- March 2
- Disney Cruise Line begins construction on two new ships, with a steel cutting ceremony at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. [1240]
- March 10
- The Walt Disney Company releases the first issue of Disney Twenty-three magazine. [1242.3]
- March 11
- At the 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of The Walt Disney Company, Disney announces the names of the company's two new cruise ships: Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy. Each ship will have 1,250 staterooms and will each be 128,000 tons. [1240] [1275]
- The live action film Race to Witch Mountain premieres at the El Capitan Theatre in California. [1248.55]
- March 15
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. A copy of a film mocks the title of the Disney film Ratatouille as "RATATOOEY". A rat on a man's head pulls two of his hairs to make him cook, like in the movie. [1271]
- March 29
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. A protest sign has four words with first letters prominently showing "ESPN", the Disney sports TV channel. [1272]
- April 5
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. "ESPN SPORTS NEWS" appears on a personal computer. [1273]
- April 19
- The Space Mountain attraction at Walt Disney World closes for refurbishment. [1245.11]
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. Someone says "I think Bart is an incredible combination of Habitat for Humanity and the Jonas Brothers." [1274]
- April 22
- Disney's Nature film division releases the film Earth in theaters in the US and Canada. [1251.19]
- 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]
- May 1
- Kidani Village opens at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge in Walt Disney World, part of Disney's Vacation Club. [1246.50]
- The Animal Kingdom Lodge building in Walt Disney World is renamed Jambo House. [1246.50]
- May 3
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the USA.
- The title of this episode, "Waverly Hills 9-0-2-1-D'oh", is a play on Disney Channel's original series Wizards of Waverly Place.
- The character Alaska Nebraska is a play on Disney's "Hanna Montana" character and TV show.
- A Tigger picture and a Winnie-the-Pooh doll appear.
[1277]
- May 6
- Stitch's SuperSonic Celebration officially opens in Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [1246.42]
- May 10
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the USA.
- A girl starts to say "Snow White and the Seven..." when a lawyer says "the story you're about to tell is the copyrighted property of the Walt Disney Corporation".
- Part of the show is a parody of Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, with seven dwarfs, song "Ho Hi" in place of "Heigh Ho", magic talking mirror, animals helping Snow White, Snow White lying under glass.
[1278]
- May 12
- The Cannes film festival opens in France, with a preview of the Disney-Pixar 3D animation comedy film Up. [2322] (May 13 [1252.41])
- May 17
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the USA.
- A house carried by balloons floats across the sky, a reference to the 2009 Disney/Pixar film Up.
- A character says "I am afraid of xylophones. It's the music you hear when skeletons are dancing.", a reference to Disney's film The Skeleton Dance.
[1279]
- May 29
- Disney releases the Pixar animated feature film Up to theaters in the USA and Canada. [1252.18]
- May 31
- The Virgin Megastore at Downtown Disney in Walt Disney World closes. [1245.10]
- June 1
- The Treehouse Villas opens at Disney's Sarasota Springs Resort and Spa in Florida, part of Disney's Vacation Club. [1246.52]
- July 3
- The Hall of Presidents officially re-opens in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, with new speeches by Barack Obama and George Washington. [1247.16]
- August 4
- The Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort opens in Florida, part of Disney's Vacation Club. [1246.17]
- Disney releases the film Race to Witch Mountain on DVD in the USA and Canada. [1253.46]
- August 15
- Death of Virginia McGhee at age 90 in Corona, California; at age 4, as Virginia Davis, played the role of Alice in Walt Disney's Alice Comedies films in 1923. [1241.A2]
- August 26
- At the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, Disney Cruise Line celebrates the keel laying of the Disney Dream cruise ship (1250 staterooms, 128,000 gross tons), scheduled to sail in 2011. [1240] [1257.42]
- August 31
- The Walt Disney Company agrees to buy Marvel Entertainment for US$4 billion. [1103]
