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.


1990

January 1
  • Hollywood Records begins operations. [228.238]
January 11
  • For the 35th anniversary of Disneyland, the Party Gras Parade debuts, with balloons 45 feet high of Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Pluto, and Goofy. [26.29] [228.380] [939.43]
January 12
  • Michael Eisner announces Disney's most ambitious expansion of Disneyland over the next ten years, to expand park capacity by 20 percent. [14] [304.37]
January 13
  • The Walt Disney World Swan hotel opens in Walt Disney World. [1] [14] (November 22, 1989 [501.597]) (June 1990 [484.67])
January 14
  • The NBC TV network airs The Magical World of Disney show, entitled Exile. [228.170]
January 15
  • Michael Eisner announces plans to expand the Walt Disney World theme parks, and to add a fourth park during the 1990s. EPCOT Center is to add a pavilion from the Soviet Union, and 16 new attractions are planned for the Disney-MGM Studios. [287.D8]
  • NBC TV airs the series pilot Blue Bayou. [1378.85]
January 18
  • Disney releases the film Winnie the Pooh's ABC of Me for educational use. [501.617]
January 25
  • Coca-Cola and Disney sign a 15-year marketing agreement. Coca-Cola products will be used exclusively in all theme parks, and Coca-Cola will use certain Disney characters in its advertising. [288.D4]
January 26
  • Disney releases the educational film The Bones and Muscles Get Rhythm. It is part of the Wonders of Life series. [1378.89]
  • Disney releases the educational film The Brain and the Nervous System Think Science. It is part of the Wonders of Life series. [1378.94]
  • Disney releases the educational film The Heart and Lungs Play Ball. It is part of the Wonders of Life series. [228.230]
January 27
  • The Disney Channel airs the Disney Channel Premiere Film Lantern Hill. [228.129,281]
February 1
  • Disney releases the film Bambi on laserdisc in the US, for US$30-40. [15]
February 2
  • Buena Vista releases the Touchstone Pictures / Samuel Goldwyn live-action feature film Stella to theaters. [14] [85.320] [106.13] [112.497] [373.397] [501.523]
February 4
  • The special TV show Disneyland's 35th Anniversary Celebration airs, starring Tony Danza and the Muppets. [228.138] [1300.137]

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February 5
  • Euro Disneyland SA, the management company established at Disney to run the Paris theme park, holds its first meeting. [1]
February 8
  • At a movie industry convention in Las Vegas, Disney announces that beginning in March its theater film licensing agreements will not allow commercials to be shown with its releases. [299.33]
February 11
  • The NBC TV network airs The Magical World of Disney show, entitled A Ducktales Valentine!. [228.153]
February 14
  • The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences nominates the film Dead Poets Society for an Oscar Award in the category Best Picture. [39.674]
  • The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences nominates Robin Williams for his role in the film Dead Poets Society for an Oscar Award in the category Actor. [39.674]
  • The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences nominates Peter Weir for his role in the film Dead Poets Society for an Oscar Award in the category Directing. [39.674]
  • The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences nominates the film Dead Poets Society for an Oscar Award in the category Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen. [39.674]
  • The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences nominates the film Blaze for an Oscar Award in the category Cinematography. [39.674]
  • The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences nominates the film The Little Mermaid for an Oscar Award in the category Music, Original Score. [39.674]
  • The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences nominates the song "Kiss the Girl" from the film The Little Mermaid for an Oscar Award in the category Music, Original Song. [39.674]
  • The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences nominates the song "Under the Sea" from the film The Little Mermaid for an Oscar Award in the category Music, Original Song. [39.674]
February
  • Disney files an antitrust suit against Fox Broadcasting, accusing the company of pressuring affiliate stations to reject Disney children's programming in favor of Fox programming. [497.34]
February 19
  • The Tokyo Disneyland TeacherCenter opens. [55.41]
February 23
