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1954
- Walt agrees to produce a regular
television show for ABC in return for funding. (January)
-
Excavation of the Disneyland site begins (August 13th)
- "The
Disneyland Story" airs, the first episode of Disneyland television show (October
27th)
1955
Back to Timeline
- July 17 1955 Disneyland Opens at
a cost of $17 million
Attractions included:
Main Street USA
- Disneyland and Santa Fe Railroad,
Two Disneyland steam trains (C.K. Holliday and E.P. Ripley) (Opened July,
Closed October 1974)
-
Main Street Railroad Station (Opened July)
-
Horse Drawn Street Cars (Opened July)
-
Horse Drawn Fire Wagon (Closed August 1960)
-
Main Street Cinema (Opened July)
-
Horse Drawn Surreys (Closed January 1971)
-
Main Street Penny Arcade (Opened July)
-
Main Street Shooting Gallery (Closed January 1962)
Adventureland
-
Jungle Cruise (Opened July)
Fantasyland
-
King Arthur Carrousel (Opened July)
-
Peter Pan Flight (Opened July)
-
Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride (Opened July)
-
Canal Boats of the World (Opened July, Closed September 1955)
-
Snow White’s Adventures (Opened July)
-
Casey Jr. Circus Train (Opened July)
-
Dumbo the Flying Elephant (Opened August)
-
Mickey Mouse Club Theater (Opened August, Closed January 1964)
-
Mickey Mouse Club Circus (Opened November, Closed January 1956)
-
Mad Tea Party (Opened July)
Frontierland
- Stage Coach (Closed February
1956)
-
Mule Pack (Closed February 1956)
-
Mark Twain Riverboat (Opened July)
-
Golden Horseshoe Review (Opened July, Closed October 1986) replaced with
Golden Horseshoe Jamboree
-
Davy Crockett Museum (Closed December 1955)
-
Conestoga Wagons (Opened August, Closed September 1959)
-
Mike Fink Keel Boats (Opened December, Closed January 1994)
-
Indian Village (Closed January 1956)
-
Miniature Horse Corral (Closed July 1957)
-
Frontierland Railroad Station (Opened July)
Tomorrowland
- Tomorrowland Autopia (Closed
September 1999)
-
Space Station X-1 (Opened July, Closed January 1958)
-
Cinerama USA (360 degree film, A Tour of the West) (Closed January 1960)
-
Monsanto Hall of Chemistry (Closed September 1966)
-
Rocket to the Moon (Closed September 1966)
-
Moonliner (Closed September 1966)
-
Clock of the World (Closed September 1966)
-
The World Beneath Us (Closed December 1959)
-
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (Opened August, Closed August 1966)
-
Aluminum Hall of Fame (Opened December, Closed July 1960)
-
Thimble Drome Flight Circle (Opened September, Closed January 1966)
-
Hobbyland (Opened September, Closed January 1966)
-
Dateline Disneyland airs July 17th
-
Disneyland opens to the public on July 18th
-
Disneyland opens to the public with admission costing just $1. Cost of
attractions ranged from 10 to 35 cents.
-
September 8, 1955 Elsa Marquez one millionth visitor
-
Fantasy in the Sky added 1956
-
Disneyland Hotel Opens October
-
Ticket books are first available containing A, B and C tickets (October)
1956:
Back to Timeline
- Astro Jets
(Opened March 1956, Closed August 1964)
-
Bathroom of Tomorrow (Opened April 1956, Closed August 1960)
-
Storybook Land Canal Boats (Opened June 1956)
-
Tom Sawyers Island (Opened June 1956)
- Fort Wilderness (Opened June 1956, closed November 2002)
-
Tom Sawyer Islands Rafts (Opened June 1956)
-
Skyway to Tomorrowland and Skyway to Fantasyland (Opened June 1956, Closed
November 1994)
-
Horseless Carriages (red and yellow) (Opened May 1956)
-
Rainbow Ridge Pack Mules (Opened June 1956, Closed October 1959)
-
Rainbow Mountain Stage Coach (Opened June 1956, Closed September 1959)
-
Rainbow Caverns Mine Train (Opened July 1956, Closed October 1959)
-
Main Street Omnibus (Opened August 1956)
-
Indian Village (Opened July 1956, Closed October 1971)
-
Indian War Canoes (Opened July 1956, Closed January 1971)
-
Junior Autopia. (Opened July 1956, Closed December 1958)
-
Kelley’s Jungle Killers (Opened February 1956, Closed September 1956)
-
Color Gallery (Opened March 1956, Closed January 1963)
-
Tom and Huck’s Treehouse (Opened June 1956)
-
Phantom Boats (Opened July 1956, Closed October 1956)
-
Mineral Hall (Opened July 1956, Closed December 1962)
-
Fantasyland Theater (Opened August 1956, Closed December 1981)
-
Fantasyland Railroad Station opens
-
D tickets are added (January)
1957:
Back to Timeline
- Midget Autopia (Opened April,
Closed April 1966)
-
Sleeping Beauty Castle (walk through) (Opened April, Closed January 2002)
-
Holidayland (Opened June, Closed January 1961)
-
Monsanto House of the Future (Opened June, Closed December 1967)
-
Viewliner (Opened June, Closed September 1958)
-
Motor Boat Cruise (Opened June, Closed January 1993)
-
Indian Village Rafts (Opened July, Closed January 1971)
-
Frontierland Shooting Gallery. (Opened July, Closed March 1985)
-
Leigh Woolfender is 10 millionth guest on December 31
1958:
Back to Timeline
- Grand Canyon Diorama (Opened
March)
-
Alice in Wonderland (Opened June)
-
Columbia Sailing Ship (Opened June)
-
Motorized Main Street Fire Truck (Opened August)
-
Satellite View of America (Opened January, Closed February 1960)
-
Disneyland and Santa Fe Railroad adds Fred Gurley Engine. March 28th
-
Tomorrowland Railroad Station
-
Last episode of "Disneyland" television show airs (September 3rd)
- ABC changes the name of Disney's TV show
from "Disneyland" to "Walt Disney Presents".
