The Lion King Celebration was the “mane” event when it roared into Disneyland on this day in 1994. As the celebration strode down the parade route to the tune of “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King,” guests were treated to a performance that took Disneyland’s live entertainment to new levels. Floats used real water …
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The Lion King, one of the highest-grossing films of all time, was released on this day in June in New York and Los Angeles (it would open in wide release on June 24). Today, almost everyone in the world knows the story of the young lion cub Simba, who tries to find his place in …
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The follow-up to the smash hit movie Aladdin materialized on this date in the direct-to-video sequel The Return of Jafar. This story takes place where Aladdin ended, with Jafar as a genie trapped inside a lamp. When he is released, he quickly plots revenge against Aladdin. Produced by Disney’s Television Animation group, this film has …
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Frank G. Wells, president and chief operating officer of The Walt Disney Company from September 1984 until his tragic death on Easter Sunday 1994, died when the helicopter carrying him, two of his friends and a guide crashed during a back-country skiing expedition in Nevada. The pilot and all but one passenger died. Wells, an …
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Starting on this day in 1994, visitors to Epcot who were hungry for some entertainment could head on over to the newest Audio-Animatronics® show and sample Food Rocks. This spoof of concert benefits such as World Aid and Farm Aid took on a different flavor…promoting good nutrition with a cast of top-name foods such as …
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A year after Mickey’s Toontown first drew guests into the new land, a ride opened with a new spin on “dark ride” attractions, Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin, which first spun into action on this day in 1994. This was the first ride-thru attraction which allowed guests to take control of their vehicles while following …
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Here’s some food for thought: the Kitchen Kabaret Audio-Animatronics® revue premiered at Epcot on the park’s opening day in 1982, and was a tasteful show featuring hostess Bonnie Appetit and a cast of singing foods and utensils who helped educate about nutrition with music and cheesy humor. A crooning milk carton introduced the dairy beauties, …
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When Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, A New Musical premiered on Broadway it scored the biggest box office opening in the 80 year history of the Palace Theatre. But before it got to that point, the celebrated production first took to the stage for a test run in Houston’s Theatre Under the Stars. The historic …
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One visit to the Fountainview Espresso & Bakery at Epcot and you’d understand how it got its name when you see the spectacular view of the musically synchronized Fountain of Nations. Opening on this day in 1993, the bakery immediately made a splash with guests by serving up fresh baked goods, specialty desserts, and pastries. …
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T’was The Nightmare Before Christmas that debuted on this day, and proved through the years it was now here to stay. Morbid and funny, it did entertain, as it unraveled tales out of Tim Burton’s brain. Casting a spell, perhaps with a potion, it enchanted the crowd with the art of stop motion. When back …
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