1840 - Russian composer Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky is born on this day (or April 25 according to the Julian calendar) in Votkinsk, a small town in present-day Udmurtia. Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker Suite will later be used in Disney's 1940 Fantasia. The original piece will be shortened and the order of the movements rearranged to fit the animated action.

1917 - Actor & Disney Legend David Tomlinson - best known for his role as George W. Banks in the 1964 Mary Poppins - is born in Henley-on-Thames, England. His Disney live-action credits also include The Love Bug (playing the evil Thorndyke) and Bedknobs and Broomsticks (as the humbug professor of magical arts, Emelius Brown).

1922 - Seasoned actor of stage, screen & television, Darren McGavin is born in Spokane, Washington. McGavin's Disney TV credits include the role of John Jay Forest in The High Flying Spys and Timothy Donovan in Donovan's Kid. He also portrays Mayor Ragsdale in Disney's live-action feature Hot Lead and Cold Feet and Duke in the feature No Deposit, No Return. (McGavin is most fondly remembered by cult TV fans as heroic newspaper reporter Carl Kolchak in the classic horror series Kolchak: The Night Stalker.)

1950 - The first engine officially runs on the Carolwood Pacific Railroad - Walt Disney's backyard train at his Carolwood Drive home in Holmby Hills, California. The 2,615 feet of track includes a 46 foot long trestle and a 90 foot long tunnel under his wife Lillian's flower bed! Walt controls the track from a special barn that acts as a central headquarters for the railroad's operations. (The backyard railroad will be credited with becoming part of Walt's inspiration for the creation of Disneyland and the actual barn will later be moved to Griffith Park. Learn more at the Carolwood Pacific Historical Society's site.)

1955 - At the Disney Studios, actor Tim Considine reads for the part of Marty for a new television serial to be called The Adventures of Spin and Marty. He will be called back 2 days later for a film test and eventually be hired ... for the role of Spin!

1961 - The TV series Walt Disney Presents airs part 1 of "Andrew's Raiders." Based on a true story from the American Civil War, it was originally released in theaters as The Great Locomotive Chase in 1956.

1973 - Neel Tyree replaces Jerry Siggins and begins performing with the Dapper Dans of Walt Disney World (the popular barbershop quartet who appear in the Magic Kingdom).

1993 - The World Roller Hockey League Rink opens on the beach at Disney-MGM Studios. Used by a professional inline hockey league, it will last just one season.

1999 - At Disney's El Capitan Theatre in California, a fully restored 35mm CinemaScope, Dolby Stereo print of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea is shown. Director Richard Fleischer and Academy Award-winning matte artist Peter Ellenshaw are on hand to discuss the 1954 film.

2000 - The Wonderful World of Disney airs the musical "Geppetto," starring Drew Carey.

2001 - Disney officials start the application process for a new Anaheim park that would join its 55-acre California Adventure and the original 75-acres Disneyland. The new 78-acre park could include up to 3,350 hotel rooms, as well as retail, dining and entertainment, parking and transportation facilities. Opening day is still undetermined.

2002 - Swiss Family Robinson: Vault Disney Collection, Old Yeller: Vault Disney Collection, The Parent Trap: Vault Disney Collection, and Pollyanna: Vault Disney Collection are all released on DVD. Many of the releases include interviews, special commentary, and behind-the-scenes footage.

2004 - It is reported that Progress Energy Florida has signed a deal to provide wholesale power to Disney World Resort's utility. The 5-year deal calls for electricity to be provided starting in January 2006.

2008 - Three months after shouting, "I'm going to Disneyland!" Super Bowl XLII MVP Eli Manning finally rides down Main Street USA at Disneyland. He makes the trip in a classic Cadillac convertible, accompanied by his new bride, Abby McGrew, Mickey Mouse, and other Disney characters. (Manning led the New York Giants to victory over the New England Patriots last February 3.)

2009 - A special pre-release screening of Up (to benefit the Emery Ed Fund) takes place at Pixar Animation Studios in Emeryville, California. (The new animated comedy adventure will be released May 29.)

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