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.


2005

January 5
  • The Atlantic Wear & Wardrobe Emporium Shop in the Beach Club Resort at Walt Disney World closes. [1378.46]
January 7
  • Goofy's Bounce House in Disneyland temporarily closes. [1300.191]
January 10
  • Disney Mobile launches in the US a group of ring tones featuring voices of cartoon characters from Disney and Pixar animators, for US$2.50 per tone. Also available are muical ring tones from Disney films, and mobile screensavers. [686]
January 16
  • The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US.
    • A souvenir jacket for Disney's 1995 film Operation Dumbo Drop appears.
    • A man lies in a glass covered bed waiting for a cure for his disease, looking similar to Snow White sleeping under glass.
    [1058]
January 21
  • The Disney Channel being airing the American Dragon: Jake Long TV series. [1378.28]
January 28
  • The Walt Disney Pictures / Walden Media film Aliens of the Deep is released to large format / IMAX theaters in the USA. [1378.22]
January 30
  • The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. An amusement park, Itchy and Scratchy land, includes a log ride vaguely similar to Disneyland's Splash Mountain. [1059]
February 1
  • The name of the Bonnet Creek Golf Club at Walt Disney World is changed to Eagle Pines & Osprey Ridge Golf Club. [1378.89]
February 6
  • The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. A football player refers to himself as "star of a Disney Channel movie". [1060]
February 14
  • The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Fairly Oddparents TV show in the US. An amusement park has a ride called "It's a Dull World Ride", a reference to Disneyland's It's a Small World attraction. [938]
February 15
  • Hong Kong Disneyland begins taking reservations. The park cost US$1.8 billion. [1106.16]
February 27
  • In Hollywood, California, the 77th Annual Academy Awards show is held. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences awards an Oscar (Best Animated Feature) to Disney/Pixar for the film The Incredibles. [686] [890]
  • The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences awards an Oscar (Achievement in Sound Editing) to Michael Silvers and Randy Thom for the film The Incredibles. [890]
March 1
  • Touchstone releases Bambi as Platinum Edition on DVD in the USA. [715.106] [739.92] [755.24] [756.8]
  • Disney premieres the live-action feature film The Pacifier at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California. [757.25]
March 4
  • Disney generally releases the live-action feature film The Pacifier to theaters in the US. [715.40] [756.20] [885.50]

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March 5
  • Goofy's Playhouse opens in Mickey's Toontown at Disneyland. Former name was Goofy's Bounce House. [1300.191]
March 11
  • The Disney Channel Original Movie Buffalo Dreams airs. [1378.103]
March 13
  • Robert Iger is named next CEO of the Walt Disney Company. [877.37]
March 15
  • Touchstone releases the film The Incredibles on DVD in the USA. [713.95] [715.19] [739.92] [756.20]
March
  • Little Green Men Store Command opens in Tomorrowland at Disneyland. [1300.244]
March 17
  • The Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters attraction opens in Tomorrowland at Disneyland. [756.16] [1300.86]
  • The Cinderellabration show opens in front of the Cinderella Castle in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [1378.138]
March 18
  • Disney releases the film Ice Princess to theaters in the US. [715.40] [754.22] [756.20]
March 20
  • The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. A vacation photo shows the lead character at a Disney theme park being held by Goofy and punched by Mickey Mouse. [1061]
March 24
  • The Beach Club Marketplace opens at the Beach Club Resort at Walt Disney World. [1378.46]
March 29
  • Disney President Robert Iger agrees for the Walt Disney Company to fund some films from Harvey Weinstein's new film studio. [1107.46]
April 19
  • Buena Vista Games acquires Avalanche Software, located in Salt Lake City, Utah. [686]
April 25
  • The April 25 issue of Business Week magazine includes a picture of Hilary Duff in a "Mickey & Co." short, and a picture of Mickey Mouse in a anticle about portable music players. [1108.64]
April 26
