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On this day, Apr 23:
In 2015, Dockside Margaritas starts serving up the frozen concoction that helps me hold on in Disney Springs. Enjoy a cold margarita while sitting with live music on a warm summer evening and you will know happiness.
Best margarita in WDW?
I vote for San Angel Inn. You?
Disney's Animal Kingdom features the Tree of Life as it's icon. The Tree of Life took 18 months to construct and is made of steel and concrete. Over 300 animal carvings dot the trunk and there are over 100k plastic leaves adorning the branches.
Good luck finding the Hidden Mickey in the carvings!
On this day, Apr 22:
In 1998, Disney's Animal Kingdom opens to the public on Earth Day. The new theme park, which cost over $800 million to build, fills to capacity after just an hour. Dr. Jane Goodall, famous chimpanzee expert, attends the grand opening and ABC has a 2 hour special that night.
On this day, Apr 21:
In 1910, Samuel Clemens aka Mark Twain dies at 74. Twain was one of Walt Disney's favorite authors and references to Twain and his works are all over the parks including Tom Sawyer's Island and a Twain animatronic host of the American Adventure.
RIP Samuel and Pope Francis.
On this day, Apr 20:
In 1937, the great @georgetakei.bsky.social is born in LA. Despite early years in an internment camp as a Japanese-American, Takei goes on to a career in movies and TV including voicing the First Ancestor in Mulan. Also, some guy named Mr. Sulu.
Happy Birthday George!
On this day, Apr 19:
In 2009, Space Mountain in the Magic Kingdom closes for its 1st major refurbishment since the ride opened in 1975. Track replacement, a new queue and updated theming are all part of the changes coming to the Disney favorite.
Now that's a dark ride.
On this day, Apr 18:
In 1994, Disney opens its first Broadway production Beauty & The Beast with Terrence Mann and Susan Egan in the lead roles. The show ran for 13 years on Broadway and proved that Disney could successfully adapt movies and characters to the stage.
On this day, Apr 17:
In 2012, Orange Bird returns to the Magic Kingdom. Originally developed by Disney as part of a sponsorship agreement with the Florida Citrus Commission, Orange Bird was a fixture in the 70s MK. Drop by the Sunshine Tree Terrace in the MK if you'd like to see the quirky bird.
Disney 'Never Was Wednesday' Animal Kingdom edition.
Beastly Kingdom was a proposed land within the Animal Kingdom that was to feature mythical creatures like dragons and unicorns. The centerpiece ride would have been Dragon's Tower, a rollercoaster with a dragon theme. Pandora was built instead
On this day, Apr 16:
In 2001, the Animal Kingdom Lodge opens its doors to guests. With over 1000 rooms, AKL offers guests amazing views of the AK savannah. It is also home to the largest collection of African art outside of Africa.
Where else can you see a giraffe from your hotel room?
The Mickey Mouse Revue was a MK opening day attraction featuring audio-animatronic Mickey and friends. The show closed in 1980 because Tokyo Disneyland wanted an attraction starring Mickey Mouse and Disney didn't have the time to create something new so they packed up MMR and shipped it to Tokyo.
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On this day, Apr 15:
In 1983, Tokyo Disneyland opens as the 4th Disney theme park and the 1st outside of the US. Operated in partnership with the Oriental Land Company, Tokyo Disneyland is the 1st theme park to open with their version of Space Mountain up and running.
Kon'nichiwa Tokyo
At one time, the Disney-MGM Studios included a radio studio located roughly where the Olaf Meet & Greet now sits on the side of the Sounds Dangerously building. The studio was used by radio hosts for special "broadcasting from Disney World" shows as well as by Radio Disney for some shows.
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On this day, Apr 14:
In 2021, Radio Disney signs off for the final time when KRDC in Pasadena drops the format. The music and talk format programming geared to kids started in 1996 and aired on over 50 stations nationwide at its peak.
On this day, Apr. 13:
In 2015, The Boathouse, an absolute favorite on us here at DisneyHistory, opens in Disney Springs. The steak and seafood house themed to 30s/40s boat culture is an offshoot of Chicago's famous Gibson Steakhouse.
