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.


2012

January 5
  • The Blue Ribbon Bakery shop in Disneyland closes. [1378.86]
January 13
  • Disney re-releases Beauty and the Beast in a 3-D version. [1378.65]
  • Disney releases the animated short film Tangled Ever After to theaters. [1378.65]
February 9
  • Disney Cruise Line takes possession of the Disney Fantasy cruise ship from the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany. [1240]
February 12
  • The Barnstormer Featuring the Great Goofini roller coaster opens in Storybook Circus in Mickey's Toontown at Walt Disney World. [1378.60]
February 16
  • The Disney Fantasy cruise ship departs Germany for its transatlantic voyage to Port Canaveral, Florida. [1240]
March 1
  • At the Manhattan Cruise Terminal in New York, singer Mariah Carey christens the Disney Fantasy cruise ship. [1240]
March 31
  • The Disney Fantasy cruise ship makes its maiden voyage, from Port Canaveral, Florida. [1240]
April
  • The Carnation Plaza Gardens restaurant closes in Disneyland. [1378.119]
April 20
  • Disney releases the Disney Nature film Chimpanzee to theaters. [1358.19] [1378.133]
April 25
  • Disney releases Marvel's The Avengers movie in Australia and France. [1378.50]
May 4
  • Disney releases Marvel's The Avengers movie in 3-D and IMAX theaters in the USA. [1378.50]
May 13
  • The ABC TV network airs the final episode of the Desperate Housewives TV show. [1378.182]
May 25
  • The Walt Disney Pictures and UTV Motion Pictures animated film Arjun: The Warrior Prince is released to theaters in India and the USA. [1378.41]
  • Disney Cruise Line's Disney Magic ship begins cruises from New York City, north to Canada and south to the Bahamas. [1338.36]
May 28
  • Disney Cruise Line's Disney Wonder begins its second season of 7-day round-trip cruises to Alaska, this year departing from Seattle, Washington. [1338.36]

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May 29
  • The ABC TV network airs the last Cougar Town episode. [1378.156]
May 31
  • The Finding Nemo stage of The Art of Animation Resort opens at Walt Disney World, with 1120 family suites and 864 other rooms. [1378.43]
June 11
  • ABC Family TV network premieres the Bunheads TV show. [1378.105]
June 15
  • The Buena Vista Street area opens at Disney California Adventure. [1378.103]
  • The Clarabelle's Hand-Scooped Ice Cream restaurant opens on Buena Vista Street in Disney California Adventure. [1378.141]
  • The Big Top Toys shop opens on Buena Vista Street in Disney California Adventure. [1378.79]
  • The Carthay Circle Restaurant and Lounge opens on Buena Vista Street in Disney California Adventure. [1378.122]
  • The Cars Land area opens in Disney California Adventure. Attractions: Luigi's Flying Tires, Mater's Junkyard Jamboree, Radiator Springs Racers. Restaurants: Cozy Cone Motel, Flo's V8 Café, Fillmore's Taste-In. Shops: Ramone's House of Body Art, Radiator Springs Curios. [1378.121,159]
June 20
  • The Freeform TV network premieres the Baby Daddy TV show. [1378.52]
June 22
  • Disney releases the Pixar 3-D animated film Brave to theaters in the USA. Working title was The Bear and the Bow. [1378.96]
(month unknown)
  • The Sounds Dangerous show at the ABC Sound Studio in Disney-MGM Studios at Walt Disney World closes. [1378.1]
  • The musical show Aladdin begins performances aboard the Disney Fantasy cruise ship. [1378.16]
July 14
  • The Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars attraction opens in Hong Kong Disneyland. [1378.77]
July 31
  • The Bistro de Paris restaurant in the France pavilion at Epcot Center closes. [1378.81]
August
  • The Beastly Bazaar shop on Discovery Island in Disney's Animal Kingdom closes. [1378.64]
September 13
  • Disney releases the film Barfi! to theaters in Kuwait and New Zealand. [1378.59]
September 14
  • Disney releases the film Barfi! to theaters in India and the USA. [1378.59]
September 18
  • Disney releases the film Beverly Hills Chihuahua 3: Viva la Fiesta! direct to the home video market in the USA. [1378.74]
September 30
  • The Big Top Souvenirs store opens at Storybook Circus in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [1378.78]
October 8
  • The Disney XD TV channel premieres the Crash & Bernstein TV series. [1378.160]
November 2
  • The animated film Wreck-It Ralph is released to theaters. The film is about an arcade videogame villian who wants to be the good guy. Includes cameos of many video game characters. [1475.5]
November 18
  • Disney Interactive releases the Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion video game for the Nintendo 3DS in the USA. [1499.95]
  • Disney Interactive releases the Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two video game for the Nintendo Wii U, Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360 in the USA. [1372.83]
December 3
  • Cover of Coin World magazine (Volume 53, Issue 2747) includes several images of numismatic collectibles related to Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. [1361]
December 6
  • The Be Our Guest Restaurant opens in the Beast's Castle in Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom, at Walt Disney World. [1378.62]
  • The After Market Shop opens in the exit area of Test Track in Epcot. [1378.12]
December
  • The Monsieur Paul restaurant opens in the France pavilion at Epcot in Walt Disney World. [1378.81]

