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 | Happy 112th Birthday Walt Disney | |
| DisneyDan
Thursday, December 5, 2013 11:13:04 AM |
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Today is 5th December, which would have been Walt Disney's 112th birthday.
Born in Chicago on 5th December 1901 to Canadian father Elias and American mother Flora, Walt found himself growing up in a rapidly changing world. The automobile, electricity and telephones were amongst the new technologies that were gradually altering the way people went about their everyday lives.
Soon came World War I, and Walt found himself too young to enlist - but he did anyway!
While away he discovered his talent for drawing, and became known for decorating the helmets his comrades had found, with illustrations.
From there Walt developed his talents further, and found himself creating characters and shorts such as the Alice comedies and Oswald the Lucky Rabbit.
Sadly Oswald wasn't too lucky for Walt, but it did spur him onwards to develop a new character in 1928 - Mickey Mouse.
Mickey was Walt, and Walt was Mickey.
Walt Disney was a creative genius, who was far ahead of his time. Bringing a whole new definition to the world of film and television, Walt pioneered many new concepts and technologies.
Walt won more Oscars during his lifetime than any other person, a record that he still holds.
With his studio now one of the best in the world, Walt turned to other things. Bigger things.
Walt's ultimate dream was of course Disneyland; a place where anyone can come and have fun, away from reality.
In July 1955 Disneyland opened and has since become probably the most famous theme park in the world. Capturing Walt's very essence, and offering a true escape from the outside world, Disneyland was, and continues to be, the Happiest Place on Earth.
Of course, Walt's dream grew and grew, and so did Disneyland, to the point where Walt dreamt even bigger!
Florida was to be the home of Walt's final dream, one which sadly he did not get to see through to completion (having passed away in 1966).
Walt dreamt of a huge community where people not only lived and worked, but where they played an vacationed; known as EPCOT. A complete city built from the mind of this brilliant man.
Walt Disney World opened in October 1971 by his surviving brother and business partner, Roy, and was dedicated to Walt having changed the name from simply Disney World to Walt Disney World.
Although Walt's vision of EPCOT never came to fruition as he saw it, it certainly has come true. Walt Disney World has given Central Florida a different identity to what it had 50 years ago. From swamps to a metropolis filled with hotels, malls, other theme parks and indeed entire communities of people who live and work there. Walt Disney World itself has thousands of Cast Members who live and work at the resort, who come from all over the world, ensuring that Walt's final vision is forever captured in an amazing and colourful reality.
Over a century after his birth, we are on the brink of the 12th Disney Park opening (Shanghai, 2015), have a world filled with hundreds more movies, TV shows and even stores, a cruise line and much, much more.
All the parks have their own little nod to Walt and his dreams, remembering the man who started it all.
Walt Disney lived to entertain, and entertained for a living. He gave the world a slice of imagination and inspiration that is unrivalled, and that will continue for many more decades.
Happy 112th Birthday, Walt Disney. We thank you for your dedication to your dreams.
Dan. |
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 | Happy 5th Birthday Bolt! | |
| DisneyDan
Thursday, November 21, 2013 2:25:56 PM |
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Today, 21st November, is the 5th anniversary of the release of Disney's Bolt.
Bolt stars the title character, Bolt, along with new friends Mittens and Rhino.
Let's celebrate their big day with some photos of our adventures with the at the Disney Parks.
Happy 5th Birthday Bolt, Mittens and Rhino!
Dan. |
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 | Happy 85th Birthday Mickey and Minnie Mouse! | |
| DisneyDan
Monday, November 18, 2013 10:53:28 AM |
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Hello everyone,
Today is the 85th birthday of the two most famous mice in the world, Mickey and Minnie Mouse.
On 18th November 1928, Walt Disney's Steamboat Willie debuted to the public, and stars were born.
Without Mickey and Minnie, we wouldn't have the Disney company that we have today. For that we are eternally grateful to Walt Disney, and of course Mickey and Minnie, and look forward to many more decades of fun and laughter with them.
Happy 85th Birthday Mickey and Minnie!
In our usual style, here's a photo cavalcade of some of the magical adventures we've had with Mickey and Minnie at the Disney Parks and Resorts over the years.
Dan. |
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 | Happy 10th Birthday Brother Bear! | |
| DisneyDan
Friday, November 1, 2013 2:48:40 PM |
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Today, 1st November, is the 10th anniversary of the release of Disney's animated feature, Brother Bear.
Let's celebrate in our usual Character Central style with some photos of the Brother Bear characters at the Disney Parks and Resorts!
Happy 10th Birthday, Koda and Kenai!
Dan. |
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| Happy 42nd Birthday Walt Disney World Resort! | |
| DisneyDan
Tuesday, October 1, 2013 11:27:53 AM |
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Today is the 42nd anniversary of the grand opening of the Magic Kingdom at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.
Since the opening of Disneyland, in Anaheim, CA, Walt Disney's dreams had grown even bigger. The limit of space in the Southern California park had meant that Walt's ultimate dreams had to be confined to a relatively small area.