- First year Candlelight Procession (December)
-
Disneyland Kennel Opens (January 18th)
-
Milt Albright founds the Magic Kingdom Club
1959:
Back to Timeline
- Fantasyland Autopia (Opened June,
Closed September 1999)
-
Submarine Voyage (Opened June, Closed September 1998)
-
Disneyland-Alweg Monorail System, Mark I Train on a .8 mile track around
Tomorrowland (Opened June 14th)
-
Matterhorn Bobsleds (Opened June)
-
Disneyland and Santa Fe Railroad adds Ernest S. Marsh Engine. July 25th
-
Soviet Premier Nikita Krushchev is denied permission to visit Disneyland,
sparking an international incident.
-
E-tickets added to ticket book (June)
-
Disneyland welcomes its 15 millionth guest.
-
The "Mickey Mouse Club" TV show is cancelled.
1960:
Back to Timeline
- Main Street Electric Cars
-
Art of Animation Exhibit (Opened May, Closed September 1966)
-
Mine Train Through Nature’s Wonderland (Opened May, Closed January 1977)
-
Skull Rock (Opened December, Closed January 1982)
-
Pirate’s Cove (Opened December, Closed January 1982)
-
New Cinerama Film (America the Beautiful). (Opened July, Closed June 1967)
-
Catfish Cove (Opened January, Closed January 1964)
-
Pack Mules Through Nature’s Wonderland (Opened June, Closed October 1973)
-
Disney sues the ABC TV network for the right to take their shows elsewhere,
and buys ABC's one-third interest in Disneyland for $7.5 million.
-
Disneyland Welcomes 20 millionth guest.
1961:
Back to Timeline
- Snow White Grotto and Wishing
Well (Opened March)
-
Debut of the Mark II Monorail Extended track length to 2.5 miles, Monorail
to the
Disneyland Hotel (June)
Specs: 112 FT., 4 Car, 108 Person Seating Capacity
-
Flying Saucers (Opened August, Closed September 1966)
-
Babes in Toyland Exhibit (Opened December, Closed September 1963)
-
Disney's TV show changes names from
"Walt Disney Presents" to "Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color" and
debuts in color on NBC. (September 24)
- First all night grad night party for High
School Graduates is held in June.
-
25 Millionth Guest welcomed to Disneyland, Dr. Glenn C. Franklin on April
19th.
-
Tinkerbell has her first flight at Disneyland
1962:
Back to Timeline
- Safari Shooting Gallery (Opened
June, Closed January 1982)
-
Adventureland Shooting Gallery (Opened January, Closed November 1969)
-
Indian Village (Expansion)
-
Jungle Cruise (New scenes added) A group of Audio-Animatronics elephants
in the Elephant Bathing Pool are added to the Jungle Cruise at Disneyland.
- Swiss Family Tree House. (Opened November,
Closed May 1999)
-
”Disneyland After Dark” airs on national TV April 15th
-
“Meet Me at Disneyland” first airs on national TV June 9th,
Last show September 8th
1963:
Back to Timeline
- Enchanted Tiki Room (Introduction
of Audio-Animatronics) (Opened June 23rd)
-
Mickey Mouse Club Headquarters (Opened January, Closed January 1964)
-
First year for Parade of Toys during the Christmas holiday season.
-
Disneyland showcases its first “Cavalcade of Big Bands”
1964:
Back to Timeline
- Columbia Sailing Ship (Opened
February)
-
Tomorrowland Jets (Opened August, Closed September 1966)
-
Jungle Cruise (New scenes added).
-
The New York World's Fair opens. Walt
Disney's WED company constructed pavilions for: Ford ("Magic Skyway");
General Electric ("Progressland"); the state of Illinois ("Great Moments
with Mr. Lincoln") and Pepsi-Cola ("It's a Small World"). (April 22)
- Disneyland Goes to the World’s Fair, airs for
the first time on The Wonderful World of Color May 17th.
-
May of 1964 the first person to be injured bad enough to loose their life
occurred on the Matterhorn, Mark Maples. He was ejected from ride and dies 4
days later.
1965
Back to Timeline
-
Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln (Transplanted from the 1964-65 World’s Fair
in New York. (Opened July, Closed January 1973)
-
Fashions and Fabrics Through the Ages (Opened March, Closed December 1965)
-
First Disneyland Ambassador to the World selected in 1964, begins her duties
(Julie Reihm)
-
The 50 millionth guest is welcomed at Disneyland, Mary Adams on August 12th.
-
"The Disneyland Tenth Anniversary Show" airs on national TV January 3rd
1966:
Back to Timeline
- Kathy Komlos visits Disneyland
for the first time.
-
“it’s a small world” (Opened May) Primeval World Diorama (Opened July)
-
Fort Wilderness (Opened June)
-
New Orleans Square (Walt Dedicated the first new land to open since
Disneyland’s opening in 1955 in July, at a cost of 18 million dollars).
