This Week in Disney History: January 6-12

Hello OTPN Readers, and welcome to the newest edition of the weekly feature known as "This Week in Disney History." This series highlights Disney milestones (both big and small) that occurred during this week in history. As always, we hope you will enjoy reading all of the following interesting facts about the Walt Disney Parks, Resorts, movies, and more. If you have any questions about this material, feel free to contact us or just leave a message at the end of this post. Now, let's go back in time... 

Jan. 7 

1931 – "The Birthday Party" (Mickey Mouse cartoon short) debuts

1933 – "Building a Building" (Mickey Mouse cartoon short) debuts

1992 – Voyage of the Little Mermaid opens at Disney's Hollywood Studios

2008 – Disney-MGM Studios is officially renamed Disney's Hollywood Studios

Jan. 8 

1936 – Walt Disney is inducted into the French Legion of Honor for his contributions to animation

1999 – Touchstone Pictures releases "A Civil Action" 

2004 – Disneyland Park welcomes its 500 millionth Guest

2012 – Disney Fantasy “floats out,” marking a significant construction milestone for the fourth ship of the Disney Cruise Line fleet

Jan. 9, 1937 – "Don Donald" (animated short) debuts, featuring Donald Duck and a character named Donna (who later became Daisy)

While in Mexico, Donald Duck meets the lovely Donna (later known as Daisy). At her request, he trades in his burro for a car that quickly gets the two ducks into trouble south of the border. This animated short marked the first appearance for Donna (Daisy) as Donald’s love interest.

Jan. 9 

1976 – Disneyana Shop opens on Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland Park

2012 – Over a dozen new songs are added to the Main Street, U.S.A. music loop at Disneyland Park, including “Meet Me in St. Louis, Louis,” “In the Good Old Summer Time,” and “Alexander’s Ragtime Band”

Jan. 10 

1930 – Roy E. Disney (Walt's nephew and company director emeritus) is born in Los Angeles, Calif. 

1932 – King Features begins syndication of Mickey Mouse and Silly Symphony comics in color

1982 – Walt Disney World Resort switches completely to passport-style admission tickets

1997 – Hollywood Pictures releases "Evita" 

2001 – Disneyland Paris welcomes its 100 millionth guest

Jan. 11, 1990 – International Gateway officially opens at Epcot

Sometimes referred to by Guests as the “secret entrance” to Epcot, International Gateway officially opened on this date in Disney history in 1990. The entrance flows along a flowering path and waterway beside France in World Showcase, and takes Guests, some of whom arrived by FriendShip boat, on a welcome journey into the theme park from the Disney BoardWalk Resort area.

Jan. 11 

1929 – The first Mickey Mouse Club meeting is held at the Fox Dome Theater in Ocean Park, Calif. 

1990 – International Gateway officially opens at Epcot 

2012 – Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe officially opens at Disneyland Park

Jan. 12 

2001 – The Downtown Disney District officially opens at the Disneyland Resort

2003 – Disney leaders preside over the groundbreaking ceremony of Hong Kong Disneyland

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