This Week in Disney History: July 19-25, 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:

July 21, 1999 - The first Disney's FASTPASS is given out at Kilimanjaro Safaris

Disney's FASTPASS officially debuted on July 21, 1999 at Kilimanjaro Safaris, making it one of the very first Disney attractions in the world to offer this service. Replaced by the newer FastPass+ service just a few years ago, Disney's FASTPASS saved your spot in line at some of Disney's most popular attractions, allowing guests to spend more time enjoying the park - shopping, dining, watching shows - or even riding a ride while you're technically waiting for another ride.

That year also saw Disney's FASTPASS debut at Disneyland Park, where "it's a small world" issued the first ticket on Nov. 19.

Also this week in Disney history: 

July 19

1940  -  The Donald Duck animated short "Put-Put Troubles" debuts

1946  -  The Pluto animated short "The Purloined Pup" debuts

1950  -  Walt Disney Pictures releases Treasure Island, the first all-live-action Disney film, and the first Disney film produced in England

     

July 20

1951  -  The Donald Duck animated short "Lucky Number" debuts 

1985  -  The 200,000,000th Guest visits the Walt Disney World Resort

     

July 21

1939  -  The Mickey Mouse animated short "The Pointer" debuts

1950  -  The Pluto animated short "Pests of the West" debuts 

1986  -  Disney leaders announce plans for Pleasure Island at Walt Disney World

1999  -  The first Disney's FASTPASS is given out at Kilimanjaro Safaris

     

July 22

1955  -  Rocket to the Moon opens at Disneyland Park

1955  -  Candy Palace opens on Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland Park

1994  -  The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror officially opens at the Disney-MGM Studios

     

July 23

1956  -  Junior Autopia opens at Disneyland Park

1965  -  Mapo, a division of Walt Disney Imagineering, is incorporated

1999  -  Walt Disney Pictures releases Inspector Gadget 

     

July 24

1942  -  The Donald Duck animated short "Donald's Gold Mine" debuts

1966  -  New Orleans Square is dedicated at Disneyland Park

1985  -  Walt Disney Pictures releases The Black Cauldron

2000  -  The Disneyland Resort parking garage opens

     

July 25

1936  -  The Mickey Mouse animated short "Alpine Climbers" debuts

1996  -  Rainforest Cafe soft-opens for Guests at the Downtown Disney Marketplace (now Disney Springs)

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