2013

February 25
  • ABC Family TV network airs the final Bunheads TV show. [1378.105]
May
  • The Adventurers Outpost character meet-and-greet area opens on Discovery Island at Disney's Animal Kingdom. [1378.64]
May 17
  • The Archive Shop opens in Mystic Point in Hong Kong Disneyland. [1378.39]
May 28
  • The ABC TV network airs the final Body of Proof TV show. [1378.87]
June 9
  • The Lifetime TV network airs the last Army Wives TV show. [1378.42]
June 21
  • Disney releases the animated short The Blue Umbrella to theaters in the USA. [1378.86]
  • Disney/Pixar's Monsters University animated feature is released to theaters in the USA. [1363.56]
June 23
  • The Lifetime TV network premieres the ABC Studios TV series Devious Maids. [1378.183]
(month unknown)
  • Tony Baxter is named a Disney Legend. Baxter worked his way up at WED Enterprises. [1378.61]
  • Collin Campbell is named a Disney Legend. Campbell worked at WED Enterprises on several park attractions. [1378.113]
  • Dick Clark is named a Disney Legend. Clark was an actor and host of several Disney shows. [1378.141]
  • Billy Crystal is named a Disney Legend. Crystal provided the voice of Mike Wazowski in films and park attractions. [1378.164]
August 9
  • (to August 11) The thirds Disney D23 Expo is held, at the Anaheim Convention Center in California. [1378.168]
August 17
  • Cap'n Jack's Restaurant at Downtown Disney Marketplace at Walt Disney World closes. [1378.117]
September 7
  • (to October 10) The Disney Magic cruise ship is in dry dock in Cadiz, Spain. Additions:
    • AquaDuck waterslide,
    • AquaLab,
    • Nephew's Splash Zone,
    • Marvel's Avengers Academy,
    • Andy's Room,
    • Pixie Hollow,
    • Mickey Mouse Club,
    • It's a Small World Nursery,
    • D Lounge Carioca's restaurant,
    • Cabanas restaurant,
    • After Hours night-time entertainment district,
    • Fathoms night club,
    • Keys piano bar,
    • O'Gills pub.
    [1385.14]
September
  • The Walt Disney Company sells off the Baby Einstein Company, to Kids II. [1378.52]
September 29
  • The ABC TV network premieres the Betrayal TV show. [1378.73]
November 13
  • The live musical play Aladdin opens at the Ed Mirvish Theater in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. [1378.16]
November 21
  • Touchstone releases the DreamWorks film Delivery Man to theaters in Russia. [1378.180]
November 22
  • Touchstone releases the DreamWorks film Delivery Man to theaters in the USA. [1378.180]
November 25
  • The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique store opens in the Harrods department store in London, England. [1378.75]

