Chronology of the Walt Disney Company

Copyright © 1995-2024 Ken Polsson
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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.


1966

January
  • The Thimble Drome Flight Circle exhibit area at Disneyland closes. [1300.172]
  • The Hobbyland area at Disneyland closes. [1300.208]
January 16
  • The NBC TV network airs the Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color show, featuring Moon Pilot, part one. [370.398]
January 23
  • The NBC TV network airs the Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color show, featuring Moon Pilot, part two. [370.398]
January 30
  • The NBC TV network airs the Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color show, entitled Music for Everybody with Ludwig Von Drake. [228.347] [370.398]
February 4
  • Disney releases the animated short film Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree to theaters. [1] [11] [16] [23] [25] [85.350] [97.129] [193.71] [250.98] [501.616]
  • Buena Vista releases Disney's live-action feature film The Ugly Dachshund to theaters. [13] [23] [43.1155] [79.240] [111.405] [370.240] [501.579]
February 13
  • The NBC TV network airs the Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color show, featuring The Legend of Young Dick Turpin, part one. [228.285] [370.398]
February 20
  • The NBC TV network airs the Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color show, featuring The Legend of Young Dick Turpin, part two. [228.285]
February 27
  • The NBC TV network airs the Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color show, featuring Ballerina, part one. [370.398] [1378.57]
March 6
  • The NBC TV network airs the Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color show, featuring Ballerina, part two. [370.398] [1378.57]
March 13
  • The NBC TV network airs the Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color show, entitled Run, Light Buck, Run. [370.398] [501.479]
March 20
  • The NBC TV network airs the Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color show, featuring A Tiger Walks, part one. [370.398]
March 27
  • The NBC TV network airs the Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color show, featuring A Tiger Walks, part two. [370.398]
April 3
  • The Midget Autopia attraction in Disneyland closes. [228.329] [1300.283]
April 10
  • The NBC TV network airs the Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color show, entitled Concho, the Coyote Who Wasn't. [190.50] [370.398] [1378.150]

