MAR 03 Disney History

2007:

Kathryn Beaumont, the original voice of Wendy, and Tinker Bell model Margaret Kerry join local celebrities to celebrate the March 6th Platinum Edition 2 disc DVD release of Peter Pan in London's Leicester Square.

1995:

The Indiana Jones Adventure, Temple of the Forbidden Eye attraction officially opens in Disneyland's Adventureland. In attendance for the attraction's debut is filmmaker George Lucas, Michael Eisner (who ironically was the president of Paramount Pictures that green-lighted Raiders of the Lost Ark back in 1980), and actors Dan Ayckroyd and Carrie Fisher. Based on the Indiana Jones films, guests are taken on an adventure in military transport vehicles through a lost temple with Indiana Jones. (It is one of the first Disney attractions that has a different experience each time guests ride.)

The Lion King becomes the top-selling home video of all time, selling over 30 million units domestically and surpassing the record set in 1994 by Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

1845:

Florida becomes the 27th state to join the United States of

America when President John Tyler (on the last day of his

administration) signs into law the act granting statehood to

Florida's 57,921 inhabitants.

2005:

Disneyland hosts a special evening event in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Indiana Jones Adventure attraction.

In celebration of the

Star Spangled Banner

(written by Francis Scott Key)

becoming the U. S. National Anthem

in 1931, today is ...

1906:

Don Novis, the Golden Horseshoe's Irish tenor, is born in East Sussex, England.

1937:

Bobby Driscoll, the voice of Peter Pan in the 1953 Disney classic, is born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He also appears in such live-action Disney features as the 1950 Treasure Island (playing the role of Jim Hawkins) and the 1946

Song of the South (as Johnny).

1963:

Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color airs "A Square Peg in a Round Hole."

1975:

Albert Fields, a member of the Disney Channel's

The All New Mickey Mouse Club, is born in Gary, Indiana.

1983:

The EPCOT attraction Journey Into Imagination debuts.

It will have its official opening 2 days later.

The Buena Vista Palace hotel opens at Lake Buena Vista at Walt Disney World.

1999:

Shania Twain's television special Winter Break airs, featuring Elton John as a guest. She sings "Amneris' Letter" (from Disney's Aida) with Elton John accompanying her on piano.

2000:

Mardi Gras 2000 takes over the Florida streets of

Downtown Disney's Pleasure Island for five nights of festivites.

2001:

The animated Disney's House of Mouse debuts the 7th episode

"Gone Goofy."

Disney's town of Celebration, Florida, hosts its first

annual Celebration Art Festival in the Market Street

shopping district. The two-day festival features artwork

from more than 200 local and national artists.

At the Producers Guild of America awards, the Kodak Vision Award in Theatrical Motion Pictures is presented to

Roy E. Disney (by actress Angela Lansbury) for Fantasia 2000.

2004:

Disney's Board of Directors hold their Annual Meeting of Shareholders at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia at 10 a.m. The meeting is available live via webcast at the Investor Relations' Web site. Roy Disney's speech includes these words:

"My Dad was quoted once as saying, It's easy to make decisions, once you know what your values are. Unfortunately, our corporate values have been compromised in recent years."

Hours after the meeting, the Board announces that Michael Eisner will be replaced as Chairman of the Board by Senator George J. Mitchell.