This Day in Disney History: FEB 13

1998:

Animator Jules Engel, who worked on Disney's Fantasia, is awarded the "Friz" lifetime achievement award for animation at the 1998 Santa Clarita International Film Festival. Founder of the experimental-animation program at CalArts in 1970 (where he taught for over thirty years) Engel helped develop the cartoon character Mr. Magoo.

2004:

Disneyland hosts a Friday the 13th ceremony to light up the marque of the new Tower of Terror. The event, which includes a screaming contest, is hosted by comedian Gallagher.

(The new attraction will open in May.)

1957:

The Disneyland television series airs "Tricks of Our Trade."

1959:

The TV series Walt Disney Presents airs "Duck Flies Coop."

1965:

Disney's combination live-action and animated Freewayphobia, featuring Goofy, is released.

1976:

Animator John Lounsbery, one of Walt's original "Nine Old Men" who is still a studio employee, passes away at St. Joseph's Hospital in California (across from the Disney Studio). His work for Disney included Pinocchio, Dumbo, Melody Time, and Robin Hood.

On The Mike Douglas Show, Anita Bryant concludes her co-hosting duties from Florida's Walt Disney World. Her guests include Dean Jones, and five former Mouseketeers - Annette Funicello, Tommy Cole, Bobby Burgess, Cubby O'Brien and Darlene Gillespie Gammon. Also featured is a visit to the Polynesian Village for a luau and a fireworks display.

1985:

Mickey Mouse, accompanied by Disneyland's Ambassador, Melissa Taylor, begin a 30-day flight around the world, celebrating Disneyland's 30th anniversary.

1988:

Expo Robotics (located in CommuniCore West) debuts at

EPCOT's Future World.

1996:

Epcot's Test Track Preview Center opens.

1999:

Winnie the Pooh, a Valentine for You airs on ABC-TV.

Michael Weiss wins the men's national title at the U.S. Figure

Skating Championships, skating to music from Mulan.

2000:

As part of the 45th anniversary celebration, The Disneyland Resort introduces a new Pin Trading Program.

Also, the "45 Years of Magic Parade" has its first public preview at Disneyland. Two shows, one during the day and one at night, are performed. (The parade will make its official debut on February 18.)

2002:

It is announced at the Chandler Mansion set from "All My Children: in ABC Soap Opera Bistro" at Disney's California Adventure, that ABC Super Soap Weekends will take place in April 2002. There will be 3 weekends (much like the ones that for several years have taken place at the Disney-MGM Studios in Florida) devoted to popular daytime dramas aired on ABC-TV. Actor Walt Willey (who plays Jackson McGomery on "All My Children"), actresses Linda Dano (who portrays Ray Cummings on "One Life To Live") and Nancy Lee Grahn (who plays Alexis Davis on "General Hospital") all take part in the morning announcement.

1993:

Lumiere's Kitchen restaurant opens in Fantasyland at Disney World's Magic Kingdom.

FEBRUARY 13

Get your Disney tickets at Maple Leaf Tickets!

1973:

A Valentine Dance (sponosred by the WDW Recreation Club) is

held for Disney World Cast Members at the Contemporary

Hotel's Ballroom of the Americas.

2007:

Danielle Day and her family from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan spend

the night inside Cinderella Castle in the Magic Kingdom. The first

time Disney World visitors are the first Canadian family to ever win

a night's stay as part of the unique Disney Dreams Giveaway.

The total acreage of

Walt Disney World

is about

the same size

as the city of San Francisco!

FEBRUARY 13

FEB

1930:

Autumn, the third 4 seasons Symphony is released. It is

directed by Ub Iwerks and released through Columbia Pictures.

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2008:

Disney releases Discs of Tron on Xbox Live Arcade. The game, based on the 1982 film Tron, allows players to face off against the evil Sark.

Good Morning America broadcasts live on ABC from Castaway Cay (Disney's private island in the Bahamas) to feature the Acoba family from Port Orchard, Washington. They are the winners of the Castaway Cay for a day Year of a Million Dreams prize! (More than 3,500 families wrote to Good Morning America for a chance to win the one-of-a-kind vacation.)

Disneyland announces that it will soon open a new dwelling in Tomorrowland - this time in partnership with 21st century technology giants Microsoft Corp., Hewlett-Packard Co., software maker LifeWare and homebuilder Taylor Morrison. The 5,000-square-foot 'House of the Future' (scheduled to open in May) will look like a suburban tract home outside. But inside the $15 million Innoventions Dream Home will feature hardware, software and touch-screen systems that could simplify everyday living.

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