1969:
During a press conference at the Ramada Inn on Highway 50 in Ocoee, Florida (a little
suburb on the outskirts of Orlando), Donn B. Tatum (president of Walt Disney World
Co.) details the more than 3 years of planning for a "Destination Vacation". It has been two
years since special legislation was passed to allow Disney to build its Florida project, and now the Disney
Company has rented out the entire Ramada Inn for Walt Disney World's official first press event. A large circus tent
outside the hotel is filled with models and artist renderings of Walt Disney World for this three-day gala. Among the
Disney officials in attendance is Walt's brother Roy O. Disney and Disney publicist Charlie Ridgway. A 16-mm 17-
minute film titled Walt Disney World - Phase 1 is screened at the Parkwood Cinema Theater. It shows the master
plan and artists' depictions for a theme park (which will open in 1971).
On this same day, RCA releases a press kit to the media explaining their role in the
creation of Disney World. RCA is set to create and produce the computer and communications infrastructure
for the entire Disney World project. The system, named WEDCOMM--Walter E. Disney Communications Oriented
Monitoring and Management System, will establish the first 21st Century information-communications system as a
total service for guests, residents and management. The system will link computers, telephones, automatic
monitoring and control devices, mobile communications and television in a multi-faceted network capable of
expansion as growth demands. (The ambitious plan will vanish quickly, at least from public view, when RCA sells
its computer division to Sperry Univac in 1970.)
1789:
George Washington, standing on the balcony of Federal Hall on Wall
Street in New York, takes his oath of office as the very first President of
the United States. (At this time the capital is located in New York City.) At Disney World's
Hall of Presidents, Washington is one of three A-100 model Audio-Animatronic figures - a line of
the most advanced, lifelike, and expressive human figures WDI has ever built!
2004:
ABC-TV airs the George Lopez episode, "George Goes to Disneyland." Viewers keep track of hidden Mickeys during the 30-minute show for a special "Mousehunt" contest.
1923:
Actor Al Lewis is born in New York. Famously known as Grandpa from the hit 1960s television series The Munsters, Lewis appeared in Disney's 1970 live-action film The Boatniks as Bert.
1926:
Actress Cloris Leachman, Nurse Spex in Disney's 2005 live-action feature Sky High, is born
in Des Moines, Iowa. Her Disney credits include The North Avenue Irregulars (1979) as Claire Porter, Herbie Goes
Bananas (1980) as Aunt Louise, and a 2009 episode of Phineas and Ferb. Leachman also co-starred in the short-lived
Touchstone/Disney sitcom The Nutt House as Ms. Frick. (An eight-time Emmy Award winner, Leachman is best known for
her roles on the classic TV sitcom The Mary Tyler Moore Show and later the spinoff series, Phyllis.)
1928:
Disney's Oswald the Lucky Rabbit black & white silent short Ozzie
of the Mounted is released through Universal Pictures.
1939:
The New York World's Fair, "Building the World of Tomorrow," opens in Flushing Meadows. Disney is represented by a specially commissioned Mickey Mouse cartoon, Mickey's Surprise Party, developed for and
donated to the Nabisco Pavilion. The following August, the Nabisco Pavilion will also help host "Donald Duck Day" at the
Fair. (The World's Fair of 1964-65 will take place at this same location.)
1948:
Disney's Pluto short The Bone Bandit, directed by Charles Nichols, is released.
1958:
The Disneyland TV series airs episode 98 - "An Adventure in Art," paying tribute to all artists including some of Disney's staff.
1961:
The TV series Walt Disney Presents airs "Flash, the Teenage Otter."
Filmed almost entirely at a Wisconsin game preserve, it is based on a book by Emil Liers about the early life
and adventures of two otters. Flash and Fleta, are part of a close-knit otter family. But upon reaching their
rebellious teen years, Flash strikes out on his own, experiencing all manner of exciting and life-threatening
exploits ... especially when coming in contact with that predatory species known as Man!
1982:
Actress Kirsten Dunst, who appeared in the 1997 TV movie Tower of Terror (inspired by
the theme park attraction) is born in Point Pleasant, New Jersey. (Spider-Man fans will know
Dunst for her role of Mary Jane Watson.)
1989:
The Magical World of Disney airs the 2-hour TV special "The Disney-MGM Studios
Theme Park Grand Opening" the night before the park's actual grand debut.
Hosted by John Ritter, the program features such TV stars as Harry Anderson, Stefanie Powers, Kate Jackson,
Rue McClanahan, Ann Miller, Tony Randall and Hollywood legend George Burns. The show opens with a big
musical number starring singer Smokey Robinson, as he and numerous dancers make their way down Hollywood
Boulevard. The closing dance number "Hooray for Hollywood" will win an Emmy for Best Choreography!
1995:
At Disneyland's Fantasyland, the Beauty and the Beast stage show closes.