2014

January 17
  • The Disney Channel Original Movie Cloud 9 premieres. [1378.143]
January 19
  • The ABC TV network airs the final Betrayal TV show. [1378.73]
February 3
  • Disney releases the Disney Interactive Entertainment film Blank: A Vinylmation Love Story at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood. [1378.83]
February 10
  • Disney releases the Disney Interactive Entertainment film Blank: A Vinylmation Love Story on Google Play's platforms. [1378.83]
February 26
  • The live musical play Aladdin begins Broadway previews at the New Amsterdam Theatre. [1378.16]
March 20
  • The live musical play Aladdin officially opens at the New Amsterdam Theatre on Broadway in New York City. [1378.16]
March 21
  • The Disney Channel airs the last A.N.T. Farm episode. [1378.36]
March 26
  • Disney releases the Marvel Studios film Captain America: The Winter Soldier to theaters in Belgium and Italy. [1378.117]
April 4
  • Disney releases the Marvel Studios film Captain America: The Winter Soldier to theaters in the USA. [1378.117]
April 17
  • Disney releases the Disneynature film Bears to theaters in Argentina. [1378.64]
April 18
  • Disney releases the Disneynature film Bears to theaters in the USA. [1378.64]
April
  • New Zealand Mint produces Steamboat Willie coins. [1401.25]
(month unknown)
  • Niue issues 1/4-ounce gold and 1-ounce silver coins commemorating the 80th anniversary of Donald Duck. The coins were produced at the New Zealand Mint. [1401.25]
June 10
  • ABC Family premieres the Chasing Life series. [1378.129]
June
  • The Captain EO film ceases playing in Disneyland. [1378.117]
June 30
  • The film Captain EO ceases playing at Tokyo 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]
August 11
  • The Disney XD TV channel airs the final Crash & Bernstein episode. [1378.160]
August 30
  • The American Idol Experience closes at Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World. [1378.28]
September 22
  • The Studio Disney 365 shop closes in the Downtown Disney District at Disneyland. [1378.35]
September 24
  • The ABC TV network premieres the black-ish show. [1378.82]
September 27
  • The Studio Backlot Tour at Disney-MGM Studios at Walt Disney World closes. [1378.54]
October 6
  • The Anna & Elsa's Boutique shop opens in the Downtown Disney District at Disneyland. [1378.35]
October 10
  • The Walt Disney Pictures film Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day is released to theaters in the USA. [1378.18]
October 18
  • The Animal Planet TV show episode "America's Cutest: Disney Side Howl-O-Ween" airs. [1378.29]
October 28
  • USA Network premieres the ABC Signature TV series Benched. [1378.71]
November 7
  • Disney releases the Walt Disney Animation Studios film Big Hero 6 to theaters in the USA. [1378.77]
December 14
  • The ABC TV network airs the special Backstage with Disney on Broadway: Celebrating 20 Years. [1378.54]
December 30
  • USA Network airs the final ABC Signature TV series Benched. [1378.71]

