Chronology of the Walt Disney Company

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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.


1988

January 6
  • The CBS TV network airs the last episode of The Oldest Rookie show. [228.367] [381.348]
January 9
  • The Disney Channel airs the final Contraption TV show. [1378.152]
January 10
  • The Disney Channel debuts the animated TV show The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. [85.300] [228.354] [383.359]
January 15
  • Disney generally releases the live-action feature film Good Morning, Vietnam to theaters. The film cost US$14 million to make. (It becomes Disney's second blockbuster movie. North American theater gross receipts: US$123.9 million.) [1] [14] [228.210] [552.42] [745.94] [1074.207]
January 16
  • The film Three Men and a Baby breaks the US$100 million mark in ticket sales, the first time for a Disney movie. [1]
January 17
  • The ABC TV network airs The Disney Sunday Movie, entitled Earth*Star Voyager, part one. [228.155]
January 24
  • The ABC TV network airs The Disney Sunday Movie, entitled Earth*Star Voyager, part two. [228.155]
January 28
  • Groundbreaking for the Dolphin Hotel and Swan Hotel complex begins in Walt Disney World. [217.C1]
January 30
  • The IllumiNations show debuts on World Showcase Lagoon in EPCOT Center at Walt Disney World. [228.250] [395.38]
February 2
  • The first filming at the Disney-MGM Studios begins, for the movie Splash Too. [228.131]
February 7
  • The ABC TV network airs The Disney Sunday Movie, entitled Rock 'n' Roll Mom. [501.474]
February 12
  • The NBC TV network airs the TV special Disney's Magic in the Magic Kingdom. Magicians Siegfried and Roy appear to make Sleeping Beauty Castle disappear. [228.140] [386.129] [757.40] [1300.137]
  • Disney releases the Touchstone Pictures live-action feature film Shoot to Kill to theaters in the US. [65.91] [66.54] [85.319] [104.15] [112.494] [501.497]
February 13
  • The Expo Robotics robot demonstration opens in Communicore West in EPCOT Center. [228.170]
February
  • With production costs of the film Who Framed Roger Rabbit rising and the release date threatened, Jeff Katzenberg steps in to take control of production. [14]
February 15
  • Bhutan issues ten postage stamps depicting Disney characters in winter Olympic events. [629.794]