-
"Disneyland Around the Seasons" airs on national TV December 18th
-
Walter Elias Disney, dies of cancer at 9:35 AM December 15, at the age of 65.
He had been recovering from surgery a month earlier to remove one of his
lungs. Roy Disney, his brother, takes over the Disney corporation.
1967:
Back to Timeline
- Pirates of the Caribbean (Opened
March 18th)
-
Circle Vision Featuring America the Beautiful (Opened June, Closed January
1964)
-
Carousel of Progress (Opened July, Closed September 1973)
-
PeopleMover (Opened July, Closed August 1985)
-
Rocket Jets (Opened July, Closed January 1997)
-
Flight to the Moon (Opened August, Closed March 1975)
-
Adventures through Inner Space (Opened August, Closed September 1985)
-
Alpine Gardens (Opened December, Closed February 1996)
-
Club 33 (Private club) opens in New Orleans Square
-
In July, The all new Tomorrowland was dedicated, at a cost of 23 million
dollars. It was dubbed “A World on the Move”
1968:
Back to Timeline
- First year for the following St
Patrick’s Day Parade, Cinco De Mayo Fiesta, plus a Valentine’s Day Party,
Spring Fling, Easter Parade, and Angels-Disneyland Fun Day Double Header.
-
“From Pirates of the Caribbean to the World of Tomorrow” TV special aired
January 21st
1969:
Back to Timeline
- Haunted Mansion (August 9th)
-
The Mark III Monorails Debuted (22 million guests carried) Specs: 137 FT., 5
Car, extended stations needed.
-
On March 23rd, 100 VWs paraded down Main Street to celebrate
“Love Bug Day”.
-
On July 20th the landing of Apollo 11 on the Moon was televised
on the Tomorrowland Stage.
-
"The Magic of
Disneyland" is released on film in October
1970:
Back to Timeline
- The Legacy of Walt Disney (Opened
January, Closed February 1973)
-
July 17th Disneyland celebrates it 15th Birthday.
(130 original Disneyland cast members known as “Club 55” gathered for this
special celebration)
-
"Disneyland Showtime" airs on national TV March 22nd
1971:
Back to Timeline
- Davy Crockett’s Explorer canoes
(redesigned, were the Indian War Canoes) (Opened May)
-
October 1st, the Walt Disney World Resort opened in Orlando
Florida.
-
At 11:13 am, on Thursday, June 17th, Valerie Suldo becomes guest
number 100 million.
-
Roy Oliver Disney dies from a cerebral hemorrhage at 11:45 PM December 20, at the
age of 78.
1972:
Back to Timeline
- Country Bear Jamboree (Opened
March, Closed July 1986)
-
Teddi Bara’s Swingin’ Arcade (Opened March, Closed October 2002)
-
Bear Country opens (Disneyland’s 7th themed land)
-Main Street Electrical Parade premieres. (Opened June 17th, Closed November
25, 1997, reopened at DCA)
-
11 ride ticket books are introduced.
1973:
Back to Timeline
- The Walt Disney Story Debut
(Opened April)
-
Disneyland Presents – Preview Coming Attractions (Opened January, Closed
July 1989)
-
Disneyland Railroad (Opened October) Replaced Santa Fe and Disneyland
Railroad
-
Disneyland Showcase
1974:
Back to Timeline
- America Sings (Opened June 28th,
Closed April 1988)
-
Herbie Day at Disneyland aired on a national TV special July 11th.
1975:
Back to Timeline
- Mission to Mars (Opened March,
Closed November 1992)
-
The Walt Disney Story Featuring Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln. (Expansion)
(Opened June)
-
America on Parade debuts in July (and continued to September 1976).
-
Space Mountain Construction Begins (June)
1976:
Back to Timeline
-
June 22nd, Elsie Mae Houck becomes the 150 millionth guest.
-
Two Disneyland specials air on national television. Monsanto presents Walt
Disney’s America on Parade, April 3rd 1976 and Christmastime at
Disneyland December 6th.
-
Gorrilla's in Camp added to the Jungle Cruise Attraction.
1977:
Back to Timeline
- John Komlos goes to Disneyland
for the first time (June). And yes he did ride on Space Mountain!
-
Space Mountain (May 27th) Guests include US Mercury Astronauts
Scott Carpenter, Walley Schirra, US Senator John Glenn, Betty Grissom
(Virgil “Gus” Grissom’s widow), Gordon Cooper, Alan Shepard, and Donald
“Deke” Slayton.
-
Space Stage (Opened January, Closed January 1986)
-
Starcade (Opened May)
1978:
Back to Timeline
- Matterhorn renovation including
ice caverns and Abominable Snowman.
-
Mickey’s official Birthday party November 18th and 19th.
1979:
Back to Timeline
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
(September 2nd, replaces Mine Train Through Nature’s Wonderland)
-
The first baby is born at Disneyland on Main Street July 4th
(Teresa Salcedo)
1980:
Back to Timeline
- Disneyland celebrates its 25th
birthday with a 25 hour long party.
-
Disneyland’s 25th Anniversary Parade entertains all year long.
1981:
Back to Timeline
- On January 8th, at
11:00 am, Gert Schelvis, becomes the 200 millionth guest.
-
”Kraft Salutes Disneyland's 25th Anniversary" airs on national TV March 6th
1982:
Back to Timeline
- In June, Disneyland retires the
ticket coupon books and begins to use the one price unlimited attraction
Passport $12 for adults.
