Disneyrewind - June 29, 2007 Pixar's Ratatouille is released in theaters

Ratatouille, the eighth animated feature film produced by Pixar, is
released by Walt Disney Pictures.

• Directed by Brad Bird (creator of The Incredibles)
• Patton Oswalt - Remy
• Lou Romano - Linguini
• Brian Dennehy - Django
• Brad Garrett - Gusteau
• Janeane Garofalo - Colette
• John Ratzenberger - Mustafa

Disneyrewind - June 28, 1995 The Main Street Athletic Club opens at Walt Disney World

June 28, 1995 The Main Street Athletic Club opens on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World.



The Main Street Athletic Club is located immediately after The Disney Clothiers on the left of Main Street as you approach the Castle from the main entrance.  It specialises in character endorsed sports clothing, particularly football and baseball clothing, and men's golf shirts with Mickey Mouse embroidered on the pocket.

Disneyrewind - June 28, 1987 Snow White gets her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

June 28th 1987, Snow White receives the 1,850th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.  Her star is located at 6910 Hollywood Boulevard.  This star is in honor of the 50th anniversary of the film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs which was released on December 21st 1937.


Special guests attending:

• Roy E. Disney - Vice Chairman of the Board of the Walt Disney Company
• Ward Kimball - animator of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
• Marc Davis
• Art Babbitt
• Adriana Caselotti - the original voice of Snow White.
• Richard Frank - President of Walt Disney Studios

Disneyrewind - June 28, 1932 Actor Pat Morita is born in Isleton, California

Actor Noriyuki "Pat" Morita is born June 28, 1932 in Isleton, California. Best known from The Karate Kid movies, TV fans may also remember him for his role as Arnold on the ABC hit sitcom Happy Days.

For us Disney fans, Pat was the voice of the Emperor in Disney's 1998 feature Mulan. He later reprised the role in video game Kingdom Hearts II and the direct to video sequel to Mulan, Mulan II.

Pat Morita died on November 24, 2005, at his home in Las Vegas of kidney failure at the age of 73. He was survived by his wife of 15 years, Evelyn, as well as his children from previous marriages, Erin, Aly, and Tia. He was also survived by siblings Gloria Imagire, Clarence Saika, Teddy Saika, Peggy Saika, and his then-92-year-old mother, Dorothy Sueko Saika (1913–2009), of Milpitas, California.

4th of July at Walt Disney World Resort

I wish I could make this one, I was just reading the press release for the 4th of July fireworks at Walt Disney World and they are going to be awesome! 

• Magic Kingdom will present “Disney’s Celebrate America! A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky.” This patriotic fireworks spectacular, paying homage to the hopes and dreams of America’s forefathers, will light the skies at 9 p.m. July 4 – and for guests who would like to begin the Independence Day celebration early, the show also will be presented July 3 at 9 p.m.
• At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, traditional Fourth of July fireworks take on a different spin when Mulch, Sweat, and Shears perform for the all-new “Rockin’ 4^th of July Celebration”! These resident landscapers – with serious rock and roll ambitions – take Disney guests on a musical road trip across America that will highlight each region’s contribution to rock and roll. Fireworks, lighting and special effects – backed by the driving live rock and roll of Mulch, Sweat, and Shears – combine to bring a new twist to celebrating Independence Day. Showtime July 4 is 9:45 p.m. Before or after the show, Disney’s Hollywood Studios guests can thrill to Disney’s Fantasmic!, performing July 4 at 9 and 10:30 p.m.
• At Epcot, sky-watchers can check out  “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” bursting high above World Showcase Lagoon. IllumiNations is a 14-minute spectacular during which pyrotechnics, lasers, water and music are all used to tell a story about the past, present and future of our planet. On the Fourth of July, the show will be enhanced with "The Heartbeat of Freedom," an overture of traditional Americana themes displayed in a pyrotechnic and laser light event. The show is at 10 p.m.

In addition, Epcot guests may lend their ears to “Voices of Liberty 4^th of July Concert” and participate in meet-and-greets with Benjamin Franklin, Betsy Ross and Disney characters adorned in patriotic dress at American Adventure.

The tough part is going to be what to watch But with some creativity and 2 days you could catch almost every show!

Disneyrewind - June 28, 1988 The Grand Floridian Beach Resort opens at Walt Disney World

Disney's Grand Floridian Beach Resort sits on the west shore of Seven Seas Lagoon in Walt Disney World Resort Orlando, Florida. A monorail stop hotel makes this one of the fast transportation hotels meaning you don't have to wait on a BUS in the morning...  I can't stress the beauty of being on the monorail enough!  some hotels only have 1 restaurant, maybe 2 at the contempory, and maybe can go see a luah at the Polynesian, but The Grand Floridian has 5 resteraunts!  Now I must admit now to you, that I have only eaten at one 1900 Park Fare and I went there to hear "Big Bertha" play (Big Bertha is a large Band Organ that would have been used to play music for a fairgrounds, well please take some time and read about The Walt Disney Music Box Collection). Big Bertha is built into a loft area in 1900 Park Fare and to help you out if you want to hear her, she only plays for breakfast.


The Grand Floridian is a lovely hotel where if you have the time go some evening, do sit in the lobby and listen to the live orchestra playing music it's very nice.


What are the names of the shops and Restaurants at the Grand Floridian you ask?

