The Disney Look... to the Past! (Aug. 30-Sept. 5)

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:
_________________________________________________________________________

This Week in Disney History: August 30 - September 5

Sept. 2, 1979 - Big Thunder Mountain Railroad opens at Disneyland Park

"Howdy, Partners, and welcome aboard Big Thunder Mountain Railroad." This greeting welcomed riders to the wildest ride in the wilderness, which immerses Guests in a sense of the drama and romance of the American West. The time and place is a 19th century gold mining company designed to evoke the thrill and excitement of a bygone era. With a look inspired by Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad took five years to plan and two years to build. The attraction opened as the third of four mountains in the Disneyland range. (The others are: Matterhorn Mountain, Space Mountain and Splash Mountain.) The unique shapes of the rock are called "hoodoos," which are formed when ice and rainwater wear away the weak limestone. The tallest spire on the mountain reaches 104 feet. The miniature town included in the attraction is called Big Thunder (formerly "Rainbow Ridge") and was originally part of the Rainbow Caverns Mine Train, an attraction that was part of Frontierland from 1956 to 1977. This colorful Old West town was a favorite of Walt Disney and was salvaged and incorporated into Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Similar attractions were later included at the Magic Kingdom, Tokyo Disneyland and Disneyland Paris.

September 4, 2001 - Tokyo DisneySea opens
Built adjacent to Tokyo Bay, the sister park to Tokyo Disneyland fittingly honors the spirit of exploration. Nautical themes tie together seven exotic "ports of call," beginning in Mediterranean Harbor, where Venetian gondola boats cruise canals and the windows of Tokyo DisneySea Hotel MiraCosta (also opened on this date) add lively energy - but the smoldering volcano Mount Prometheus across the water begs for a closer look. Gateway to Mysterious Island, it is home to the high-speed thrill ride Journey to the Center of the Earth. Escape and you can venture to the Lost River Delta, featuring the Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Crystal Skull, or discover the American Waterfront, whose New York Harbor features the Tower of Terror - created with a story-line separate from its California and Florida counterparts.

Also this week in Disney history:

Aug. 30

1940 - The animated short "Pluto's Dream House" debuts

1995 - Groundbreaking is held at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort

Aug. 31

1935 - The animated short "Pluto's Judgment Day" debuts

1938 - Walt and Roy O. Disney make a $10,000 deposit on 51 acres in Burbank, Calif. for a new studio

1948 - Walt Disney issues a memo outlining ideas for a "Mickey Mouse Park," which eventually developed into Disneyland Park

2009 - Disney announces its purchase of Marvel Entertainment

Sept. 1

1939 - The Donald Duck cartoon short "The Autograph Hound" debuts

2001 - River Country closes at Walt Disney World Resort

2007 - An updated version of the Circle-Vision 360 film "O Canada," starring Martin Short, officially opens at Epcot

Sept. 2

1933 - "Puppy Love" (Mickey Mouse & Pluto cartoon short) debuts

1959 - "How to Have an Accident at Work" (Donald Duck cartoon short) debuts

1985 - Adventure Thru Inner Space closes at Disneyland Park

1991 - Casting Center opens at the Disneyland Paris Resort

Sept. 3

1988 - "Live with Regis and Kathie Lee" debuts on television

2001 - The animated television series "Disney's The Legend of Tarzan" debuts

Sept. 4

1942 - "How to Play Baseball" (Goofy cartoon short) debuts

2001 - DisneyQuest in Chicago closes

2006 - Tower of Terror opens at Tokyo DisneySea

Sept. 5

1927 - The first Oswald the Lucky Rabbit cartoon short, "Trolley Troubles," debuts

1930 - The Mickey Mouse animated short "The Chain Gang" debuts, featuring a dog character who would eventually become Pluto

1966 - Flying Saucers close at Disneyland Park 

1994 - 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea closes at Magic Kingdom Park

1995 - Disney Ice (now Anaheim Ice), a public ice skating complex and training home of the Anaheim Ducks, opens

2001 - Touchstone Television's "The Amazing Race" debuts on CBS

_________________________________________________________________________

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.