  • Disney Consumer Products announces a portable audio/video player available in different character-themed designs. The device can play DVDs, CDs and MP3s, and display digital photos. The 3.5-inch handheld model sells for US$129.99, and a larger 7-inch version sells for US$199.99. [686]
April 28
  • Disney temporarily shuts down its MovieBeam video-on-demand service in the three test cities in the US. [686]
May 1
  • The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. When German youth are kicked out of a house, one asks another where they will go now. The reply is "To Disneyland, where we will heap the scorn on Goofy.". [1062]
May 5
  • Disneyland begins an 18-month-long anniversary celebration of its 50th birthday. [665.19] [754.17] [756.20] [914.69] [1258.1]
  • The film Disneyland: The First 50 Magical Years is released in the Opera House on Main Street at Disneyland. [756.20] [1300.134]
  • The Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters attraction opens in Disneyland. [1378.107]
May 11
  • The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Fairly Oddparents TV show in the US. In a storage locker for unwished wishes, one door is labelled "Walt Disney". [960]
  • The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Fairly Oddparents TV show in the US. A fantasy prison is called "The Unhappiest Place Off Earth", a reference to Disneyland being "The Happiest Place on Earth". [961]
May 12
  • The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Fairly Oddparents TV show in the US. A babysitter arrives at a home via umbrella, calling herself Susicalifragilistic, references to Disney's Mary Poppins film. [962]
May 14
  • The Disney Magic leaves Port Canaveral, Florida, for its first westbound voyage through the Panama Canal. [1258.1]
May 15
  • The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. A child refers to Plutarch. The dad says "Mickey Mouse's dog?". [1063]
May
  • Walt Disney Records releases A Musical History of Disneyland box set of CDs, book, and vinyl record. The package is a limited edition only available at Disneyland. Price is US$124.98. [757.76]
  • Disney begins operation of Disney's Magical Express bus transportation service, transferring people and luggage between the Orlando International Airport and the Walt Disney World Resort. [1260.1]
  • The Princess Boutique in Fantasyland at Disneyland temporarily opens as the 50th Anniversary Shop. [1300.166]
  • The BouTiki shop opens at Disney's Polynesian Resort at Walty Disney World. [1378.92]
  • Photo collages of Disney scenes made from guest-submitted photos are installed at Disneyland. 28 displays are put up in Disneyland, with another siz in or outside Disney's California Adventure. [1300.327]
May 20
  • The ABC TV network airs The Wonderful World of Disney, featuring The Muppets' Wizard of Oz. [757.71] [914.18]
May 23
  • The May 23 issue of Business Week magazine shows the mom and baby superheros from the film The Incredibles in an article about renting DVDs from street kiosk machines. [1109.14]
May 25
  • The live musical Twice Charmed: An Original Twist on the Cinderella Story premieres aboard the Disney Magic. [1258.1]
May 30
  • Disney begins testing its Virtual Magic Kingdom online gaming community. The free service is scheduled for launch in the summer. [686]
(month unknown)
  • Disney ceases publishing the Disney Magazine. [757]
June 6
  • The June 6 issue of Business Week magazine shows the boy superhero from the film The Incredibles in articles on the 100 Best Small Companies. [1110.63]
June 17
  • The Disney Channel premieres The Buzz on Maggie TV show. [1378.107]
June 22
  • Disney releases the live-action feature film Herbie: Fully Loaded in theaters in the USA. [716.77] [756.20] [757.20] [783.22] [883.40]
June 30
  • The US Postal Service releases four postage stamps depicting Disney characters: Mickey Mouse and Pluto, Alice and the Mad Hatter, Ariel and Flounder, and Snow White and Dopey. [1089.72] [1155.114]
(month unknown)
  • Disney releases the film Aliens of the Deep on DVD in the USA. [1378.22]
  • Disney adds the first dime-press machine to its theme parks, to the Gag Factory in Mickey's Toontown at Disneyland. [1300.183]
  • Cost of a single-day ticket to Disneyland passes $50. [1300.320]
  • Chuck Abbott is named a Disney Legend. Abbott was an attractions host and foreman at Disneyland for 36 years, starting in 1955. [1378.1]
  • Milt Albright is named a Disney Legend. Albright was manager of accounting for Disneyland starting 1954, and founded the Magic Kingdom Club in 1958. [1378.18]