• Flagler's restaurant
• 1900 Park Fare restaurant
• M. Mouse Mercantile shop
• Narcoossee's restaurant
• Victoria and Albert's restaurant
• Grand Floridian Cafe restaurant.

Ohh and did I mention that this hotel has a monorail stop?

Disneyrewind - June 27, 1927 Captain Kangaroo (Robert Keeshan) is born

Robert Keeshan, famously known to children as Captain Kangaroo, is born in Lynbrook, New York on June 27, 1927. Although Bob Keeshan is best loved for his role as Captain Kangaroo who worked with Mr Green Jeans and Mr Moose who had a penchant for dropping ping pong balls on the dear Captain's head.

But did you know Robert Keeshan also worked with Disney. He was the voice of Aesop in a 1998 episode of Disney's Hercules television series titled Hercules and the Kids that originally aired November 28, 1998. This was the final acting roll of Robert Keeshan.  Robert Keeshan died January 23, 2004 in Windsor, Vermont at the age of 76.


The New York Times commented: "Captain Kangaroo, a round-faced, pleasant, mustachioed man possessed of an unshakable calm ... was one of the most enduring characters television ever produced."

Disneyrewind - June 27, 1955 Disney Announces Circarama 360 degree theater at Disneyland

Circarama, later CircleVision 360, Is an interesting projection technique whereby an odd number of screens are placed in just above head level in a round theater so that you can see what's coming or turn around and watch it go by. Why odd you ask? Well that's so that the projectors can be placed in the spaces inbetween the screens and shoot directly across the theater squarely onto it's screen. But just how many screens and cameras were used in this technique you ask? 11 screens, cameras and projectors were used.  This original Film was called "A Tour of the West."

“An advanced motion picture development, Circarama, consisting of a continuous image focused on a 360-degree screen, will be introduced at Disneyland Park on July 17 by American Motors Corporation, producer of Hudson, Nash and Rambler automobiles and Kelvinator appliances.”
—Disney press release from June 27,1955.

Disneyrewind - June 27, 1997 Walt Disney Pictures Releases Hercules to theaters

Hercules, is Walt Disney Productions 35th full length animated feature.


The son of the Greek Gods Zeus and Hera is stripped of his immortality as an infant and must become a true hero in order to reclaim it.


The Cast

• Tate Donovan - Hercules (voice)
• Josh Keaton - Young Hercules (voice)
• Roger Bart - Young Hercules (singing voice)
• Danny DeVito - Philoctetes (voice)
• James Woods - Hades; Lord of the Underworld (voice)
• Susan Egan - Meg (voice)
• Bobcat Goldthwait - Pain (voice)
• Matt Frewer - Panic (voice)
• Rip Torn - Zeus (voice)
• Samantha Eggar - Hera, Hercules' Mother (voice)
• Barbara Barrie - Alcmene; Hercules' Foster Mother (voice)
• Hal Holbrook - Amphitryon; Hercules Foster Father (voice)
• Paul Shaffer - Hermes; the Messenger God (voice)
• Amanda Plummer - The Fates (voice)
• Carole Shelley - The Fates (voice)

Disneyrewind - June 27 1991 Mickey's Mart at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom closes

Believed to have opened in 1971 Mickey's Mart was a fixture of Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom's tomorrowland. Mickey's Mart closed it's doors on June 27, 1991 to make way for a, you guessed it, a name change!


Ahhh but what you ask did they change the name too? It was changed to Mickey's Star Traders and reopened on the following day June 28, 1991 (did it really ever close? that's the disney magic in action)  Star Traders is one of the cool shops with windows to look in from the Tomorrowland Transit Authority.

Disneyrewind - June 27, 2008 Disney announces the closure of all six Pleasure Island clubs

Pleasure Island the center of downtown disney was built to compete with Orlando's Church Street Station, a thriving gated attraction of multiple clubs for one price.

Disney says it wants to focus on family entertainment more and the adult nightclubs just didn't fit in with that. The entire project is projected to be completed in early 2013.

Disneyrewind - June 26, 1989 Delta Dreamflight opens at Walt Disney World

On June 26th 1989, "Delta Dreamflight" attraction opens in Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. Sponsored by Delta Air Lines, it replaces "If You Could Fly attraction."

Brief History of "Delta Dreamflight"

"If You Had Wings" (June 5, 1972 – June 1, 1987)
"If You Had Wings" was one of the original attractions at Walt Disney World. This ride was sponsored like so many early rides by a corporate benefactor, here it was Eastern Air Lines.  The whole reason for their sponsorship was to try to get people to fly. The ride employed the omni-mover ride system that was designed for the haunted mansion at disneyland in 1969, was a ride that if my memory serves me correctly didn't have a lot of physical props but was mostly motion picture projections on screens, eggshaped speed tunnels, mirrors and screens etc. And had an infectious song by Buddy Baker "If You Had Wings". It also had narration by Orson Welles. Of interesting note this ride was a free ride and never required any tickets back when all rides required an A-E ticket or ride. Eastern withdrew it's sponsorship and the ride closed on June 1st to scrub their name from the storyline.


"If You Could Fly" (June 6, 1987 - January 4, 1989)
The ride reopend on June 6th 1987 in one of the fastest turnarounds in history as "If You Could Fly." Everything was the same except there was no references to Eastern Air Lines and the theme song was changed to "If You Could Fly" which was dull to say the least. On January 4, 1989, "If You Could Fly" was permanently closed.