- The Walt Disney Company announces enhancements to its Castaway Cay private island in the Bahamas, extending the Castaway Family Beach by more than 700 feet, with a new family lunch buffet location, new beverage bar, new beach rental location, new merchandise location, new 2400 square-foot water feature called Pelican Plunge, new 2400 square-foot water play area on land called Spring-a-Leak, new 1200 square-foot soft wet deck for youngsters, 20 new private beach cabanas, new Hide Out area for teens, new In Da Shade Game Pavilion, and three new massage cabanas at Serenity Bay Beach. [1240]
- September 10
- Tony Anselmo, the voice of Donald Duck, is named a Disney Legend. [1257.53]
- (to September 13) The first Disney D23 Expo is held, in Anaheim, California. [1247.7] [1248.0] [1257.53]
- September 11
- The Walt Disney Family Foundation shows film Walt and El Grupo in Los Angeles and New York. The film is about Walt Disney's 1941 goodwill tour to South America. [1255.33]
- Disney Cruise Line announces it will offer Alaskan cruises during a four-month season of seven-night sailings aboard the Disney Wonder in summer 2011, departing out of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. [1240]
- September 12
- At Disney's D23 Expo in Anaheim, California, Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, announces Fantasyland at Walt Disney World will undergo an extensive transformation and expansion, tripling in size by 2013. [1293.33]
- October 3
- A ticker-tape parade is held for Buzz Lightyear at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World to celebrate his return from 15 months in the International Space Station. [1293.21]
- October 4
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the USA. The character Shary Bobbins appears, who previously appeared in a parody of Mary Poppins. [1280]
- October 6
- Disney releases the animated film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs on Blu-Ray. Price for "Diamond Edition" is US$39.99; price for "Limited Edition Collector's Set" is US$249. [1255.12,36]
- October 14
- The Sum of All Thrills attraction opens at Epcot's Innoventions, the first ride for that building. [1293.15]
- October 18
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the USA. A character dressed for Halloween looks like Captain Jack Sparrow from Disney's film The Pirates of the Caribbean. [1281]
- October 27
- Disney Home Entertainment releases Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure on DVD (US$29.99) and Blu-Ray (US$39.99) in the USA. [1255.12,35]
- October 30
- The Disney Cruise Line announces the upcoming cruise ship Disney Dream will include the world's first shipboard water coaster ride, the Aquaduck; inside cabins will include a Virtual Porthole displaying live ocean-view video from cameras placed on the exterior of the ship, and in youth areas a 103-inch video screen will feature Crush and Stitch characters in real-time conversation with kids. [1240]
- November 10
- Disney releases the film Up on DVD and Blu-ray in the US. Included is the short film Dug's Special Mission. [1244.86] [1256.57] [1257.26]
- The Disney Cruise Line begins accepting bookings for the Disney Dream cruise line. [1240]
- November 13
- Space Mountain at Walt Disney World re-opens after seven months renovations, for a few hours per day for fine tuning. [1293.14]
- November 15
- (to March 14, 2010) The New Orleans Museum of Art in Louisiana hosts the Dreams Come True: Art of the Classic Fairy Tales From the Walt Disney Studio exhibit. [1257.19]
- November 22
- Grand re-opening of Space Mountain at Walt Disney World after seven months renovations. [1293.14]
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the USA. A bulletin board includes the note "Operation Gumbo Drop", a reference to the Disney film Operation Dumbo Drop. [1282]
- November 26
- In New York City, the 83rd annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade includes the debut of the "Sailor Mickey Balloon", about 61 feet high, filled with 14,000 cubic feet of helium. The balloon promotes the Disney Cruise Line. [1240]
- 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 11
- Disney releases the animated feature film The Princess and the Frog to theaters in the US. [1307.11] [1308.19]
- December 15
- Disney releases The Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie on DVD in the US. [1307.28]
- Disney releases G-Force on DVD in the US. [1307.28]
- December
- Groundbreaking ceremony at Hong Kong Disneyland for expansion for three new lands: Mystic Point, Grizzly Gulch, and Toy Story Land. [1294.61]