-
In July, the Disneyland Marching Band celebrated its 50,000th
performance.
-
Tron footage added to the PeopleMover's Superspeed Tunnel (Opened July 2nd
removed, August 21, 1995)
-
Casa de Fritos renamed "Casa Mexicana"
- EPCOT (Experimental Prototype Community
of Tomorrow) opens at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. EPCOT features
2 distinct areas - Future World & World Showcase.
1983:
Back to Timeline
- Pinocchio’s Daring Journey
-
Snow White’s Scary Adventures (Was Snow White’s Adventures)
-
The Sword and the Stone
-
New versions of the following:
-
Peter Pan’s Flight
-
Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
-
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
-
Mad Tea Party
-
King Arthur’s Carrousel
-
On March 25th the new Fantasyland Grand Opening celebrated with
the lowering of the Castle drawbridge, this was only the second time in the
park’s history (the first being opening day, 1955)
-
Flights of Fantasy Parade (Opened June, Closed September)
-
"Believe You Can...and You Can!" television special celebrating the new
Fantasyland airs on national TV April 23rd
-
Tokyo Disneyland opened its doors on April 15
1984:
Back to Timeline
- Alice in Wonderland (redesign)
-
Magic Journeys (Opened June, Closed January 1986)
-
Wonders of China (Opened July, Closed July 1996)
-
American Journeys (Opened July, Closed July 1996)
-
Country Bear Christmas Show (Opened November, Closed January 2001)
-
Michael Eisner takes over as Chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company
1985:
Back to Timeline
- Frontierland Shooting Arcade
(Opened March, Closed July 1996)
-
Videopolis (Opened June, Closed June 1995)
-
July 17th, Disneyland celebrates its 30th birthday
-
Yearlong “30 years of Magic” celebration
-
Disneyland’s 30th Anniversary Celebration airs nationally, on
February 2nd.
-
On February 6th, Disneyland begins a year around, 7 days a week
operation.
-
Brook Charles Arthur Burr becomes the 250 millionth guest on August 24th.
-
Submarine Voyage submarines are renamed and repainted (grey to yellow)
1986:
Back to Timeline
- Country Bear Vacation Hoedown
(Opened February, Closed September 2001)
-
Big Thunder Ranch (Opened June, Closed February 1996)
-
Magic Eye Theater (Featuring Captain EO with Michael Jackson) (Opened
September, Closed April 1997)
-
Country Bear Playhouse (Opened July, Closed September 2001)
-
Golden Horseshoe Jamboree (Opened November, Closed December 1994)
1987:
Back to Timeline
- Star Tours (January 12th
)
-
The Disney Gallery (Opened July, Closed August 7, 2007)
-
Disney Dollars where introduced on May 5th. (Mickey on the $1 and
Goofy on the $5, Minnie was added on November 20, 1989 to the $10)
-
Blast to the Past premiered in the Spring.
-
First Disneyland State Fair
-
Mark V Monorail debuts. Built on the chassis of the Mark III trains,
Fiberglass bodies, Computer Controls and Improved Suspensions.
- The Disney Legends award was created in 1987 by Andrea Favilli. The
awards are cast in bronze and hand-crafted each year by the artist that
characterize the contribution made by each talented recipient.
Click
here for a list of the recipients.
1988:
Back to Timeline
- Mickey’s 60th
Birthday.
-
Mickey’s 60th Birthday Parade and Mickey’s Birthday Bash are
celebrated daily during the summer.
-
Disneyland Hotel acquired from Wrather Corporation by Disney Corporation.
1989:
Back to Timeline
- Herb Ryman passed away on February 10,
1989, in Los Angeles. Born June 28, 1910, in Vernon, Illinois, Herbert
Dickens Ryman graduated from Chicago Art Institute, with honors, before
moving to Hollywood in 1932.Herb met Walt Disney for the first time at a
gallery exhibit of his work. Walt was so impressed with the paintings on
display that he invited Herb to join The Walt Disney Studios. While Herb
went on to serve as an art director for such feature-length animated
classics as "Fantasia" and "Dumbo," Disneyland became the centerpiece of his
Disney career. Among his contributions were designs for Main Street, U.S.A.,
Sleeping Beauty Castle and New Orleans Square. In 1988, his 1964 painting of
New Orleans Square was selected by the State Department for display at the
U.S. Embassy in Paris. Herb also contributed concepts for the Jungle Cruise,
Pirates of the Caribbean, and for attractions featured at the 1964-65 New
York World's Fair, including Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln.
- Splash Mountain (July 17th)
-
One Man’s Dream (Opened December, Closed April 1990)
-
Renamed Bear Country to Critter Country.
-
Claudine Masson is the 300 Millionth Guest of Disneyland on September 1st.
- Disney / MGM Studios (the 3rd Theme
Park) opens at Walt Disney World.
1990:
Back to Timeline
- Disneyland Celebrates its 35th
Birthday July 17th.
-
Party Gras Parade debuts.
1991:
Back to Timeline
- Plane Crazy (Opened March, Closed
October)
-
Baloo’s Dressing Room (Opened March, September Closed )
-
Disney Afternoon Avenue (Where Small World Mall was) Based on the Disney
Afternoon TV series.
-
Disney announces plans for a second Anaheim theme park. It is originally
envisioned as a smaller version of Epcot Center, with the working title “Westcot.”
1992:
Back to Timeline
-
Lindsay Komlos visits Disneyland for the first time.