"Delta Dreamflight" (June 23, 1989 – January 1, 1996)
Delta took over sponsorship of the ride and all the sets were removed and changed, but the ride system (omni-movers) was left as original.  Instead of tropical getaways and romantic locations the storyline is about the evolution of flight. The rumors are Delta dropped sponsorship of "Delta Dreamflight" to focus it's efforts on the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia.

"Dreamflight" (January 1, 1996 to June 4, 1996)
After Delta departed the picture it was renamed to simply "Dreamflight".

"Take Flight" (June 5, 1996 - January 1998)
"Dreamflight" reopened as "Take Flight". It was only a slight refurbishment; all references to Delta were removed and the attraction's popular theme songs were rerecorded. Take Flight closed its doors for good in January 1998.

Now comes the interesting part in this story, as the entire ride system was stripped of it's omni-mover carriages and they were replaced with spinable cars and the ride became "Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin" on November 3rd 1998. But the original ride track was unchanged and the path through the building is the same as it was in 1972 when "If You Had Wings" opened!

Disneyrewind - June 26, 1909 Wolfgang "Woolie" Reitherman is born

Animator-director Wolfgang "Woolie" Reitherman is born June 26th 1909 in Munich, Germany. As a child, his family will move to the U.S. and settle in California. Woolie hired in with Walt Disney right out of Art School and went to work in 1934 making pictures. He is called one of Walt Disney's "Nine Old Men," a comparison to the 9 supreme court justices as referred to by Franklin D Roosevelt.


Nine Old Men:

• Les Clark (November 17, 1907 – September 12, 1979) - joined Disney in 1927
• Eric Larson (September 3, 1905 – October 25, 1988) - joined Disney in 1933
• Wolfgang Reitherman (June 26, 1909 – May 22, 1985) - joined Disney in 1933 retired 1981
• Frank Thomas (September 5, 1912 – September 8, 2004) joined Disney in 1934
• Milt Kahl (March 22, 1909 – April 19, 1987) - joined Disney in 1934
• Ward Kimball (March 4, 1914 – July 8, 2002) - joined Disney in 1934
• John Lounsbery (March 9, 1911 – February 13, 1976) - joined Disney in 1935
• Marc Davis (March 30, 1913 – January 12, 2000) - joined Disney in 1935
• Ollie Johnston (October 31, 1912 – April 14, 2008) - joined Disney in 1935

A Disney Legend, Woolie has animated, directed and or produced pretty much every animated feature, and short during his 47 years with Walt Disney Productions.  He was named a Disney Legend in 1989.

Wolfgang died on May 22nd, 1985 in a single-car accident near his home in Burbank, California.

Disneyrewind - June 26, 1985 WDW Gold Monorail catches fire

At about 9 p.m. on Wednesday June 26, 1985, the Gold Mark IV Walt Disney World monorail catches fire while enroute from Epcot to the Transportation and Ticket Center. Over two hundred passengers are safely evacuated from the elevated tracks by ladders and cherry-picker cranes.  The monorails are driven by rubber truck tires and one on the rear car developed a flat and was drug down the concrete beam until it caught fire which ignited the coach.

According to the Miami Herald Thursday June 27, 1985:

"The 40 passengers in the burning car were able to knock out windows and climb to the train roof to await evacuation by the Reedy Creek Fire Department, Disney spokesman Rod Madden said."

A number of improvements have been made to the monorails since then and they now run completely different trains. But a short list of the improvements includes:

• onboard fire detection systems
• emergency exits
• and evacuation planning

Disneyrewind - June 25, 2005 John Fiedler the voice of Piglet passed away

John Donald Fiedler was born February 3, 1925 in Platteville Wisconsin


Fiedler's voice was heard or he appeared in these Disney features

• Winnie Pooh and the Blustery Day 1968 - voice of Piglet
• Robin Hood 1973 - voice of Father Sexton
• Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color; The Mystery of Dracula's Castle, Part 1 1973 - Bill Wasdahl
• Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color; The Mystery of Dracula's Castle, Part 2 1973 - Bill Wasdahl
• Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color; The Whiz Kid and the Mystery at Riverton, Part 1 1974 - Charles Blackburn
• Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color; The Whiz Kid and the Mystery at Riverton, Part 2 1974 - Charles Blackburn
• Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too 1974 (short) - voice of Piglet
• The Shaggy D.A. 1976 - Howie Clemmings
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh 1977 - voice of Piglet
• The Rescuers 1977 - voice of Owl
• The Fox and the Hound 1981 - voice of Porcupine
• Winnie the Pooh Discovers the Seasons 1981 (short) - voice of Piglet
• Winnie the Pooh and a Day for Eyore 1983 (short) - voice of Piglet
• Winnie the Pooh Friendship: Tigger-ific Tales 1988 (video short) - voice of Piglet
• The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh 1988-1991 (TV series) 38 episodes - voice of Piglet
• Winnie the Pooh & Christmas Too 1991 (TV short) - voice of Piglet
• Boo to You Too! Winnie the Pooh 1996 (TV short) - voice of Piglet
• Pooh's Grand Adventure: The Search for Christopher Robin 1997 (video) - voice of Piglet
• A Winnie the Pooh Thanksgiving 1998 (video) - voice of Piglet
• Winnie the Pooh Friendship: Pooh Wishes 1999 (video short) - voice of Piglet
• Winnie the Pooh: A Valentine for You 1999 (TV movie) - voice of Piglet
• Winnie the Pooh: Seasons of Giving 1999 (video) - voice of Piglet
• The Tigger Movie 2000 - voice of Piglet
• The Emperor's New Groove 2000 - voice of Old Man
• The Book of Pooh 2001 (TV series) - voice of Piglet
• Mickey's House of Villains 2001 (video) - voice of Piglet
• Kingdom Hearts 2002 (Video Game) - voice of Piglet
• Winnie the Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year 2002 (video) - voice of Piglet
• House of Mouse 2001-2002 (TV series) 3 episodes - voice of Piglet
• Piglet's Big Movie 2003 - voice of Piglet
• Winnie the Pooh: Springtime with Roo 2004 (video) - voice of Piglet
• Pooh's Heffalump Movie 2005 - voice of Piglet
• Pooh's Heffalump Halloween Movie 2005 (video) - voice of Piglet
• The Emperor's New Groove 2: Kronk's New Groove 2005 (video) - voice of Rudy

