Notes

IMPORTANT DATES IN THE HISTORY OF THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY


October 16, 1923 Walt signed a contract with M. J. Winkler to produce a series of “Alice Comedies” — the date used as the start of the Disney company first known as “The Disney Brothers Studio”
March 1, 1924 Release of first Alice Comedy – “Alice’s Day at Sea.”
January, 1926 The Disneys move to their new studio at 2719 Hyperion. The name of the company is changed from “The Disney Brothers Studio” to “Walt Disney Studios”.
September 5, 1927 Release of first “Oswald the Lucky Rabbit” cartoon.
November 18, 1928 Steamboat Willie is released at the Colony Theatre in New York — the first Mickey Mouse cartoon released, also the first appearance of Minnie Mouse.
August 22, 1929 The Skeleton Dance, the first Silly Symphony, is released.
December 16, 1929 The Disney brothers’ partnership is replaced by four companies: Walt Disney Productions, Ltd.; Walt Disney Enterprises; Liled Realty and Investment Company; and the Disney Film Recording Company.
January 13, 1930 Mickey Mouse comic strip begins.
September 5, 1930 The Chain Gang, first appearance of Pluto, is released. He did not receive the name Pluto until The Moose Hunt (1931).
November, 1930 First Disney book (Mickey Mouse Book).
July 30, 1932 Flowers and Trees, first full-color cartoon and first Academy Award winner, is released.
November 15, 1932 Art School formed at Disney Studio to train animators.
May 27, 1933 Three Little Pigs, Academy Award winner, is released.
June, 1933 First Mickey Mouse watch is sold by Ingersoll.
June 9, 1934 The Wise Little Hen, first appearance of Donald Duck, is released.
February 23, 1935 The Band Concert, first Mickey Mouse cartoon in color, is released.
December 21, 1937 Release of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, first feature-length animated film, at the Carthay Circle Theatre.
February 7, 1940 Release of Pinocchio.
April 2, 1940 Walt Disney Productions issues its first stock.
May 6, 1940 Move of the Disney Studio to Burbank completed.
November 13, 1940 Release of Fantasia
August 17, 1941 Walt and artists leave on a goodwill trip to South America.
December 8, 1941 The U.S. Army moves onto the Disney Studio lot.
January 1, 1943 Der Fuehrer’s Face, Academy Award winner, is released.
November 12, 1946 Song of the South released.
December 21, 1948 Release of Seal Island, first True-Life Adventure.
October, 1949 Walt Disney Music Company formed.
July 19, 1950 Release of Treasure Island, first completely live- action feature.
December 25, 1950 One Hour in Wonderland first television show.
December 16, 1952 WED Enterprises founded by Walt.
February 5, 1953 Peter Pan is released.
February 18, 1953 Release of first People and Places film — “The Alaskan Eskimo.”
November 10, 1953 Release of The Living Desert, first film distributed by the new Buena Vista Distribution Company.
October 27, 1954 First airing of Disneyland television show.
December 15, 1954 Davy Crockett story is told on the Disneyland show.
December 23, 1954 Release of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
uly 17, 1955 Opening of Disneyland.
October 3, 1955 First program of the Mickey Mouse Club television series.
October 10, 1957 First program of the Zorro television series.
March 19, 1959 Release of The Shaggy Dog, first of a series of wacky comedies.
June 14, 1959 Vice-President Nixon dedicates Monorail. Matterhorn and Submarine Voyage open also at Disneyland.
June 23, 1963 Enchanted Tiki Room opens at Disneyland, first use of Audio-Animatronics figures.
April 22, 1964 Four Disney exhibits open at the New York World’s Fair.
August 29, 1964 Release of Mary Poppins.
February 3, 1965 WED Enterprises incorporated as a subsidiary of Walt Disney Productions (WED was personally owned by Walt from 1952 to 1965.)
July 23, 1965 MAPO incorporated.
December 15, 1966 Walt Disney dies.
March 13, 1969 Release of The Love Bug.
June 25, 1969 Walt Disney Educational Materials Co. incorporated.
December 25, 1969 “Disney on Parade” debuts in Chicago.
June 22, 1970 Establishment of the Walt Disney Archives.
June 17, 1971 100,000,000th guest welcomed at Disneyland.
October 1, 1971 Opening of Walt Disney World.
December 20, 1971 Roy O. Disney dies.
January 26, 1972 The Mouse Factory debuts on television.
October 16, 1973 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney Productions.
March 22, 1975 Walt Disney World Village opens.