-
Fantasmic Opens (May 13th)
-
Beauty and the Beast (Opened April, Closed April 1995)
- Mission to Mars closes (Nov)
1993:
Back to Timeline
- Mickey’s ToonTown (January 26th)
New ToonTown attractions:
-
Mickey’s House and Movie Barn (Opened January)
-
Minnie’s House and Garden (Opened January)
-
Donald’s Boat: The Miss Daisy (Opened January)
-
Goofy’s Bounce House (Opened January)
-
Gadget’s Go Coaster (Opened January)
-
Jolly Trolley (Opened January)
-
Chip and Dale’s Treehouse and Acorn Ball Crawl (Opened January, Ball Crawl
Closed and slide removed January 1998)
-
Fantasia Gardens (Opened January)
-
Disney starts Westcot Center planning.
1994:
Back to Timeline
- Daniel Komlos visits Disneyland
for the first time.
-
Roger Rabbit’s Cartoon Spin (Opened January 26th)
-
Billy Hill and the Hillbillies (Replaces Golden Horseshoe Jamboree) (Opened
December)
-
Disney shelves plans for Westcot Center, says it's considering new options.
-
Disneyland records its 350 Millionth Guest.
-
Frank Wells, Disney’s president, is killed in a helicopter crash while
vacationing in Nevada’s Rudy Mountains.
-
Lion King Celebration parade opened in January, closed January 1997.
1995:
Back to Timeline
- The Indiana Jones TM
Adventure (February)
-
Dick Tracy and the Diamond Double Cross (Opened June, Closed January 1996)
-
Anamazement (Opened June, Closed October 2001)
-
Disneyland celebrates its 40th Birthday on July 17th.
-
"40 Years of Adventure" airs on national TV March 4th
-
Reversing a 40-year-old policy, Disneyland officials allow Michelle Shinn
and Mark Gonsalves of San Jose to get married at the park.
1996:
Back to Timeline
- Fantasyland Theater (Opened
January) Previously Videopolis
-
Spirit of Pocahontas (Opened January, Closed September 1997)
-
Toy Story Playhouse (Opened January, Closed May 1996)
-
Triton Gardens (February)
-
Big Thunder Mountain transformed into The Hunchback of Notre Dame Festival
of - Fools stage show. (Opened June, Closed December 1998)
-
Frontierland Shooting Exposition (Opened July)
-
Main Street Electrical Light Parade closes at Disneyland
-
Space Mountain Sound Track Added
-
The proposed Westcot theme park is officially scrapped in favor of Disney’s
California Adventure. The new Frank Gehry-designed Team Disney building
unites all of Disneyland’s administrative and creative employees under one
roof.
-
Disneyland announces plans for a new theme park to be built in the existing
Disneyland Parking lot. DCA was announced on July 17th
1997:
Back to Timeline
- “it’s a small world” Holiday
(November 27th)
-
Light Magic (Opened May 23rd, Closed September)
-
"Light Magic: A Spectacular Journey" airs on national TV
-
Aladdin’s Oasis (Opened January)
-
The Disneyland Parking lot officially closes for the construction of
Disney's California Adventure. (January 26th)
-
July 5th,
Minnie Pepito is the 400 Millionth Guest welcomed at Disneyland
-
Lillian Disney (Walt's wife) dies December 17, at the age 98
1998:
Back to Timeline
- American Space Experience (Opened
May)
-
Cosmic Waves (Opened May, closed January 2002)
-
Observatron (Opened May)
-
Honey I Shrunk the Audience, The Magic Eye Theater (Opened May)
-
Rocket Rods (Opened May, Closed September 2000)
-
Astro Orbiter (Opened May)
-
Innoventions (Opened November)
-
New Tomorrowland is dedicated on Thursday May 21st by Michael
Eisner.
-
Mulan Parade Opens January, Closed January 1999
-
The Disneyland Parking Lot of 42 years closes on January 22nd
-
"Live - The New Tomorrowland" airs on national TV May 22nd
- The Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World
opens. (April)
1999:
Back to Timeline
- Radio Disney opens in Tomorrowland(Opened January)
-
Tarzan’s Treehouse (June 23rd, replacing the Swiss Family
Treehouse)
-
Disneyland introduces Fast Pass (August)
-
Cynthia Harris is promoted to President of the Disneyland resort. With
duties, and responsibilities for Disneyland Park, and California Adventure.
(December)
-
A New Orleans Holiday is added to the Christmas Celebration. (November)
-
Fastpass premiers at Disneyland in an
effort to deal with the park’s number one guest complaint – long lines.
-
On May 20, Disneyland hosts the official homecoming of Army Staff
Sargeant Andrew Ramirez, Staff Sargeant Christopher Stone, and Specialist
Steven Gonzales. It is the first time the three U.S. soldiers, who had been
captured by Serbian forces on March 31, stand on American soil since their
release from captivity.
2000:
Back to Timeline
- One Day Adult Ticket Prices increase from
$39 to $41 (January)
-
The Disneyland Kennel Closes (Jan)
-
Animator Marc Davis Died January 12, He was with Disney since 1935. He
was one of the finest draftsmen ever to work at the Walt Disney
Studio. Born in 1913 in Bakersfield, California, he was one of the "Nine Old
Men" whom Walt Disney gathered around him in the 1930s to develop the new
art of animation.
-
The new Chevron Autopia attraction opens in Disneyland. It
incorporates area formerly occupied by both previous Autopia attractions. (Opens June
29th)
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DCA Special Preview (Opened July, Closed January 2002)
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Disneyland Celebrates its 45th Birthday July 17th..