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  • Maldives issues nine postage stamps depicting Disney characters and space exploration. [655.584]
February 17
  • The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences nominates Robin Williams for his role in the film Good Morning, Vietnam for an Oscar Award in the category Actor. [39.661]
February 19
  • Disney releases the film Night on the Town to theaters in the UK. The film was called Adventures in Babysitting in the US. [65.9]
February 25
  • NBC airs the TV special Disney's Totally Minnie. [228.141] (March 25 [386.129])
March 6
  • The ABC TV network airs The Disney Sunday Movie, entitled 14 Going on 30, part one. [228.193]
March 7
  • The Chocolat Rue Royale shop opens in New Orleans Square in Disneyland. [1378.134]
March 13
  • The ABC TV network airs The Disney Sunday Movie, entitled 14 Going on 30, part two. [228.193]
March
  • Disney releases the educational film Blackberries in the Dark. [1378.82]
  • Disney Educational Products releases the educational film Benny and the 'Roids (A Story About Steroid Abuse). [220.C2] [1378.72]
March 18
  • Disney releases the Touchstone Pictures live-action feature film D.O.A. to theaters in the US. [65.32] [66.53] [85.319] [104.23] [112.453] [228.113]
March 19
  • The Disney Channel airs the Disney Channel Premier Film Save the Dog. [501.486] (1989 [190.51])
  • Disneyland is host to the first Blast to the Past celebration, with a parade, Main Street Hop show, Super Hooper Duper hula-hoop event, and original 1950s/60s entertainers. [228.60] [1300.77]
March 29
  • Disney buys 36 percent of Wrather Corporation, which owns the Disneyland Hotel. Brierley's also buys 36 percent, agreeing to allow Disney to run the Hotel, and develop some land in southern California that is part of the deal. [1] [26.146] [228.136] [247.20] (Disney buys 50% [218.D5])
March 31
  • Disney removes the film Sleeping Beauty from the videocassette market. It sold 1.2 million copies, bringing in US$21.6 million in revenue. [1]
April 10
  • The America Sings attraction in the carousel theater in Tomorrowland at Disneyland closes. [1300.48] [1378.27]
April 13
  • Grenada issues ten postage stamps depicting various Disney characters and Olympic events. [219.72] [653.422]
  • Grenada Grenadines issues eight postage stamps depicting various Disney characters participating in Olympic events. [219.72] [653.457]
April 15
  • Buena Vista releases the Walt Disney Pictures live-action feature film Return to Snowy River, Part II, The Legend Continues to theaters in the US. The film is a sequel to The Man from Snowy River. [65.84] [104.169] [112.490] [370.284,319] [501.468]
  • The Disney Classics on Parade premieres at Tokyo Disneyland. [55.40]
  • The One Man's Dream show begins performances at Tokyo Disneyland. [228.373]
April
  • Time magazine features Michael Eisner and Mickey Mouse on the cover if its April 25 issue, for an article on the revival of the Walt Disney Company. [479]
  • The film Who Framed Roger Rabbit? is first screened before a test audience. [745.88]
  • Disney Chief Financial Officer Gary Wilson renegotiates Disney's deal with Oriental Land Company in Japan, reducing royalty payments for Tokyo Disneyland, in exchange for US$723 million in cash. [477.42]
April 19
  • The Walt Disney Company acquires Childcraft Education Corporation from Grolier Incorported, for US$52 million. Childcraft is a maker of children's furniture and equipment. [211.D5] [1378.133]
April 29
  • The Bebop Hop shop opens in Tokyo Disneyland. [55.40]
May 1
  • The ABC TV network airs The Disney Sunday Movie, entitled Splash, Too part one. [501.518]
May 3
  • Antigua & Barbuda issues sixteen postage stamps depicting Disney characters at various EPCOT Center sites. [219.72] [629.375]
May 6
  • The Norway pavilion opens in World Showcase in EPCOT Center at Walt Disney World. It includes the Flording shop, Puffin's Roost shop, Kringla Bakeri og Kafe restaurant, and the Restaurant Akershus restaurant. [228.187,278,362,403] [395.39] [501.466]
May 7
  • The Disney Channel airs the film Lady and the Tramp, the first time the film is shown on television. [219.S11.4]
May 8
  • The ABC TV network airs The Disney Sunday Movie, entitled Splash, Too part two. [501.518]
May 15
  • The TV show Captain EO Backstage airs. [1378.117]
  • The ABC TV network airs The Disney Sunday Movie, entitled Justin Case. [228.270]
May
  • MGM/UA Communications Company files a lawsuit against the Walt Disney Company, to block its use of the MGM/UA name on a Disney studio tour planned for Florida. [213.D5]
May 22
  • The ABC TV network airs The Disney Sunday Movie, entitled Meet the Munceys. The show is a pilot for a proposed series. [228.316]
May 28
  • The Gulf Coast Room restaurant in the Contemporary Resort at Walt Disney World closes. [228.221]
June 2
  • Lesotho issues ten postage stamps marking the 60th anniversary of Mickey Mouse, depicting various Disney characters in Helsinki, Finland. [655.334]
June 5
  • The Disney Channel airs the Disney Channel Premiere Film Night Train to Kathmandu. [228.129,358]
June 10
  • Disney releases the Touchstone Pictures live-action feature film Big Business to theaters in the US. [14] [65.18] [66.29] [85.319] [104.45] [112.445] [1378.76]
June
  • Silver Screen Partners IV begins raising money for filming Disney films. (US$400 million is raised through 52,000 investors.) [501.500] [1074.184]
June 18
  • The Mickey's Birthdayland area opens near Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [228.324]
  • The Minnie's Surprise Birthday Party show opens in Mickey's Birthdayland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [228.333]
June 21
  • Radio City Music Hall in New York City premieres the film Who Framed Roger Rabbit?. [15] [245.34] [501.609]
June 22