He passed away at age 80 in Englewood, New Jersey (one day after the
death of Paul Winchell the voice of Tigger) at the Lillian Booth Actors Home.

Disneyrewind - June 25, 1980 The Last Flight of Noah's Ark hits theaters

Disneyrewind - June 25, 1980 The Last Flight of Noah's Ark hits theaters

The adventure film The Last Flight of Noah's Ark starring Elliott Gould & Ricky Schroder has everything! Deserted islands the plot twist of stranded Japanese soldiers that don't know World War II is over a B-29 bomber,  but it's more than that really... no wait... that's about it.

Disneyrewind - June 24, 2005 Paul Winchell the voice of Tigger passes away

Paul Winchell born Paul Wilchinsky on December 21, 1922 in New York City, New York.

His many Disney credits include:

• Winnie Pooh and the Blustery Day 1968 - voice of Tigger
• The AristoCats 1970 - voice of Shun Gon
• Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too 1974 (short) - voice of Tigger
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh 1977 - voice of Tigger
• The Fox and the Hound 1981 - voice of Boomer
• Winnie the Pooh and a Day for Eyore 1983 (short) - voice of Tigger
• Winnie the Pooh Friendship: Tigger-ific Tales 1988 (video short) - voice of Tigger
• Adventures of the Gummi Bears (TV series) 1985-1990 - voice of Zummi Gummi, Nip and others
• The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh 1988-1991 (TV series) - voice of Tigger
• Winnie the Pooh & Christmas Too 1991 (TV short) - voice of Tigger
• Winnie the Pooh Playtime: Detective Tigger 1994 (video) - voice of Tigger
• Winnie the Pooh Playtime: Cowboy Pooh 1994 (video) - voice of Tigger
• Winnie the Pooh Un-Valentine's Day 1995 (video) - voice of Tigger
• Pooh's Grand Adventure: The Search for Christopher Robin 1997 (video) - voice of Tigger
• Winnie the Pooh Playtime: Fun 'N Games 1998 (video) - voice of Tigger
• Winnie the Pooh Playtime: Happy Pooh Day 1998 (video) - voice of Tigger
• A Winnie the Pooh Thanksgiving 1998 (video) - voice of Tigger
• Winnie the Pooh Learning: Working Together 1999 (video) - voice of Tigger
• Winnie the Pooh: Imagine That, Christopher Robin 1999 (video short) - voice of Tigger
• Winnie the Pooh Friendship: Pooh Wishes 1999 (video short) - voice of Tigger
• Winnie the Pooh Friendship: Clever Little Piglet 1999 (video) - voice of Tigger
• Winnie the Pooh: A Valentine for You 1999 (TV movie) - voice of Tigger
• Winnie the Pooh: Seasons of Giving 1999 (video) - voice of Tigger
• Sing Along Songs: Sing a Song with Pooh Bear and Piglet Too 2003 (video short) - voice of Tigger

Paul Winchell passed away 1 day before John Fiedler (the voice of Piglet) at age 82 in Moorpark, California.

Disneyrewind - June 24, 1977 Disney's Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo is released in theaters

Disneyrewind - June 24, 1977 Disney's Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo is released in theaters


Disney's Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo, starring Dean Jones and Don Knotts, is the third in the series of Herbie films.  Don Knotts has taken the place of Buddy Hacket as chief mechanic.  Next time you watch the series see if you can tell that the music is now done by Frank De Vol instead of George Bruns in this film.

But that's not all that happened today in relation to this movie series.  On June 24th 1942 Actress Michele Lee - Miss Carole Bennett in Disney's The Love Bug - is born in Los Angeles, California.



The Love bug was released as a Christmas movie on December 24th 1968.



Herbie Rides again begins the Summer releases of the Herbie 4 film series as it was released June 6, 1974.



June 25, 1980 Herbie Goes Bananas is released to theaters, the 4th movie in the Volkswagen loving series. This movie stars Cloris Leachman & Harvey Korman.  This movie is notable for Paco calling Herbie Ocho, spanish for 8 which is the sum of the numbers on Herbie's doors.



Also on June 24, 2005 Disney's Herbie: Fully Loaded hits the big screen. This one stars Lindsay Lohan and is better then ever.

