A Brief Timeline of the Walt Disney Company

Copyright © 2022 Ken Polsson
internet e-mail: ken@kpolsson.com
All rights reserved. Permission is granted to create web links
to this site, not to copy these pages to other web sites.
The current version is available on the author's site at: http://kpolsson.com/disnehis/mini.htm
A longer detailed timeline is available here: http://kpolsson.com/disnehis/

Last updated: 2022 March 21.


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1922

May
  • In Missouri, Walt Disney incorporates Laugh-O-gram Films, using the assets of the failed Iwwerks-Disney Commercial Artists venture, and US$15,000 from local investors. Within a year, the company is bankrupt.

1923

October
  • In California, Walt and Roy Disney form the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, with a contract to produce "Alice Comedy" films about a live girl in an animated world. About 55 films in this series are produced over the next four years.

1927

March
  • The Disney studio begins producing "Oswald the Lucky Rabbit" films, indirectly for Universal Pictures. 26 films are produced in just over a year.

1928

March
  • The Disney studio loses its contract (and many animators) to produce Oswald the Lucky Rabbit films.
  • Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks develop the Mickey Mouse character.
November
  • The first Mickey Mouse film, Steamboat Willie, debuts at the Colony Theater in New York. This is the first cartoon designed for use with a soundtrack.

1929

May
  • Disney releases the first Silly Symphony film, The Skeleton Dance. This series allowed animators to experiment and try new ideas.
December
  • Walt Disney Productions is formed, with divisions handling film production, real estate, and merchandising.

1930

January
  • The New York Mirror newspaper publishes the first Mickey Mouse comic strip.
September
  • The film Chain Gang debuts Pluto.

1932

May
  • The film Mickey's Revue debuts Goofy, as "Dippy Dawg".
July
  • Disney releases the first full-color animated film, the Silly Symphony Flowers and Trees.
November
  • Walt Disney receives the first Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences award (Oscar) for a cartoon, for Flowers and Trees. Walt also receives an Honorable Mention Oscar for the creation of Mickey Mouse.

1934

June
  • Donald Duck debuts in the Silly Symphony film The Wise Little Hen. Donald Duck's distinctive voice is supplied by Clarence Nash.

1937

December
  • Disney releases the first feature-length animated film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

1940

February
  • Disney releases the animated feature film Pinocchio.
November
  • Disney releases the animated feature film Fantasia.

1941

October
  • Disney releases the animated feature film Dumbo to theaters.

1942

August
  • Disney releases the animated feature film Bambi.

1946

November
  • Disney releases the live-action and animated feature film Song of the South.

1950

February
  • Disney releases the animated feature film Cinderella.
July
  • Disney releases its first entirely live-action film, Treasure Island.
December
  • Walt Disney makes his television debut in One Hour in Wonderland.

1951

July
  • Disney releases the animated feature film Alice in Wonderland.

1953

February
  • Disney releases the animated feature film Peter Pan.

1954

October
  • The ABC TV network begins airing the weekly Disneyland television show.

1955

June
  • Disney releases the animated feature film Lady and the Tramp.
July
  • Disneyland opens in Anaheim, California.
October
  • The ABC TV network begins airing Disney's second television show, The Mickey Mouse Club.

1959

January
  • Disney releases the animated feature film Sleeping Beauty.
June
  • Additions to Disneyland include the Monorail, Matterhorn Bobsleds, Submarine Voyage, and a second Autopia.

1961

January
  • Disney releases the animated feature film One Hundred and One Dalmations.
September
  • Disney's weekly television show moved to the NBC TV network, with the new title Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color. A new character, Ludwig von Drake, is introduced.

1963

June
  • The Enchanted Tiki Room attraction opens in Disneyland. This is the first attraction with sophisticated Audio-Animatronics figures.

1964

April
  • The New York World's Fair includes four attractions built by Disney: Magic Skyway, Progressland, Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, and It's a Small World.
August
  • Disney releases the live-action and animated feature film Mary Poppins. The film is nominated for thirteen Academy Awards, winning five.

1966

February
  • Disney releases the animated film Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree.
December
  • Walt Disney dies of lung cancer. His brother Roy becomes new chairman of the company.

1967

July
  • In Disneyland, the Tomorrowland area is updated with new attractions, including: Carousel of Progress, PeopleMover, Rocket Jets, and Adventure Through Inner Space.

1970

December
  • Disney releases the animated feature film The Aristocats.

1971

June
  • Disneyland welcomes its 100-millionth guest.
October
  • Walt Disney World opens in Orlando, Florida. The Magic Kingdom, similar to Disneyland, is the first park to open.
December
  • Roy Oliver Disney dies of a stroke. Don Tatum becomes new chairman of the company.

1973

November
  • Disney releases the animated feature film Robin Hood.

1975

January
  • The Space Mountain enclosed roller coaster attraction opens in Walt Disney World.

1979

September
  • The Big Thunder Mountain Railroad attraction opens in Disneyland.
October
  • Walt Disney World welcomes its 100-millionth guest.

1980

June
  • Card Walker becomes new chairman of Walt Disney Productions.

1981

January
  • Disneyland welcomes its 200-millionth guest.
July
  • Disney releases the animated feature film The Fox and the Hound.

1982

October
  • EPCOT Center opens at Walt Disney World, with pavilions representing eight countries.

1983

April
  • Tokyo Disneyland opens, in Japan.
  • The Disney Channel, a cable-television network, begins broadcasting.
May
  • Raymond Watson replaces Card Walker as chairman of Walt Disney Productions.
October
  • Disney releases the animated film Mickey's Christmas Carol, with the first appearance of Mickey Mouse on film since 1953.

