Chronology of Disneyland Theme Park

Copyright © 1995-2024 Ken Polsson
internet e-mail: ken@kpolsson.com
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URL: http://kpolsson.com/disland/

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.

2000

February 1
  • The TV special "Disneyland 2000: 45 Years of Magic" airs, hosted by Ryan Seacrest. [1300.137]
April 12
  • Comedy Central airs the South Park TV show in the USA. Someone says "I wanna bust out too... and see Disneyland." [1203]
April
  • Disneyland begins pin trading program. [1300.330]
June 29
  • The new Chevron Autopia attraction opens in Disneyland. It incorporates area formerly occupied by both previous Autopia attractions. [257.17]
  • The Autopia Winner's Circle shop opens in Tomorrowland at Disneyland. [1300.61]
(month unknown)
  • Cost of a single-day ticket to Disneyland passes $40. [1300.320]
July 12
  • On The Tonight Show on TV, a skit airs in which host Jay Leno steals a Disneyland Autopia car, driving it onto the show with Donald Duck chasing him. [325.22]
November
  • Disney auctions the original "Disneyland" sign on eBay.com, selling the sign for US$30,700. [757.57]

2001

January 12
  • Downtown Disney opens, in the Disneyland Resort, between Disneyland and the site of Disney's California Adventure. The 300,000 square foot site features restaurants, nightclubs, shops, and movie theaters. [259.23,28] [325.16]
January 21
  • The Big Thunder Barbecue in Frontierland at Disneyland closes. [1300.73] [1378.78]
February 5
  • The Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante opens in Frontierland at Disneyland. [1300.350]
February 6
  • The Rancho del Zocalo restaurant opens in Disneyland. [1378.122]
April 1
  • The Casa Mexicana restaurant in Disneyland closes. [1300.95]
April 27
  • The Rocket Rods attraction at Disneyland closes. [1300.359]
May 6
  • The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US.
    • The episode title I'm Goin' to Praiseland is a reference to the Disney-sponsored line "I'm going to Disneyland".
    • At a theme park, an attraction is called King David's Wild Ride, a reference to the Disneyland attraction Mr. Toad's Wild Ride.
    [974]
May
  • Club Buzz restaurant opens in Tomorrowland at Disneyland. [1300.110]

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May 20
  • The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. A log raft ride ends with a photo being taken, exit sign, and souvenir photo area, all references to Disneyland's Splash Mountain attraction. [976]
June 30
  • The Club Buzz - Lightyear's Above the Rest restaurant opens in Tomorrowland in Disneyland. [1378.143]
(month unknown)
  • The amusement park industry recognizes Disney's FastPass system with a Breakthrough Innovation award. [1300.166]
July
  • Disneyland unveils the renovated Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln attraction. [366.22]
July 25
  • Comedy Central airs the South Park TV show in the USA. An amusement park shares many similarities to Disneyland and Walt Disney World: main street, haunted mansion, mine train, fast passes, paddlewheeler and sailing ship and island, log ride. [1209]
September 2
  • At Disneyland, the Disneyana Convention is held, over seven days. [327.14,22] [366.29]
September 9
  • The Country Bear Playhouse in Bear Country at Disneyland closes. [366.22] [939.128] [1300.116] [1378.157]
September 11
  • Following four plane crashes in the US, Michael Eisner and Robert Iger decide to stage an orderly closing of Walt Disney World, and not open Disneyland or Disney's California Adventure for the day. [745.371] [1300.157]
October
  • In Disneyland, the Haunted Mansion attraction is decorated with elements from Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas film, with temporary new name Haunted Mansion Holiday. [939.125]
  • The Sleeping Beauty Castle Walk-Through attraction at Disneyland closes. [1300.379]

2002

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
  • At the Cosmic Waves area in Tomorrowland at Disneyland, the water jets from the ground are disabled. [1300.115]
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]
(month unknown)
  • The sponsorship of the Kennel Club at Disneyland changed from Friskies to Purina. [1300.232]
  • The Fantasmic show re-starts at Disneyland, after undergoing an extensive rehabilitation. [394.26]
October
  • The Le Bat en Rouge shop opens in New Orleans Square at Disneyland. [1300.238]
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]
December
  • The Radio Disney Broadcast Booth in Disneyland closes. [1300.347]