  • Buena Vista releases the Touchstone Pictures live-action feature film Where the Heart Is to theaters. [1] [14] [85.320] [106.21] [373.398] [501.606]
(month unknown)
  • Maldives issues ten postage stamps depicting Disney characters in British sports. [655.585]
March 5
  • The Disney Channel begins airing the Avonlea series. [1378.50]
March 8
  • Tokyo Disneyland welcomes its 80-millionth guest. [55.41]
March 11
  • The NBC TV network airs The Magical World of Disney show, entitled Sky High. [501.503]
March
  • Disney releases an updated version of the film You - and Your Ears for educational use. [501.626]
  • Disney releases an updated version of the film You - and Your Eyes for educational use. [501.626]
  • Disney releases an updated version of the film You - and Your Sense of Smell and Taste for educational use. [501.627]
  • Disney releases an updated version of the film You - and Your Sense of Touch for educational use. [501.627]
March 16
  • Dick Nunis, president of Walt Disney Attractions, announces that Disney will develop 4400 acres in Osceola, Florida with a shopping mall, industrial space, and homes over the next 25 years. [289.37] (April [1])
March 20
  • Tanzania issues ten postage stamps depicting various Disney characters. [617.373]
March 23
  • Buena Vista releases the Touchstone Pictures live-action feature film Pretty Woman to theaters. (North American theater gross receipts: US$178.4 million; world: US$463 million, making this Disney's most successful live-action film to date.) [1] [14] [34.278] [85.320] [106.32] [112.487] [373.395] [552.42] [579.50] [610.42] [745.111]
March 24
  • The Disney Channel airs the Disney Channel Premiere film Chips, the War Dog. [190.49] [1378.134]
March 25
  • The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show. A poster outside a nightclub looks like Jessica Rabbit from the film Who Framed Roger Rabbit?. [815]
March 26
  • The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences awards an Oscar (Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen) for the film Dead Poets Society. [38.770] [39.674]
  • The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences awards an Oscar (Music, Original Song) Alan Menken and Howard Ashman for the song "Under the Sea", from the film The Little Mermaid. [38.770] [39.674] [369.180]
  • The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences awards an Oscar (Music, Original Score) to Alan Menken for the film The Little Mermaid. [38.770] [39.674] [369.180]
March 31
  • The NBC TV network begins airing the series Carol & Co.. [1378.119]
April 6
  • The Blue Ribbon Bakery shop opens on Main Street at Disneyland, in place of the Sunkist Citrus House. [1300.79] [1378.86]
  • Buena Vista releases the Touchstone Pictures live-action feature film Ernest Goes to Jail to theaters in the US. [106.146] [112.458] [228.167] [370.284,320] [373.391]
April 7
  • The Cage nightclub opens in Pleasure Island at Walt Disney World. Former name was Videopolis East. [1378.110]
April 9
  • The Disney Channel begins airing the series Just Perfect. [228.270]
April 15
  • The TV special Celebrity Celebration Aboard the Queen Mary airs on KCAL in Los Angeles. [1378.126]
April
  • A Disney Store opens in Montclair, California. It includes Disney's first Mickey's Kitchen fast food restaurant. 25,000 people pass through on the opening day. [228.327] [290.D1] [495.54] (1989 [14])
April 22
  • The Minnie's Surprise Birthday Party show in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World closes. [228.333]
  • The Mickey's Birthdayland area in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World closes. [228.324,333]
April 23
  • Sierra Leone issues twelve postage stamps depicting Disney characters in Sierra Leone. [656.982]
April 26
  • The Mickey's Magical TV World show opens at Mickey's Starland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [228.327]
April 27
  • Buena Vista releases the Touchstone Pictures live-action feature film Spaced Invaders to theaters. [85.320] [106.44] [112.496] [373.397] [501.515]
April 29
  • The Pendleton Woolen Mills Dry Goods Store in Frontierland at Disneyland closes. [228.382] [1300.321]
  • The One Man's Dream show gives its last performance at the Videopolis in Disneyland. [228.373]
April 30
  • Disney releases the film Goofy's Office Safety Championship for educational use. [228.214]
  • Disney releases the film Goofy's Plant Safety Championship for educational use. [228.214]
May 4
  • The Disney Channel airs the last episode of Just Perfect. [228.270]
May 5
