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.

2002

January 1

• IMAX Corporation and Disney release the film Beauty and the Beast to IMAX and other large screen theaters in Australia, France, Hong Kong, and USA. Included is a new animated sequence with new song "Human Again". [322.67] [366.26] [602.15] [890] [1073.200] [1378.65]

January 2

• IMAX Corporation releases the film Beauty and the Beast to theaters in Belgium. [890]

January 4

• IMAX Corporation releases the film Beauty and the Beast to theaters in Poland and the United Kingdom. [890]

January 6

• The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US.
  • A character refers to "the magic of Disney Animatronics".
  • A robotic human in a chair stands and speaks, a reference to the Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln attraction.
  [981]

January 7

• Disney announces it is using Compaq iPaq handheld computers to provide text and foreign language audio translations of some of its attractions in WDW. A wireless network automatically triggers the computer as the wearer moves among locations. Language translations available are French, German, Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish. [686]
• Disney announces that Stu Bloomberg is being replaced by Susan Lyne as president of ABC's Entertainment Television Group, with Lloyd Braun as sole chairman. [745.381] [812.40]

January 13

• In Hollywood, Disney premieres the film Snow Dogs. [394.35]

January 15

• Disney re-releases the film Tron, on DVD and videocassette in the US. [402.38] [720.75]

January

• At the Cosmic Waves area in Tomorrowland at Disneyland, the water jets from the ground are disabled. [1300.115]

January 18

• Disney releases the Walt Disney Pictures live-action feature film Snow Dogs to theaters in the US. [603.16]

January 25

• Buena Vista releases the Touchstone Pictures film The Count of Monte Cristo to theaters in the USA. [1378.156]

January 27

• The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. A parade float "Lesbians of the Caribbean" includes music similar to that of Disneyland's Pirates of the Caribbean ride, with lyrics "Yo ho ho it's an alternative lifestyle for me". [982]

February 1

• Disney releases the Touchstone Pictures live-action feature film The Count of Monte Cristo to theaters in the US. [603.18]

February 8

• At the first anniversary of the opening of Disney's California Adventure theme park, Disneyland Resort president Cynthia Harriss and Walt Disney Imagineering senior vice president Barry Braverman announce plans for the park's expansion. [394.35]

February 11

• In Hollywood, California, Disney premieres the film Return to Never Land. [394.35]

February 12

• The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences nominates the film Monsters, Inc. for an award for animated feature. [486.126]
  vvv advertisement vvv
  
  ^^^ advertisement ^^^
  
• The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences nominates the film Monsters, Inc. for an award for sound effects editing. [486.126]
• The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences nominates the film Monsters, Inc. for an award for original score. [486.126]
• The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences nominates the song "If I Didn't Have You" from the film Monsters, Inc. for an award for best original song. [486.126]

February 15

• Disney releases the animated film Return to Never Land to theaters in the USA. [366.26]

February 26

• Disney releases the animated film Cinderella II: Dreams Come True on videocassette and DVD. [366.26] [367.67] [1378.138]

February 28

• Michael Eisner testifies at the Senate Commerce Committee in Washington, D.C., on protection of digital content from piracy. Eisner refers to Apple Computer ads for the iPod as encouraging copyright violation. [745.382]

March 8

• The Disney Channel Original Movie Cadet Kelly airs. [1378.109]
• Disney's Pop Century Resort opens at Walt Disney World. [366.22]

March 10

• The ABC TV network airs The Wonderful World of Disney show, entitled Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister. [367.67] [1378.151]

March 13

• Saint Thomas and Prince Islands issues a 15,00d postage stamp of Walt Disney in its "Famous Men" series. [1229.855]

March

• At The American Adventure attraction in Epcot, portable translators are pilot tested. The Personal Translation Units are triggered by sensors to play audio translations of the attraction's soundtrack in alternate languages. [394.25] (January [686])

March 16

• The Walt Disney Studios Park opens next to Disneyland Paris in France. [366.22] [367.28] [415.54] [745.387] [914.81]
• The Cinémagique film premieres in the Studio Theatre in Walt Disney Studios Park at Disneyland Paris. [1378.139]
• The Catastrophe Canyon area opens in Walty Disney Studios Park at Disneyland Paris. [1378.125]
• The Backlot Express restaurant opens in Walt Disney Studios Park at Disneyland Paris. [1378.54]
• The Animation Academy class opens at the Animation Station in L'Art de l'Animation Disney in Walt Disney Studios Park at Disneyland Paris. [1378.34]
• The Animagique show opens in Walt Disney Studios Park at Disneyland Paris. [1378.32]
• The Armageddon: Les Effets Speciaux attraction opens in Walt Disney Studios Park at Disneyland Paris. [1378.41]

