2005:
In an historic first, all 10 of the Disney theme parks around the world collectively
kick off the festivities for the "Happiest Celebration on Earth" to mark the 50th
anniversary of Disneyland. (The opening of Hong Kong Disneyland in September will add #11 to the
global celebration.)
In Anaheim, the opening ceremony for Disneyland's 50th Anniversary
takes place in front of the Sleeping Beauty Castle. Special guests
include singer LeeAnn Rimes (singing "Remember When"), Art Linkletter (who co-hosted the television grand
opening in 1955), and legendary actress-singer Julie Andrews (the Honorary Ambassador of the 50th
anniversary and star of Mary Poppins). A special anniversary fireworks show called "Remember ... Dreams
Come True" (sponsored by American Honda Motor Co.) debuts.
Down in Florida, Epcot's new Soarin' (a simulator attraction)
officially opens as does the Disney-MGM Studios' Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme
Stunt Show. Cinderellabration officially debuts too - at the Magic Kingdom. Also
officially debuting is Disney's Magical Express - a complimentary round-trip airport
transfer for Disney World hotel guests.
1905:
Floyd Gottfredson, the man who gave Mickey Mouse
his comic strip personality, is born in Kaysville, Utah.
“I enjoy being a part of the
great legacy that Walt started. Over the years, it’s been
remarkable to watch Walt’s dream spread across the world.”
- Art Linkletter
(co-host of Disneyland's 1955 opening day live broadcast)
1915:
Ben Wright - the voice of Grimsby in Disney's 1989 classic The Little Mermaid and the voice of Wolf in the 1967 film The Jungle Book - is born to an English mother and an American father in London, England.
1927:
Actress Pat Carroll, the voice of Ursula in Disney's 1989 classic
The Little Mermaid, is born in Shreveport, Louisiana.
1929:
Singer, voice actress and Disney Legend Ilene Woods is born in New Hampshire. In 1948, as a favor for songwriter friends Mack David and Jerry Livingston, Woods will record "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo," "A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes," and "So This is Love." Upon hearing Woods, Walt will hire her as the title voice of Cinderella.
1930:
The first Mickey Mouse comic strip drawn and inked by Floyd Gottfredson is published on Floyd's 25th birthday. (The original Mickey Mouse comic strip had been scripted and drawn by Walt Disney.)
1940:
Actor Lance Henriksen, the voice of Kerchak in Disney's 1999 animated feature Tarzan, is born in New York City.
1987:
Disneyland introduces Disney Dollars, its exclusive line of currency featuring Mickey Mouse on the $1 bill and Goofy on the $5 bill.
1989:
Episode 10 of MMC airs on Disney Channel. Today is Hall of Fame Day!
1995:
The ABC television sitcom Family Matters debuts part 2 of
the episode "We're Going to Disney World."
2001:
The 4th Annual Disneyana Shop Celebration takes place at the Disneyland Resort. The first 1000 guests who visit the Disneyana Shop on Main Street, receive a free limited-edition mini-lithograph.
The Three Caballeros, Disney's famed trio of songbirds, reunite for a special Cinco de Mayo episode of "Disney's House of Mouse," on ABC-TV.
An area of Disneyland that was closed to the public after a large cork
oak tree fell is reopened.
On her birthday, Disney Legend Ilene Woods - the original voice of Cinderella unites with the voice of Sleeping Beauty, fellow Legend Mary Costa, for a Cinderella Birthday Ball held in Knoxville, Tennessee, benefiting Childhelp U.S.A.
2004:
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror has its official
grand opening at Disney's California Adventure.
The Walt Disney Company announces “The Happiest Celebration on Earth,” which will mark the 50th anniversary of Disneyland, with the introduction of new shows and attractions at all of its 10 Disney theme parks. The 18-month-long promotion will start May 5, 2005.
2006:
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, the first Mickey Mouse series created specifically for preschoolers, debuts on Disney Channel.
Disney's acquisition of Pixar Animation Studios is completed - Pixar is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company.
 | ||||
2007:
The Ninth-annual Fullerton Railroad Days kicks off for a weekend of special exhibits at the corner of Pomona Avenue and Santa Fe Street in Fullerton, California. Featured is the Disneyland Railroad the C. K. Holliday steam locomotive & the Kalamazoo handcar!
1958:
The Globe Theatre (located at 205 West 46th Street in midtown-Manhattan) reopens as the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre (in honor of Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne). This Broadway theater will be the home to such future musicals as Beauty and the Beast and The Little Mermaid.
2008:
Today is the final day of Disney's California Food and Wine Festival.
advertisement
MAY
MAY 5
Today is Cinco de Mayo
Today is also National Hoagie Day
| ||||
| ||||||
MAY 05
THIS DAY MADE IN THE USA
Disney's Tron was the first
film in motion picture
history to make
extensive use of
computer
imagery.
| ||||
| ||||
2009:
Performances begin for Disney's musical The Lion King at the Mandalay Bay Theatre in Las Vegas. (The show will officially open May 15.)
At Disney World, a soft-opening afternoon performance of Stitch’s SuperSonic Celebration takes place at the Magic Kingdom. The new Tomorrowland stage show is set to officially debut Wednesday, May 6.
On July 24, 2008 Disney surprised San Diego Comic Con attendees with test footage from a sequel to Tron.
1959:
Actor Gary Dubin, the voice of Toulouse in Disney's 1970 animated feature The
Aristocats, is born. (TV fans of "The Partridge Family" may recall Dubin for his role of Punky Lazaaar.)
5
