This Week in Disney History: April 2-8

There’s always a great, big, beautiful tomorrow at The Walt Disney Company, because every day is tied to a milestone in the heritage and rich history of a company that has been entertaining millions of people every year. Published every week, this interesting series features highlights from all the divisions of The Walt Disney Company. Let's see what happened this week:

April 5: A big night at the Oscars

Premiering at Grauman’s Chinese Theater on Aug. 27, 1964, “Mary Poppins” is based on characters created by P.L. Travers. This week in Disney history, the Walt Disney Studios’ most successful feature at the time garnered five Oscars at the 37th Academy Awards on April 5, 1965, for Best Actress (Julie Andrews); Best Song (“Chim Chim Cher-ee” by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman); Best Music Score (Richard M. Sherman, Robert B. Sherman); Best Film Editing (Cotton Warburton); and Best Special Visual Effects (Peter Ellenshaw, Eustace Lycett, and Hamilton Luske). A special Scientific award was given to Petro Vlahos, Wadsworth E. Pohl, and Ub Iwerks for the creation and application to use of Color Traveling Matte Composite Cinematography, which helped make possible the combination of live action with animated actors in the film. What wonder awaits moviegoers as “Mary Poppins Returns” this Christmas 2018?

April 2

1928 – “Sagebrush Sadie,” an Oswald the Lucky Rabbit cartoon is released

1940 – Walt Disney Productions becomes a publically traded company, offering stock for the first time

1943 – Pluto cartoon “Private Pluto” is released, including the first appearance of the as yet unnamed Chip and Dale

1954 – Walt Disney announces plans for Disneyland Park and the “Disneyland” television show

2004 – Disney releases the animated feature “Home on the Range”

2007 – Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor opens at Magic Kingdom Park

April 3

1994 – Disney Legend Frank G. Wells, former president of The Walt Disney Company, dies in a helicopter accident in Nevada. A building at The Walt Disney Studios is dedicated in his memory in 1997

April 4

1927 – The Alice comedy, “Alice’s Auto Race,” is released

1952 – “Man’s Best Friend” Goofy cartoon is released

1994 – Michael Eisner assumes the presidency of The Walt Disney Company following Frank Wells’ death

2010 – Television comedy series “Good Luck Charlie” premieres on The Disney Channel

2011 – House of Good Fortune, a shop selling authentic Chinese merchandise at the China pavilion at Epcot, opens

2014 – Marvel’s “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” film is released

April 5

1940 – Donald Duck cartoon “Donald’s Dog Laundry,” is released

1956 – Crane Company Bathroom of Tomorrow display debuts in Tomorrowland at Disneyland  Park

through Aug. 31, 1960

1965 – “Mary Poppins” wins five Oscars at the 37th Academy Awards, including Best Actress honors

for Julie Andrews

1986 – The 10-hour miniseries “Return to Treasure Island” premieres on The Disney Channel

2002 – “Tru Confessions,” a Disney Channel Original Movie, premieres

2006 – Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique opens in Downtown Disney (now Disney Springs) at the Walt Disney World Resort

2012 – Television drama series “Scandal” debuts on ABC

April 6

1990 – Blue Ribbon Bakery opens at Disneyland Park

1991 –”Darkwing Duck” debuts on The Disney Channel

1998 – The new Walt Disney Studios Animation Florida building at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is dedicated

2007 – Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros opens in the Mexico pavilion at Epcot

April 7

1939 – Disney’s final Silly Symphony cartoon, “The Ugly Duckling,” debuts

1983 – The 150 millionth Guest visits the Walt Disney World Resort

2001 – “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire – Play It!” opens at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

2006 – Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain opens at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

2011 – Groundbreaking takes place for the Shanghai Disney Resort in China

April 8

1973 – The Walt Disney Story opens at Disneyland Park

1974 – Treasure Island, a nature preserve in Bay Lake (later Discovery Island) opens at the Walt Disney World Resort

2005 – “Disney’s Kim Possible Movie: So the Drama” debuts on The Disney Channel

2006 – Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast opens at Disneyland Paris

PHOTO: © 2018 The Walt Disney Company. All Rights Reserved.