This Week in Disney History: August 13-19

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:

This week:

Mission: SPACE Attraction in Future World at Epcot, taking the place of Horizons, sponsored by Hewlett Packard. Opened August 15, 2003. Guests find themselves 40 years in the future, where spaceflight is routine for ordinary citizens. After a quick course in spaceflight at the ISTC (International Space Training Center), the trainees have a briefing on their training mission and embark for Mars. They experience the sensations and sounds of a shuttle launch, including high g-forces (using centrifuge technology). During the mission, the team encounters challenges and each team member has a task to perform. When they return to Earth, guests move on to interactive experiences in the Advanced Training Lab.

Aug. 13

1932 – “Mickey’s Nightmare” (Mickey Mouse cartoon short) debuts

1942 – Walt Disney Productions releases “Bambi” in the U.S.

1954 – The Donald Duck cartoon “Grin and Bear It” was released featuring Humphrey The Bear

1996 – Animated motion picture “Aladdin and the King of Thieves” was released exclusively on video

Aug. 14

1942 – “T-Bone for Two” (Pluto cartoon short) debuts

1987 – Touchstone film “Can’t Buy Me Love” was released

1998 – Air Bud: Golden Receiver was released by Buena Vista Home Entertainment

2007 – The world premiere of the Disney Channel Original Movie “High School Musical 2” is held at AMC Downtown Disney 12 at the Disneyland Resort

2009 – Studio Ghilbi animated feature film “Ponyo” was released in the United States by Disney

2017 – Tickets for the Disney Broadway Musical “Frozen” made available to the public

Aug. 15

1946 – Walt Disney Productions releases “Make Mine Music”

1999 – The Disney Wonder sets sail on its maiden voyage

2003 – Mission: SPACE opens for Guests at Epcot

2003 – The Cheetah Girls, a Disney Channel Original Movie, premiered on television

2012 – Walt Disney Pictures releases “The Odd Life of Timothy Green”

Aug. 16

1955 – Dumbo the Flying Elephant opened in Fantasyland at Disneyland.

1999 – “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” debuts on ABC

Aug. 17

1986 – Pixar Animation Studios releases its first short produced by the studio, “Luxo Jr.”

2007 – “High School Musical 2” debuts on Disney Channel, followed by a sneak preview of the new animated series “Phineas and Ferb”

Aug. 18

1931 – “Blue Rhythm,” a Mickey Mouse cartoon short, debuts

1956 – Carnation Plaza Gardens opens at Disneyland Park

1989 – The film “Cheetah” was released by Walt Disney Pictures

2011 – Disneyland Park hosts a tribute to Golden Horseshoe Saloon performers Wally Boag and Betty Taylor

Aug. 19

1933 – Silly Symphony cartoon “Lullaby Land” was released.

1938 – “The Whalers,” a Mickey cartoon short, debuts

1955 – “Bearly Asleep,” a Donald Duck cartoon short, debuts

2005 – “Valiant,” Computer-animated film produced by Vanguard Animation and Ealing Studios, was released

2011 – The second D23 Expo begins in Anaheim, California

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