2005:
Disney releases 4 live-action features from the past to DVD. They include the 1966 Lt. Robin Crusoe, the 1967 The Adventures Of Bullwhip Griffin, and the 1971 films The Barefoot Executive and Million Dollar Duck.
1987:
The Wonderful World of Disney airs "Bride of Boogedy" - about a family of practical jokers who are haunted by a ghost.
1992:
The Euro Disney Resort, featuring the Euro Disneyland park, opens in France,
east of Paris. Inaugural ceremonies are broadcast to the entire continent by five
national networks. Although 500,000 visitors are expected, only 50,000 are admitted because of protests
from French people who fear their culture will be damaged by Euro Disney. Power cables are vandalized by
French citizens, which black out the road signs to Disneyland on the motorway. Euro Disney
also premieres its 5 hotels (Hotel Cheyenne, Santa Fe, Newport Bay Club, Hotel New York and Disneyland
Hotel) and a campground - Davy Crockett Ranch - located several miles away from the main resort area.
1993:
One year after its opening, Euro Disneyland welcomes its 10.5-millionth guest.
1996:
Disney's claymation and live action movie,
James and the Giant Peach (featuring the voices of Paul Terry, Richard Dreyfuss and Susan Sarandon) is released in U.S. theaters. It is based on the story by Roald Dahl (author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.)
1997:
Carl Barks - the genius behind the creation of Scrooge McDuck and the cartoonist who drew the comic book version of Donald Duck - celebrates his 96th birthday at a special weekend
event at Walt Disney World.
1995:
In Florida, the Polynesian's Papeete Bay Verandah, opened since 1971,
becomes the 'Ohana restaurant - featuring the world's largest fire pit.
The Los Angeles production of Beauty and the Beast opens at the Shubert
Theatre. Most of the Original Broadway Cast including Susan Egan, Terrence
Mann, Gary Beach, Beth Fowler, Burke Moses & Tom Bosley reprise their
roles for the production.
2007:
Hilton Hotels Corp. breaks ground for a resort development adjacent to Walt Disney World Resort.
1907:
Bernhard August "Hardie" Gramatky, Jr., one of the great American watercolorists
(as well as an author & illustrator), is born in Dallas, Texas. He will start his career in animation working at Disney from 1929-1936. Gramatky will be best known for his classic children's book, Little Toot. Nine years after it is first published, Little Toot will be animated by the Disney Studio and be included as one of the seven musical segments in the feature Melody Time.
1964:
At the soon-to-be-open World's Fair in New York, Walt Disney, Henry Ford Jr., and
Robert Moses (president of the New York World's Fair Corporation) visit the Ford
Pavilion. The three are photographed by the press riding the "Magic Skyway."
"In those days, there was a very small group. We would do the story at night with Walt clowning around, acting like crazy, and in the daytime we did the animation." -Hardie Gramatky
1926:
Actress Jane Withers, best known for being one of the most popular child film stars of the 1930s and early 1940s, is born in Atlanta, Georgia. She is one of the voices of Laverne the
gargoyle for Disney's 1996 The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Actress Mary Wickes is also the voice of Laverne, but
sadly passed away during production. Withers provided the remaining dialogue, and later the voice for Laverne in
The Hunchback of Notre Dame II.
1946:
Disney's short Pluto's Kid Brother is released.
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APRIL 12
APRIL 12
THIS DAY MADE IN THE USA
Lt. Robin Crusoe is the only movie for which Walt Disney received a story credit (as Retlaw Yensid - Walter Disney spelled backward).
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2009:
Disney World's newest attraction Characters in Flight, a tethered helium filled balloon ride (operated by Aerophile - a company specializing in tethered helium balloons) continues its "soft opening" at Downtown Disney. The balloon, which can hold up to 30 guests (depending on weather conditions), rises 400 feet above Disney World for a breathtaking view.
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Euro Disneyland opens
