Poppins" debuts at Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood, Calif.

1995 - Aladdin's Royal Caravan closes at Disney's Hollywood Studios

2008 - Jostens Center fieldhouse opens at ESPN Wide World of Sports

Aug. 28

1929 - The animated short "Mickey's Follies" (featuring the song "Minnie's Yoo Hoo") debuts

1966 - "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" movie set exhibit closes at Disneyland Park

1995 - The Pleasure Island Hess station opens at the Walt Disney World Resort

2003 - Lucky the Dinosaur debuts at Disney California Adventure Park

Aug. 29

1955 - The Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship and Restaurant opens at Disneyland Park

1998 - "Brink," a Disney Channel original movie, debuts

2011 - Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, opens in Hawai'i

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

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