  • The Disney Channel begins airing the Tale Spin animated series. [501.538]
May 6
  • The NBC TV network airs The Magical World of Disney show, entitled The Muppets at Walt Disney World. [228.346]
May
  • The Internet's Usenet newsgroup rec.arts.disney is created. [11]
  • Two new attractions are announced for the Disney theme park in Paris: Videopolis and Autopia. [60.3]
  • Grenada Grenadines issues ten postage stamps depicting various Disney characters as Shakespearian characters. [653.458]
  • St. Vincent issues ten postage stamps depicting Disney characters in British military uniforms. [656.777]
  • The Grenadines of St. Vincent issues ten postage stamps depicting Disney characters in Shakespearian roles. [656.808]
May 19
  • The Disney Channel airs the Disney Channel Premiere Film Mother Goose Rock 'n' Rhyme. [228.129,343]
May 21
  • The stage show Dick Tracy Starring in Diamond Double-Cross begins performances at the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park at Walt Disney World. [1378.184]
  • The syndicated TV show Siskel & Ebert, the Future of the Movies with Steven Spielberg, George Lucas and Martin Scorsese airs. [501.502]
May 25
  • The Here Come the Muppets musical revue show debuts at the Disney-MGM Studios in Florida. [228.233] (June 14 [484.67])
  • Buena Vista releases the Touchstone Pictures live-action feature film Fire Birds to theaters. [85.320] [112.460] [228.184] (May 13 [373.391]) (Free Birds [106.151])
May 26
  • The Calling Dick Tracy shop opens on Hollywood Boulevard in Disney-MGM Studios at Walt Disney World. [1378.111]
  • The Mickey's Starland attraction opens in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [228.329] (1988 [6] [22])
June 3
  • The Fine Tobacco shop on Main Street, U.S.A. in Disneyland closes. [1300.166]
June 4
  • The Walt Disney World Dolphin hotel opens at Walt Disney World. [14] [484.67] [501.595]
  • The Bengal Barbecue restaurant opens in Adventureland in Disneyland. [1378.71]
June 6
  • Sierra Leone issues ten postage stamps depicting Disney characters in old England roles. [656.982]
June 7
  • The Disney Channel airs the Disney Channel Premiere film Back Home. [225.96] [1378.53]
June 9
  • The NBC TV network begins airing the Singer & Sons show. [501.502]
June 13
  • The syndicated TV special Dick Tracy: Behind the Badge... Behind the Scenes airs. [1378.184]
June 15
  • The stage show Dick Tracy Starring in Diamond Double-Cross begins performances at Videopolis in Disneyland. [1378.184]
  • The Patented Pastimes shop opens on Main Street in Disneyland. [1300.320]
  • Buena Vista releases the Touchstone Pictures animated Roger Rabbit film Roller Coaster Rabbit to theaters. [85] [300.S2.26] [370.292,320,323] [501.476]
  • Buena Vista releases the Touchstone Pictures live-action feature film Dick Tracy to theaters. The film cost US$47 million to produce and US$54 million in marketing. (North American theater gross receipts: US$103.7 million.) [1] [14] [34.278] [106.54] [112.455] [300.S2.26] [373.390] [495.52] [499.20] [537.68] [745.111] [1074.242] [1378.184]
June 16
  • The NBC TV network airs the pilot We'll Take Manhattan. [501.602]
June 17
  • The NBC TV network airs the pilot Appearances. [1378.37]
June 19
  • The Gambia issues ten postage stamps depicting various Disney characters visiting England. [653.40]
June 21
  • Grenada issues ten postage stamps depicting various Disney characters and British trains. [653.425]
June 22
  • Buena Vista Pictures releases the Touchstone Pictures live-action feature film Betsy's Wedding to theaters. [1] [14] [85.320] [106.58] [112.445] [373.389] [1378.73]
June 27
  • Merrill Lynch begins selling up to US$2.25 billion convertible bonds for the Walt Disney Company, the largest such issue in US history. The bond issue is to raise funds for building Euro Disneyland in France. [496.208]
  • The NBC TV network air the final Singer & Sons show. [501.502]
June 29
  • The Bonanza Outfitters shop opens in Frontierland at Disneyland, in place of the Pendleton Woolen Mills Dry Goods Store. [1300.80] [1378.88]
  • Disney announces it is forming a children's book publishing company. [293.33] (July [498.133])
(month unknown)
  • Ballanda Corporation introduces the limited edition Mick Tracy watch, showing Mickey Mouse in a Dick Tracy-like silhouette. [230.68]
  • Disney releases the film Fire Birds on videocassette. [228.185]
  • Pedre introduces the Mickey Astaire watch. [230.68]
  • The Hollywood Foreign Press Association awards a Golden Globe Award (Original Score) to Alan Menken for the film The Little Mermaid. [369.181]