  • Hideo Amemiya is named a Disney Legend. Amemiya worked in hotel management with Disney for 30 years, starting in 1971 at the Polynesian Hotel at Walt Disney World. [1378.27]
  • Hideo Aramaki is named a Disney Legend. Aramaki worked as chef at Disneyland for 21 years. [1378.39]
  • Chuck Boyajian is named a Disney Legend. Boyajian managed custodial operations at Disneyland, Walt Disney World, and Tokyo Disneyland. [1378.93]
  • Charles Boyer is named a Disney Legend. Boyer was an artist, creating lithographs of Disneyland subjects. [1378.94]
  • Randy Bright is named a Disney Legend. Bright was attraction host, developed show concepts, and produces films for attractions. [1378.99]
  • Jim Cora is named a Disney Legend. Cora worked in Disney park management for 43 years. [1378.154]
July 2
  • (to July 5) At the Hollywood Bowl in California, the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra performs "The Happiest Music on Earth", including songs from Disney theme park attractions. [914.6]
July 8
  • Roy Edward Disney is named director emeritus and consultant. [1378.188]
  • The Touchstone film Dark Water is released to theaters in the USA. [716.80] [883.40] [1378.172]
July 14
  • The Hollywood Historic Trust honors Disneyland park with an Award of Excellence. A brass plaque is placed adjacent to the Disneyland star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. [914.6]
July 15
  • At Disneyland, Space Mountain re-opens following a rehabilitation. The opening is attended by former astronaut Neil Armstrong. [757.20] [914.6]
  • Bosnia & Herzegovina issue two postage stamps marking the 50th anniversary of Disneyland. [1091.68]
  • The Turtle Talk with Crush attraction opens in Disney's California Adventure. [914.6]
  • Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, announces plans for a Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage attraction at Disneyland Park. [914.8]
July 16
  • Disney hosts a fund-raising event aboard the Disney Magic cruise ship in the Port of San Pedro, California, with special events throughout the ship for the over 1000 guests. US$1.04 million is raised and donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and The Disney Company presents a second check for US$1 million. [914.13] [1259.1]
July 17
  • A ceremony is held re-dedicating Disneyland. Some attending are California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Disney CEO Michael Eisner, Disney president Robert Iger, Art Linkletter, and Diane Disney Miller. [914.7]
July 24
  • Disney holds the premiere of the live-action film Sky High in Hollywood. [757.20,68] [914.2]
July 29
  • Buena Vista Pictures releases the Walt Disney Pictures live-action feature film Sky High to theaters in Canada and the USA. [969]
(month unknown)
  • Disney tests a new vacation concept called "Adventures by Disney" with itineraries in Hawaii and the American West. [1260.2] [1378.8]
August 3
  • The Republic of China issues 4 postage stamps depicting Mickey Mouse in four films. [1093.70] [1156.304]
August 9
  • Buena Vista Home Entertainment releases the The Muppet Show Season One DVD in the USA. [1259.12]
August 15
  • Disney premieres the home-video release of Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch in Oahu, Hawaii. [890] [914.3]
August
  • The name of Wyndham Palace Resort and Spa at Lake Buena Vista is changed to Buena Vista Palace. [1378.103]
August 19
  • Disney releases the animated feature film Valiant to theaters in the USA. [784.23] [914.14]
August 22
  • Disney releases the film Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch on videocassette and DVD in the United Kingdom. [890]
August 30
  • Buena Vista Home Video releases the film Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch on videocassette and DVD in the USA. [757.20] [890]
September 2
  • The Venice Film Festival screens the Disney film Casanova. [1378.122]
September 6
  • Disney releases the Toy Story 10th Anniversary Edition on DVD in the USA. [914.19]
  • Disney releases the Toy Story 2: Special Edition on DVD in the USA. [914.19]
September 11
  • The live show Festival of the Lion King gives its premiere performance at the Theater in the Wild in Hong Kong Disneyland. [914.4]
September 12
  • In Hong Kong, China, Hong Kong Disneyland park opens. Michael Eisner and China's vice president Zeng Qinghong attend the opening. [757.33] [914.5]