March 17

• The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. A character eats a page from a childrens' book, then says "Well, it's easier to chew than that Bambi video.", likely referring to the Disney film. [983]

March 19

• Disney releases the animated film The Hunchback of Notre Dame II on videocassette and DVD in the US. [367.28] [605.85]

March 24

• The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences awards an Oscar (Music, Best Song) for the song "If I Didn't Have You" from the film Monsters, Inc.. [394.34] [486.126] [890]
• The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences awards an Oscar (Sound Editing) to Christopher Boyes and George Watters II for the film Pearl Harbor. [890]

March 26

• In New York City, the Astor Plaza Theatre premieres the film The Rookie. [394.34]
• The ABC TV network premieres The Court TV series. [1378.158]

March 29

• Disney releases the live-action feature film The Rookie to theaters in the US. [606.24]

March 31

• Over the past twelve months, attendance at Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea was 22 million visitors. [1223.57]
• The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. A book is titled Who Wants to be a Braziliannaire?, a reference to the Disney-ABC TV show Who Wants to be a Millionaire?. [984]

(month unknown)

• Buena Vista Home Entertainment releases the film Belle De Jour on DVD in the US for US$32.99. [605.81]
• Buena Vista Home Entertainment releases the film Bubble Boy on DVD in the US for US$32.99. [605.82]

April 5

• Disney releases the Touchstone film Big Trouble to theaters in the USA. [1378.79]

April 7

• The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. A character says "Michael Eisner's been dead for five years". [985]

April 8

• Albania issues four postage stamps depicting Bambi and Thumper. [1155.319]

April 9

• The ABC TV network airs the last The Court episode. [1378.158]

April

• Disney announces changes to its board of directors, prohibiting external auditors from providing consulting services to the company. [917.110]

April 18

• The Primeval Whirl roller coaster opens in Chester & Hester's Dino-Rama! in DinoLand U.S.A. in Disney's Animal Kingdom in Walt Disney World. [366.22] [367.28] [1378.131]

April 24

• Grenada issues ten postage stamps depicting Mickey Mouse. [1161.493]

April 26

• The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Fairly Oddparents TV show in the US. One character says to another "Mr. President, you almost caused a nuclear war. What are you going to do next?" The reply is "I'm going to Escalatorland." This is a reference to Disney commercials where a sports figure says he is going to Disneyland. [959]

April 28

• The Captain's Tower area in the Marketplace at Disney Springs in Walt Disney World closes. [1378.118]

May 19

• Disney releases the film The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh on videocassette and DVD. [367.28]

(month unknown)

• Buena Vista Home Entertainment releases the film The Others on DVD for US$29.99 in the US. [607.90]

June 1

• The Journey Into Imagination with Figment attraction re-opens in Epcot Center at Walt Disney World. [394.28]

June 6

• The Café des Cascadeurs restaurant opens in Walt Disney Studios Park at Disneyland Paris. [1378.109]

June 7

• The Touchstone film Bad Company is released to theaters. [1378.54]

June

• The Disney Channel debuts the animated Kim Possible TV show. [394.67]

June 16

• In Hollywood, California, the El Capitan Theatre premieres the animated feature film Lilo & Stitch. [367.28] [395.31]

June

• Disney Interactive releases Disney's Lilo & Stitch video game for the Game Boy Advance in the US. [447.52] [645.146]

June 18

• Walt Disney Home Entertainment releases the film Air Bud: Seventh Inning Fetch on videocassette in the USA. [1378.14]
• Disney releases the film Max Keeble's Big Move on DVD and videocassette. [394.32]

June 21

• Disney generally releases the Walt Disney Pictures animated film Lilo & Stitch to theaters in the USA. (US theater receipts: US$146 million.) [394.32] [608.23] [922.72]

(month unknown)

• Buena Vista Home Entertainment releases the film Amélie on DVD for US$29.99 in the US. [608.82]
• Buena Vista Home Entertainment releases the film Nixon on DVD for US$29.99 in the US. [608.85]
• The sponsorship of the Kennel Club at Disneyland changed from Friskies to Purina. [1300.232]
• Ken Annakin is named a Disney Legend. Annakin was a director of several Disney live-action movies. [1378.35]
• Hugh Attwooll is named a Disney Legend. Attwooll was production manager and associate producer for many Disney live-action movies. [1378.47]
• Maurice Chevalier is named a Disney Legend. Chevalier was an actor in several early live-action feature films. [1378.131]
• Phil Collins is named a Disney legend. Collins wrote and performed several Disney movie songs. [1378.146]