- 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
-
- The cover of Linn's U.S. Stamp Yearbook 2008 shows a Disney Dalmatians 42-cent stamp on the cover. [1287.76]
- January 10
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the USA. A person's long last name ends with "Mulan Pocahontas", names of two Disney films. [1284]
- January 29
- At Walt Disney World in Florida, IBM's redesigned "Smarter Planet" exhibit opens in Innoventions of Epcot. [1103]
- January 31
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the USA. A talking mirror appears, a reference to the one in Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. [1301]
- February 21
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the USA. A child says "Dreams are where Elmo and Toy Story are" and he holds up a drawing of Buzz Lightyear. [1302]
- February 23
- Captain EO re-opens in Tomorrowland Theater in Disneyland. [1294.61]
- March 3
- (to May 16) The Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival is held at Epcot Center. [1293.13]
- March 5
- Disney releases the film Alice in Wonderland to theaters in the US. [1307.38] [1313.56]
- March 21
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the USA. Several short clips of famous (or made up) romance movie scenes appear, including Lady and the Tramp, and Wall-E. [1303]
- March 27
- The live musical show Villains Tonight! premieres aboard the Disney Magic. [1240]
- April 22
- Disney releases the Disneynature film Oceans in theaters. [1310.15]
- April 26
- Disney Cruise Line's Disney Magic cruise ship makes its maiden call at the Valletta Waterfront, Malta. [1240]
- May 2
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the USA. The Mary Poppins character appears flying with her umbrella. A character says "We're like Jiminy Cricket for the whole ding-dang town." [1304]
- 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]
- May 23
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the USA. The opening chalkboard scene reads "END OF "LOST": IT WAS ALL THE DOG'S DREAM. WATCH US.", referring to the Disney/ABC TV series finale. [1306]
- May 28
- Disney releases the feature film Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time to theaters. The movie is based on the Prince of Persia series of computer/videogames, first released in 1987. [1103]
- June 6
- (to August 14) Summer Nightastic is held at Walt Disney World, with special evening events. [1312.22]
- June 18
- Disney releases the animated film Toy Story 3 in theaters in the USA. (Worldwide ticket sales for the opening weekend: US$153.8 million.) [1103] [1309.20] [1319.38]
- June 24
- Comedy Central airs the Futurama TV show in the USA. A movie theater is playing "That Darn Cyclops", a reference to Disney's film That Darn Cat. [1325]
- July 15
- Comedy Central airs the Futurama TV show in the USA. A game show is played called "Who Dares to Be a Millionaire?", mocking the Disney TV show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?. [1326]
- July 16
- Disney releases the live-action feature film The Sorcerer's Apprentice to theaters in the USA. [1309.23]
- August 5
- Comedy Central airs the Futurama TV show in the USA. The episode title "That Darn Katz!" is a play on Disney's 1965 film That Darn Cat!. [1327]
- August
- Toy Story Playland opens in Disneyland Paris, with Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop, Slinky Dog Zigzag Spin, and RC Racer. [1312.22]
- August 26
- Comedy Central airs the Futurama TV show in the USA. An announcer says "We interrupt our program of the Jonas Brothers and their orchestra..." [1328]
- September 6
- The Maliboomer ride closes in Paradise Pier area of Disney's California Adventure. [1312.61]
- September 7
- Final ride of Star Tours at Hollywood Studios in Florida by Disney's D23 club members. [1312.18]
- Square Enix releases the Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep video game for the PlayStation Portable in the US. [1316.97] [1318.84]
- September 14
- (to November 1) Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom hosts "Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party". [1312.35]
- September 26
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. The episode title, "Elementary School Musical", is a play on Disney's film High School Musical. [1329]
- October 2
- Last live stage performance of High School Musical 3: Senior Year in Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World. [1312.15]
- October 3
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US.