1984

March
  • Touchstone Pictures releases its first film, Splash.
  • Roy Edward Disney resigns from the board of directors, and begins work on changing Disney's executives.
  • Saul Steinberg attempts a takeover of Disney, acquiring about 12% of outstanding stock, before being bought out by Disney for US$325 million.
September
  • Disney's board of directors vote unanimously for Michael Eisner as chairman and chief executive officer, and Frank Wells as president and chief operating officer. Roy Edward Disney becomes head of the animation division.

1985

(month unknown)
  • Walt Disney World welcomes its 200-millionth guest.

1986

September
  • The 3-D film Captain EO, starring Michael Jackson, opens in the Magic Eye Theater in EPCOT Center.

1987

November
  • Touchstone Pictures releases the film Three Men and a Baby, which becomes Disney's first film to earn over US$100 million.

1988

June
  • Touchstone Pictures releases the live-action and animated feature film Who Framed Roger Rabbit. The film cost over US$80 million to make and market. Donald Duck and Daffy Duck meet on-screen for the first time. The film receives four Academy Awards.
(month unknown)
  • Disney releases the film Cinderella on videocassette, selling 6 million copies for US$100 million.
December
  • Disney becomes Hollywood's top money-making film studio for the first time in its history.

1989

May
  • The Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park opens in Walt Disney World.
July
  • The Splash Mountain log ride attraction opens in Disneyland, with 105 Audio-Animatronic characters based on the 1946 film Song of the South.
September
  • Disneyland welcomes its 300-millionth guest.
November
  • Disney releases the animated feature film The Little Mermaid.

1991

May
  • Tokyo Disneyland welcomes its 100-millionth guest.
November
  • Disney releases the film Fantasia on video cassette. Over 14 million copies are sold, making it the biggest selling video to date.
  • Disney releases the animated feature film Beauty and the Beast. The film is nominated for a Best Picture Academy Award, the first for an animated film.

1992

April
  • The Euro Disney Resort, featuring the Euro Disneyland park, opens in Marne-la-Vallée, France.
November
  • Disney releases the animated feature film Aladdin.

1994

June
  • Disney releases the animated feature film The Lion King to theaters.
July
  • The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror attraction opens at Disney-MGM Studios.

1995

April
  • Disney releases the animated feature film A Goofy Movie to theaters in the USA.
July
  • Disney buys the ABC TV network for US$19 billion.
October
  • Walt Disney World welcomes its 500-millionth guest.
November
  • Disney releases the Pixar computer-animated feature film Toy Story.

1996

(month unknown)
  • Disney's Celebration city in Florida opens.

1998

April
  • Disney's Animal Kingdom opens in Walt Disney World.
June
  • Disney releases the animated feature film Mulan to theaters in the USA.
July
  • Disney launches its first cruise ship, the Disney Magic.
November
  • Disney releases the Pixar computer-animated feature film A Bug's Life to theaters in the USA.

1999

June
  • Disney releases the animated feature film Tarzan to theaters in the USA.
November
  • Disney releases the Pixar computer-animated feature film Toy Story 2 to theaters in the USA.
December
  • Disney releases the animated feature film Fantasia/2000.

2000

December
  • Disney releases the film The Emperor's New Groove to theaters in the USA.

2001

January
  • Downtown Disney opens in the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California.
February
  • Disney's California Adventure theme park opens, next to Disneyland.
June
  • Disney releases the animated feature film Atlantis: The Lost Empire to theaters in the USA.
September
  • In Japan, Tokyo DisneySea opens, featuring seven themed areas with 23 attractions.
November
  • Disney releases the Pixar computer-animated feature film Monsters, Inc. to theaters in the USA.

2002

March
  • The Walt Disney Studios Park theme park opens next to Disneyland Paris in France.
June
  • The Disney Channel debuts the animated Kim Possible TV show.
  • Disney releases the animated feature film Lilo & Stitch to theaters in the USA.
November
  • Disney releases the animated feature film Treasure Planet to theaters in the USA.

2003

March
  • Disney releases the animated feature film Piglet's Big Movie to theaters in the USA.
May
  • Disney releases the Disney-Pixar computer-animated feature film Finding Nemo to theaters in the USA.
July
  • Disney releases the live-action feature film Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl to theaters in the USA.
August
  • Disney releases the live-action feature film Freaky Friday to theaters in the USA.
October
  • Disney releases the animated feature film Brother Bear to theaters in the USA.

2004

April
  • Disney releases the animated feature film Home on the Range to theaters in the USA.
November
  • Disney releases the Disney-Pixar computer-animated feature film The Incredibles to theaters in the USA.

2005

June
  • Disney releases the live-action feature film Herbie: Fully Loaded to theaters in the USA.
July
  • Disneyland celebrates its 50th anniversary, with a re-dedication ceremony.
September
  • Hong Kong Disneyland opens.
  • Michael Eisner resigns as CEO of the Walt Disney Company; Robert Iger becomes new CEO.
November
  • Disney releases the computer-animated feature film Chicken Little to theaters in the USA.

2006

March
  • Disney releases the live-action feature film The Shaggy Dog to theaters in the USA.
April
  • Disney releases the computer-animated feature film The Wild in theaters.
June
  • Disney releases the Disney-Pixar computer-animated feature film Cars to theaters in the USA.

2007

May
  • Disney releases the film Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End to theaters.
June
  • Disney releases the animated film Ratatouille to theaters.

Sources:

  1. Polsson, K.R. 2022. Chronology of the Walt Disney Company. http://kpolsson.com/disnehis/

Last updated: 2022 March 21.
Copyright © 2022 Ken Polsson (email: ken@kpolsson.com).
URL=http://kpolsson.com/disnehis/mini.htm
Link to Ken P's home page.

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