July 1

• Disney's Beach Club Villas resort opens at Walt Disney World. [394.32]

July 11

• Buena Vista International releases the film Beauty and the Beast to theaters in Argentina. [890]

July 14

• The ABC TV network airs the Disney Channel Original Movie Cadet Kelly. This is the first time a Disney Channel movie is shown off the Disney Channel. [1378.109]

July

• The Disney Pin Traders area opens in the Marketplace in Disney Springs at Walt Disney World. [1378.118]
• Following the release of third quarter Disney fiscal results, the stock price drops to an eight-year low: US$13.75 (split-adjusted). [745.402]
• The article "Where Do We Go From Here?" in MacFormat magazine includes a picture from the film Toy Story 2, as a demonstration of computer-produced animated films. [1043.21]

July 21

• The live-action and animated feature film The Country Bears premieres at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California. [415.31]

July 25

• The film Beauty and the Beast is re-released to theaters in Israel and Peru. [890]

July 26

• Disney generally releases the film The Country Bears to theaters in the USA. [367.66] [394.32] [395.47] [1378.157]

(month unknown)

• The Fantasmic show re-starts at Disneyland, after undergoing an extensive rehabilitation. [394.26]
• Disney Interactive releases the Ultimate Ride Disney Coaster software for personal computers in the US. It includes some Disney-themed roller-coasters: Space Mountain (Disneyland Paris), and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (Disneyland). Price is US$19.99. [692.110]

August 1

• The Once Upon a Toy shop opens in Downtown Disney Marketplace at Walt Disney World. [394.32]

August 2

• Disney releases the Touchstone Pictures film Signs to theaters in the US. (Theater revenue in the first week: US$117 million.) [609.16] [745.402]

August 6

• Hyperion Films releases The Adventures of Tom Thumb & Thumbeline on videocassette. [1378.11]

August 9

• The film Beauty and the Beast is re-released to theaters in Iceland. [890]

August 22

• The Official Disneyana Mystery convention is held at Walt Disney World, over three days. [394.32]

(month unknown)

• Buena Vista Home Entertainment releases the film Pulp Fiction on DVD for US$29.99 in the US. [609.79]
• Buena Vista Home Entertainment releases the film The Shipping News on DVD for US$29.99 in the US. [609.82]
• THQ releases the Monsters, Inc.: Scream Arena video game for the GameCube in the US. [646.197]
• Ubi Soft releases the Disney's Treasure Planet video game for the Game Boy Advance in the US. [646.199]

September 3

• Disney releases the film Mickey's House of Villains on DVD and videocassette. [395.24]

September 6

• Buena Vista International re-releases the film Beauty and the Beast to theaters in Brazil. [890]

September 8

• Disney releases the film Beauty and the Beast: Special Edition on DVD and videocassette. [395.24] [1340.77]

September 11

• Disney releases the film Tuck Everlasting to theaters in the USA. [395.24,67]

September 13

• Disney releases the Touchstone Pictures live-action feature film Moonlight Mile to theaters in the US. [610.20]

September 14

• The ABC TV network begins airing the show Fillmore. [395.70]

September 17

• Buena Vista Home Entertainment releases the film Monsters, Inc. on videocassette, and DVD for US$29.99 in the US. [394.32] [395.24,68] [610.17,99] [1006.16]

(month unknown)

• Buena Vista Home Entertainment releases the film The Rookie on DVD for US$29.99 in the US. [610.104]

October 4

• The Disney Channel airs the Original Disney Channel Movie The Scream Team. [523.212]

October 6

• The A Bug's Land area opens at Disney's California Adventure. [414.29]
• The Flik's Fun Fair attraction opens in the A Bug's Land area in Disney's California Adventure. [394.26] [395.24] [414.29]

October 7

• The A Bug's Land area opens in Disney California Adventure. The attractions are Flik's Flyers, Tuck & Roll's Drive 'em Buggies, Heimlich's Chew Chew Train, Francis's Ladybug Boogie, and Princess Dot Puddle Park. [1378.104]

October 11

• Buena Vista International re-releases the film Beauty and the Beast to theaters in Sweden. [890]

October

• Activision releases Disney's Tarzan: Return to the Jungle video game for the Game Boy Advance in the US. [646.25]
• The Le Bat en Rouge shop opens in New Orleans Square at Disneyland. [1300.238]

October 27

• Disney premieres the live-action feature film The Santa Clause 2 in Hollywood. [414.28]