- The title of a cartoon TV show "P.U." and style of writing it in the sky, and entire theme of the cartoon is reference to Disney-Pixar film Up.
- Clouds in sky look like Mike from Monster's Inc, Wall-E from Wall-E, and Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story.
[1330]
- October 22
- Start of new street show Disney Channel Rocks in Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World. [1312.15]
- October 30
- The Disney Dream cruise ship floats out from the Meyer Werft shipyard at Papenburg, Germany. [1240]
- November 25
- Disney Interactive Studios releases the Epic Mickey video game for the Nintendo Wii in the US. [1314.33] [1317.90] [1321.24]
- November 28
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. A cartoon shows a dog in a dream on trial by cats like in Disney's film Pluto's Judgement Day. [1331]
- November 30
- Disney releases Fantasia and Fantasia 2000 on Blu-Ray in the US. [1314.33]
- December 7
- Disney Interactive Studios releases the Tron: Evolution video game for most video game platforms in the US. [1317.80] [1318.73] [1341.1] [1343.1]
- December 10
- Disney Cruise Line takes possession of the Disney Dream cruise ship from the Meyer Werft shipyard in Bremerhaven, Germany. [1240]
2011
- January 11
- Square Enix releases Kingdom Hearts Re:Coded for the Nintendo DS in the US. [1315.36] [1317.41] [1320.97]
- January 26
- The Disney Cruise Line's Disney Dream cruise ship begins its maiden voyage, from Port Canaveral, Florida. [1240] [1337.40]
- February 11
- The Meyer Werft shipyard lays the keel for the Disney Cruise Line cruise ship Disney Fantasy (4000 passengers). [1240]
- February 20
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US.
- Movie posters in an animation studio are parodies of Monsters, Inc. ("Monsters. Ltd."), The Lion King ("The Lyin' King"), and The Incredibles ("The Not-So-Incredibles");
- a character says "it's like meeting Mickey Mouse and Walt Disney at the same time";
- characters representing the animation studio "Mixar" appear, as a parody of Pixar Animation Studios;
- a girl says to the Mixar crew "I've seen all of your movies except Cars";
- "Randy" plays and sings a song "You've got an enemy" mocking "You've Got a Friend" from Toy Story;
- a Mr. Carrot Head character appears, similar to Mr. Potato Head from Toy Story;
- the Wall-E robot from Disney's Wall-E appears.
[1332]
- March 1
- Disney releases the Pirates of the Caribbean film series on Blu-Ray in the US. [1346.8]
- April 5
- Disney releases the film Tron: Legacy on Blu-Ray and DVD in the US. [1346.1]
- May 3
- Disney Cruise Line's Disney Wonder (1754 passengers) begins its first cruises from Vancouver, Canada, to Alaska, USA. [1311.15]
- May 8
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. A character tells about watching the Finding Nemo movie, watching a chapter where Nemo loses his mother. [1333]
- May 20
- Disney releases the film Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides to theaters in the US. [1347.48]
- June 24
- Disney releases the Pixar animated film Cars 2 to theaters in the US. [1349.37]
- August 19
- The US Postal Service issues five "forever"-value first-class postage stamps depicting characters from Pixar films: Cars, Ratatouille, Toy Story, Up, Wall-E. [1322.1]
- October 25
- Disney releases the Disney Universe video game in the US. [1351.35] [1352.34]
- November 24
- Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York includes a giant inflated Captain Mickey balloon representing Disney Cruise Line. [1240]
- December 9
- At the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany, several water valves are left open on the Disney Fantasy cruise ship, under construction. Damage totalling about 1 million euros is caused to about 40 cabins. [1240]
- December 17
- Disney releases the film TRON: Legacy to theaters in the US. [1343.8]
2012
- February 9
- Disney Cruise Line takes possession of the Disney Fantasy cruise ship from the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany. [1240]
- 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 20
- Disney Nature releases the Chimpanzee film to theaters. [1358.19]
- May 25
- 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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