This Week in Disney History: May 24-31, 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:

This week: Seven Dwarfs Mine Train opened at Walt Disney World Resort on May 28, 2014 in Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom Park. Inspired by the Dwarfs’ diamond mine in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937), the innovative ride system features five-car trains designed to swing independently from side to side as they move along the track.

Also this week in Disney history:

May 24

1968 — President Lyndon B. Johnson presents a Congressional Gold Medal to Lillian Disney, commemorating Walt Disney's “distinguished public service and outstanding contributions to the United States and to the world” 

2004 — Toontown Online, a new internet multiplayer game from Disney Interactive, debuts

May 25

1983 — Pinocchio's Daring Journey opens at Disneyland Park

2007 — Walt Disney Pictures releases “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End” 

2007 — Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island opens at Disneyland Park

2011 — Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar and Tangaroa Terrace open at the Disneyland Hotel

2012 — The nighttime street celebration Mad T Party debuts at Disney California Adventure Park

May 26

1986 — Spaceship Earth reopens at Epcot featuring a new narration by Walter Cronkite

1990 — Mickey's Starland (formerly Mickey's Birthdayland) opens at Magic Kingdom Park

2006 — Disney-Pixar's “Cars” premieres at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte, N.C.

May 27 

1933 – The Silly Symphony short “Three Little Pigs” debuts

1948 – Walt Disney Pictures releases “Melody Time” 

1977 – Space Mountain opens at Disneyland Park

1985 – Epcot hosts the Presidential Inaugural Parade for Ronald Reagan

1995 – Casey’s Corner opens at Magic Kingdom Park

2011 – Mickey’s Soundsational Parade debuts at Disneyland Park

2016 – Tiffins restaurant and Nomad Lounge open in Discovery Island at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

2016 – “Frozen­ – Live at the Hyperion” stage production opens at the Hyperion Theater in Disney California Adventure Park

2017– Pandora – The World of Avatar open at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park with two attractions – Na’vi River Journey and Avatar Flight of Passage – dining at Satu’li Canteen, beverages at Pongu Pongu and shopping at Windtraders

2017 – Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! attraction opens at Disney California Adventure Park

May 28

1960 – The Art of Animation Tomorrowland display debuts in Disneyland, showing the history and development of animation and utilizing elements from Sleeping Beauty to explain the animation process.

1966 – “it’s a small world” attraction opens at Disneyland Park, having been moved from the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair

1994 – Disney's Wilderness Lodge opens at the Walt Disney World Resort

1999 – The Main Street Electrical Parade returns to Magic Kingdom Park

2014 – Seven Dwarfs Mine Train attraction opens in Magic Kingdom Park

May 29

1990 – The Sorcery in the Sky fireworks show debuts at Disney's Hollywood Studios

1991 – Tokyo Disneyland welcomes its 100 millionth guest

1992 – Touchstone Pictures releases “Sister Act” 

2009 – Disney•Pixar releases Up in the U.S.

2011 – A new pool area featuring Monorail-themed water slides opens at the Disneyland Hotel

May 30

1936 – “Thru the Mirror” (Mickey Mouse cartoon short) debuts

1953 – “Don’s Fountain of Youth” (Donald Duck cartoon short) debuts

1967 – Groundbreaking is held for the construction of the Walt Disney World Resort

2003 – Disney•Pixar releases Finding Nemo

2013 – L’Artisan des Glaces ice cream shop opens in the France pavilion in Epcot

2014 – Walt Disney Pictures releases Maleficent

May 31

2008 – A Buzz Lightyear action figure joins the crew of space shuttle Discovery mission STS-124, blasting off to the International Space Station

2008 – Pixar Place opens at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, featuring Toy Story Midway Mania, Hey Howdy Hey Take Away, and the Toy Story Dept. Shop

2019 – Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge officially opens at Disneyland

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