June, 1975 America on Parade debuts for the Bicentennial at Disneyland and Walt Disney World
January 17, 1977 The new Mickey Mouse Club airs.
November 18, 1978 Mickey Mouse celebrates 50th birthday.
July 17, 1980 Disneyland celebrates 25th anniversary.
October, 1980 First Home Video titles released
December 3, 1980 Tokyo Disneyland groundbreaking and site dedication.
October 1, 1982 EPCOT Center opens.
April 15, 1983 Tokyo Disneyland opens.
April 18, 1983 The Disney Channel begins broadcasting.
May 25, 1983 New Fantasyland opens at Disneyland.
March 9, 1984 Release of first Touchstone film, Splash.
June 9, 1984 Donald Duck celebrates 50th birthday.
September 23, 1984 Michael Eisner and Frank Wells become Chairman and President of Walt Disney Productions.
September 14, 1985 First Saturday morning animated TV shows air; “Golden Girls” debuts.
February 2, 1986 The Disney Sunday Movie debuts on television.
February 6, 1986 Walt Disney Productions name changed to The Walt Disney Company.
March 25, 1986 500,000,000th guest to a Disney park welcomed.
September 4, 1986 Airing of syndicated Disney features and TV shows begins.
January 9, 1987 Star Tours, built in collaboration with George Lucas, opens at Disneyland.
February 11, 1987 The Walt Disney Company re-incorporated in Delaware.
March 24, 1987 Euro Disneyland agreement signed in France.
March 28, 1987 First Disney Store opens, in Glendale Galleria.
May 5, 1987 First Disney Dollars sold at Disneyland.
September 21, 1987 DuckTales released in syndication.
January 21, 1988 The Wrather Corp. (including the Disneyland Hotel) is acquired.
February 2, 1988 First filming done at The Disney/MGM Studios.
May 26, 1988 Childcraft is acquired.
June 21, 1988 Who Framed Roger Rabbit released.
June 24, 1988 Grand Floridian Beach Resort dedicated at Walt Disney World.
October 1, 1988 Caribbean Beach Resort opens.
October 16, 1988 First Disney/Soviet Film Festival opens.
December 2, 1988 TV station KHJ acquired.
February 1, 1989 Hollywood Pictures begins operations.
May 1, 1989 Opening of Disney/MGM Studio Theme Park and Pleasure Island.
June 1, 1989 Opening of Typhoon Lagoon.
July 17, 1989 Splash Mountain opens at Disneyland.
September 1, 1989 Disneyland welcomes 300,000,000th guest.
December 1, 1989 KHJ-TV changes its call letters to KCAL-TV.
January 1, 1990 Hollywood Records begins operation
July 18, 1990 Release of Hollywood Pictures’ first film, “Arachnophobia.”
August 26, 1990 Disneyland begins a 5-year sponsorship of the Pigskin Classic football game at Anaheim Stadium.
September 10, 1990 Premiere of The Disney Afternoon syndicated TV programming.
November, 1990 Yacht and Beach Club Resorts open at Walt Disney World.
May 6, 1991 The Walt Disney Company joins the Dow Jones Industrial Average.
May 29, 1991 100,000,000th guest welcomed at Tokyo Disneyland.
September 26, 1991 Hyperion Books publishes its first book.
April 12, 1992 Euro Disney opens.
October 10, 1992 Approval of The Mighty Ducks hockey franchise by the NHL Board of Governors.
December 31, 1992 Stopped operating the Queen Mary in Long Beach
June 30, 1993 The Walt Disney Company acquires Miramax Film Corp.
October 8, 1993 Inaugural Game of The Mighty Ducks vs. The Detroit Red Wings at The Anaheim Pond.
April 18, 1994 Beauty and the Beast stage show opens on Broadway.
June 15, 1994 Release of The Lion King
November 4, 1994 The first Walt Disney Gallery opens at the MainPlace Mall in Santa Ana, California.
December 5, 1994 Disney Interactive formed.
April 1, 1995 Blizzard Beach opens at Walt Disney World
May 18, 1995 Agreement to purchase 25% of the California Angels baseball team from Gene Autry
July 31, 1995 Agreement to purchase Capital Cities/ABC for $19 billion
September, 1995 Disney Online, a business unit of Disney Interactive, is founded.
October 1, 1995 The Disney Channel begins operation in the UK.
October 2, 1995 Michael Ovitz becomes President of the Walt Disney Company.