2015

January 4
  • The Creature Comforts shop on Discovery Island in Disney's Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World closes. [1378.161]
February 13
  • The Disney Channel Original Movie Bad Hair Day airs. [1378.55]
March 5
  • ABC TV network premieres the American Crime TV series. [1378.28]
March 13
  • Disney releases the live-action film Cinderella to theaters in the USA. [1378.137]
March 23
  • Disney purchases the Carousel Inn & Suites hotel, located across from Disneyland park. [1378.120]
April 12
  • The film Captain EO ceases playing in Disneyland Paris. [1378.117]
April 15
  • The Boathouse restaurant opens at The Landing at Disney Springs at Walt Disney World. [1378.87]
April 22
  • Disney releases the Marvel Studios film Avengers: Age of Ultron to theaters in Belgium and France. [1378.50]
May 1
  • Disney releases the Marvel Studios film Avengers: Age of Ultron to 3-D and IMAX theaters in the USA. [1378.50]
May 22
  • At 6AM, the Diamond Celebration begins in Disneyland Resort for the 60th anniversary of Disneyland. [1378.184]
June 18
  • The ABC TV network premieres The Astronaut Wives TV show. [1378.45]
June 19
  • The film ABCD2 is released in India and the USA. [1378.2]
June 26
  • The Disney Channel premieres the TV show Best Friends Whenever. [1378.72]
(month unknown)
  • George Bodenheimer is named a Disney Legend. Bodenheimer was an executive of Disney's Media Networks, ABC Sports, and ESPN. [1378.87]
  • Andreas Deja is named a Disney Legend; Deja worked in animation since 1980. [1378.179]
  • Johnny Depp is named a Disney Legend. Depp starred in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, and several others. [1378.181]
July 12
  • The Animation Academy class at The Magic of Disney Animation in Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World closes. [1378.34]
July 17
  • Disney releases the Marvel Ant-Man feature film to theatres. Available in three versions: regular, 3-D, and 3-D IMAX. [1378.37]
July 31
  • The Disney Channel premieres the Bunk'd TV show. [1378.105]
  • The Disney Channel airs the Disney Channel Original Movie Descendants. [1378.181]
August 14
  • (to August 16) The 4th Disney D23 Expo is held, at the Anaheim Convention Center in California. [1378.168]
August 20
  • The ABC TV network airs the last The Astronaut Wives TV show. [1378.45]
August 23
  • The Animation Gallery shop in Disney-MGM Studios at Walt Disney World closes. [1378.35]
September 27
  • The ABC TV network premieres the Blood & Oil TV series. [1378.84]
September 28
  • ABC Family airs the final Chasing Life episode. [1378.129]
September 30
  • The CBS TV network premieres the Code Black series. [1378.145]
October
  • The October 19 issue of Linn's Stamp News depicts on the front cover two souvenir sheets of US postage stamps which depict characters from Disney-Pixar films Toy Story and A Bug's Life. [1367]
October 16
  • Touchstone releases the DreamWorks film Bridge of Spies to theaters in the USA. [1378.98]
December 6
  • The film Captain EO ceases playing in Epcot at Walt Disney World. [1378.117]
December 13
  • The ABC TV network airs the Behind the Magic: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs special. [1378.69]
  • The ABC TV network airs the final episode of Blood & Oil. [1378.84]

2016

January 10
  • The musical show Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular closes at the Hyperion Theater in Disney California Adventure, after nearly 14,000 performances. [1378.16]
  • The Big Thunder Ranch area at Disneyland closes. [1378.78]
January 16
  • ABC Family channel is renamed Freeform channel. [1378.1]
January 31
  • The Animagique show in Walt Disney Studios Park at Disneyland Paris closes. [1378.32]
March 24
  • The ABC TV network debuts The Catch series. [1378.125]
April 2
  • The Writer's Stop shop at Disney-MGM Studios in Walt Disney World closes. [1378.106]
April 27
  • Disney releases the Marvel Pictures film Captain America: Civil War in theaters in France. [1378.116]
May 6
  • Disney releases the Marvel Pictures film Captain America: Civil War in theaters in the USA. Available in regular format, 3-D, and IMAX. [1378.116]
May 15
  • The Amorette's Patisserie shop opens at the Disney Springs Town Center at Walt Disney World. [1378.29]
May 16
  • The ABC TV network airs the final Castle episode. [1378.124]
May 25
  • Disney world premieres the film Alice Through the Looking Glass in Italy. [1378.21]
May 27
  • Disney releases the film Alice Through the Looking Glass in the USA. Three versions are available: regular, 3D, and IMAX. [1378.21]
June 16
  • Shanghai Disneyland theme park opens in the People's Republic of China. Cost to build the site was US$5.5 billion. [1366.67] [1369.62] [1378.8,20]
  • The Celebration Café opens in Shanghai Disneyland. [1378.126]
  • The Camp Discovery attraction opens in Adventure Isle at Shanghai Disneyland. [1378.112]
  • The Be Our Guest Boutique opens in Fantasyland in Shanghai Disneyland. [1378.62]
  • The Barbossa's Bounty restaurant opens in Treasure Cove at Shanghai Disneyland. [1378.59]
  • The Ballet Café opens in the Shanghai Disneyland Hotel. [1378.57]
  • The Chip & Dale's Treehouse Treats market opens on Mickey Avenue in Shanghai Disneyland. [1378.134]
  • The Bacchus Lounge opens in the Shanghai Disneyland Hotel. [1378.53]
  • The Carefree Corner shop opens on Mickey Avenue in Shanghai Disneyland. [1378.118]
  • The Avenue M Arcade store opens on Mickey Avenue in Shanghai Disneyland. [1378.50]
  • The Buzz Lightyear Planet Rescue attraction opens in Tomorrowland at Shanghai Disneyland. [1378.107]
  • The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique opens inside Enchanted Storybook Castle in Shanghai Disneyland. [1378.75]
  • The Aurora restaurant opens at the Shanghai Disneyland Hotel. [1378.48]
June 22
  • Disney releases The BFG film to theaters in Sweden. [1378.75]
June 24
  • The Disney Channel premieres the series Bizaardvark. [1378.81]
  • The Disney Channel Original Movie Adventures in Babysitting airs. [1378.9]
July 1
  • Disney releases The BFG film in regular and 3-D to theaters in the USA. [1378.75]

