Chronology of the Walt Disney Company

Copyright © 1995-2024 Ken Polsson
internet e-mail: ken@kpolsson.com
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URL: http://kpolsson.com/disnehis/

References are numbered in [brackets], which are listed here. A number after the dot gives the page in the source.

Last updated: 2023 December 20.


1986

January 5
  • The Biscuit Barrel shop in the United Kingdom pavilion in World Showcase in EPCOT Center at Walt Disney World closes. [1378.80]
  • The Country Manor shop opens in the United Kingdom pavilion in World Showcase in EPCOT Center in Walt Disney World. Former name was Biscuit Barrel. [1378.158]
January 13
  • Disney announces an upcoming stock split, four for one, as of February 10. [11] [182.D4]
January 15
  • The Living Seas attraction opens in Future World in EPCOT Center, at Walt Disney World. It includes a 5.7 million gallon aquarium, Seabase Alpha area, films An Animated Atlas of the World, The Seas, Sea Watch, and Suited for the Sea, and Coral Reef Restaurant. [14] [23] [226.187] [228.294] [395.41] [501.490,529] [1378.33,154]
January
  • Filming begins on the film Ruthless People. [1]
  • WED Enterprises is renamed Walt Disney Imagineering. [26.33] [228.252] [501.593,601]
January 20
  • The Disney Channel airs Juggling. [380.221]
January 24
  • The NBC TV network airs Disney's Living Seas. [228.140] [380.246] [395.41]
January 25
  • Circus Fantasy first appears in Disneyland. [1300.106] [1378.140]
January 31
  • Disney releases the Touchstone Pictures live-action feature film Down and Out in Beverly Hills to theaters. This is the first R-rated Disney Studios film. The film cost US$14 million to make. (Gross receipts in the US: US$62 million. This becomes Disney's most successful live-action film to date.) [1] [14] [23] [34.277] [85.318] [112.456] [228.150] [745.80] [1074.187] (December 1985 [108.240])
February 2
  • Disney returns to Sunday night TV on ABC, with Michael Eisner hosting the first The Disney Sunday Night Movie, entitled Help Wanted: Kids. It ranks 41st out of the week's 68 network programs. [1] [14] [57.48] [59.165] [85.300] [228.132,230] [238.152] [380.204]
February 5
  • The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences nominates the film The Journey of Natty Gann for an Oscar Award in the category Costume Design. [39.649]
  • The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences nominates the film Return to Oz for an Oscar Award in the category Visual Effects. [39.649] [501.468]
February 6
  • Shareholders vote to change the company's name from Walt Disney Productions to The Walt Disney Company. [1] [23] [328.174] [501.593]
February 9
  • The ABC TV network airs The Disney Sunday Movie, entitled Time Flyer. [380.207]
February 14
  • The NBC TV network airs Disney's DTV Valentine. [228.140] [386.128] (Disney's DTV Valentine's Day Special [380.246])