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May
  • Disney releases the 16-mm film The Boston Tea Party for educational use. It was originally part of the film Johnny Tremain. [23] [1378.91]
  • Disney releases the 16-mm film The Shot Heard 'Round the World for educational use. It was originally part of the film Johnny Tremain. [23] [501.498]
  • Disney releases the 16-mm film Donald's Fire Survival Plan for educational use. [23] [228.147]
May 28
  • The It's a Small World attraction opens in Fantasyland at Disneyland. The river is 1400 feet long; there are over 500 singing dolls and effects. [26.119] [209.31] [228.258] [414.25] [757.49] [939.120] [1300.220] (June [9] [328.270])
  • The Topiary Gardens area opens in Fantasyland, outside It's a Small World. [1300.427]
June 25
  • Buena Vista releases Disney's live-action feature film Lt. Robin Crusoe, U.S.N. to theaters. [13] [17] [23] [43.610] (June 29 [370.241]) (July [79.241] [111.371] [228.287]) (Lt. Robinson Crusoe, USN [49.272])
June 29
  • Buena Vista releases the live-action short film Run, Appaloosa, Run to theaters. [43.923] [85.349] (July 29 [501.478]) (Run, Appaloosa, Run! [23])
(month unknown)
  • Disney releases the live-action feature film Ballerina to theaters in Europe. [23]
  • Disney and General Electric discuss the possibility of General Electric buying Walt Disney Productions. [267.291]
  • Disney and Westinghouse discuss the possibility of Westinghouse buying Walt Disney Productions. [267.292]
  • Disney releases the live-action feature film Tenderfoot in Europe. [23] [85.361]
  • Disney releases the live-action feature film Greta, The Misfit Greyhound to theaters outside the US. [23] [85.361]
  • Disney releases the 16-mm film One Day At Teton Marsh for educational use. [23]
  • Disney releases the animated film compilation The Adventures of Donald Duck to theaters in Germany. [23]
  • The American Humane Association awards a PATSY award (First Place (Motion Picture)) to Syn Cat, the cat from the film That Darn Cat. [45.613] [546.27]
  • The American Humane Association awards a PATSY award (Third Place (Motion Picture)) to Judy, the chimpanzee from the film The Monkey's Uncle. [45.613]
  • Disney releases the animated film compilation Winnie the Pooh Shorts Program to theaters in Sweden. [23]
  • Disney releases the live-action feature film Rusty and the Falcon to theaters. [23]
  • Disney releases the animated film compilation Donald Duck Goes Camping to theaters in Sweden. [23]
  • Disney releases the live-action feature film The Mooncussers to theaters in Europe. [23] [85.361]
  • Disney re-releases the film Fantasia in theaters. [15]
  • Walt Disney proposes to buy a minority share of the California Angels baseball team. [93.54]
  • Carl Banks retires from Disney. [228.42]
  • The site of Disney's old studios on Hyperion Avenue is cleared for construction of a supermarket. [228.248]
  • Thomas Guy Cleveland climbs onto the Monorail track to sneak into Disneyland. As a Monorail train approaches, he tries to hide on a fiberglass canopy three feet below the rail. The Monorail strikes and kills him. [450.170]
July 1
  • The Primeval World Diorama attraction opens on the Santa Fe and Disneyland Railroad at Disneyland. [9] [19] [26.26] [228.400] [1300.344]
July
  • Disney releases the live-action feature film A Holster Full of Law to theaters in Italy. The film is a compilation of three "Texas John Slaughter" TV episodes. [23] [228.238]
July 24
  • The New Orleans Square area opens at Disneyland. It cost US$15-18 million, and occupies 3 acres. Walt Disney and the mayor of New Orleans, Louisiana, dedicate the area. [4] [23] [26.69] [48.345] [91.53] [228.354] [757.38] [1300.301]
  • The Cristal d'Orleans shop opens on Royal Street in New Orleans Square at Disneyland. [1300.118] [1378.42,163]
  • The Mint Julep Bar opens in New Orleans Square in Disneyland. [1300.287]
  • The Creole Café restaurant opens in New Orleans Square at Disneyland. [1300.118] [1378.161]
  • The One-of-a-Kind antique shop opens in New Orleans Square in Disneyland. [1300.309] (1967 [228.373])
  • The French Market buffet restaurant opens in New Orleans Square at Disneyland. [228.195] [1300.176]
August 28
  • The 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Exhibit display at Disneyland closes. [501.576] [1300.432]
September 5
  • The Flying Saucers ride closes in Tomorrowland at Disneyland, due to difficulties keeping the vehicles working. [193.16] [228.189] [245.92] [1300.173] (August 5 [910.36])
  • The Art of Animation display in Tomorrowland at Disneyland closes. [1300.52] [1378.43]
  • The Tomorrowland Jets ride in Disneyland closes. [1300.54] [1378.45]
  • The Rocket to the Moon attraction in Disneyland closes for refurbishing, and the Moonliner rocket is dismantled. [501.474] [1300.293,360]
  • The Art Corner shop in Tomorrowland at Disneyland closes. [1378.43] (September 6 [1300.52])
September 6
  • The Yacht Club food facility at Disneyland closes. [1300.445] (Yacht Bar [501.625])
September 11
  • The NBC TV network airs the Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color show, featuring Emil and the Detectives, part one. [370.398]
September
  • Walt Disney agrees to re-dub the voice of Christopher Robin in the Winnie-the-Pooh films, to give him a British accent. [193.71]
  • The Space Bar eatery at Disneyland closes. [1300.386]
September 18
  • The NBC TV network airs the Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color show, featuring Emil and the Detectives, part two. [370.398]
September 19
  • The Monsanto Hall of Chemistry display at Disneyland closes. [228.338] [939.97] [1300.199]
  • Walt Disney gives a press conference, regarding development of the Mineral King ski resort, in southern California. [48.347]
