Photo: Everett Collection
01of 131923: The Walt Disney Company is FormedLMPC via GettyWalt Disney and his brother Roy Disney pen a deal with Margaret Winkler, one of the leading distributors in animation at the time, to fund 12 episodes of theAlice Comedies.Known at the time as the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, this contract is viewed as the start of the Walt Disney Company, as it’s known today. Walt went on to write and produce all 57 episodes of the series that launched his career.
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1923: The Walt Disney Company is Formed
LMPC via Getty
Walt Disney and his brother Roy Disney pen a deal with Margaret Winkler, one of the leading distributors in animation at the time, to fund 12 episodes of theAlice Comedies.Known at the time as the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, this contract is viewed as the start of the Walt Disney Company, as it’s known today. Walt went on to write and produce all 57 episodes of the series that launched his career.
02of 131928: Walt Disney Creates Mickey MouseLMPC via GettyWalt produced Steamboat Willie with Ub Iwerks working as the director. The just-under-eight-minute short introduced the world to Mickey and Minnie Mouse. Not only was this the debut of the iconic couple, Steamboat Willie also made film history as the first animated cartoon created with fully synchronized sound.
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1928: Walt Disney Creates Mickey Mouse
Walt produced Steamboat Willie with Ub Iwerks working as the director. The just-under-eight-minute short introduced the world to Mickey and Minnie Mouse. Not only was this the debut of the iconic couple, Steamboat Willie also made film history as the first animated cartoon created with fully synchronized sound.
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1937: ‘Snow White’ Becomes the First Feature-Length Animated Film
04of 131954: Disney Enters the World of TelevisionWalt Disney StudiosWalt made his entry onto the small screen withWalt Disney’sDisneyland,an anthology series that gave viewers a sneak peek at the plans for his forthcoming California theme park. Episodes featured vignettes of life in some of the areas of Disneyland including Adventureland, Tomorrowland, and Fantasyland. One of the notable characters born out of the show was Davy Crockett, a resident of Frontierland.
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1954: Disney Enters the World of Television
Walt Disney Studios
Walt made his entry onto the small screen withWalt Disney’sDisneyland,an anthology series that gave viewers a sneak peek at the plans for his forthcoming California theme park. Episodes featured vignettes of life in some of the areas of Disneyland including Adventureland, Tomorrowland, and Fantasyland. One of the notable characters born out of the show was Davy Crockett, a resident of Frontierland.
05of 131955: Disneyland Opens in CaliforniaAP/ShutterstockOn July 17, 1955, Walt opened the gates of Disneyland, the first theme park under the Disney company and the only one created under Walt’s direct supervision. The park was filled with “attractions” meant to educate and tell stories that resonated with children and adults, rather than appeal thrill seekers. Classic rides like the Mark Twain Riverboat and Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride still operate today.
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1955: Disneyland Opens in California
AP/Shutterstock
On July 17, 1955, Walt opened the gates of Disneyland, the first theme park under the Disney company and the only one created under Walt’s direct supervision. The park was filled with “attractions” meant to educate and tell stories that resonated with children and adults, rather than appeal thrill seekers. Classic rides like the Mark Twain Riverboat and Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride still operate today.
06of 131964-65: Disney Creates the World’s First Human Audio AnimatronicWalt DisneyWalt’s appearance at the New York World’s Fair came with four different attractions. In addition to presenting the iconic “It’s a Small World,” in partnership with Pepsi-Cola and UNICEF, one of the attractions featured the first human audio animatronic performer with a President Lincoln performer in “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln.”
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1964-65: Disney Creates the World’s First Human Audio Animatronic
Walt Disney
Walt’s appearance at the New York World’s Fair came with four different attractions. In addition to presenting the iconic “It’s a Small World,” in partnership with Pepsi-Cola and UNICEF, one of the attractions featured the first human audio animatronic performer with a President Lincoln performer in “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln.”