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45 Years of Magic Parade (Opens February, Closes March)
- Imagineer David Gengenbach, who
oversaw the design of some of Walt Disney World's most popular rides, died
Monday March 27th of complications from a heart transplant. He was 66. Hired
in 1966 as a project manager and project engineer, Gengenbach worked his way
up to vice president of Walt Disney's WED Enterprises. During his
tenure he oversaw the Pirates of the Caribbean boat conveyance system,
directed the design and installation of Space Mountain and worked on the
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea ride. He also worked on the design and
implementation of the Mark III and Mark IV monorail systems.
-
Disneyland's new 45th Anniversary Fireworks show "Believe: There's Magic In
the Stars" debuts.
- $41 adult ticket price now applies to visitors ages 10 and older.
The price previously started at age 12. Children ages 3 to 9 can still get
into the theme park for $31 (April)
-
Parade of Stars Parade (Opens April)
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Children tickets are now for children 10 and younger, previously 12 and
younger. (April)
-
Pin Trading stations open around the park.
-
Disneyland restricts smoking inside the park to three small designated
areas.
- Rocket Rods close (Sept)
-
In Disneyland, the Haunted Mansion attraction is decorated with elements
from Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas film, with temporary
new name Haunted Mansion Holiday.(October)
- Disney auctions the original "Disneyland" sign on eBay.com, selling
the sign for US$30,700 (November)
- One Day Adult Ticket Prices increase from $41 to $43 (Nov)
- Woody’s Roundup (Opens January
2000, Closes December 2000)
- Annual Attendance for 2000 13.9 million
2001:
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- Calling all Space Scouts (Club
Buzz Stage) (Opened July)
- On March 15, Mark Ramirez is the 450 Millionth
Guest welcomed to Disneyland.
-
In April, Disneyland announced that full-time city paramedics were being
stationed at its Anaheim parks in case of emergencies
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The Main Street Electrical Parade (returns Spring 2001)
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On September 11, Disneyland closes (before any guests had entered the park)
due to the terrorists attacks on the World Trade Center in New York.
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On February 8th, Disney’s California Adventure Opens. It has
three districts; Golden State, Hollywood Pictures Backlot, and Paradise
Pier.
DCA Attractions:
Paradise Pier
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California Screamin’
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Games of the Boardwalk
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Golden Zephyr
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Jumpin’ Jellyfish
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King Triton’s carousel
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Maliboomer
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Mulholland Madness
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Orange Stinger
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S.S. rustworthy
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Sun Wheel
Hollywood Pictures Backlot
- Disney Animation
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Hyperion Theater
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Jim Henson’s Muppet Vision 3D
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Superstar Limo
Golden State
- Soarin’ Over California
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Golden Vine Winery
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Grizzly River Run
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Redwood Creek Challenge Trail
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Mission Tortilla Factory
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The Boudin Bakery
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Bountiful Valley Farms
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It’s Tough to be a Bug
- Downtown Disney opens on January
12th.
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Disney's Grand Californian Hotel opens
-
Disneyland unveils the renovated Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln
attraction (July)
-
“Blast” playing at the Hyperion Theater opened November 22nd
Closed September 2nd 2003
-
Disney Cruise Line celebrated its 1 millionth guest, Steven Hitzel, in
August
-
The 100th anniversary of Walt Disney’s birth (December 5th)
-
The Country Bear Jamboree in Bear Country at Disneyland closesSept
9th)
2002:
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- Cosmic Waves closes (Jan)
- Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough closes (Jan)
- Mickey’s Detective School (Opened
April)
- Fort Wilderness closes (Nov)
-
Who Wants to be a Millionaire- Play It! (Opened DCA)
-
The Walt Disney Studios theme park opens at the Disneyland Paris Resort
2003:
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- One Day Adult Ticket Prices increase from
$45 to $47 (Jan)
- “Disney’s Aladdin - Live on Stage” show playing at the Hyperion Opened
January 17th
-
David Mumford, senior principal show set designer and a longtime Imagineer,
passed away January, 21st, following a long, courageous struggle
with cancer.
Flick’s Fun Fair opens (DCA) Attractions:
- Flik’s Flyers
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Francis’ Ladybug Boogie
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Heimlich’s Chew Chew Train
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Princess Dot’s Puddle Park
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Tuck and Roll’s Drive ‘Em Buggies
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Bountiful Farms (Including It’s Tough to be a Bug) now part of this
District.
- The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh opens (April)
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A young man is killed during the
derailment of a train on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
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Pirates of the Caribbean becomes a successful movie, with many scenes taken
directly from the Disneyland attraction. It marks the first time a theme
park attraction has generated a successful film.
-
Disneyland airspace is declared a no-fly zone
-
Matt Ouimet is the new president of the Disneyland Resort.
(October)
2004
- Disneyland records its 500 Millionth Guest,
Bill Trow. (Jan 8th)
- Tower of Terror debuts in California
Adventure
-
John Hench dies, at age 95. Hench worked at Disney for 64 years, the
longest of any Disney employee. He worked on animation, and took part in the
creation of all Disney parks. (Feb 5th)
-
Comcast launches a hostile takeover bid for Disney, publicly releasing a
letter to Michael Eisner outlining the proposed financial terms. If
approved, Comcast would issue 0.78 of a Comcast share for each Disney share
(total value US$54 billion) plus assume Disney's debt of about US$12
billion. Disney shareholders would then own about 42 percent of the combined
company, which would be worth US$125 billion. (Feb 11th)
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The Disney board unanimously rejects the Comcast deal. (Feb 16th)
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March 2nd On the evening before the annual shareholders meeting, Michael
Eisner, Robert Iger, and the Disney board of directors meets. Eisner offers
to resign, but the board opposes this. Eisner agrees to cede the title of
chairman to George Mitchell.