Disneyrewind - June 24 1994 The Lion King is released to theaters

Disneyrewind - June 24 1994 The Lion King is released to theaters

The Lion King Walt Disney Pictures 32nd feature length animated film is generally released to theaters today on June 24th 1994. Behind Mickey Mouse himself I'd venture to say the Lion King franchise is the largest Walt Disney franchise making well over a billion dollars in all of it's incarnations.


Remember, hakuna matada means no worries.

Disneyrewind - June 24, 1893 Roy Oliver Disney is born in Chicago, Illinois

Disneyrewind - June 24, 1893 Roy Oliver Disney is born in Chicago, Illinois

Roy Disney was born in Chicago, IL June 24th 1893 To Elias Disney and Flora Call Disney.  Roy and Walt Disney co-founded Disney Studios with Walt as the creative force and Roy as the financial officer.  Roy is famous for saying: "My job is to help Walt do the things he wants to do."


Roy was married in 1923 to Edna Francis.  Edna would along with Walt's wife Lillian helped ink early animation cels in the new studio.  Roy and Edna had one child Roy Edward Disney who was born January 10th 1930.

After Walt's death in 1966 Roy put off retirement to oversea the company and make sure the Walt Disney World in Orlando Florida was built.  Walt Disney World opened on October 1st, 1971, just a couple of months before Roy passed away.  Roy died December 20th 1971.

Disneyrewind - June 23, 2006 Leroy and Stitch debuts on the Disney Channel

Disneyrewind - June 23, 2006 Leroy and Stitch debuts on the Disney Channel

Leroy & Stitch is a spin-off of the 2002 animated feature film Lilo & Stitch and the conclusion to the television series Lilo & Stitch: The Series.

Lilo, Stitch, Jumba and Pleakley have finally caught all 625 of Jumba's genetic experiments and found the one true place on Earth where each of them belongs. Doctor Jacques Von Hamsterviel using Jumba, creates and clones a new experiment named "Leroy." Leroy possesses all of stitches powers plus some which should allow him take over the galaxy.  This all creates a great movie and should not be missed if you haven't seen it.

Disneyrewind - June 23, 2005 Disneyland Railroad dedicates engine #5 "Ward Kimball"

Disneyrewind - June 23, 2005 Disneyland Railroad dedicates engine #5 "Ward Kimball"

The Disneyland Railroad #5 Ward Kimball has had a busy life.  She was built by Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia Pennsylvania in 1902 as an 0-4-4. Weighing in at 15 tons empty she is propelled by 4 30" driving wheels via 2 9x14 pistons.  She was originally purchased by the Laurel Valley Plantation in Thibodaux Louisiana for use as a sugar cane hauler. Retired in 1926, #5 sat until 1961 when Mr. Aruthur LaSalle purchased all of the Plantations railroad equipment.  LaSalle soon after aquiring her sold her to George Roose, one of the owners of Cedar point Amusement park in Sandusky Ohio. She was restored and converted to a 2-4-4T and ran at Cedar Point until being retired in 1992 as "Maud L".

Meanwhile, in 1995 Bill Norred traded his 1927 2-4-4T Davenport locomotive to Disneyland for five retired clerestory-roofed "Retlaw One" coaches. Being too large for Disneylands Railroad, The Davenport was sent to Walt Disney World and put into service as the #5 Ward Kimball. She was decided to be too small for the Walt Disney World Railroad and was never really used.

In 1999 Walt Disney World traded the 1927 Davenport for Cedar Points 1902 Baldwin, "Maud L".  Maud was sent to Boschan Boiler and Restorations of Carson California in 2004 to be restored. "Maud L" went into service on June 25, 2005 on the Disneyland railroad as the #5 Ward Kimball.

Disneyrewind - June 23, 1989 The Roger Rabbit short Tummy Trouble is released

Disneyrewind - June 23, 1989 The Roger Rabbit short Tummy Trouble is released

Disney and Amblin Entertainment's first Roger Rabbit short, "Tummy Trouble" which also featured Baby Herman.  Baby Herman swallows his rattle, and Roger has to take him to the hospital to get it out.

It was released with The Walt Disney Pictures feature "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids," which was also released on June 23rd 1989.

Disneyrewind - June 22, 2007 Pixar's Ratatouille premieres at Hollywood, CA's Kodak Theater.

Disneyrewind - June 22, 2007 Pixar's Ratatouille premieres at Hollywood, CA's Kodak Theater.

A Red Carpet Premiere for Ratatouille takes place at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood, California.



Cast

• Patton Oswalt as Remy, a rat.
• Lou Romano as Alfredo Linguini, the son of Auguste Gusteau.
• Janeane Garofalo as Colette Tatou
• Ian Holm as Skinner
• Peter O'Toole as Anton Ego, a restaurant critic.
• Brad Garrett as Auguste Gusteau
• Brian Dennehy as Django, the father of Remy and Emile.
• Peter Sohn as Emile, Remy's older brother

Disneyrewind - June 22, 1997 Disney's Hercules premieres at Cal Arts in Los Angeles, CA

Disneyrewind - June 22, 1997 Disney's Hercules premieres at Cal Arts in Los Angeles, CA

Hercules, is Walt Disney Productions 35th full length animated feature.



The son of the Greek Gods Zeus and Hera is stripped of his immortality as an infant and must become a true hero in order to reclaim it.