January 4, 1996 Stockholders approve Disney merger with Capital Cities/ABC
January 27, 1996 Inaugural race of the Indy Racing League Indy 200 at Walt Disney World Speedway
February 22, 1996 Disney Online launches Disney.com on the World Wide Web
February 9, 1996 Final FCC approval of and filing of merger documents for completion of the acquisition of Capital Cities/ABC.
February 9, 1996 The Disney Institute opens at Walt Disney World.
April 18, 1996 Disney announced the purchase of Dream Quest Images, a visual-effects studio in Simi Valley, California
June 18, 1996 The Haber family is the first to move into their new home in Celebration.
July 17, 1996 Disney announced plans for Disney’s California Adventure in Anaheim.
November 18, 1996 Debut of Radio Disney on the ABC Radio Networks.
November 25, 1996 The Main Street Electrical Parade makes its final appearance at Disneyland.
March 28, 1997 Disney’s Wide World of Sports baseball stadium opened to the public for the first time (Atlanta Braves/Cincinnati Reds exhibition game).
March 31, 1997 Disney Online introduces Disney’s Daily Blast website.
April 2, 1997 Inauguration ceremony officially opened the New Amsterdam Theatre in New York City.
June 1, 1997 Lyric Street Records founded as a country music label.
September 15, 1997 Downtown Disney West Side opens at Walt Disney World.
November 13, 1997 The Lion King stage production opens on Broadway.
March 23, 1998 ESPN Magazine debuts.
April 22, 1998 Opening of Disney’s Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World.
June 19, 1998 Release of Mulan.
June 19, 1998 First Disney Quest opens at Downtown Disney West Side at Walt Disney World.
June 24, 1998 600,000,000th guest welcomed at Walt Disney World
July 12, 1998 First ESPN Zone opens in Baltimore, MD.
July 30, 1998 Disney Magic cruise ship departs on its inaugural cruise.
January 12, 1999 Launch of “GO” Network
January 15, 1999 All-Star Movies Resort opens at Walt Disney World
March 1, 1999 Asia opens at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
March 31, 1999 Disney completes the purchase of the Anaheim Angels
May 1, 1999 Mickey MouseWorks debuts on television
June 18, 1999 Tarzan released
August 6,1999 The Sixth Sense released, and becomes the Company’s highest-grossing live-action film
August 15, 1999 Maiden voyage of the Disney Wonder
September 29, 1999 Euro Disney announces plans for its second gate, The Disney Studios, to open in the Spring of 2002.
October 1, 1999 Millennium Celebration begins at Epcot
November 18, 1999 GO.com stock begins trading on the New York Stock Exchange
November 24, 1999 Toy Story 2 opens with Disney’s highest weekend gross
January 1, 2000 Fantasia 2000 is released in IMAX theaters
March 23, 2000 Aida opens on Broadway
February 8, 2001 Disney’s California Adventure opens
April 16, 2001 Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge opens
May 25, 2001 Pearl Harbor is released
June 15, 2001 Atlantis: The Lost Empire is released
September 4, 2001 Tokyo DisneySea opens
October 24, 2001 Fox Family Channel acquired and renamed ABC Family Channel
November 2, 2001 Monsters Inc. released
November, 2001 The Baby Einstein Company acquired
December 5, 2001 100th anniversary of Walt Disney’s birth
March 16, 2002 Walt Disney Studios, Paris, opens
June 21, 2002 Lilo & Stitch is released
August 2, 2002 Signs is released
November 27, 2002 Treasure Planet is released
May 22, 2003 Disney sells the Anaheim Angels.
May 30, 2003 Finding Nemo is released, becoming Disney’s highest grossing animated film.
July 9, 2003 Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl is released, and became Disney’s highest-grossing live action film.
November 18, 2003 Mickey Mouse celebrates his 75th anniversary with the unveiling of 75 Mickey statues at Walt Disney World.
December 14, 2003 Pop Century Resort opens at Walt Disney World.
March 3, 2004 Senator George J. Mitchell becomes Chairman of the Board of The Walt Disney Company.
April 2004 Disney acquires the Muppet properties and Bear in the Big Blue House.
September 22, 2004 Lost debuts on ABC.
October 3, 2004 Desperate Housewives debuts on ABC.
November 5, 2004 The Incredibles is released.
February 25, 2005 Disney sells The Mighty Ducks hockey team.
March 27, 2005 Grey’s Anatomy debuts on ABC.
May 5, 2005 Happiest Celebration on Earth begins at all Disney theme parks to honor 50 years of Disneyland.
June 15, 2005 Adventures by Disney runs their first trip with paying guests.