07of 131971: Walt Disney World Opens in FloridaNBCU Photo Bank/GettyWalt and Roy had amassed a large amount of land in central Florida with big plans for development. Unfortunately, Walt died before those dreams came to fruition. Roy decided to postpone his retirement to see the brothers' plans come to life. Roy named the new ventureWalt Disney Worldand, in 1971, the Magic Kingdom opened. Walt Disney World also marks the company’s beginnings in the resort business, as it included hotels, restaurants, golf courses and more.
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1971: Walt Disney World Opens in Florida
NBCU Photo Bank/Getty
Walt and Roy had amassed a large amount of land in central Florida with big plans for development. Unfortunately, Walt died before those dreams came to fruition. Roy decided to postpone his retirement to see the brothers' plans come to life. Roy named the new ventureWalt Disney Worldand, in 1971, the Magic Kingdom opened. Walt Disney World also marks the company’s beginnings in the resort business, as it included hotels, restaurants, golf courses and more.
08of 131983: Disney Channel LaunchesDisneyThe premium channel featuring original programming first launched at 7:00am on April 18, 1983, serving as a home for 18 hours of Disney entertainment a day.
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1983: Disney Channel Launches
Disney
The premium channel featuring original programming first launched at 7:00am on April 18, 1983, serving as a home for 18 hours of Disney entertainment a day.
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1992: ‘Beauty & the Beast’ Becomes First Animated Film to be Nominated for Best Picture Oscar
Snap/Shutterstock
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1995: ‘Toy Story’ Becomes First Full-Length, Completely Computer Animated Movie
The company made history with its 1995 release ofToy Story.The beloved Pixar film that introduced fans to classic characters like Buzz Lightyear and Woody was the first feature length film to be made entirely with computer animation, rather than the traditionally hand-drawn method used for decades prior.
11of 131998: Disney Cruise Lines Sets SailPA Images via GettyThe ship Disney Magic had it’s maiden voyage on July 30, 1998, marking the beginning of Disney Cruise Lines. The venture has since grown to five ships in Disney’s fleet (with plans for two more setting sail in the next few years) and itineraries around the world.
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1998: Disney Cruise Lines Sets Sail
PA Images via Getty
The ship Disney Magic had it’s maiden voyage on July 30, 1998, marking the beginning of Disney Cruise Lines. The venture has since grown to five ships in Disney’s fleet (with plans for two more setting sail in the next few years) and itineraries around the world.
12of 132009: Disney Introduces its First Black PrincessWalt Disney Co./courtesy Everett CollectionDisney made history with its first Black princess when it releasedThe Princess and the Frogin 2009. The film follows Tiana, a young server with big dreams of owning a restaurant in 1920s New Orleans, on her journey to becoming a princess.
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2009: Disney Introduces its First Black Princess
Walt Disney Co./courtesy Everett Collection
Disney made history with its first Black princess when it releasedThe Princess and the Frogin 2009. The film follows Tiana, a young server with big dreams of owning a restaurant in 1920s New Orleans, on her journey to becoming a princess.
13of 132023: Disney Celebrates its 100th AnniversaryEverett CollectionThe Walt Disney Company is marking its centenary with a slew of special events, entertainment and experiences for the full year— includingnew shows in its theme parks, a celebratory refresh for Disneyland’s look, highly anticipated merchandise, and atouring museum exhibitionthat just kicked off in Philadelphia and features a remarkable “vision” (a digital life-sized recreation) of Walt himself that will welcome guests.
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2023: Disney Celebrates its 100th Anniversary
Everett Collection
The Walt Disney Company is marking its centenary with a slew of special events, entertainment and experiences for the full year— includingnew shows in its theme parks, a celebratory refresh for Disneyland’s look, highly anticipated merchandise, and atouring museum exhibitionthat just kicked off in Philadelphia and features a remarkable “vision” (a digital life-sized recreation) of Walt himself that will welcome guests.
source: people.com