The Cast

• Tate Donovan - Hercules (voice)
• Josh Keaton - Young Hercules (voice)
• Roger Bart - Young Hercules (singing voice)
• Danny DeVito - Philoctetes (voice)
• James Woods - Hades; Lord of the Underworld (voice)
• Susan Egan - Meg (voice)
• Bobcat Goldthwait - Pain (voice)
• Matt Frewer - Panic (voice)
• Rip Torn - Zeus (voice)
• Samantha Eggar - Hera, Hercules' Mother (voice)
• Barbara Barrie - Alcmene; Hercules' Foster Mother (voice)
• Hal Holbrook - Amphitryon; Hercules Foster Father (voice)
• Paul Shaffer - Hermes; the Messenger God (voice)
• Amanda Plummer - The Fates (voice)
• Carole Shelley - The Fates (voice)

Disneyrewind - June 22, 1970 The Walt Disney Archives is established in Burbank, CA

Disneyrewind - June 22, 1970 The Walt Disney Archives is established in Burbank, CA

The Walt Disney Archives is established on the studio lot in Burbank, California.  David R. Smith was placed in charge of recording and preserving the history of Disney. Smith's connection with Disney dates back to 1967 when, as a librarian at UCLA, he compiled an extensive bibliography on Walt Disney, spending over a year researching all Disney publications and productions. Dave Smith retired from his Chief Archivist position in late 2010. after spending 4 decades on the job.  During this time Dave wrote a number of Disney books:

• The Ultimate Disney Trivia Books 1 - with Kevin Neary
  
  
  
• The Ultimate Disney Trivia Books 2 - with Kevin Neary
• The Ultimate Disney Trivia Books 3 - with Kevin Neary
• The Ultimate Disney Trivia Books 4 - with Kevin Neary
• Disney: The First 100 Years - with Steven Clark
• Disney A to Z: The Official Encyclopedia - 1996 edition
• Disney A to Z: The Official Encyclopedia - 1998 edition
• Disney A to Z: The Official Encyclopedia - 2006 edition
• Disney A to Z: Supplement

Dave Smith was named a Disney Legend in 2007.



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Disneyrewind - June 22, 1920 Paul Frees is born in Chicago, IL

Disneyrewind - June 22, 1920 Paul Frees is born in Chicago, IL

Anyone who has ridden Walt Disney World's Haunted Mansion knows his voice, he is The Ghost Host!

Disney Legend Paul Frees, one of the most successful voice actors of all time, is born Solomon Hersh Frees in Chicago, Illinois.

His large body of Disney work includes

• The Haunted Mansion - The Ghost Host
• Man in Space (1954 television 3-episode series) - Narrator
• Mickey Mouse Club (1955 television series) - various characters in "Boys of the Western Sea' serial
• Donald in Mathmagic Land (1959 animated short) - Pi Creator & Narrator
• The Shaggy Dog (1959 live-action feature) - Dr. Galvin
• Goliath II (1960 animated short) - Mouse
• 101 Dalmatians (1961 animated feature) - "Thunderbolt" announcer & Dirty Dawson
• Mary Poppins (1964 animated feature) - Barnyard Horse
• Pirates of the Caribbean (1965 park attraction) - numerous voices
• The Ugly Dachshund (1966 live-action feature) - Eddie
• Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln (1966 park attraction) - Narrator & Stephen Douglas
• Adventures in Inner Space (1967 park attraction) - Narrator
• Hall of Presidents (1971 park attraction) - George Washington, Governor Mifflin & Stephen Douglas
• Frees was also the voice of Ludwig Von Drake in numerous episodes of Disney's television series.

Other work includes

• Frees also voices both John and George in the 1960s cartoon series based on The Beatles
• the Burgermeister in the 1970 TV special "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town.
• Boris Badenov - voice The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show
• Ape - voice George of the Jungle
• many many more!!!!

Paul Frees died suddenly of a heart attack at the age of 66 on November 2, 1986

Disneyrewind - June 21, 2008 Disney/Pixar WALL-E premieres at the greek theater in Los Angeles, CA

Disneyrewind - June 21, 2008 Disney/Pixar WALL-E premieres at the greek theater in Los Angeles, CA

The Disney/Pixar feature WALL-E premieres at the Greek Theatre (in Griffith Park) in Los Angeles, California. (It will open in wide release June 27.) Special guests attending include cast members Jeff Garlin, Fred Willard, John Ratzenberger, Kathy Najimy, Sigourney Weaver and Elissa Knight.


For those who aren't familiar, WALL-E manages to carry the entire film on very little dialogue. I have my favorite Disney movies and Pixar movies and it's probably not fair to compare the new computer animated films to pen and ink films but WALL-E is up near the top on my list.

Disneyrewind - June 21, 1988 Who Framed Roger Rabbit premieres in New York City

Disneyrewind - June 21, 1988 Who Framed Roger Rabbit premieres in New York City

The Touchstone/Amblin Entertainment film Who Framed Roger Rabbit premieres at Radio City Music Hall in New York. It will be generally released in U.S. theaters the following day. This film marks the first and only time that characters from several animation studios - including Disney, Universal, MGM, Republic, Turner Entertainment, and Warner Bros. - appear in one film.



