1997

January 1

• A ten-year cross-promotional agreement between Disney and McDonald's Restaurants begins. [926.D6]

January 2

• Guyana issues fourteen postage stamps depicting various Disney characters celebrating the Chinese Lunar New Year. [653.561]

January

• Disneyland, Walt Disney World, and some Disney Store locations issue new $1, $5, and $10 Disney Dollars. Each carries the Walt Disney World 25th anniversary logo, and each denomination features a different park landmark. Serial numbers for Disneyland and the Disney Stores begin with an "A"; for Walt Disney World serial numbers begin with a "D". All are dated 1997. [851.20]

January 9

• Michael Eisner signs a new ten-year contract as chairman of Disney. His base salary is US$750,000 per year, plus a bonus tied to the company's financial performance, and he receives stock options for 8 million shares to be exercised between 2003 and 2006. The value of the options is estimated at US$195-771 million. [745.277] [871.D3]

January 10

• Buena Vista Pictures generally releases the Hollywood Pictures live-action feature film Evita to theaters in the US. The film cost US$65 million to produce. [771.75] [871.C12]

January 14

• Touchstone Home Video releases the film Phenomenon on videocassette in the US for US$100.71, and laser disk for US$39.99. [544.88] [871.B15]

January 15

• The show Walt Disney's World on Ice - The Spirit of Pocahontas opens in New York, running until February 2. [752.S2.9] [872.S2.7]

January 17

• Buena Vista Pictures releases the Touchstone Pictures live-action feature film Metro to theaters in the USA. [490.10] [544.22] [872.S2.14]

January 19

• In Beverly Hills, California, the 54th annual Golden Globe Awards ceremony is held. Winning Best Film, Musical or Comedy: Evita. Winning Best Actress, Musical or Comedy: Madonna in Evita. Winning Best Original Song: "You Must Love Me" in Evita. [875]

January 21

• Buena Vista Pictures releases the Hollywood Pictures film Eddie on videocassette in the US for US$100.71, and laser disk for US$39.99. [874.B15]

January 24

• Buena Vista Pictures releases the Hollywood Pictures live-action feature film Prefontaine to theaters in the US. [490.13] [876.C16]

January 27

• Sierra Leone issues ten postage stamps depicting Disney's Aladdin characters in Christmas scenes. [656.990]

January 28

• The Gambia issues 16 postage stamps depicting scenes from Disney's Monkey King. [653.50]
• Zambia issues twelve postage stamps for the Year of the Ox, depicting Disney characters: Clarabelle Cow, Minnie Mouse, and Mickey Mouse. [1237.1173]

January 31

• Buena Vista Pictures releases the Hollywood Pictures live-action feature film Shadow Conspiracy to theaters in the US. [490.154] [501.493] [546.20]

February 4

• Hollywood Pictures Home Video releases the film Jack on videocassette (US$107.71) and laserdisc (US$39.99) in the USA. [546.94] [905.B14]

February 7

• The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. Most of the show is a parody of the Disney film Mary Poppins:

the show's title "Simpsoncalifragilisticexpiala-D'oh-cious" ("Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious"),

the name of the nanny Shary Bobbins (Mary Poppins),

song "Cut Every Corner" ("A Spoonful of Sugar"),

song "A Boozehound Named Barney" ("Feed the Birds Tuppence a Bag"),

a character says "Superduperfragicallyexpialido..." ("Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious").

A dream sequence resembles the black-and-white musical cow in Disney's Steamboat Willie, complete with "Turkey in the Straw" music playing. A character asks "Did you say Mary Pop...", to which the reply is "No, I definately did not. I'm an original creation like Ricky Rouse and Ronald Ruck.". [894]
• At the Walt Disney World Speedway, the Richard Petty Driving Experience begins offering driving and passenger rides in stock cars. [501.597] [764.S5.3]

February 8

• Disney previews the Walt Disney Pictures live-action feature film That Darn Cat at FAO Schwarz in New York City. [906.A6]

February 12

• Grenada issues sixteen postage stamps depicting various Disney characters in Hong Kong. [653.434]

