The Disney Look... to the Past! (December 6-12)

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: December 6-12

Making movies in Disneyland

Only a handful of films include scenes filmed in Disneyland Park, among them the 1962 comedy “40 Pounds of Trouble” with Tony Curtis and 1996’s “That Thing You Do,” which was written and directed by Tom Hanks. Coincidentally, the upcoming “Saving Mr. Banks,” which also has scenes shot in Disneyland, stars Hanks as Walt Disney. “40 Pounds of Trouble” was the first film allowed to shoot inside Disneyland. In it, Tony Curtis plays a Nevada casino manager who must take care of a cute but mischievous 8-year-old girl (played by Claire Wilcox) and winds up on a wild chase through Disneyland. In “That Thing You Do,” the bass player of a small-town band that hits the big time in 1964 runs off to join the Marines. As the band frantically searches for him, the scene cuts to him fulfilling his last wish: riding the Matterhorn Bobsleds.

Did you know?

In November, the Brad Bird-directed “Tomorrowland” starring George Clooney filmed scenes inWalt Disney’s Carousel of Progress at Walt Disney World Resort. The movie is set to open May 2015.

Also this week in Disney History:

Dec. 6

1903 - Ruth Flora Disney (Walt’s sister) is born.

2012 - The Enchanted Forest opens as the second phase of New Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom Park, featuring The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure, Enchanted Tales with Belle, Be Our Guest Restaurant and Gaston’s Tavern

2012 - Test Track reopens at Epcot after a major refurbishment, introducing a new design center where Guests can create their test vehicles

Dec. 7

1941 - Japanese planes attack U.S. ships in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; the U.S. Army moves onto the Disney Studio lot in Burbank, Calif., in an effort to protect nearby military interests

1945 - “Canine Patrol” (Pluto cartoon short) debuts

1986 - The Disney Channel begins 24-hour programming

Dec. 8

1944 - “Donald’s Off Day” (Donald Duck cartoon short) debuts

1989 - Monorail Blue becomes the first operational Mark VI monorail train at the Walt Disney World Resort

2006 - Touchstone Pictures releases “Apocalypto”

Dec. 9

1931 - “Mickey’s Orphans” (Mickey Mouse cartoon short) debuts

1973 - Pack Mules Thru Nature’s Wonderland closes at Disneyland Park 

1992 - The National Hockey League grants Disney an expansion franchise (would become the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim) 

2010 - The Disney Dreamis officially turned over from its builder, Meyer Werft, to Disney Cruise Line at a ceremony in Bremerhaven, Germany

Dec. 10

1937 - “Donald’s Ostrich” (cartoon short) debuts 

1993 - Living with the Land opens at Epcot (changing from "listen to the Land")

2000 - Safari Village, a land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, becomes Discovery Island

Dec. 11

2009 - Walt Disney Pictures releases “The Princess and the Frog”

Dec. 12

1952 - “How to Be a Detective” (Goofy cartoon short) debuts

2000 - The Disneyland Pacific Hotel is renamed Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel

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

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