2017

December 14
  • The Walt Disney Company announces that it will acquire most of 21st Century Fox, including the 20th Century Fox film studio, for $66 billion. [1368]

2019

August 25
  • Disney Cruise Line announces it will build a second cruise line destination in the Bahamas, at Lighthouse Point on the island of Eleuthera. [1240]
  • Disney Cruise Line announces the name of its next cruise ship will be Disney Wish. [1240]
November 12
  • Disney launches the Disney+ video streaming service in the US, Canada, and the Netherlands. Cost is $6.99 per month. (10 million people sign up on first day.) [1392.60]

2020

February 25
  • Bob Chapek becomes CEO of Disney. [1400.59]
March 15
  • Walt Disney World closes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [1379.158]
July 11
  • The Magic Kingdom and Disney's Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World re-open. [1379.156] (June 11 [1379.162])
July 15
  • Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World re-opens. [1379.164]
October 1
  • Disney eliminates about 28,000 jobs from its US resorts and consumer products division. [1383.14]
October 12
  • Disney announces a re-organization of its TV, movie, and direct-to-consumer divisions. [1384.16]

2021

October 1
  • Remy's Ratatouille Adventure opens at Epcot's France pavilion. [1379.168]
December 7
  • The People's Choice Awards ceremony is held in Santa Monica, California. Dwayne Johnson wins Male Movie Star, Comedy Movie Star, and People's Champion for his role in the Jungle Cruise movie. [1439.10]
December 8
  • Disney+ premieres Welcome to Earth. [1380.49]
December 25
  • The ABC TV network in the USA airs the Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade hosted by Juliana and Derek Hough at Walt Disney World. [1381.75]

2022

February 11
  • The new Disney Wish cruise ship is floated out at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. [1240]
(month unknown)
  • The Royal Mint, in collaboration with Disney, issues a 50-penny coin depicting the Eeyore donkey character. Coins are available in copper-nickel, silver, and gold, with Eeyore in color or uncolored. [1382.20]
April 1
  • The Disney+ video streaming service premieres Better Nate Than Ever. [1389.28]
April 22
  • Disney releases documentary film Polar Bear. [1393.20]
June 8
  • The United States Postal Service unveils four "Go Beyond: Buzz Lightyear" postage stamps at the premiere of the Disney/Pixar Lightyear movie in Hollywood, California. [1394.1]
June 21
  • Over 1700 Walt Disney World cast members mark International Yoga Day at the park. [1397.27]
November 20
  • Disney announces Bob Iger would return as CEO of the company, replacing Bob Chapek. [1399.12] [1400.59]

End of 2012-2022.

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1919-1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933
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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