On this day in 1999, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh attraction opened at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World, taking passengers on a wild ride which includes the vehicle bouncing along with Tigger, floating through a “floody place” with Piglet and drifting through the mysterious dream world of Heffalumps and Woozles. The …
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After the success of Pixar’s first feature film, Toy Story, the much ANTicipated follow-up, a bug’s life, was released on this day in 1998, telling the story of an independent thinker ant named Flik. After one of his inventions goes wrong, he embarks on a mission to save his colony. To ensure authenticity for their …
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Listen up, junior space rangers! On this day in 1998, Buzz Lightyear official moved into the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. Inspired by Disney·Pixar’s Toy Story 2, the interactive attraction Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin allowed guests to take control of their XP-37 space cruisers to turn at will and use laser cannons to …
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Identical twins (Lindsay Lohan), separated at birth and each raised by one of their biological parents, discover each other for the first time at summer camp and make a plan to bring their wayward parents back together. The 1998 version of The Parent Trap marked the second time the story has been told on screen …
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Based on a 2,000-year-old Chinese tale, Mulan used a strong visual style based on traditional Chinese art to tell the story of a high-spirited girl who aspires to be the perfect daughter but always ends up feeling as if she’s a disappointment. When her elderly father is forced to join the army, she disguises herself …
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Bette Midler and Lily Tomlin were beside themselves when the Touchstone film Big Business was released on this day in 1988. The film tells the story of two identical twins who are mismatched at birth only to reunite 40 years later—with the stars each playing dual roles. Big Business is noteworthy from a technical standpoint, …
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On this evening in 1998, an eager audience was seated at Radio City Music Hall in New York, attending the 52nd Annual Tony® Awards ceremony. Among the nominees was Julie Taymor, for her work in the Broadway production of The Lion King. Just minutes before Julie would find out if she would be the first …
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Former astronaut Buzz Aldrin joined several other space explorers for the dedication ceremony of the new Tomorrowland at Disneyland in 1998. Freshly painted in bronzes and golds, the new Tomorrowland opened with a mix of classic Tomorrowland attractions and a few new ones, too. Rocket Rods, the all-new high-speed drag-racing attraction that was placed on …
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On this day in 1997, it’s a small world at Disneyland decked the halls for the first time, ringing in the holiday season with a dazzling light display on the building exterior. For the first time, dolls that traditionally sang “it’s a small world” in their native languages now alternated with “Jingle Bells.” For the …
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Elton John, Julie Andrews, Rosie O’Donnell, and Mary Tyler Moore were among the attendees on this day in 1997 to celebrate the official opening of The Lion King at the New Amsterdam Theatre on Broadway. The show that would go on to win six Tony® Awards, started out with a roar, complete with searchlights beaming …
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