2003

January 5
  • The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US.
    • A child says the family gets to go to Florida. The days asks if they're going to Disney World.
    • A scene shows the marquee of "EFCOT CENTER" with a sign under reading "WHEN EVERYTHING ELSE IS BOOKED".
    • When flying a plane over the site, the dad says "It's even boring to fly over it.".
    • At the end, a character jumps over a wall into what he calls "Disney World", in which a Disney-style castle can be seen.
    • He frets that a churro costs $14, but pays anyway.
    Disney theme park references:
    • The Future Sphere (Spaceship Earth),
    • Transportation Pavilion (World of Motion Pavilion),
    • Honey, I Squirted Goo on the Audience! (Honey, I Shrunk the Audience),
    • Great Moments with Mr. Eisner (Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln),
    • The Home of Tomorrow (Monsanto House of the Future),
    • a restaurant with menu items from around the world,
    • fireworks and laser light show over a lake (Illuminations, World Showcase).
    [995]
February 18
  • Debut of fireworks show "Believe ... There's Magic in the Stars" at Disneyland. [1378.70]
April 11
  • The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh attraction opens in Critter Country at Disneyland. [1300.264]
April 13
  • The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. A child seeks to repress an unwanted memory by saying "I am at Disneyland. Disneyland!". [999]
April
  • The Teddi Barra's Swingin' Arcade in Disneyland closes. [1300.409]
  • The Brer Bar in Disneyland closes. [1300.82] (2002 [1378.97])
  • The Crocodile Mercantile shop in Critter Country in Disneyland closes. [1300.120] (1995 [1378.163])
October
  • Matt Ouimet is the new president of the Disneyland Resort. [757.31]
October 14
  • The Travel Channel airs the TV special "Disneyland Resort: Behind the Scenes". [1300.137]
October 26
  • The American Space Experience exhibit closes at Disneyland. [1300.48]
December 7
  • The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US.
    • A fat man has a teacup from Disneyland's Mad Tea Party attraction stuck on his bottom.
    • He comments that one should never go on the ride "after eating at Beauty and the Beast's Fried Dough Chateau".
    • A character hosting a live show says "Thank you, cast of The Lion King".
    [1021]

2004

January 9
  • Disneyland welcomes its 500-millionth guest. [1300.142]
February 23
  • At the Fantasyland Theatre in Disneyland, the show An Enchanting Musical opens. [652.22]
March 28
  • The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. When asked why she is in prison, a girl says "I pushed Snow White over the parapet at Disneyland.". [1025]
April 2
  • The Big Thunder Ranch area in Disneyland is modified to include name "Little Patch of Heaven", with log cabin renamed Pearl's Cottage. [1300.76] [1378.78]
July 1
  • The Villains Lair shop at Disneyland closes. [1300.437]
(month unknown)
  • Zagat releases its Survey of U.S. Family Travel Guide: Sites & Attractions, Restaurants, Lodging. Rated fourth is Disneyland. [1100.96]
October
  • An Olympic full-length 21-foot wide pool is completed on Main Street in Disneyland. [939.42]
(month unknown)
  • Ape Pen Publishing releases the Disneyland ... The Beginning, by Carlene Thie. Price is US$55. [755.73]

2005

January 7
  • Goofy's Bounce House in Disneyland temporarily closes. [1300.191]
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]
March 5
  • Goofy's Playhouse opens in Mickey's Toontown at Disneyland. Former name was Goofy's Bounce House. [1300.191]
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]
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
  • 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]
  • The Princess Boutique in Fantasyland at Disneyland temporarily opens as the 50th Anniversary Shop. [1300.166]
  • 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]
(month unknown)
  • 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]
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]
  • Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, announces plans for a Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage attraction at Disneyland Park. [914.8]
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]
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]
November
  • (to January 2006) Santa's Reindeer Round-up is held in Big Thunder Ranch in Frontierland at Disneyland, with live reindeer. [1300.371]

2006

March
  • La Boutique de Noël in New Orleans Square at Disneyland closes. [1300.236]
June 24
  • The Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, hosts the premiere of the film Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest outdoors. [1264.2]
June 26
  • The Pirates of the Caribbean attraction re-opens with updates from the films. [1300.334]
August 21
  • The Disneyland Monorail closes for remodelling of the submarine attraction. [1300.292]
September
  • The photo collages at Disneyland are taken down. [1300.327]
September 29
  • (to October 31) Halloween Time is first celebrated at Disneyland. [1300.199]
October 1
  • The Year of a Million Dreams promotion begins at Disneyland. (Scheduled to last 15 months, it is extended to run 27 months.) [1300.446]
October
  • The Fantasyland Theater at Disneyland closes. [1300.434]
October 16
  • Disney announces it is phasing out unhealthy food served in its parks, and cutting back on licensing characters promoting snacks with excess sugar and fat. [1047.33]
November
  • Club Buzz restaurant at Disneyland is renamed Tomorrowland Terrace. [1300.110]
  • (to January 2007) Santa's Reindeer Round-up is held in Big Thunder Ranch in Frontierland at Disneyland, with live reindeer. [1300.371]
  • The 50th Anniversary Shop in Fantasyland at Disneyland re-opens as Tinker Bell & Friends shop. [1300.166,413]
  • The Three Fairies Magic Crystals shop opens in Fantasyland at Disneyland. [1300.409]