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February
  • The Country Bear Vacation Hoedown attraction opens in Bear Country at Disneyland. [9] [26.28] [939.128] [1378.157]
  • The Country Bear Vacation Hoedown opens at the Country Bear Jamboree attraction in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [228.106]
February 16
  • The ABC TV network airs The Disney Sunday Movie, two films entitled The Last Electric Knight and Two and Onehalf Dads. [228.282] [380.207] [501.499,576]
February 19
  • Saul Steinberg files a lawsuit against The Walt Disney Company, seeking to invalidate Disney's buyback of his stock in 1984. [183.D5]
February 23
  • The ABC TV network airs The Disney Sunday Movie, entitled The Girl Who Spelled Freedom. [228.206] [380.208]
  • The Guatemalan Weavers shop in Disneyland closes. [228.220] [1300.366]
March 1
  • The Safari Outpost shop opens in Adventureland at Disneyland. [501.481] [1300.366]
March 2
  • The Disney Channel begins airing Enchanted Musical Playhouse. The first show is entitled The Story of Ferdinand. [380.209]
  • The ABC TV network airs The Disney Sunday Movie, entitled The Undergrads. The film was previously shown on The Disney Channel. [380.209]
March 8
  • The Alice's Tea Party attraction opens in Fantasyland at Tokyo Disneyland. [55.39] [1378.22]
March 9
  • The ABC TV network airs The Disney Sunday Movie, entitled The Richest Cat in the World. [380.210] [501.470]
  • The Disney Channel airs The Wind in the Willows (a British production). [380.209]
March
  • Just before the four-for-one Disney stock split, the value hits US$143 per share. [14] (US$145 [108.248])
  • Disney releases the film Simple Machines: A Moving Experience for educational use. [23] [501.501]
  • Disney releases the film Storms for educational use. [501.525]
March 16
  • The ABC TV network airs The Disney Sunday Movie, entitled Robin Hood (Disney's 1973 animated film). [380.210]
March 18
  • The Disney Channel airs The Mind's Eye: The Experience of Learning. [380.233]
March 20
  • Tokyo Disneyland welcomes its 30-millionth guest. [23] [55.39]
March 21
  • Disney releases the animated film The Wuzzles, Bulls of a Feather to theaters in Britain. [23] [97.132] (Birds of a Feather [501.622])
March 23
  • The ABC TV network airs The Disney Sunday Movie, entitled Disney Goes to the Oscars. [228.130] [380.211] (Disney Goes to the Academy Awards [386.127])
March 24
  • The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences awards an Oscar (Scientific or Technical) to Disney's David Spencer for the development of an animation photo transfer process. [23] [38.672]
March 25
  • Walt Disney World welcomes the 500 millionth guest to enter a Disney park, Don McGrath. [1334.721]
March 30
  • The CBS TV network airs The CBS Easter Parade, which includes part of the Walt Disney World Easter Parade. [501.595]
April 5
  • The Disney Channel begins airing the nine-part series Return to Treasure Island. [380.202] [501.469]
April 6
  • The ABC TV network airs The Disney Sunday Movie, entitled I-Man. [228.252] (J-Man [380.211])
April 10
  • Romania issues ten postage stamps depicting various Disney characters in The Band Concert, marking the 50th anniversary of color animated films. [656.467]
April 11
  • Disney releases the Touchstone Pictures live-action feature film Off Beat to theatres. [23] [85.318] [112.483] [228.365]
April 13
  • The ABC TV network airs The Disney Sunday Movie, entitled A Fighting Chance. [380.212]
April
  • The New Century Clock Shop in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World closes. [228.354]
  • The Cristal Arts shop opens in Adventureland in Tokyo Disneyland, [1378.165]
April 20
  • The ABC TV network airs The Disney Sunday Movie, entitled Mr. Boogedy. [228.93,335] [380.213]
April 21
  • The PBS TV network airs The Television Academy Hall of Fame. Inductees include Walt Disney. [380.225]
April 27
  • The Disney Channel airs the International Circus Stars of Tomorrow. [380.214]
May 2
  • Disney's Circle-Vision film Portraits of Canada debuts in Vancouver, BC, Canada, for the Expo '86 world exposition. [23] [228.398]
May 4
  • The ABC TV network airs The Disney Sunday Movie, entitled Love Leads the Way. [380.214]
May
  • Merlin's Magic Shop in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World closes. [228.318]
  • The Good Turn Restaurant in The Land in EPCOT Center closes. [228.211]
May 11
  • The ABC TV network airs The Disney Sunday Movie, entitled Young Again. [380.215] [501.627]
May 14
  • The Land Grille Room restaurant opens in The Land pavilion in EPCOT Center. [228.281]
May
  • The Walt Disney Company changes its no-alcohol policy in Disneyland, allowing beer, wine, or champagne at corporate parties of 500 or more, after dark, in rented sections of the park. [184.A13]
  • The Magic Eye Theater opens in Tomorrowland at Disneyland. First film shown is Magic Journeys. [9] [228.303] [1300.251]