  • The Hollywood Foreign Press Association awards a Golden Globe Award (Original Score) to Alan Menken and Howard Ashman for the song "Under the Sea" in the film The Little Mermaid. [369.181]
  • Disney revokes Gladstone's license to publish Disney comics. [75]
  • The Walt Disney Company forms Disney Comics, Incorporated. [75] [228.99]
  • Disney releases the film Anne of Avonlea on laserdisc for US$40. [15]
  • The National Board of Review awards a Best English-Language Film award to Disney for the film Dead Poets Society. [369.180]
  • The Los Angeles Film Critics Association grants the Animated Film award to Disney for the film The Little Mermaid. [369.181]
  • Disney releases the film Dragonslayer on laserdisc in Japan, for 9800 Yen. [15]
  • Disney releases the film An Innocent Man on videocassette. [228.255]
  • Disney releases the film The Little Mermaid on videocassette. (Ten million copies are sold.) [11] [228.292]
  • Disney releases the film Mary Poppins on laserdisc in Japan. [15]
  • Disney puts its animated Gummi Bear TV shows into syndication. [383.166]
  • Disney releases the Hollywood Pictures live-action feature film Filofax to theaters. Original name of the film was Pros and Cons. [14]
  • Disney releases the film Spaced Invaders on videocassette. [501.516]
  • Walt Disney Computer Software releases The Animation Studio for the Amiga computer, for US$179. [227.18] [640.28] (1989 [294.C12])
  • Disney releases the film Betsy's Wedding on videocassette. [228.52]
  • NBC cancels The Magical World of Disney TV show. [1] [14] [56.83] [238.250]
  • Disney releases the film Ernest Goes to Jail on videocassette. [228.167]
  • Disney releases the film Great Expectations on videocassette. [228.217]
  • Disney releases the film Anne of Green Gables on laserdisc in the US, for US$40. [15]
  • Disney re-releases the film Blackbeard's Ghost on videocassette. [228.59]
  • Disney releases the film Blaze on videocassette. [228.60]
  • Disney releases the film Cheetah on videocassette. [228.87]
  • The judge of the Los Angeles County Superior Court rules that Disney breached its contract with Peggy Lee by selling videotapes of Lady and the Tramp without her permission. [313.B6]
  • Disney releases the film Gross Anatomy on videocassette. [228.220]
  • Disney releases the film D.O.A. on videocassette. [228.113]
  • Disney releases the film Dead Poets Society on videocassette. [228.120]
  • At Disneyland, the Dumbo Flying Elephants attraction is updated with a new ride system. [228.154]
  • Disney releases the film Honey, I Shrunk the Kids on videocassette. [228.240]
  • According to "Q" ratings, the Nintendo mascot Super Mario is more recognized by American children than Mickey Mouse. [391.9]
  • Disney re-releases the film The Legend of Sleepy Hollow on videocassette. [228.285]
  • The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences awards an Emmy Award (Individual Achievement for a Children's program) for The Magical World of Disney presentation of A Mother's Courage: The Mary Thomas Story. [228.343]
  • Disney releases the film New York Stories on videocassette. [228.356]
  • Disney releases the film Pretty Woman on videocassette. [228.399]
  • Disney releases the film Stella on videocassette. [501.523]
  • The Team Disney building is completed in Burbank, California. [651.52]
  • Disney releases the film Turner & Hooch on videocassette. [501.575]
  • Disney releases the film Where the Heart Is on videocassette. [501.606]
  • Capcom releases the Adventures in the Magic Kingdom video game for the Nintendo Entertainment System in the US. [799.93]
June
  • Capcom releases the Chip 'n' Dale Rescue Rangers video game for the Nintendo Entertainment System in the US. [799.93] [1146.99]
(month unknown)
  • Capcom releases the Duck Tales video game for the Game Boy in the US. [799.93]
  • Disney begins developing the idea of building a US west coast version of Epcot Center. [793.58]
  • Sega releases the Castle of Illusion starring Mickey Mouse video game for the Mega Drive video game system in the UK. [1081.62]
  • The Walt Disney Company introduces the phrase "Environmentality" to Cast Members and employees and identifies Jiminy Cricket as the mascot and official conscience to represent the initiative. [1262.2]
  • Roger E. Broggie is named a Disney Legend. Broggie worked in trains for Disneyland. [1378.100]

End of 1990 January-June. Next: 1990 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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