2007

February
  • Tom Sawyer Island at Disneyland closes for renovations. [1300.426]
May 25
  • The Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island opens in Frontierland at Disneyland. The area was formerly called Tom Sawyer Island. [1103] [1300.426]
June 11
  • The Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage attraction opens in Tomorrowland at Disneyland. [1217.14] [1300.402]
(month unknown)
  • Cost of a single-day ticket to Disneyland passes $60. [1300.320]
July 31
  • The Disney Gallery at Disneyland closes. [1300.132]
September 4
  • The Haunted Mansion at Disneyland is temporarily closed for extra-spooky decorating. [1300.199]
October 14
  • The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. An amusement park has a ride called "Mr. Toad's Mild Ride", and "It's a Long Line" (It's a Small World). [1192]

2008

June 24
  • 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment releases the film Futurama: The Beast With a Billion Backs on DVD in the USA and Canada.
    • A short black and white segment mimics Disney's Steamboat Willie.
    • The title sequence mimics many of the early Disney short films.
    • A character says "You didn't like Country Bear Jamboree either.", a reference to the Disneyland performing audio-animatronic bears attraction.
    [1285]
July 3
  • New Mark VII Monorail Red engine at Disneyland begins transporting guests. [1220.49]
July 17
  • Tony Baxter and Chris Merritt announce the return of the Sleeping Beauty Castle walk-through attraction in Disneyland. [1242.43]
December 5
  • The Sleeping Beauty Castle walk-through attraction re-opens in Disneyland. [1242.43]
December 31
  • The Year of a Million Dreams promotion at Disneyland ends. (Scheduled to last 15 months, it was extended to run 27 months.) [1300.446]

2009

February 6
  • The It's a Small World attraction re-opens at Disneyland with new boats, new Spirit of America scene, re-recorded soundtrack, and 29 Disney characters added in their home worlds. [1245.49]
April 17
  • The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique store opens in Disneyland. [1378.75]
April 26
  • The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the USA. A short scene mimics the 1960s Disney TV shows where Tinkerbell flies in front of the Disneyland castle. [1276]
November 29
  • The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the USA.
    • The title of the episode, "Rednecks and Broomsticks", is a play on the title of the 1971 Disney film Bedknobs and Broomsticks.
    • A rabbit and a young deer trying to get on the ice with the deer falling flat is a reference to a similar scene in the 1942 animated Walt Disney movie Bambi.
    • A group of six performing bears is called the "Country Bear Jamboree", a reference to the attraction at Disneyland.
    [1283]
December 15
  • The D Street shop opens at Downtown Disney District at Disneyland. [1378.167]
December 18
  • The film Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln and Abraham Lincoln audio-animatronic re-open in the Main Street Opera House on Main Street USA in Disneyland. [1294.61]

2010

February 23
  • Captain EO re-opens in Tomorrowland Theater in Disneyland. [1294.61] [1378.117]
March 11
  • Disney introduces the Disney Premier Passport, for use at all parks at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. [1378.36]
May 9
  • The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the USA. A possibly reference to the Disneyland Astro Jets attraction appears, with a Teacup in place of one the things you get into. A parody of the Disney-Pixar film Cars appears, in a hallucination of savage, biting versions of the characters. [1305]
September 6
  • The Maliboomer ride closes in Paradise Pier area of Disney's California Adventure. [1312.61]

2012

January 5
  • The Blue Ribbon Bakery shop in Disneyland closes. [1378.86]
April
  • The Carnation Plaza Gardens restaurant closes in Disneyland. [1378.119]

2014

June
  • The Captain EO film ceases playing in Disneyland. [1378.117]
July 4
  • The Alice In Wonderland ride in Fantasyland at Disneyland re-opens with new special effects and other enhancements. [1378.20]
July 18
  • The Club 33 restaurant in Disneyland re-opens after a renovation and expansion. [1378.144]
September 22
  • The Studio Disney 365 shop closes in the Downtown Disney District at Disneyland. [1378.35]
October 6
  • The Anna & Elsa's Boutique shop opens in the Downtown Disney District at Disneyland. [1378.35]

2015

March 23
  • Disney purchases the Carousel Inn & Suites hotel, located across from Disneyland park. [1378.120]
May 22
  • At 6AM, the Diamond Celebration begins in Disneyland Resort for the 60th anniversary of Disneyland. [1378.184]

2016

January 10
  • The Big Thunder Ranch area at Disneyland closes. [1378.78]
End of 2000-2016.

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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/disland/
Link to Ken P's home page.

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