May 16
  • The film Magic Carpet 'Round the World is last shown in Tokyo Disneyland. [228.303]
May 17
  • The Circle-Vision film American Journeys opens in Tomorrowland at Tokyo Disneyland. [55.39] [1378.28]
May 18
  • The ABC TV network airs The Disney Sunday Movie, two films entitled Fuzzbucket and The Deacon Street Deer. [380.215] [1378.177]
May 22
  • Dominica issues five postage stamps featuring Disney characters and stamp collecting. [648.752]
  • Grenada issues ten postage stamps depicting various Disney characters playing baseball. [653.420]
  • Lesotho issues five postage stamps depicting various Disney characters. [655.333]
  • Maldives issues ten postage stamps depicting US stamps and Disney portrayals of American legends. [655.583]
May 23
  • NBC TV airs the special Disneyland's Summer Vacation Party featuring Jay Leno and Jerry Seinfeld. [228.138] [386.127] [1300.137]
May 25
  • The ABC TV network airs The Disney Sunday Movie, two films entitled Casebusters and My Town. [228.349] [380.216] [1378.122]
May 29
  • The Spaceship Earth attraction in EPCOT Center is updated with new narration by Walter Cronkite. [501.516]
May 30
  • The Disneyana shop on Main Street in Disneyland switches location with the Jewelry Shop. [1230.30] [1300.130]
May 31
  • The Disney Channel airs the last episode of Return to Treasure Island. [380.202]
June 27
  • Disney releases the Touchstone Pictures live-action feature film Ruthless People to theaters in the US. (Gross theater receipts in the USA: US$72 million.) [14] [23] [34.277] [64.124] [68.48] [85.318] [112.492] [501.480] [1074.187]
  • The Big Thunder Ranch attraction opens in Frontierland at Disneyland. [9] [14] [26.28] [1300.75] [1378.78]
June 30
  • The Disney Channel airs Theodore Roosevelt. [380.257]
(month unknown)
  • Disney releases the film Charley and the Angel on videocassette. [228.87]
  • Construction begins on the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park, at Walt Disney World. [6]
  • Disney re-releases the film Dumbo on videocassette. [11]
  • Disney releases the film The Adventures of Bullwhip Griffin on videocassette. [228.8]
  • Disney releases the film The Blue Yonder on videocassette. [228.61]
  • The name of the Golf Resort hotel at Walt Disney World is changed to The Disney Inn. [228.130,209]
  • Disney releases the film Almost Angels on videocassette. [228.19]
  • Disney releases the film The Journey of Natty Gann on videocassette. [228.267]
  • Disney releases the film The Absent Minded Professor on videocassette in a colorized version. [228.1]
  • Disney re-releases the film Song of the South to theaters. [17] [370.78] [501.513]
  • Disney releases the film Robin Hood on videocassette. [11]
  • Former Mickey Mouse comic strip artist Floyd Gottfredson dies. [82]
  • Disney re-releases the film Lady and the Tramp to theaters. [25] [37.102] [85.287] [228.280]
  • Bruce Hamilton and Russ Cochran begin publishing Disney comics under the Gladstone label, taking over from Western Publishing. [75] [228.99]
  • Disney releases the film Sleeping Beauty to theaters. [25] [501.505]
  • Disney releases the laserdisc Jiminy Cricket's Christmas for US$25. It includes Nutcracker Suite Scene, Toy Tinkers, The Art of Skiing, You Can Fly, I've Got No Strings, The Mice Make Cinderella a Dress, Mickey's Good Deed, When You Wish Upon a Star. [15]
  • Disney releases the laserdisc Mickey and the Beanstalk / The Reluctant Dragon for US$30. It includes Mickey and the Beanstalk, The Reluctant Dragon, Morris the Midget Moose. [15]
  • Disney releases the animated film compilation A Tale of Two Chipmunks / The Unsinkable Donald Duck on laserdisc for US$25. It includes Chicken in the Rough, The Lone Chipmunks, Lion Around, Chips Ahoy, Donald's Day Off, Sea Scouts. [15]
  • Disney releases the animated film compilation Cartoon Classics Volume 14: Silly Symphonies - Animal Tales on laserdisc in the US, for US$25. It includes: Monkey Melodies, The Spider and the Fly, Pecular Penguins, Cock O'the Walk, More Kittens, Elmber Elephant. [15]
  • Disney releases the animated film compilation Mickey Knows Best / The Importance of Being Donald on laserdisc in the US, for US$25. It includes: Moving Day, Mickey's Amateurs, Mickey's Elephant, Donald's Better Self, Polar Trappers, Timber. [15]
  • The Seiko Watch Company (a subsidiary of Lorus) begins producing Disney character watches. [230.68]
  • Disney releases the film Down and Out in Beverly Hills on video. [228.150]
  • Disney releases the film Dad, Can I Borrow the Car? on videocassette. [228.113]
  • Disney releases the film The Fighting Prince of Donegal on videotape. [228.184]
  • Disney releases the film Dr. Syn, Alias The Scarecrow on videocassette. [228.142]
  • Disney releases the film Geronimo's Revenge on videocassette. [228.204]