2000:
The L.A. Times reports that Walt Disney World has disbanded its marching band,
a Magic Kingdom fixture for nearly 30 years. The band's 18 musicians, dressed in
signature red coats, white pants and plumed hats, were abruptly fired last week.
They will be replaced by smaller musical groups throughout the Florida park.
2002:
At Epcot, singer Eddie Money performs 3 shows as part of the Flower Power concert
series at America Gardens Theatre. (He will appear through May 2.)
Monsters, Inc. is among the winners for Top Box Office Films at the ASCAP
Film and Television Music Awards, held in California.
1976:
His work ranged from the 1935 Mickey's Service Station to the
1977 The Rescuers.
"All of us in the Disney
organization who have come to Florida over the last several
years can't say enough about the warm and enthusiastic
welcome we have received here."
- Roy O. Disney, Walt Disney World Press Conference,
This Day in Disney History 1969
In April 2012, Walt Disney World's
Cinderella Castle was named one of the
Top 100 Buildings in Florida by The Florida
Association of the American Institute of
Architects (AIA Florida) as a part of their
"Florida Architecture: 100 Years. 100
Places." celebration for the organization's
100-year anniversary.
The landmark icon
was also named
Top Building in
the Recreational
Architecture
category.
2007:
Legendary comedian Don Rickles appears at the Dolphin Hotel at Disney World in
Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Rickles is the voice of Mr. Potato Head in Disney/Pixar's Toy Story films and
the voice of William in Disney World's Enchanted Tiki Room attraction.)
Starting on this day, Disneyland Resort tickets can be purchased online and printed
at home.
Veteran comedic actor Tom Poston passes away in Los Angeles at age 85.
Best known for his role on the series Newhart, Poston's Disney credits include The Suite Life of Zack & Cody and
the film Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement. Married to actress Suzanne Pleshette, Poston's handprints are
on display in front of Hollywood Hills Amphitheater at Disney's Hollywood Studios.
2003:
The ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards are presented at the Beverly Hilton in
Los Angeles, California. Among the winners for Top Box Office Films is Lilo & Stitch.
2008:
The Newport Beach Film Festival holds a special event - "An Evening of Disney Rarities" featuring rarely seen Disney animated shorts and experimental films with commentary by Roy E. Disney, Don Hahn and Dave Bossert (the Creative Director for Special Projects at Disney Animation).
The Jonas Brothers take a spin on "Toy Story Mania!" - the newest attraction at Disney's Hollywood Studios. The trio are on property taking part in the "Disney Channel Games," a made-for-TV, Olympic-style event that will be shown on Disney Channel in summer 2008.
APRIL 30
APRIL 30
THIS DAY MADE IN THE USA
Today is National Honesty Day
In observance of Washington's inauguration
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A
P
R
"He left the studio in 1976 and moved north to San Francisco where his children were. He was sort of my
muse. Once a year I would go up there and spend an afternoon with him. Socially, he was wonderful. He gave
me all the time I needed. I would show him drawings and he didn't tear me apart. I think that was a bit
different than when he was at the studio where when he saw things he didn't like he would really chew
people up." -animator Andreas Deja on Milt Kahl
1952:
Mr. Potato Head is first widely introduced to the public when it becomes the first toy ever
advertised on television. Over one million kits will be sold in the first year! Originally invented by George Lerner in
1949, Mr. Potato Head was sold to Henry and Merrill Hassenfeld in 1951 (the creators of the toy company Hasbro). In
1995 Mr. Potato Head made his Hollywood debut with a leading role in the Disney/Pixar animated feature Toy Story
(which boosted his popularity and brought him to the attention of many who had forgotten his special appeal).
Father of His Country
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Milt Kahl retires
Disney’s BoardWalk Inn was the first hotel in Florida to receive the state’s Green Lodging designation in 2004. Since then, WDW's other 22 hotels have also received the designation, culminating with Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resort in April 2008. Launched in 2004 by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Florida Green Lodging Program establishes environmental guidelines for hotels & motels to conserve natural resources & prevent pollution.
1931:
The Disney Studio completes the Mickey Mouse short titled The Moose Hunt. It is the
first cartoon in which Pluto is named Pluto. To be released in May 1931, the short also contains Pluto's first
spoken line in a cartoon: "Kiss Me" (voiced by Pinto Colvig).
2011:
After 15 years at Walt Disney World, the Beatles tribute band British Invasion
perform their last show at Epcot.
2012:
The new animated series, Motorcity premieres on Disney XD. The action–packed series is set
in a futuristic Detroit after it has been bought and transformed into "Detroit Deluxe" by a nasty billionaire named
Abraham Kane. The wealthy tyrant plans to ban cars and cut down on personal freedoms!
This Day in Disney History - THE FIRST - THE ORIGINAL
Traveling in time since 1999!
