Dateline Disney 15 April 2008
Events that shaped the Walt Disney Company
April 15
1983: Tokyo Disneyland opens.
Cinderella Castle at Toyko Disneyland is a near identical version of the one at Walt Disney World in Florida.
The first Disney Park to be built outside of the United States, Tokyo Disneyland's dedication was given by Disney Legend Card Walker, who took the position of executive vice president and chief operating officer after Walt Disney in 1966.
Although it was modeled after Disneyland, Tokyo Disneyland is unique in many ways. Instead of a Main Street U.S.A. the Park has a World Bazaar, which is enclosed by a glass canopy. Instead of a Frontierland, a Westernland and in Fantasyland, a ride called Pooh's Hunny Hunt. The Haunted Mansion is located in Fantasyland as well since in Japanese culture ghost are considered only to exist in fairy tales. And unlike other Disney Parks, Tokyo Disneyland does not have a railroad surrounding it.
The Park celebrates its 25th Anniversary in 2008.
March 18
1967: The very first Pirates of the Caribbean attraction opens at the Disneyland Park in California.
Walt Disney visits Imagineering to check on the pirates that will populate the attraction.
Originally developed as a a walk-through wax museum, the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction was revised after the success of it's a small world at the 1964/1965 New York World's Fair. That ride proved boats could be a better way to move more Guest through an attraction. In addition to improved ride technology, breakthroughs in the development of audio-animatronic figures (created by Walt Disney Imagineers) also for the World Fair made the Pirates of the Carribean attraction much more than a walk-through museum!
February 15
1950: Cinderella is released in theaters.
Cinderella was the Disney Studio's 12th animated feature film. The movie was an instant hit at the box office and has since gone on to become one of Disney's most beloved fairytales of all time.
2002: Richard W. Cook is promoted to Chairman of the Walt Disney Studios.
Richard began his storybook career with Disney in 1970 as a ride operator at Disneyland Park. He went on to work at the Disney Studios in Burbank where he rose through the ranks and would eventually be promoted to Chairman.
He is in charge of various aspects at Walt Disney Studios, which include developing and marketing of all films released by Walt Disney Pictures, Touchstone Pictures, and Hollywood Pictures.
February 4
1938: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is released in theaters.
The first animated feature film to be released by Walt Disney and the first animated feature to be released in Technicolor.
Despite critics at the time that discounted the significance of the film (as it was an animated feature), Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs became an instant success and a timeless classic. Ultimately Snow White would pave the way for the future of animated films.
In 2008 the film celebrates it's 70th anniversary. A tribute to the film, "The Fairest One of All" can be seen at Disney's California Adventure in the Disney Animation attraction located in the Hollywood Pictures Backlot area.