Try the seared tuna, you won't be disappointed!
On this day, Apr 12:
In 1992, EuroDisney opens to the public outside of Paris, France. The newest Disney resort features a theme park with 5 lands, 5 hotels and a campground. Over the years, the resort adds a 2nd theme park and is re-named Disneyland Paris.
Vive la France!
On this day, April 11:
In 2012, The Avengers premieres at the Disney-owned El Capitan theater in Hollywood. The Avengers, including Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, Captain America and more, assemble to defeat Loki's attempt to subjugate the world.
Anyone up for some shawarma?
On this day, Apr 10:
In 1992, Daisy Ridley is born in England. Daisy plays lead character Rey in the Disney driven Star Wars trilogy - The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker. Happy Birthday Daisy!
Disney 'Never Was Wednesday'
One of Walt's passion projects in the 1960s was the potential development of a ski resort in the Mineral King valley of California. The resort met environmental opposition and never happened but a planned attraction was repurposed as the Country Bear Jamboree.
#Disney
On this day, Apr 9:
In 2005, world icon Mickey Mouse serves as Grand Marshal of National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC. Mickey proves so popular as a parade host that in 2025, he and Minnie will be the Marshals for a 3rd time. You can catch them this year on April 12th.
#Disney
The iconic Mouse Ears, loved by kids and adults since 1955 were initially a Mickey Mouse Club member costume item. Roy Williams, a Disney artist and adult performer on the show, suggested that the club members wear the newly designed mouse ears. And a theme park fashion "must" was born.
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On this day, Apr 8:
In 2013, Disney Legend Annette Funicello passes away at age 70. Annette began her career as one of the original Mickey Mouse Club members and was an early crush for teen boys of the period. She received more fan mail than any other club member with over 5k letters/week.
On this day, Apr 7:
In 2006, Disney's Animal Kingdom opens Expedition Everest. The tallest rollercoaster at any Disney theme park, it is also the first coaster in the Animal Kingdom and quickly draws huge crowds. Fortunately, on day 1, the Yeti audio-animatronic is working which can't be said today
On this day, Apr 6:
In 2007, the Grand Fiesta Tour starring the Three Caballeros opens in the Mexico pavilion in EPCOT. This slow boat ride featuring scenes from Mexico was originally El Rio de Tiempo (The River of Time). The ride is a peaceful interlude on a hot day in EPCOT.
On this day, Apr 5:
In 1998, the Enchanted Tiki Room (Under New Management) opens in the Magic Kingdom featuring Iago from Aladdin and Zazu from the Lion King. This format ran until 2011 when the attraction had a small fire. When it returned, it was back as the original version.
On this day, Apr 4:
In 2006, Western Way, a road in and out of Disney World from SR 429 to the west, opens. Thank all that is holy. The new road allows guests to enter without using I-4 but it is mostly used by CMs and locals. Here at Disney History, we celebrate the roads as well as the rides.
When Disney COO Frank Wells died in a helicopter crash, he was on a heli-skiing vacation with close friend Clint Eastwood and others. They randomly jumped in helicopters - Eastwood's was fine, Wells' crashed. It could have easily been the other way around. Life is random sometimes.
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On this day, April 3:
In 1994, Frank Wells, President and COO of Disney, tragically dies in a helicopter crash. It's arguable that this is a major turning point for Disney as Wells served as an effective partner to the mercurial Michael Eisner. Post-Wells, Eisner starts finding trouble.
Disney Never Was Wednesday:
Sometimes unfulfilled plans are good news. At one point, Disney considered replacing Spaceship Earth with a new thrill ride called Time Racers. The omnimover was to be removed and a new rollercoaster taking you through time and space. I'm glad this never came to be.
On this day, April 2:
In 2007, Monsters Inc Laugh Floor opens in Tomorrowland at Walt Disney World. The show is host by the adorable Mike Wazowski. The show builds on the technology behind Turtle Talk with Crush allowing live interactions.
Who's buying the churros for the crowd?
