When Walt Disney came up with a duck character, he wanted to use alliteration, such as he did with Mickey Mouse. Donald was a popular name in the 1930s, so naming the character Donald was an obvious choice. It is a stretch to think that he might have been named for an Australian cricket player, …
See more
Figaro made his debut in Pinocchio, but he was so popular that Walt Disney used him in seven short cartoons, including two with Figaro in the title: Figaro and Frankie and Figaro and Cleo. He has also appeared in Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Minnie’s Bow-Toons.
See more
By Courtney Potter He’s friendly, kind, and all stuffed with fluff—and he’s brought his pals to Hong Kong for a very special visit! The “best bear in all the world,” Winnie the Pooh, has spent the last few years traveling the globe… and now, he’s making lots of new friends during the “Winnie the Pooh: …
See more
The very realistic Rocket to the Moon attraction opened in Tomorrowland on July 22, 1955, just a few days after the park’s opening. It was originally sponsored by TWA and later by McDonnell-Douglas. Each sponsor, during their sponsorship, had their logo on the tall upright rocket ship displayed outside the attraction. It later became Flight …
See more
Lonesome Ghosts was a popular 1937 cartoon featuring Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy as ghost exterminators. It was directed by Burt Gillett, who directed many Disney cartoons in that era, and is perhaps best remembered by animators at the Disney Studio because of the transparent paint that was created for the ghosts. Few cels …
See more
There were many different pennants that were released at Disneyland in the mid to late 1950s; the first had a shield on the left picturing logos of the four realms of Disneyland. In 1958 you could buy one by mail order for 48¢. We have been unable to date the various versions.
See more
By Justin Arthur, Archivist, Walt Disney Archives With the beginning of a new year comes a brand-new exhibit at the Walt Disney Archives. Inspired by one of the original thematic lands of Disneyland, the Archives’ Reading Room has been refreshed to celebrate Tomorrowland. From Man in Space to the Millennium Falcon, The Walt Disney Company …
See more
The Queen in Sleeping Beauty was not named, probably because she had such a minor role. None of the other names you mentioned are official, though occasionally character names are created for sequels, television series, merchandise, publications, or other uses.
See moreWalt Disney first visited the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village in 1940, and again eight years later. He was always fascinated by anything mechanical, so he spent a lot of time in the museum examining engines and old cars. But it was in the village that he found historic means of transportation, including a steamboat that …
See more