This Week in Disney History: August 2-8, 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:

Aug. 4, 2009 - Bay Lake Tower opens at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Opening with the Walt Disney World Resort in 1971, the A-frame design of Disney's Contemporary Resort stands among the most iconic pieces of Disney architecture. It was joined by another modern classic when Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort welcomed home the first Members into its 295 two-bedroom equivalent Disney Vacation Club villas.

The sleek, crescent-shaped design is both an homage to and an evolution of the original tower, linked by a sky bridge to the amenities of the Grand Canyon Concourse. Tower Guests enjoy their own recreation facilities, including Bay Cove Pool, a children's interactive water play area, shuffleboard courts and a barbecue pavilion. One of its most unique offerings is the Top of the World Lounge, named for the club formerly located atop Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Its observation deck on the top floor allows of all four Walt Disney World theme parks, including Magic Kingdom Park, located just across the street.

Also this week in Disney history:

Aug. 2

1999 - The Disney Wonder cruise ship arrives at Port Canaveral from Italy

2001 - Soundstage 2 at The Walt Disney Studios in Burbank is renamed the Julie Andrews Stage

2002 - Touchstone Pictures releases “Signs”

Aug. 3

1935 - “Mickey’s Fire Brigade” (Mickey Mouse cartoon short) debuts

1988 - The Walt Disney Company and French leaders host the groundbreaking ceremony for the Disneyland Paris Resort

2001 - Walt Disney Pictures releases “The Princess Diaries”

Aug. 4

1995 - Leaders preside over the ground-breaking of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park 

Aug. 5

1955 - The “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” exhibit opens at Disneyland Park

1967 - Adventure thru Inner Space opens at Disneyland Park

1992 - The 400 millionth Guest visits the Walt Disney World Resort

1992 - The Walt Disney Story closes at Magic Kingdom Park

2011 - “Phineas and Ferb: Across the 2nd Dimension” premieres on Disney Channel

Aug. 6

1996 - Rainforest Café officially opens at the Downtown Disney Marketplace

2003 - Walt Disney Pictures releases a remake of “Freaky Friday”

Aug. 7

1992 - Touchstone Pictures releases “3 Ninjas”

2004 - The world premiere of Walt Disney Pictures’ “The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement” is held at AMC Downtown Disney 12 at the Disneyland Resort

Aug. 8

1952 - The special cartoon “The Little House” debuts

2001 - “The Wayne Brady Show” debuts on ABC

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