- March 3rd At the Philadelphia Convention
Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, The Walt Disney Company holds its
annual shareholders meeting. After various speeches, the inspector of
elections reads the vote tallies. 45 percent of shareholders withheld their
votes to re-elect Michael Eisner to the board of directors, and 24 percent
withheld votes from George Mitchell. The Disney board of directors meets,
deciding to replace Michael Eisner with George Mitchell as chairman. A press
releases is issued making the announcement.
- Comcast withdraws its bid to buy the Walt Disney Company, due to Disney
executive reluctance to support the acquisition, and Comcast investor
concerns over business focus. (April 28th)
- Sam McKim, an artist who drew the first souvenir maps of Disneyland in
1954 and the preliminary sketches for many Disney theme park rides, has
died. He was 79. McKim was one of the first park designers who became known
as "Imagineers." He died of heart failure, The Walt Disney Co. said. McKim
joined Disney in 1954 and his sketches inspired the designers of
attractions, shops and restaurants for the original Disneyland. He produced
sketches of all four attractions Disney built for the 1964-65 New York
World's Fair. His artwork contributed to the story development of several
pavilions at Epcot at Walt Disney World in Florida. (July 9)
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An Olympic full-length 21-foot wide pool is completed on Main Street in
Disneyland.(October)
2005
-
Happy Birthday Disneyland!! Disneyland celebrated its 50th birthday
July 17th.
May 5th Disneyland begins an 18-month-long anniversary celebration of
its 50th birthday.
- Soarin' opens at Epcot Center. While
the ride is the same as the DCA version Soarin' Over California, it is
decide to drop the "Over California" for the east coast version of the ride.
(Spring)
- Disney blogger and unofficial tour-giver,
Jim Hill, is finally escorted out of Disneyland and asked not to return.
Hill had been conducting his unofficial tours of the park for years, but in
early 2005, three women who had signed up for an official Disney tour ended
up in Hill’s group by mistake. They complained to Disneyland officials, and
Disneyland promptly put an end to Hill’s work (he charged $25 per person).
- Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blaster opens in
Tomorrowland.
- Thurl Ravenscroft, whose voice was known worldwide through his work
in movies, television and at Disneyland, has died of prostate cancer. He was
91. Thurl Ravenscroft voice is used in Pirates of the Caribbean, the Haunted
Mansion and the Enchanted Tiki Room and more.
(May 22)
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Space Mountain is completely re-tracked, re-painted white, and re-opens with
a new soundtrack and new special effects. The opening is attended by
former astronaut Neil Armstrong. (July 15th)
-
The Turtle Talk with Crush attraction opens in Disney's California
Adventure. (July 15th)
-
The 2005 Disney Legends ceremony is held in Anaheim, California, for Steve
Martin and Art Linkletter. (Sept 20th)
-
Michael Eisner resigns from the Disney board of directors, also his last day
as CEO of the company. The value of the company during Eisner's term rose
from US$3 billion to US$60 billion. (Sept 30th)
- Hong Kong Disneyland is set to opens in
September, with a press day occurring in July. Hong. Kong
Disneyland begins taking reservations Feb 15th. The park cost US$1.8
billion.
- Robert Iger is named next CEO of the Walt Disney Company and officially
takes over Oct 30th. (March 13th)
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Disney begins testing its Virtual Magic Kingdom online gaming community. The
free service is scheduled for launch in the summer. (May 30th)
-
In Disneyland, in the forecourt of Sleeping Beauty Castle, about 1000 people
part of display of "Mouseketeer Ears", to celebrate the 50th anniversary of
Disneyland, The Mickey Mouse Club TV show, and the Mouseketeers. Ten
of the original Mouseketeers are present at the resort for the celebration.
(Oct 3rd)
- Robert Iger becomes CEO (Oct)
- E. Cardon "Card" Walker, the former Walt Disney Co. chief executive who
headed the company for nearly 15 years following the deaths of founders Walt
Disney and Roy O. Disney, has died of congestive heart failure at his home
in La Canada, Calif. He was 89. During his 45-year tenure at Disney, the
executive rose through the ranks after starting out in the mailroom in 1938.
In the 1950s and '60s, Walker worked closely with the Disney brothers on a
wide range of Disney projects, including the development of the Disneyland
attractions It's a Small World, Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln, Pirates of
the Caribbean, the Haunted Mansion and the animated features "101
Dalmatians" and "The Jungle Book." (Nov 28)
-
Early in the morning, a six-story tall plastic Christmas tree catches fire
in Disneyland's Grand Californian Hotel. (Dec 28th)
2006
- Goofy's Bounce house closes (Jan)
- One Day Adult Ticket Prices increase from $56 to $59 (January)
- January The Monsters, Inc.