February 14

• Buena Vista Pictures releases the Walt Disney Pictures live-action feature film That Darn Cat to theaters in the USA. The film is a remake of the 1965 film. [490.23] [501.549] [546.21] [906.A6] [907.C17]

February 17

• Antigua & Barbuda issues eleven postage stamps depicting Disney characters. [629.385]

February 21

• Disney launches its redesigned Disney.com Internet Web site, with new sections promoting Disney's products and services in theater, cable television, publishing, records, home video, and online. [686]

February 24

• Michael Eisner and Steve Jobs announce that the Walt Disney Studios and Pixar Animation Studios have agreed to jointly produce five movies over the next ten years. Costs, profits, and logo credit will be split 50/50. Disney will purchase one million shares of Pixar common stock at US$15 per share, and may acquire up to 5 percent of the company. [393.37] [686] [772.72] [908.D8]

February 25

• The Walt Disney Company holds its annual shareholders meeting in Anaheim, California. Michael Eisner says that hiring Michael Ovitz as president had been a personal error of judgement. 12% of shareholders oppose reappointment of the board of directors. Eisner's pay package is approved by almost 90%. [909] [1074.381]

February 27

• The ABC TV network premieres the series Vital Signs. [501.588]

February 28

• The ABC TV network airs Walt Disney World's 25th Anniversary Party. [501.597]

March 1

• Mali releases ten postage stamps depicting Goofy, Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Minnie Mouse, and Huey/Dewey/Louie. [1190.742]
• The #5 locomotive, the Ward Kimball, begins operation at the Magic Kingdom park at Walt Disney World. [328.391]

March 4

• Walt Disney Home Video releases the film The Hunchback of Notre Dame on videocassette. Price is US$26.99. [547.94] [923.B15]

March 7

• The Pirates of the Caribbean attraction at Disneyland is re-opened, after a two-month rehabilitation. [245.33]
• Buena Vista Pictures releases the Walt Disney Pictures live-action feature film Jungle 2 Jungle to theaters in the USA. [490.29] [547.22] [924.C13]

March

• Disney announces that a sequel to Toy Story will be released directly to videocassette. [926.D22]

March 18

• McDonald's Restaurants and the Walt Disney Company announce a series of promotions under the theme "Summer of Disney Magic at McDonald's". [926.D6]
• Disney releases the film Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves on videocassette (US$22.99) in the US. This is the first Disney live-action film released direct to video without a theatrical release. [926.D22] [1131.C27]
• The UPN TV network debuts the Social Studies show. [501.511]

March 24

• The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences awards an Oscar (Achievement in Music (Original Song)) to Andrew Lloyd Webber (music) and Tim Rice (lyrics) for the song "You Must Love Me" from the film Evita. [890]

March 28

• Buena Vista Pictures releases the Touchstone Pictures live-action feature film The Sixth Man to theaters in the USA. [490.38] [501.503] [548.24] [928.C19]

April 2

• Uganda issues 27 postage stamps depicting scenes from the film Toy Story. [617.686]
• The WB Network premieres the Disney TV show Smart Guy. [501.507]
• The mayor of New York City, the governor of New York state, and Michael Eisner unveil the restored New Amsterdam theater in New York City. [232.62] [1127.B3]

April 3

• Disney buys a one-third share of Starwave, a Web design, content, and management company, for about US$100 million. [686] [1128.C4]

April 4

• Knight-Ridder announces it is buying four newspapers from the Walt Disney Company for US$1.65 billion. The newspapers are The Kansas Star in Missouri, The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, The Belleville News-Democrat in Illinois, and The Times Leader in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. The newspapers were acquired by Disney in its acquisition of Capital Cities/ABC. This is the largest single purchase ever of newspapers. [1129.35]

April 5

• Buena Vista Pictures Distribution gives a sneak preview of the Hollywood Pictures film Grosse Pointe Blank at theaters in New York City. [1129.17]

April 9

• Disney Online opens the Disney Daily Blast Internet Web site for 10,000 visitors, aimed at children aged 3-12 years. [238.423] [929.D5]

April 11

• Buena Vista Pictures releases the Hollywood Pictures live-action feature film Grosse Pointe Blank to theaters in the USA. [490.45] [546.21] [1131.C13]