October 31

• The American Space Experience exhibit in Tomorrowland at Disneyland adds a mock-up of the Mars Odyssey spacecraft and rover to be used to explore Mars in 2005 and 2006. [1300.48]

(month unknown)

• Buena Vista Home Entertainment releases the film Iris on DVD for US$29.99 in the US. [611.91]

November 1

• The WB Television Network airs the Sabrina, the Teenage Witch TV show in the USA.
  • A character says "Honey I Shrunk Marilyn Manson", a reference to the Disney film Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.
  • A character says "I've had enough of this Jessica Rabbit impersonation".
  [968]
• Disney generally releases the Walt Disney Pictures live-action feature film The Santa Clause 2 to theaters in the USA. [395.24,69] [415.68] [611.18]

November 4

• The ABC Soap Opera Bistro restaurant in the Hollywood Pictures Backlot in Disney's California Adventure closes. [1378.1]

November 6

• Disney asks a court to invalidate a 72-year-old agreement between A.A. Milne and Stephen Slesinger, which gives the US rights to the Winnie-the-Pooh characters to the heirs of Slesinger. Disney claims to have a new agreement with Milne's granddaughter for the rights. [919.47]

November 12

• Disney releases the film A Very Merry Pooh Year on DVD and videocassette. [395.24]

November

• The Epcot Seas Aqua Tour opens at Epcot in Walt Disney World. [652.26]
• Ubi Soft releases the Disney's PK: Out of the Shadows video game for the GameCube in the US. [524.155] [646.24]

November 17

• Disney premieres the animated feature film Treasure Planet at the Cinerama Dome theater in Hollywood. (Opening weekend theater receipts: US$12 million.) [414.28] [745.415]

November 24

• The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. The radio plays "You're listening to Radio Disney. The songs you love, rewritten for babies." [992]
• Disney announces it is making a US$74 million financial write-down on the film Treasure Planet, due to disappointing theater receipts. This is the largest write-down in animated film history. [745.415]

November 27

• Disney generally releases the film Treasure Planet to theaters in the USA. The film cost US$130 million to produce. [367.65] [395.24] [415.42] [918.96] [922.72] [1018.28]

November 28

• The ABC TV network premieres the series Dinotopia. [1378.186]

(month unknown)

• Disney Interactive releases the Disney's Magic Artist Cartoon Maker software for Windows-based computers. Price is about US$20. [494.154]
• Disney Interactive releases the Disney's Kim Possible: Revenge of Monkey Fist video game for the Game Boy Advance in the US. [524.160]

December 1

• The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. An exterminator company is called "A Bug's Death", with a logo that mimics Disney's A Bug's Life film. [993]

December 3

• Walt Disney Home Entertainment releases the film Lilo & Stitch on DVD for US$29.99, and on videocassette. [415.26] [632.77] [723.77] [1007.26]
• Buena Vista Home Entertainment releases three volumes of "Walt Disney Treasures", each title on two DVDs: Mickey Mouse in Black and White, The Complete Goofy, Behind the Scenes at The Walt Disney Studio. [415.26]
• Disney announces it is lowering projected fourth quarter earnings by US$47 million due to poor revenues from the film Treasure Planet. (Disney shares drop by 5 percent the next day.) [920.44]

December 9

• The Disney's Aladdin - Live on Stage show opens at the Hyperion Theater in Disney's California Adventure. [415.24]

December 15

• The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US.
  • The episode title "The Great Louse Detective" is a reference to the Disney film The Great Mouse Detective.
  • A mother says a prison isn't a good place to bring children. A child says "It still beats Disney's California Adventure". The other family members agree.
  [994]

December

• The Radio Disney Broadcast Booth in Disneyland closes. [1300.347]
• The live musical stage show Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular begins test performances at the Hyperion Theater in Disney California Adventure. [1378.16]
• Thomas Schumacher leaves Disney animation as president, to move to New York to run the teatrical division. David Stainton, head of TV animation, replaces him. [745.416]

December 17

• Disney releases the film The Country Bears on DVD and videocassette. [415.26]

December 20

• Ariel's Grotto restaurant opens at Paradise Pier in Disney California Adventure. [1378.40,49]

December 22

• The Enchanted Christmas Ball begins performances on Main Street, U.S.A., in Fantasyland, and Discoveryland at Disneyland Paris. [415.22]

December 25

• IMAX Corporation and Disney release the film The Lion King to IMAX and other large screen theaters in France, Germany, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and the USA. [395.24] [415.26] [890]

December 26

• The ABC TV network airs the final episode of the series Dinotopia. [1378.186]

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