MAR 31 Disney History

2004:

After a $92 million expansion, the U.S. Army reopens its

military-only Walt Disney World resort Shades of Green.

1905:

Robert Stevenson, the only director to be nominated for the Best Director

Academy Award for directing a Disney movie (Mary Poppins), is born in Buxton,

Derbyshire, England. His credits also include The Love Bug (1968), Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971),

Herbie Rides Again (1974), and The Shaggy D.A. (1976). (He will be inducted a Disney Legend in 2002.)

1929:

Voice actress Lucille Bliss, known as "the lady of a thousand voices," is born in

New York City. Her Disney credits include 101 Dalmatians and Cinderella (as the

voice of Anastasia). (She is also the voice of Smurfette on the TV animated series The Smurfs.)

1958:

The 306-foot long Grand Canyon Diorama is added to the Disneyland

Railway between the Tomorrowland and Main Street stations. The painting (by motion

picture artist & designer Delmer J. Yoakum) has been done on a special seamless canvas, which required 4,800

manhours to complete, using 300 gallons of paint in 14 colors! The diorama, which includes taxidermic animals

(the only ones in the park) in lifelike poses, is the longest in the world. (In 1966, the diorama will be expanded

with a prehistoric theme - shipped in from Disney's World's Fair Magic Skyway.)

1971:

Actor Ewan McGregor, the voice of Valiant in Disney's 2005 animated

Valiant, is born in Scotland. (Star Wars fans know him as Obi-Wan Kenobi.)

2001:

In Florida, the new Animal Kingdom Lodge holds a 3-day open

house for Walt Disney World Annual Passholders. The 1,307-room

deluxe hotel is about one mile west of the Animal Kingdom Park.

Radio Disney DJs Just Plain Mark & Zippy broadcast live from Disneyland's Tomorrowland Terrace to celebrate the release of

"Radio Disney Jams 3."

Disney's House of Mouse debuts "Donald's Pumbaa Prank" on ABC-TV.

1948:

Actress Rhea Perlman, the voice of 9-Eye for Disney World's The Timekeeper attraction (once located in Tomorrowland) is born in Brooklyn, New York. (TV fans will remember her as Carla on Cheers.)

1974:

The Wonderful World of Disney, featuring the documentary film

"The Magic of Walt Disney World," airs on NBC-TV.

MARCH 31

Child star Shirley Temple was on hand at Disneyland in 1957 (as an adult with her own children) to help dedicate a new attraction inside the

Sleeping

Beauty

Castle.

1969:

TV host Samantha Brown is born in Dallas, Texas. She is the host of several travel

programs for the Travel Channel including Great Hotels (which has featured many Disney World resorts).

2006:

Disney Channel debuts the second Hannah Montana

episode "Miley Get Your Gun."

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MAR

1978:

Animator & Imagineer Ken Anderson retires after 44 years with the Disney

Company. He first joined the Disney Studio in 1934 when he drove by the studio and decided to stop in

and apply for a job. Anderson's art director credits include Snow White, Pinocchio, Fantasia, and The

Reluctant Dragon. Later, his knowledge of architecture helped Walt's realization of Disneyland. Anderson's

concept drawings and design work is reflected in such popular Fantasyland attractions as Peter Pan's Flight,

Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, and Storybook Land. (He will be inducted a Disney Legend in 1991.)

"At the Grand Floridian in Disney World, housekeeping folds your hand towels into little animals like ducks and bunnies. They then put things like your toothbrush and styling gel in them, so that when you walk into your room you have all these cute critters greeting you. It's a very heartwarming touch." -Samantha Brown

1945:

Academy Award winning computer scientist Ed Catmull is born in Parkersburg, West Virginia. In 1986, when Steve Jobs bought Lucasfilm's digital division and founded Pixar, Catmull became its the Chief Technical Officer. After Disney acquired Pixar in January 2006, Disney Chief Executive Bob Iger put Catmull and John Lasseter in charge of reinvigorating the Disney animation studios in Burbank.