September 12, 2005 Hong Kong Disneyland opens.
October 1, 2005 Robert A. Iger becomes Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company.
October 12, 2005 Disney is first to license TV episodes, from ABC and Disney Channel series, for download on Apple’s iTunes Music Store.
November 4, 2005 Chicken Little is released.
December 9, 2005 The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is released.
January 20, 2006 High School Musical airs and breaks all Disney Channel records, with its soundtrack going platinum.
March 14, 2006 High School Musical is the first full-length movie to be sold via digital download, on Apple’s iTunes Music Store, followed by theatrical features in September.
March 24, 2006 Hannah Montana debuts on Disney Channel.
May 5, 2006 Disney purchases Pixar Animation Studios.
July 7, 2006 Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest is released, and soon becomes the company’s highest-grossing release.
September 28, 2006 Ugly Betty debuts on ABC.
October 1, 2006 The Year of a Million Dreams begins at the Disney parks with special prizes for guests.
January 1, 2007 John E. Pepper, Jr., becomes chairman of the board.
June 11, 2007 Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage opens at Disneyland.
June 29, 2007 The Secret of the Magic Gourd, first Disney co-production in China, is released.
June 29, 2007 Ratatouille, from Pixar, is released.
August 1, 2007 Club Penguin acquired.
August 17, 2007 High School Musical 2 set cable records on its premiere on Disney Channel.
October 16, 2007 Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert begins sold-out tour to 69 cities.
November 3, 2007 The Little Mermaid begins previews as a stage show on Broadway.
November 21, 2007 Enchanted is released.
December 21, 2007 National Treasure: Book of Secrets is released.
January 7, 2008 Disney-MGM Studios is renamed Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
February 1, 2008 Phineas and Ferb debuts on Disney Channel after an August 2007 preview.
April 3, 2008 The Disney Stores North America are re-acquired from The Children’s Place.
June 27, 2008 WALL•E, from Pixar, is released, later winning an Academy Award.
October 2008 First Disney-operated language training center, Disney English, opens in China.
October 28, 2008 Tinker Bell, the first of a series of Disney Fairies films, is released.
February 13, 2009 Disney XD launches, replacing Toon Disney on cable television.
March 10, 2009 D23: The Official Disney Fan Club launches.
April 22, 2009 Disneynature label launched with release of Earth.
April 30, 2009 Disney becomes an equity owner of Hulu.
May 29, 2009 Up, from Pixar, is released, which would win two Oscars.
August 4, 2009 Bay Lake Tower opens at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.
September 10, 2009 The first D23 Expo is held in Anaheim.
October 1, 2009 The Walt Disney Family Museum, operated by the Walt Disney Family Foundation, opens in San Francisco after a preview day on September 19.
October 29, 2009 First Disney film locally produced in Russia – Kniga Masterov (The Book of Masters) – is released.
December 11, 2009 The Princess and the Frog is released.
December 16, 2009 Roy E. Disney dies.
December 31, 2009 Disney’s acquisition of Marvel Entertainment is completed.
March 5, 2010 Alice in Wonderland is released; it would go on to win 2 Oscars.
June 18, 2010 Toy Story 3, from Pixar, is released; it would win 2 Oscars and become the highest-grossing animated film of all time.
October 8, 2010 The first live action Hindi film released by Disney in India, Do Dooni Chaar (Two Times Two Equals Four), is released.
November 24, 2010 Tangled is released.
December 2010 Disney sells Miramax to an investor group.
January 26, 2011 Maiden voyage of the Disney Dream.
February 18, 2011 The first DreamWorks motion picture is released under the Touchstone banner (I Am Number Four).
April 7, 2011 Official groundbreaking of the Shanghai Disney Resort.
May 20, 2011 Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides is released.
June 24, 2011 Cars 2, from Pixar, is released.
August 29, 2011 Aulani, A Disney Resort and Spa opens in west Oahu’s Ko Olina Resort & Marina.
March 1, 2012 Maiden voyage of the Disney Fantasy.
March 23, 2012 Disney Junior replaces SOAPnet on cable television.
March 29, 2012 Opening night of Newsies on Broadway.
May 4, 2012 Marvel’s The Avengers is released.
June 22, 2012 Brave, from Pixar, is released.
September 8, 2012 Grand Opening of the first Disney Baby Store in Glendale, California.
October 30, 2012 The Walt Disney Company announces its agreement to purchase Lucasfilm Ltd.
November 2, 2012 Wreck-It Ralph is released.