September 25
  • The NBC TV network airs the Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color show, entitled The Legend of El Blanco. [228.284] [370.398]
(month unknown)
  • Production begins on the animated film The Jungle Book. [34.263]
October 1
  • The National Association of Theatre Owners makes their first award presentation, naming Walt Disney "Showman of the World". [20] [501.498] ("Showman of the Year" [1073.101])
October 2
  • The NBC TV network airs the Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color show, featuring Savage Sam, part one. [370.398]
October 5
  • Buena Vista releases Disney's live-action feature film The Fighting Prince of Donegal to theaters. The film is based on the book Red Hugh, Prince of Donegal by Robert T. Reilly. [13] [23] [43.339] [79.243] [111.350] (October 1 [370.243] [228.184])
October 9
  • The NBC TV network airs the Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color show, featuring Savage Sam, part two. [370.398]
October 10
  • The U.S. Forest Service issues a three-year planning permit to Disney for developing a Mineral King ski resort. (Disney will submit its master plan on January 8, 1969.) [482.34]
October
  • Disney releases the film The Fighting Prince of Donegal to theaters in Great Britain. [43.339]
  • Walt Disney gives a press conference, and describes his plans for building an Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow, EPCOT. [40.287] [92.116]
October 16
  • The NBC TV network airs the Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color show, entitled The 101 Problems of Hercules. [228.372] [370.398]
October 23
  • The NBC TV network airs the Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color show, entitled Gallegher Goes West: Showdown with the Sundown Kid. [228.201] [370.398]
October 29
  • Walt Disney receives the American Forestry Association award for "outstanding service in conservation of American resources". [48.349]
October 30
  • The NBC TV network airs the Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color show, entitled Gallegher Goes West: Crusading Reporter. [228.201] [370.398]
November 2
  • Walt Disney checks into St. Joseph Hospital, complaining of shortness of breath, and pain in his left leg. X-ray tests reveal a dark spot on Walt Disney's left lung. [23] [48.350] [238.206] [267.295] [1102.626]
November 7
  • Walt is admitted to St. Joseph's Hospital, in Burbank, for surgery. [34.264] [40.290] (November 6 [48.350])
  • In St. Joseph's hospital, an operation is performed on Walt Disney, to do a biopsy of a spot discovered on an X-Ray. His left lung is found to be full of cancerous tumors, and is removed. Doctors give Walt six months to two years to live. [48.350] [238.206] [267.295] [1102.626] (November 8 [34.264])
November 13
  • The NBC TV network airs the Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color show, entitled Ranger's Guide to Nature. [228.408] [370.398]
November
  • Disney releases the 16-mm film Nicky and Rock - Working Sheep Dogs for educational use. [228.357]
November 20
  • The NBC TV network airs the Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color show, featuring The Moon-Spinners, part one. [370.398]
November 27
  • The NBC TV network airs the Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color show, featuring The Moon-Spinners, part two. [370.398]
November 30
  • Walt Disney collapses at his home, is revived by medics, and is re-admitted to hospital. [23] [34.264] [48.353] [267.297]
December 1
  • Buena Vista releases Disney's live-action feature film Follow Me, Boys! to theaters. The film is based on the book God and My Country by Mackinlay Kantor. [13] [43.360] [228.190] [370.245] (Follow Me Boys [23] [111.351])
December 4
  • The NBC TV network airs the Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color show, featuring The Moon-Spinners, part three. [370.398]
December 11
  • The NBC TV network airs the Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color show, entitled Joker, the Amiable Ocelot. [228.265] [370.398]
December 15
  • At 9:30 AM in St. Joseph's Hospital, Walt Disney dies of acute circulatory collapse, caused by lung cancer, at age 65. He had won more than 950 honors and citations worldwide, including 31 Oscars and seven Emmys. [1] [4] [6] [7] [11] [13] [22] [23] [27.80] [30.8] [36.13] [40.299] [48.354] [49.272] [50.301] [62] [84.899] [86.52] [88] [90.61] [92.118] [96.12] [99.17] [113.320] [176.26] [185.121] [190.25] [192.62] [226.11] [235.53] [238.206] [250.96] [267.297] [328.314] [370.24] [427.68] [430.53] [1073.101] [1102.631] [1300.139] [1357] [1378.188] (December 14 [108.11]) (over 700 citations, 29 Oscars, 4 Emmys [34.265])
  • Roy O. Disney, president of Walt Disney Productions, is named chairman. Donn Tatum becomes president, and Card Walker is appointed executive vice president for operations. [14] [56.97] [228.126]
December 16
  • A private funeral service is held by Walt Disney's immediate family at Little Church of the Flowers of Forest Lawn Memorial Park, in Glendale, California. [34.268] [267.299] [1073.101] [1102.633]
December 17
  • Roy Disney gives a speech to Disney management and the Imagineering team, making it clear that the company will continue to be run according to Walt's wishes. He also announces that Walt's first name would be added to the title of the Florida theme park project. [328.344]
December 18
  • The NBC TV network airs the Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color show, entitled Disneyland Around the Seasons. [228.135] [370.398]

End of 1966. Next: 1967.

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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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