  • Disney releases the film Greyfriars Bobby on videocassette. [228.220]
  • Disney releases the film The Horse in the Gray Flannel Suit on videocassette. [228.241]
  • Disney releases the film It's Tough to Be a Bird on videocassette. [228.259]
  • Disney releases the film Jungle Cat on videcassette. [228.269]
  • The Kennel Club pet boarding facility at Disneyland is renamed Pet Care Kennel, sponsored by Gaines. [228.273] [1300.232]
  • Disney releases the film King of the Grizzlies on videocassette. [228.276]
  • Disney releases the film The Legend of the Boy and the Eagle on videocassette. [228.285]
  • Disney releases the film Lt. Robin Crusoe, U.S.N. on videocassette. [228.288]
  • Disney releases the film The Light in the Forest on videocassette. [228.288]
  • Disney releases the film The Littlest Horse Thieves on videocassette. [228.293]
  • Disney releases the film The Living Desert on videocassette. [228.294]
  • Disney releases the film Lots of Luck on videocassette. [228.296]
  • Disney releases the film Million Dollar Duck on videocassette. [228.332]
  • Disney releases the film The Misdaventures of Merlin Jones on videocassette. [228.335]
  • Disney releases the film The Monkey's Uncle on videocassette. [228.338]
  • Disney releases the film Moon Pilot on videocassette. [228.340]
  • Disney releases the film My Science Project on videocassette. [228.349]
  • Disney releases the film Napoleon and Samantha on videocassette. [228.351]
  • Disney releases the film Nikki, Wild Dog of the North on videocassette. [228.359]
  • Disney releases the film The Nine Lives of Elfego Baca on videocassette. [228.359]
  • Disney releases the film No Deposit, No Return on videocassette. [228.360]
  • Disney releases the film Off Beat on videocassette. [228.365]
  • Disney releases the film One Little Indian on videocassette. [228.372]
  • Disney releases the film One Magic Christmas on videocassette. [228.373]
  • Disney releases the film One of Our Dinosaurs Is Missing on videocassette. [228.374]
  • Disney releases the film Return to Witch Mountain on videocassette. [501.467]
  • Disney releases the film Run, Appaloosa, Run on videocassette. [501.478]
  • Disney releases the film Savage Sam on videocassette. [501.486]
  • Disney releases the film Scandalous John on videocassette. [501.486]
  • Disney releases the film Six Gun Law on videocassette. [501.503]
  • Disney releases the film So Dear to My Heart on videocassette. [501.511]
  • Disney releases the film Stampede at Bitter Creek on videocassette. [501.520]
  • Disney releases the film The Sword in the Stone on videocassette. [501.535]
  • Disney releases the film Ten Who Dared on videocassette. [501.545]
  • Disney releases the film Third Man on the Mountain on videocassette. [501.551]
  • Disney releases the film A Tiger Walks on videocassette. [501.558]
  • Disney releases the film Toby Tyler, or Ten Weeks with a Circus on videocassette. [501.560]
  • Disney releases the film Tonka on videocassette. [501.563]
  • Disney releases the film Treasure of Matecumbe on videocassette. [501.570]
  • Disney releases the film The Ugly Dachshund on videocassette. [501.579]
  • Disney releases the film Unidentified Flying Oddball on videocassette. [501.581]
  • Disney releases the film The Waltz King on videocassette. [501.598]
  • Disney releases the film Westward Ho the Wagons! on videocassette. [501.603]
  • Disney releases the film The Wild Country on videocassette. [501.612]
  • Disney releases the film The World's Greatest Athlete on videocassette. [501.622]
  • Disney releases the film Yellowstone Cubs on videocassette. [501.626]
  • The American Society of Mechanical Engineers name Disneyland's Monorail a Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark. [757.55]
  • Capcom signs an agreement with The Walt Disney Company to produce Disney games for the Nintendo Entertainment System video game system. [799.92]
  • American astronaut Sally Ride aboard the space shuttle says "That's a real 'E'-Ticket ride!". [939.35]
  • The syndicated TV show Come Fly with Disney premieres. [1378.148]

End of 1986 January-June. Next: 1986 July.

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1919-1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933
1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943
1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953
1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963
1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973
1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983
1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
2004 2005 2006 2007-2008 2009 2010-2011 2012-end


A list of references to all source material is available.


Last updated: 2023 December 20.
Copyright © 1995-2024 Ken Polsson (email: ken@kpolsson.com).
URL: http://kpolsson.com/disnehis/
Link to Ken P's home page.

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