  • Disney releases the Touchstone Pictures animated and live-action feature film Who Framed Roger Rabbit? to theaters. It cost US$50.6 million to make, and another US$30 million for marketing. This film marks the first-ever on-screen meeting of Donald Duck and Daffy Duck. The film is based on the book Who Censored Roger Rabbit? by Gary Wolf. (This becomes Disney's third blockbuster movie for the year. North American theater gross receipts: US$154.2 million; worldwide: US$330 million.) [1] [8] [14] [25] [65.122] [66.198] [370.284,319] [104.48] [112.507] [238.182] [452] [552.42] [579.50] [610.41] [745.88] [1074.227]
June 28
  • Disney's Grand Floridian Beach Resort hotel opens in Walt Disney World, on the west shore of Seven Seas Lagoon. It includes Flagler's restaurant, 1900 Park Fare restaurant, M. Mouse Mercantile shop, Narcoossee's restaurant, Victoria and Albert's restaurant, Commander Porter's shop, and Grand Floridian Cafe restaurant. [10] [14] [228.187,215,216,300,351,359] [501.586] [1378.149]
June 30
  • The Videopolis Railroad Station opens in Disneyland. [501.587] (1985 [328.271])
(month unknown)
  • The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences awards an Emmy Award (Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series) to Bea Arthur for her role in the TV show The Golden Girls. [59.305]
  • The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences awards an Emmy Award (Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series) to Estelle Getty for her role in the TV show The Golden Girls. [59.305]
  • The Hollywood Foreign Press Association awards a Golden Globe Award (Actor, Comedy or Musical) to Robin Williams for his role in the film Good Morning, Vietnam. [369.175]
  • Disney releases the animated film compilation Cartoon Classics: Here's Donald / Here's Goofy on laserdisc in the US, for US$25. It includes Wide Open Spaces, Donald's Ostrich, Crazy with the Heat, For Whom the Bulls Toil, Lion Down, and A Knight for a Day. [15]
  • Disney releases the animated film compilation Cartoon Classics: Here's Mickey / Here's Pluto on laserdisc in the US, for US$25. It includes Orphans' Benefit, Mickey's Garden, Mail Dog, Pantry Pirate, and Springtime for Pluto. [15]
  • Disney releases the film Good Morning, Vietnam on video. [228.210]
  • Disney releases the laserdisc Cartoon Classics: Mickey & Minnie / Chip 'n' Dale for US$25. It includes The Little Whirlwind, Hawaiian Holiday, The Brave Little Tailor, Working for Peanuts, Donald Applecore, and Dragon Around. [15]
  • Disney releases the laserdisc Cartoon Classics Volume 1: Chip and Dale with Donald Duck for US$25. It includes Chip 'n' Dale, Three for Breakfast, Winter Storage, Up a Tree, Out on a Limb, Out of Scale, and Corn Chips. [15]
  • Disney releases the film Hello Again on videocassette. [228.230]
  • The Walt Disney Company forms Walt Disney Computer Software Incorporated. [89.A/8] [228.101]
  • Disney releases the animated film compilation Silly Symphonies / Starring Silly Symphonies: Animals Two by Two - Cartoon Classics on laserdisc for US$25. It includes Three Little Wolves, Toby Tortoise Returns, Water Babies, Father Noah's Ark, Peculiar Penguins, The Tortoise and the Hare. [15]
  • Disney releases the film Song of the South on videotape in Japan. [25]
  • Disney releases the film Adventures in Babysitting on videocassette. [228.7]
  • Howard Ashman proposes to Disney the idea of adapting the Aladdin story as a Disney animated musical. [228.11] [229.133]
  • Disney releases the film Benji the Hunted on videocassette. [228.50]
  • Disney releases the film Cinderella on videocassette. 4.8 million orders were received before it shipped. (Nearly 6 million copies sell, generating nearly US$180 million in revenue.) [1] [11] [14] [17] [745.93] [1378.137] (US$100 million [238.189])
  • Walt Disney Animation assigns Max Howard to set up the Disney Animation Studio in Florida. [243.7]
  • At Disneyland, the scene and narration of a log cabin burning along the Jungle Cruise ride is changed to show the settler passed out drunk, rather than killed by Indians. [259.88]
  • Disney releases the film Can't Buy Me Love on videocassette. [228.78]
  • Disney releases the animated film compilation Mickey's Magical World - Walt Disney's Mini Classics on laserdisc in Japan, for 4841 Yen. It includes portions of: Thru the Mirror, The Worm Turns, Lonesome Ghosts, The Band Concert, Gulliver Mickey (Colorized), Magician Mickey, Sorceror's Apprentice. [15]
  • Disney re-releases the film The Fox and the Hound to theaters. [25] [228.194]
  • Disney releases the Disney Sing Along Songs film compilation The Bare Necessities / You Can Fly on laserdisc in the US, for US$25. [15]
  • Disney releases the film Alice in Wonderland on videocassette and laserdisc. [11] (1986 [228.15)]
  • Disney releases the film D.O.A. on videocassette. [228.113]
  • David Hoberman is named president of Touchstone Pictures and Walt Disney Pictures. [228.235]
  • Disney releases the film Donald in Mathmagic Land on videocassette. [228.146]
  • Disney releases the film Mickey and the Beanstalk on videocassette. [228.319]
  • Disney releases the film Morris, the Midget Moose on videocassette. [228.342]
  • Disney releases the film Shoot to Kill on videocassette. [501.497]
  • Disney releases the film Stakeout on videocassette. [501.520]
  • Disney releases the film Three Men and a Baby on videocassette. [501.554]
  • Disney re-releases the film Wind in the Willows on videocassette. [501.614]
  • The You and Me Kid shop opens in the Walt Disney World Village. [501.626]
  • Capcom releases the Mickey Mousecapades video game for the Nintendo Entertainment System in the US. [799.93]

End of 1988 January-June. Next: 1988 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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