  • The Comet Café food court opens in Tomorrowland in Hong Kong Disneyland. [1378.148]
  • The Chopin's Festival of Foods food court opens in Fantasyland in Hong Kong Disneyland. [1378.143]
  • The Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters attraction opens in Hong Kong Disneyland. [1378.107]
  • The Cinderella Carousel opens in Hong Kong Disneyland. [1378.139]
  • Hong Kong issues six postage stamps depicting the grand opening of Hong Kong Disneyland. Characters include Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Dumbo, Simba and Nala, and Pluto. [1094.88] [1161.709] [1174.30] [1231.28]
September 13
  • Disney releases the film Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch on videocassette and DVD in the Netherlands. [890]
September 14
  • Disney releases the film Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch on videocassette and DVD in France. [890]
September 15
  • Disney releases the Platinum Edition DVD of Cinderella. [914.2]
September
  • In New York City, Sotheby's conducts the auction of 75 plaster Mickey Mouse statues. The statues were created in 2003 by celebrity artists, to honor the 75th anniversary of the film debut of Mickey Mouse. The sale raises US$614,000 for charity. [651.18] [914.32]
September 17
  • The ABC TV network airs the ABC Kids TV show, including The Buzz on Maggie. [1378.108]
September 20
  • The 2005 Disney Legends ceremony is held in Anaheim, California, for Steve Martin and Art Linkletter. [914.4]
September 21
  • Disney releases the film Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch on videocassette and DVD in Brazil. [890]
September 22
  • The CBS TV network premieres the Touchstone Television / Paramount Network television series Criminal Minds. [1378.162]
September 25
  • Disney holds the premiere of the live-action feature film The Greatest Game Ever Played at the El Capitan theater in Hollywood. [914.3]
  • Disney releases the film Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch on videocassette and DVD in Venezuela. [890]
  • The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. A plan to re-split up reconciled parents is referred to as a "reverse Parent Trap", a reference to the Disney film. [1064]
September
  • The Disney Cruise Line launches the "Castaway Ray's Stingray Adventure" excursion on Castaway Cay island. [1259.2]
September 27
  • The ABC TV network premieres the Commander-in-Chief TV show. [1378.149]
  • Disney releases the film Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch on videocassette and DVD in Hungary. [890]
September 28
  • Disney releases the film Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch on videocassette and DVD in Sweden. [890]
September 29
  • Disney Electronics introduces Disney Mix Sticks digital audio MP3/WMA players. The audio players can download music files or copy audio tracks from CDs. Storage capacity is 128 MB, enough to hold about 60 songs. Also included are a USB 2.0 connector and SD/MMC card slot. Price is expected to be about US$50 in October. Prerecorded memory cards, called Mix Clips, can be purchased for about the same price as a CD. [686]
September 30
  • Disney releases the live-action feature film The Greatest Game Ever Played to theaters in the USA. [757.20] [884.44] [914.14]
  • (to November 13) The 10th annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival is held at Walt Disney World. [914.9]
  • Disney releases the film Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch on videocassette and DVD in Finland. [890]
  • Michael Eisner resigns from the Disney board of directors, also his last day as CEO of the company. The value of the company during Eisner's term rose from US$3 billion to US$60 billion. [786.B16] [879.7] [914.1]
October 1
  • Robert Iger takes over as CEO of The Walt Disney Company. [786.B16] [877.37] (October 2 [914.1])
October 2
  • (to October 6) Roger Ebert and Richard Roeper host the Fifth Annual Film Festival At Sea aboard the Disney Wonder. [1260.3]
October 3
  • In Disneyland, in the forecourt of Sleeping Beauty Castle, about 1000 people part of display of "Mouseketeer Ears", to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Disneyland, The Mickey Mouse Club TV show, and the Mouseketeers. Ten of the original Mouseketeers are present at the resort for the celebration. [914.4]
October 7
  • The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Fairly Oddparents TV show in the US.