April 12

• The bow half of the Disney Magic cruise ship leaves drydock of Fincontieri shipyard in Ancona, Italy, to meet with the stern section 100 miles away in Marghera. [1233]

April 15

• Walt Disney Home Video releases the film 101 Dalmatians on videocassette (US$26.99) and laserdisc US($39.99) in the USA. [549.102] [1131.D22]
• Hollywood Pictures Home Video releases the film The Associate on videocassette (US$103.91) and Laser disk (US$39.99) in the USA. [549.105] [1148.B18]
• The ABC TV network premieres Disney's Soul Man show. [501.514]
• Joining of the two halves of the Disney Magic cruise ship begins, with variance less than 1 mm. [1233]
• Dominica issues ten postage stamps depicting varioys Disney cartoon films. [648.763]

April

• At Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom, King Stefan's Banquet Hall restaurant re-opens under the name Cinderella's Royal Table. [225.36]

April 15

• Disney Interactive lays off about 20 percent of its workforce, ending in-house production of video games. [686]

April 18

• Disney announces it will acquire Starwave's Family Planet Web site, combining it with Family.com. [686]
• Joining of the two halves of the Disney Magic cruise ship is complete. [1233]

April 22

• Hollywood Pictures Home Video releases the film The Rich Man's Wife on videocassette. [549.104]

April 23

• Disney Online officially launches the Disney Daily Blast Internet Web site. The site provides a hour's worth of new content daily, targeting 3- to 12-year-old viewers. Following a two-week free trial, subscription price is US$4.95 per month. [686] [929.D5]

April 24

• Buena Vista Pictures makes a preview screening of the film Romy and Michele's High School Reunion in select theaters in New York City. [1148.A24]

April 25

• Buena Vista Pictures releases the Touchstone Pictures live-action feature film Romy and Michele's High School Reunion to theaters in the USA. [490.51] [501.476] [548.26] [1148.A24]

April 29

• Touchstone Home Video releases the film The Preacher's Wife on videocassette. [549.106]

(month unknown)

• Club Disney premieres in Thousand Oaks, California. Club Disney is an indoor family entertainment center. [225.36]

May 1

• The Gambia issues thirty postage stamps depicting scenes from Disney's 101 Dalmations. [653.51]
• The Gambia issues ten postage stamps depicting Minnie Mouse through the years. [653.51]

May 13

• Touchstone Home Video releases the film Ransom on videocassette. [549.102]
• The complete hull of the Disney Magic cruise ship floats for the first time. [1233]

May

• At Disneyland Paris, an eight-screen theatre complex opens, featuring an 80-foot wide movie screen. [225.76]
• Buena Vista Pictures releases the Hollywood Pictures live-action feature film Gone Fishin' to theaters in the USA. [490.63]

May 18

• The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. A child says "Wow, I can't believe we're going to Disneyland!", when in fact the family is driving him to military school. Later, the parents say they are taking the kids to Disneyland for real, when in fact they arrive at the dentist. A few recognizable notes of "It's a Small World" are played. [895]

May 23

• The Light Magic Streetacular parade debuts at Disneyland. [225.43] [245.29]

(month unknown)

• The CD-ROM Disney's Magic Artist software is released for personal computers. Price is US$35. [773.12]

June 6

• Buena Vista Pictures releases the Touchstone Pictures live-action feature film Con Air to theaters in the USA. [490.65] [549.42]

June 14

• The animated feature film Hercules world premieres at the New Amsterdam theater in Times Square, in New York City. [225.43] [232.62] [1128.B3] [1132.S2.6]

June

• The Disney Cruise Line's first vessel, Disney Magic, first floats out of its shipyards in Italy. [225.34]
• At the Canadian Centre for Architecture, a display opens entitled The Architecture of Reassurance: Designing the Disney Theme Parks. [246.98]
• At a Southern Baptist Convention in the US, 12,000 delegates approve a boycott of the Walt Disney Company, in protest of Disney's permissive stance on homosexuality. The Baptist Church has 15.3 million members in the US. [774.51]

June 22

• The film Hercules has its California premiere at Cal Arts in Los Angeles. [225.43]