In the early 1960's Walt Disney set about bringing to life his beloved Disneyland on a much larger scale, this time somewhere where there was all the land he could ever imagine - Florida.
Sadly, Walt passed away before his dream had became a reality, but his brother, Roy, ensured that the park kept on track, and finally on the 1st October 1971, the Magic Kingdom opened, at Walt Disney World - renamed by Roy from just Disney World in honour of his brother.
Since then, more and more of Walt's dreams have come true, including the opening of EPCOT, also on October 1st, in 1982.
EPCOT was Walt's vision of the future, where people worked and played together in a utopian community.
Although some may say this dream has never fully been realised, since EPCOT isn't quite how Walt envisaged it, I think that actually, it has, and more.
The Walt Disney World Resort brings together people from all over the world, not just to visit, but to live and work, too. With its hugely diverse Cast Members, international cuisines, celebrations of different cultures, and world class entertainment, shopping, dining and indeed living (Celebration, Golden Oaks, Cast Member housing etc), Walt's ultimate dream truly has become a reality.
Since 1971, millions upon millions of dreams have come true, simply because one man believed that if you could dream it, you could do it.
Happy 42nd birthday Walt Disney World, here's to many, many more!
In our usual style, here's a cavalcade of photos of our magical experiences at Walt Disney World over the years. I have deliberately left out character images for today, since I really wanted to celebrate the beauty of the parks, and the work of the dreamers who believed they could build this magical place.
Dan. |
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 | Happy 26th Birthday DuckTales! | |
| DisneyDan
Wednesday, September 18, 2013 3:22:00 PM |
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Today is the 26th anniversary of the premier of the Disney Afternoon show, DuckTales.
Starring Scrooge McDuck and his nephews, Huey, Dewey and Louie, the show also introduced us to aviator, Launchpad McQuack!
So, in our usual Character Central style, here's a photo cavalcade of some of our adventures throughout the years with the DuckTales gang!
Happy 26th Birthday DuckTales!
Dan. |
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 | Happy 8th Birthday Hong Kong Disneyland! | |
| DisneyDan
Thursday, September 12, 2013 12:24:09 PM |
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On this day 8 years ago, Disney's first theme park and resort in China opened its gates for the first time, in the city of Hong Kong!
Since opening day, Hong Kong Disneyland has had many new additions, from "it's a small world", Autopia, to three entire new lands - Grizzly Gulch, Toy Story Land and Mystic point. The resort also features two stunning hotels; Disney's Hollywood hotel and the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel.
The amazingly friendly and thoughtful Cast Members, fabulous entertainment, unique merchandise, beautiful landscape, and its setting at the foot of stunning mountains next to the sea, make Hong Kong Disneyland practically perfect in every way.
So, let's celebrate in our usual style, with a cavalcade of pictures from our adventures at Hong Kong Disneyland over the years!
Happy 8th Birthday Hong Kong Disneyland Resort!
If anyone is planning a trip to Hong Kong Disneyland, why not check out our awesome, dedicated Hong Kong Disneyland Trip Planner!
Dan. |
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 | Happy 83rd Birthday Pluto! | |
| DisneyDan
Thursday, September 5, 2013 9:15:08 AM |
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Hello everyone,
Today is Pluto's 83rd birthday! On this day in 1930, Pluto first made an appearance in the Mickey Mouse cartoon 'The Chain Gang'. Although in this cartoon he was chasing Mickey (who had escaped from prison!), by his third appearance in 1931's 'The Moose Hunt', he had been officially named Pluto, and now resided with Mickey (his second role had been shortly after 'The Chain Gang', where he was Minnie's pet, instead of Mickey's).
Pluto is lovable and loyal, often seen by Mickey's side on many adventures. Often tormented by the ever mischievous Chip and Dale, causing him to lose his temper, Pluto finds himself in trouble from time to time!
After 83 years, Pluto is still as popular as ever, and continues to bring laughter to millions world over.
Happy 83rd Birthday Pluto!
In our usual Character Central style, here's a photo cavalcade of just some of our fun times we've had with Pluto at the Disney Parks and Resorts over the years!
Dan. |
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.jpg) | Happy 49th Anniversary Mary Poppins! | |
| DisneyDan
Tuesday, August 27, 2013 5:51:20 PM |
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Today is the 49th anniversary of the world premiere of Walt Disney's beloved classic, Mary Poppins. The film premiered at Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood, CA, where it received a five minute long standing ovation.
With music by the famous Sherman Brothers, and starring Julie Andrews as the magical nanny and Dick Van Dyke as chimney sweep Bert, Mary Poppins has been charming Disney fans for decades.
A mix of live action and animation, Mary Poppins is still very popular today, and the characters from the film appear at the Disney Parks worldwide.
Let's celebrate with them now in our usual Character Central style, with a cavalcade of our favourite photos from our own experiences.
Happy 49th birthday Mary, Bert and the Penguins!
Dan. |
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