Mike & Sully to the Rescue! attraction opens in Disney's California
Adventure Park
- Martin Sklar, the creative force behind most of Walt Disney Co.'s
theme parks, will step down as head of the company's famed Imagineering
division. (Feb 17)
- Emmalee Mason of Colorado was Disneyland's 2-billionth visitor. She
got the golden key to the Magic Kingdom and a lifetime pass to all eleven
Disney Parks. She served as the Grand Marshal in Disneyland's 50th
Anniversary Parade. (May 2)
- Ed Grier is named president of the Disneyland Resort. Matt Ouimet
leaves Disney for Starwood Hotels and Resorts
(July 25)
- Walt Disney named as inductee into the California Hall of Fame.
(July 31)
-
Pirates of the Caribbean in both Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom added the
characters Captain Jack Sparrow and Captain Barbossa to the attractions'
storylines.
- Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
premieres on a giant screen set up in the Disneyland park. It appears the
new version of the attraction is a hit, with the movie breaking all
box-office records. It has the largest three day opening in history ($132
million, passing Spiderman's $114 million), it's the first movie to hit $100
million in only two days, it also sells more tickets than any other movie
has in a three day period. By the end of ten days, it's over the quarter
billion mark at approximately $268 million, another record. By the fourth
week, Pirates has already become the biggest grossing Disney film in
history, pulling in $358 million, passing the Disney/Pixar film Finding
Nemo's $340 million, which had been Disney's best.
- Disney announces it is phasing out unhealthy food served in its
parks, and cutting back on licensing characters promoting snacks with excess
sugar and fat. (Oct 16th)
- Jedi Training camp opens (Oct)
- Expedition Everest opens at the Disney
World's Animal Kingdom. It is the single most-expensive attraction
ever built at Walt Disney World.
- Soarin' opens at Epcot Center. While
the ride is the same as the DCA version Soarin' Over California, it is
decide to drop the "Over California" for the east coast version of the ride.
2007
- Rockin' Space Mountain opens (Jan)
- Don Edgren of Murrieta, who was a project engineer on several attractions
at Disneyland, vice president of engineering at Disneyworld in Florida, and
director of engineering for Tokyo Disneyland, has died. Mr. Edgren was 83.
(January 9)
- Peter Ellenshaw, matte artist: born London 24 May 1913; married
1942 Bobbie Palmer (one son, one daughter); died Santa Barbara, California.
He designed several of the rides for Disneyland, as well as painting the
iconic first map of the theme park. (February
12)
- Eustace Lycett helped develop Circle-Vision, a process of film
projection on a 360-degree screen; and he was involved in the theme park's
"Rocket to the Moon" attraction. He also worked on the engineering for
"Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln" at the 1964-65 New York World's Fair and
the ensuing "Mr. Lincoln" attraction at Disneyland. Eustace Lycett died
today he wsa 91. (March 15)
- Earl Raymond Jackson, dubbed "the voice of Disneyland," who died
April 30. He was 72. He moved with family to California in 1967, working in
the Entertainment Division at Disneyland. After producing and announcing
many live shows, including the premier of Disneyland on Parade, Jackson was
dubbed "the voice of Disneyland" by Walt Disney. (May 1)
- Fulton Burley, the wisecracking Irish tenor who entertained
millions of Disneyland guests for 25 years as the popular star and master of
ceremonies at the long-running Golden Horseshoe Revue, passed away on Monday
May 7th. Burley also provided the voice
of the Irish parrot, Michael, for the Enchanted Tiki Room attraction at
Disneyland, and toured the country on numerous occasions hosting live shows
to promote theatrical reissues of such popular Disney films as The Jungle
Book, and Cinderella.” He was honored as a Disney Legend in a special
ceremony at the Studio in 1995.
- Tom Sawyer's Island is converted to The
Pirate's Lair at Tom Sawyer's Island.
- Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
opens with the largest Memorial Day weekend take of any film in history
($152 million) with the largest launch of any film in history (4,362
theatres). Still, the film falls a bit short of the actual three-day weekend
numbers. The film had early openings on Thursday (officially before the
weekend), which consequently may have hurt the film in setting an official
record the way Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest did last year. All
said and done, the three-day tally was $115 million, making it the fourth
largest film opening in history behind Spider-Man 3 ($151 million), Pirates
2 ($136 million) and Shrek 3 ($122 million).
- The Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage opens at
Disneyland.
- Disney purchases Pixar (for about $7.5
billion) in stock to make Pixar head, Steve Jobs of Apple, a board member
and Disney's largest stock holder.
- The Disney Gallery Closed August 7, 2007
- Bruce Gordon, a former Disney Imagineer who spent 25 years working in a
variety of top creative capacities for the Disney theme parks and
authored/co-authored definitive books on a wide range of Disney subjects and
legends including; The Nickel Tour, The Art of Disneyland and Disneyland;
Then Now and Forever, passed away suddenly on November 6th at his home in
Glendale, California. He was 56 years old.
2008
Ollie Johnston died of natural causes on Monday, April 14, 2008 at the
age of 95.
Oliver Martin Johnston, Jr. (October 31, 1912 – April 14,
2008) was a Disney motion picture animator. He was one of
Disney's Nine Old Men, and the last living member. His work
was recognized with the National Medal of Arts in 2005.
He was a directing animator at Walt Disney Studios from 1935
to 1978. He contributed to many films including Snow
White and the Seven Dwarfs, Fantasia, Bambi
and Pinocchio. Johnston co-authored, with Frank
Thomas, the reference book The Illusion of Life. The
partnership of Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston is fondly
presented in the documentary Frank and Ollie,
produced by Thomas' son Theodore.
- June 16th The new Home of the Future is opened at
Innoventions in Disneyland Park.
- June 17th Toy Story Midway Mania opens at Disney's California Adventure
park.
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