June 27

• Buena Vista Pictures releases the Walt Disney Pictures animated feature film Hercules to theaters in the USA. [490.71] [550.21]

(month unknown)

• At the Grand Floridian Resort in Walt Disney World, the Flagler's restaurant is replaced by Citricos restaurant. [235.22]
• The Spoodles restaurant opens at the BoardWalk resort in Walt Disney World. [232.80]
• Disney releases the film Fun and Fancy Free on videocassette. [250.90]
• Disney releases the film Shadow Conspiracy on videocassette. [501.493]
• Maiden voyage guests for the Disney Magic cruise ship are selected by lottery. [1232]
• Disney releases the film The Sixth Man on videocassette. [501.503]
• Disney releases the 1997 film That Darn Cat on videocassette. [501.550]
• André Vanneste is posthumously named a European Disney Legend. He handled Disney licensing and publishing in Belgium for forty years. [501.585]
• Paul Winkler is posthumously named a European Disney Legend. He produced the Mickey Mouse comic book Le Journal de Mickey in France from 1934 to 1940. [501.615]

July 3

• The ABC TV network airs the last show of the series Vital Signs. [501.588]

July 15

• Touchstone Home Video releases the film Metro on videocassette. [568.101]

July 16

• Buena Vista Pictures releases the Walt Disney Pictures live-action feature film George of the Jungle to theaters in the USA. [490.81] [550.22]
• Buena Vista Pictures releases the Touchstone Pictures live-action feature film Nothing to Lose to theaters in the USA. [490.82] [550.20]

July 28

• The Comedy Central TV network begins airing Win Ben Stein's Money. [501.614]

(month unknown)

• Bob Penfield retires from Disney. He was the last remaining employee to have worked at Disneyland since opening day. [757.41]

August 5

• The UPN TV network airs the last episode of the Social Studies show. [501.511]

August 7

• Grenada Grenadines issues seven postage stamps depicting Winnie the Pooh characters. [653.465]
• Grenada Grenadines issues ten postage stamps depicting scenes from Disney classic animated feature films. [653.465]

August 12

• Disney Interactive president Steve McBeth resigns. [686]

August 15

• Buena Vista Pictures releases the Hollywood Pictures live-action feature film G.I. Jane to theaters in the USA. [490.94] [568.26]

August

• Disney opens Lyric Street Records in Nashville, Tennessee. [247.87]
• Buena Vista Pictures releases the Walt Disney Pictures live-action feature film Air Bud to theaters in the USA. [490.87]
• The Coronado Springs resort opens in Walt Disney World. It has nearly 2000 rooms, and surrounds a 15-acre lagoon. [230.22]

August 26

• Walt Disney Home Video releases the film Mary Poppins on videocassette. [551.92]

(month unknown)

• Buena Vista Home Video releases the film Evita on videocassette. [551.91]

September 1

• The Sunshine Pavilion attraction in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World closes for renovations. [501.530]

September 2

• The Disneyana Convention begins at Walt Disney World. [225.40]

September 4

• The Spirit of Pocahontas show gives its last performance at Disneyland. [501.517]

September 7

• The World Premiere Circle-Vision theater at Disneyland closes. [501.621]

September 9

• Buena Vista Home Video releases the film The War at Home on videocassette. [501.598] [551.89]

September 16

• Disney releases the film Sleeping Beauty on videocassette. [225.40] [501.505]
• Disney releases the Hollywood Pictures live-action feature film Silent Trigger on videocassette. [501.499]

September 19

• Buena Vista Pictures releases the Touchstone Pictures live-action feature film A Thousand Acres to theaters in the USA. [490.106] [501.552] [551.48]

September 23

• The Fox TV network airs the pilot Steel Chariots. [501.522]

September 26

• The ABC TV network begins airing the Teen Angel show. [501.540]
• The ABC TV network debuts the series You Wish. [501.627]

September 28

• The ABC TV network begins airing The Wonderful World of Disney TV show. [501.618]

October 1

• Sierra Leone issues sixteen postage stamps depicting Disney characters and Christmas themes. [656.991]

