This Week in Disney History: April 5-11, 2020

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 6, 2007 - Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros opens at Epcot

¡Hola, mi amigo! Bienvenidos to the Mexico pavilion, where you’re invited on a twilight cruise to experience the beautiful sights and culture of America’s neighbors to the south. Jose Carioca and Panchito, two-thirds of the Three Caballeros (first introduced in Disney’s 1942 animated feature “Saludos Amigos,”) are there to lead you to their concert tonight - but they need to find their missing member, Donald Duck.

Watch closely for the frequently frustrated fowl as you float down the Rio Grande, passing the Mayan pyramid at Chichen Itza or gazing upon cliff divers in Acapulco. The attraction originally opened with the pavilion in 1982 as El Rio de Tiempo, and the 2007 update interspersed new animation inspired by the feathered trio’s full-length 1944 feature, “The Three Caballeros.” The restaurant boats float past is the San Angel Inn, a 17th century-styled hacienda featuring authentic Mexican food.

Also this week in Disney history:

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

1998 - The Enchanted Tiki Room (Under New Management) opens at Magic Kingdom Park

1999 - The Studio Costuming Company, a costume issue building for Disney’s Hollywood Studios Cast, opens

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 Disney Channel

1998 - The new Walt Disney Studios Animation Florida building at Disney’s Hollywood Studios opens
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

1995 - Walt Disney Pictures releases “A Goofy Movie”

1997 - The original run of “Captain EO” ends at Disneyland Park

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

2006 - Expedition Everest opens at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

2011 - Groundbreaking takes place for Shanghai Disney Resort in China

April 8

1973 - The Walt Disney Story opens at Disneyland Park

1974 - Treasure Island 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

April 9

1961 - Walt Disney dedicates the grotto and wishing well adjacent to Sleeping Beauty Castle, with donations benefitting children’s charities worldwide
2005 – Space Mountain: Mission 2 debuts at Disneyland Paris

April 10

1930 - “The Barnyard Concert” (Mickey Mouse cartoon short) debuts

1988 - “America Sings”closes at Disneyland Park

1992 - Walt Disney Pictures releases “Newsies”

April 11

1997 - Hollywood Pictures releases “Grosse Point Blank”

2003 - The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh opens at Disneyland Park

2003 - “Playhouse Disney - Live on Stage!”opens at Disney California Adventure Park

2009 - Yamabuki, a Japanese restaurant, closes at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel

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