Fact for the Day
Disney's 1994 animated classic The Lion King is dedicated to the late Frank Wells - Disney's President and Chief Operating Officer (1984-1994).
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1920 - Entertainer and Disney Legend Wallace Vincent Boag is born in Portland, Oregon. In 1955, a friend will tell him about auditions for Disneyland's Golden Horseshoe Revue. Wally will win the role of Pecos Bill and quickly become one of
Walt's favorite comedic actors and an important part of Disneyland's live entertainment. He will also go on to appear in such live-action 1960s films as The Love Bug and Son of Flubber.
1973 - At Disneyland, the General Electric Carousel of Progress closes. It will be moved to
Walt Disney World and be replaced in Disneyland by America Sings in June 1974. The popular COP attraction had originally been part of the 1964-1965 World's Fair in New York.
1979 - Nikki Deloach, a member of The All New
Mickey Mouse Club, and one-fifth of the group Innosense, is born in Blackshear, Georgia.
1979 - The NBC-TV series The Wonderful World of Disney changes its name on this evening's program. It is now titled Disney's Wonderful World. Part 1 of the 1961 release "The Absent-Minded Professor," starring Fred MacMurray, is shown.
1988 - Tokyo Disneyland welcomes its 60-millionth guest!
1990 - NBC's popular Disney television series airs for the last time as The Magical World of Disney. Starting September 28, 1997 it will return to ABC as The Wonderful World of Disney.
1993 - Actor Charlie Stewart - Bob on Disney Channel's The Suite Life of Zack and Cody - is born in Nevada. He's also appeared in a 2002 episode of Even Stevens and the 2006 feature film The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause.
1994 - Disney World's Night of Joy kicks off in the Magic Kingdom the same day the staple attraction 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea is officially closed.
1999 - The Dapper Dans (the popular Disney barbershop harmony group) appear in TV segments of A & E Biography's Child Stars: The Osmonds. The program describes the fateful day when The Osmonds audition for The Lawrence Welk Show was cancelled and their parents took them to Disneyland to cheer them up. That day the boys were brought to the attention of Disneyland entertainment managers by the Dapper Dans. The Dapper Dans are seen in Osmond family home movie footage taken at Disneyland.
2000 - The animated series Teacher's Pet debuts on ABC-TV.
2001 - The "Country Bear Playhouse" attraction in Disneyland lowers the curtain on its 29-year run.
2001 - Singer-actress Heather Headley, the original Aida in Disney's Broadway hit musical Aida, offers her final performance.
2003 - Disney's 1959 Sleeping Beauty makes its debut on DVD the same day Disney World's Magic Kingdom hosts a special pre-parade tribute to the classic animated feature.
2003 - Disney historian Leon Janzen passes away after suffering a heart attack. The 57-year-old is best known for starting and maintaining (along with his brother Jack) "The E-Ticket Magazine" since 1986. He was also an avid collector of early 1950's toys and books.
2003 - Radio Disney: Kid Jams, Vol. 6 is released. The enhanced CD features such artists as Hilary Duff, Atomic Kitten, Hampton And The Hamsters, and Stevie Brock.
2004 - Disney World's 22nd Night of Joy begins at the Magic Kingdom. The special 3-night event includes concerts by Christian music stars Michael W. Smith, Avalon, Jars of Clay, Point of Grace, and Steven Curtis Chapman. (It is the first time the event has started on a Thursday night.) The
Walt Disney World Food Drive takes place during Night of Joy with collection stations located at the ticket & transportation center and the main gate of the Magic Kingdom.
2004 - In a letter dated September 9,
Walt Disney Company CEO Michael Eisner announces that he will retire from the
Walt Disney Company after September 2006, when his contract with the company expires.
2005 - The 23rd annual edition of
Walt Disney World's Night of Joy kicks off for 2 nights at the Magic Kingdom.
2005 - "Eisner Comments on Disney" (an Associated Press article by William Foreman) is released. The Disney CEO reflects on his last 21 years with the company.