    • A segment in black and white mimics cartoons of the 1930s, with two characters looking like Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse.
    • A street corner labels the streets "UB" and "IWERKS".
    [1073]
October 10
  • The Animation Academy class opens at Disney Animation in Disney California Adventure. [1378.34]
October 12
  • In San Jose, California, Disney Chief Executive Officer Robert Iger announces the availability of Disney- and ABC-owned TV show episodes through Apple Computer's online iTunes store. Certain TV shows will be available for download for US$1.99 one day after initial airing on broadcast TV. [686] [1028.51]
October
  • The Walt Disney World Resort begins the "Strive for Five" initiative to reduce energy consumption by 5 percent property-wide. [1262.7]
  • While the Disney Magic cruise ship is in dry dock, Disney Cruise Line Marine and Technical Operations installs a 16-foot by 25-foot LED screen at the forward funnel above the Goofy's Family Pool stage. The name of the screen is "Ariel View Television". [1263.2]
October 18
  • Disney releases the Tarzan Special Edition on DVD in the USA. [914.19]
October 19
  • Disney releases the film Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch on videocassette and DVD in Italy. [890]
October 25
  • Disney releases the Herbie: Fully Loaded film on DVD in the USA. [914.20]
October 30
  • Disney premieres the animated feature film Chicken Little in Hollywood, California. [914.5]
November 4
  • Disney releases the computer-animated feature film Chicken Little to theaters in the USA and Canada. 84 theaters in the USA show a special Disney Digital 3-D version, requiring viewers to use special stereoscopic glasses. [686] [710.82] [757.20] [784.38] [885.50] [914.33] (100 theaters [1378.132])
November 8
  • Austria issues a postage stamp depicting the opening of the Disney film The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. [1092.79] [1155.657]
November
  • (to January 2006) Santa's Reindeer Round-up is held in Big Thunder Ranch in Frontierland at Disneyland, with live reindeer. [1300.371]
November 18
  • The Club Cool attraction opens in Innoventions in Epcot in Walt Disney World. [1378.143]
November 29
  • Disney releases the film Sky High on DVD in the USA. [914.21]
December 1
  • New Zealand issues five postage stamps for the premiere of the Disney film The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. [1190.1330]
December 7
  • Disney premieres the live-action feature film The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe at the Royal Albert Hall in London, England. [914.5] [1378.136]
December 9
  • Disney releases the live-action feature film The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe to theaters in the US. [757.70] [878.62] [888.128] [1378.136]
December 11
  • The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. Someone says "... to the voice of Buzz Lightyear, Tim Allen". [1065]
December 13
  • Disney releases the film Kronk's New Groove on DVD in the USA. [914.20]
December
  • The cover of the January 2006 issue of Scott Stamp Monthly features a postcard of Donald Duck, with 1968 postage stamp of Walt Disney. [1090]
December 25
  • Disney makes a limited release of the Touchstone Pictures film Casanova to thesters in the USA. [888.129] [1378.122]
  • The British Broadcasting Corporation airs the television show Doctor Who in the United Kingdom. The Doctor says "From the day they arrive on the planet... more to do than... no hold on, sorry that's The Lion King". [970]
December 28
  • Early in the day, a six-story tall plastic Christmas tree catches fire in Disneyland's Grand Californian Hotel. [880.65]

End of 2005. Next: 2006.

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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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