October 5

• The ABC TV network airs The Wonderful World of Disney show, featuring the two-hour movie Toothless. [501.564]
• Disney releases the film Washington Square in New York City. [501.599]

October 10

• Buena Vista Pictures generally releases the Hollywood Pictures live-action feature film Washington Square to theaters in the US. [490.115] [501.599] [560.24]
• Buena Vista Pictures releases the Walt Disney Pictures live-action feature film Rocketman to theaters in the USA. [490.174] [501.475]

October 13

• Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella premieres at Mann's Chinese Theater, in Los Angeles. [232.28]

October 14

• Hollywood Pictures Home Video releases the film Grosse Pointe Blank on videocassette. [560.125]

October

• Buena Vista Pictures releases the Touchstone Pictures live-action feature film Playing God to theaters in the USA. [490.122]

October 21

• Palau issues 17 postage stamps depicting Disney characters (Mickey Mouse and Daisy Duck) promoting reading. [1229.43]

October 26

• The ABC TV network airs The Wonderful World of Disney show, featuring the two-hour movie Tower of Terror, based on the theme park attraction Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. [501.566]

October 28

• Disney launches its redesigned Disney.com Internet Web site, with new sections for parenting resources, and a kids area with games and stories with Disney characters. [686]

(month unknown)

• Disney announces that it will begin releasing its film titles on DVD as well as videocassette. [248.19]

November 4

• Touchstone Pictures Home Video releases the film Romy and Michele's High School Reunion on videocassette. [501.476] [560.126]

November 5

• A court jury rules that Disney had failed to develop an MGM attraction outside Florida in nine years, so rights to the name revert to MGM. [1074.389]

November 7

• Disney and Jeffrey Katzenburg announce a partial settlement of their dispute. Disney will pay 72.5% of Katzenburg's promised 2% bonus. A referee would come up with the final amount. [1074.391]

November 11

• Disney releases the animated film Beauty and the Beast - The Enchanted Christmas on videocassette. [251.56] [553.93]

November 13

• The Lion King musical play opens at the New Amsterdam theater in New York. [232.62] [238.417] [745.291]

November 14

• The New Amsterdam theater box office sets a record by selling US$2.5 million of advance tickets to The Lion King. [745.291]

November

• The Downtown Disney area opens in Walt Disney World. [232.31]

November 16

• The live-action feature film Flubber premieres at La Guardia Performing Arts High School, in New York. [232.28] [551.56]

November 18

• Buena Vista Home Entertainment releases the film Prefontaine on videocassette. [561.137]

November 22

• The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. A character says he is "twitterpated", a reference to a word originating in Disney's Bambi. [897]

November 26

• Buena Vista Pictures releases the Walt Disney Pictures live-action feature film Flubber to theaters in the USA. The film is a remake of the 1961 film The Absent Minded Professor. [490.136] [561.41]

November 27

• The It's a Small World attraction at Disneyland re-opens with additions to show how holidays are celebrated around the world. Temporary new name is It's a Small World Holiday. [757.49] [939.120]

(month unknown)

• Buena Vista Home Video releaes the film Operation Condor on videocassette. [553.96]

December 2

• Buena Vista Home Entertainment releases the film George of the Jungle on videocassette. [561.137]

December 5

• The Beauty and the Beast stage show opens in Stuttgart, Germany. [230.30]

December 9

• Buena Vista Home Entertainment releases the film Con Air on videocassette. [561.135]

December

• Disney CEO Michael Eisner exercises company stock options, giving him US$565 million. [236.38]
• Business Week magazine chooses Disney's board of directors as the worst in America. [236.38]
• The Walt Disney Company signs an agreement with The Oriental Land Company of Japan, for a new theme park called Tokyo DisneySea. The Oriental Land Company will build, own, and operate the park, on 90 hectares of Tokyo Bay. [231.C10]

December 23

• Buena Vista Home Video releases the film Chasing Amy on videocassette. [553.96]

December 25

• Buena Vista Pictures releases the Walt Disney Pictures animated feature film Mr. Magoo to theaters in the USA. [490.144] [561.50]
• Buena Vista Pictures releases the Touchstone Pictures live-action feature film Kundun to theaters in the USA. [490.152] [553.24]