You know I don't think I've ever seen a bad Robert Zemeckis film and Who Framed Roger Rabbit is no exception. It's integration of live action and animation was the best that had been done to date and probably the first that didn't look like 2 things that were put together in an editors studio. But the part that is most remembered  to me  was the dualing pianos scene with Walt Disney's Donald Duck and Warner Brother's Daffy Duck.

I've always wished this movie could have more placement in Walt Disney World but I understand the licensing nightmares that would exist. Licensing unrelated I always wished Pixar had more placement at Walt Disney World, especially Wall-E and UP.

Disneyrewind - June 20, 1995 The Animal Kingdom theme park is announced

Disneyrewind - June 20, 1995 The Animal Kingdom theme park is announced

On June 20th 1995 The Walt Disney Company announces plans for a fourth theme park in Florida, Disney's Animal Kingdom. The new park is expected to cost US$760 million to create.  It is the largest Disney theme park in the world covering more then 500 acres. It opened on April 22, 1998.

Disneyrewind - June 20, 1995 ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter opens at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom theme park

Disneyrewind - June 20, 1995 ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter opens at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom theme park

June 20, 1995 The ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter attraction opens in Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. It closed permanently on October 12, 2003. It has been replaced by Stitch's Great Escape.

Disneyrewind - June 20, 1976 Fort Wilderness' River Country opens at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, FL

Disneyrewind - June 20, 1976 Fort Wilderness' River Country opens at Walt Disney World Resort in Orland, FL

 Notice River Country was located up at the top left on this map of Fort Wilderness Campground.

June 20, 1976 The River Country water park opens at Walt Disney World.  Most of the water park used unchlorinated water straight from Bay Lake.  Which it has been claimed that the unchlorinated water was the reason for it's closure, But ultimately it was due to being mostly sold out everyday the park was just too small for the growing Walt Disney World Resort. So 2 new parks Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach were built.  Blizzard Beach is about 4 times the size of River Country.  The newer more modern and yes chlorinated water parks spelled the end for River Country. River Country was closed November 2, 2001.

Disneyrewind - June 19, 1998 DisneyQuest opens it's doors at Walt Disney World's Downtown Disney

Disneyrewind - June 19, 1998 DisneyQuest opens it's doors at Walt Disney World's Downtown Disney

In Florida, DisneyQuest opens in the West End area of Downtown Disney. Packed with 4 floors of high-tech, interactive virtual adventures, it is the first in a national chain of interactive entertainment centers.

Disneyrewind - June 19, 1995 The Partner's Statue is installed at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom

Disneyrewind - June 19, 1995 The Partner's Statue is installed at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom

A bronze statue of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse, called the Partners Statue, is installed at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney Word. It is identical to the statue
created by Blaine Gibson first installed at Disneyland in November 1993.

Disneyrewind - June 19, 1996 The Hunchback of Notre Dame premieres in New Orleans, LA

Disneyrewind - June 19, 1996 The Hunchback of Notre Dame premieres in New Orleans, LA

Billed as "Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame Festival of Fun."  Disney put on a parade that wound through the french quarter of New Orleans and ended at the Superdome where the the premiere was held. The film was shown on 6 screens using 6 synchronised projectors...



The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Disney's 34th animated feature was received very well at the theaters.

Disneyrewind - June 18, 1988 Mickey's Birthdayland opens

Disneyrewind - June 18, 1988 Mickey's Birthdayland opens

In celebration of Mickey Mouse's 60th birthday on November 18, 1988, on June 18th 1988 Mickey's Birthdayland area opens near Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. Cindy Williams, Shirley from the tv show Laverne and Shirley, and the first lady Nancy Reagan were on hand to cut the ribbon for the grand opening. Minnie's Surprise Birthday Party show opens in Mickey's Birthdayland to help celebrate.

Mickey's Birthday land was built in between fantasyland and tomorrowland. taking up some backlot real estate and also took some land from the Grand Prix Raceway (currently named the Tomorrowland Indy Speedway) in Tomorrowland.

On April 22, 1990, Mickey's birthday bash was officially over, and just a few weeks later, on May 26, Mickey's Starland was born. Minnie's Suprise Party became "Mickey's Magical TV World". This show featured the stars of the Disney Afternoon cartoons:

• Ducktales
• Adventures of the Gummi Bears
• Chip 'n' Dale's Rescue Rangers
• Tale Spin

In 1996, Disney took the opportunity to "repurpose" the land again, this time to coincide with Walt Disney World's 25th Anniversary. Based on the success of Disneyland's "Mickey's Toontown", the land was refurbished once again, renamed "Mickey's Toontown Fair." It's official rededication was on June 29, 1996.

Sadly Mickey's Toontown Fair was closed on February 12, 2011 to make way for a Fantasyland expansion.

Disneyrewind - June 17, 1971 Disneyland welcomed its 100 millionth guest

Disneyrewind - June 17, 1971 Disneyland welcomed its 100 millionth guest

At 11:13 AM June 17th 1971, Disneyland welcomed its 100-millionth guest, Valerie Suldo of New Jersey.

I defer to the following link, the current details of Valerie Suldo and her pictures

Disneyrewind - June 16, 1995 Famed Disney announcer Jack Wagner passes away

Disneyrewind - June 16, 1995 Famed Disney announcer Jack Wagner passes away

June 16th 1995 Jack Wagner dies of a heart attack he was 69.

Jack Francis Wagner (December 17, 1925 - June 16, 1995) was the official park announcer for Disneyland until 1993. Nicknamed "The Voice of Disneyland" Jack's announcements have been heard by everyone who has been to a disney park.  I believe they still use his announcement for the Walt Disney World Monorail announcements. and his voice is in The Main Street Electrical Parade.

Named Disney Legend 2005

Disneyrewind - June 16, 2002 Lilo & Stitch premieres at El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, CA

Disneyrewind - June 16, 2002 Lilo & Stitch premieres at El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, CA

June 16th 2002 The premiere screening of Disney's 41st animated feature Lilo & Stitch takes place at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood.

Walt Disney Pictures hit a home run with this one. Lilo & Stitch is produced on a tight budget inspired by the production of Dumbo.  It's the story of a Hawaiian girl, named Lilo, who adopts a blue dog, Stitch - Experiment 626, a nearly indestructable and notorious extra-terrestrial fugitive from the law.

Lilo and Stitch is Walt Disney Pictures 42nd feature length animated production.  This movie was the 2nd of 3 animated features that was produced primarily at Walt Disney World's Disney-MGM Studios in Orlando, Florida. The Film was so popular it spun off 3 direct to video sequels and an animated series.

• Stitch! The Movie, was released on August 26, 2003.
• Lilo & Stitch: The Series, which ran from September 20, 2003 to July 29, 2006.
• Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch, was released on August 30, 2005.
• Leroy & Stitch, was released on June 27, 2006 as the conclusion to the TV series

Among the guests in attendance for the premiere are actors:

• Jason Scott Lee - voice of David Kawena
• David Ogden Stiers - voice of Jumba
• Kevin McDonald - voice of Pleakley
• country singer Wynonna Judd - performs the Elvis Presley song "Burning Love" on the film's soundtrack

Disneyrewind - June 16, 1961 Walt Disney licenses Winnie-the-Pooh

Disneyrewind - June 16, 1961 Walt Disney licenses Winnie-the-Pooh

June 16, 1961  Walt Disney purchases the film rights to the Winnie-the-Pooh stories from Mrs. Daphne Milne, wife of the late author A.A. Milne.

Theatrical featurettes
1966: Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree
1968: Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day
1974: Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too
1981: Winnie the Pooh Discovers the Seasons
1983: Winnie the Pooh and a Day for Eeyore

Full-length theatrical features
1977: The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (trilogy of the Honey Tree, Blustery Day, and Tigger Too)
2000: The Tigger Movie
2003: Piglet's Big Movie
2005: Pooh's Heffalump Movie
2011: Winnie the Pooh

Disneyrewind - June 16, 1955 Lady and the Tramp premieres in Chicago

Disneyrewind - June 16, 1955 Lady and the Tramp premieres in Chicago

June 16, 1955 Disney's 15th animated feature film Lady and the Tramp has its
world premiere in Chicago. It is the first Disney cartoon feature filmed in CinemaScope.

"Lady and the Tramp" is an American animated film produced by Walt Disney and released to theaters on June 22, 1955, by Buena Vista Distribution.  It was the first animated feature filmed in the CinemaScope wide screen film process and the fifteenth animated feature in the Walt Disney Animated Classics series.


 The story centers on a female American Cocker Spaniel, named "Lady" who lives with a refined, upper middle-class family, and a male stray, called the "Tramp" who lives on the streets enters the picture and tries to teach Lady about how good it is to be free but in the end Lady teaches Tramp how good it is to belong.

Disneyrewind - June 16, 1945 Lillian Disney christens the SS Rice Victory

Disneyrewind - June 16, 1945 Lillian Disney christens the SS Rice Victory

June 16, 1945: Walt Disney's wife Lillian christens the SS Rice Victory,
a 10,500-ton U.S. warship.

SS Rice Victory is named after Rice University in Houston Texas.


534 Victory Ships were built to replace ships lost to German Submarines.  Based on earlier designs, Liberty Ships. each was 455 feet long at the waterline, 62 feet wide, and 28 feet draft (loaded)

The Rice victory although a cargo ship would have been armed with a 5" stern antisubmarine gun, a 3" bow anti-aircraft gun and 8 - 20mm cannons

Hull Number:   797
Name:              SS Rice Victory
Classification:  VC2-S-AP2
Keel built:        April 24, 1945
Launched:        June 16, 1945
Delivered:        July 12, 1945
engine:            single screw oil fired reciprocating Lenz steam engine
hp:                   6,000 hp (4.5 MW)
type:                general cargo vessels

Builder:           California Shipbuilding Corporation, Los Angeles, CA



Built during WWII as a improved version of the highly successful Liberty Ships, these vessels were mass produced all over the US to serve as cargo transport ships for the War effort in both the Atlantic and Pacific.

The SS Rice Victory was sold at a scrap sale November 18, 1988 quietly ending her 43 years of service.

Disneyrewind - June 15, 2001 Atlantis: The Lost Empire is released

Disneyrewind - June 15, 2001 Atlantis: The Lost Empire is released



Set in the year 1914, the film tells the story of a young linguist who gains possession of a sacred book which he believes will guide him to the Lost city of Atlantis. He is enlisted by a band of archaeologists, excavators and mercenaries who also want to find the city, but their leader plans to sabotage the mission, in order to take the profit for himself.

Atlantis: The Lost Empire marked the final film role for Jim Varney, who died in February 2000.