Today in Disney History 4/8

[vizsla]

Apr. 8, 1997 – Disney’s “Mighty Ducks the Movie: The First Face Off”, was released directly to video. It featured the voices of Jim Belushi, Tim Curry, and Dennis Franz.
Apr. 8, 1998 – At Disney-MGM, Rock’n’Roller Coaster (which began construction last month) set the record for the largest “concrete pour” at a Walt Disney attraction! On this day, the gravity building’s mat foundation was poured.
Apr. 8, 1999 – The “Hook’s Pointe & Wine Cellar” Restaurant opened in the Disneyland Hotel.
Apr. 8, 2000 – Two San Francisco Bay Area robot teams joined with a New Jersey Team to win the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) national robotic games championships held at WDW’s Epcot in Florida. The NASA-sponsored competition involved 268 robots from high schools across the nation.
Apr. 8, 2001 – The classic 1924 silent film “Peter Pan, returned to Hollywood’s El Capitan Theatre. It was in honor of Walt Disney’s 100th birthday that included screenings of the 1922 animated shorts, “Little Red Riding Hood”, and “Pussin Boots”, along with family home movies.
Apr. 8, 2002 – Disney Online announced the launch of a new advertising format called “The Magic Banner” that would engage guests with animated designs in a single, enlarged ad space at the top of the page.
Apr. 8, 2002 – Orman James Tucker, an employee of Walt Disney and Technicolor during the late 1930’s and early 1940’s, died at the age of 88 in Valencia, Ca.
Apr. 8, 2004 – A memorial service was held at the New Amsterdam Theatre in N.Y.C. for the late Jason Raize. Raize, the original adult Simba in the Broadway musical “The Lion King,” passed away at age 28 last February. (Raize also provided the voice of Denahi in the 2003 Disney animated feature “Brother Bear.”)
Apr. 8, 2005 – A 5th grade class from Sonoma County’s El Verano Elementary School were honored as environmental heroes at the Disneyland Resort. Teacher David Neubacher and his students were awarded the honor during a special ceremony (which is part of Jiminy Cricket’s Environmentally Challenge Program.)
Apr. 8, 2005 – Disney’s “Kim Possible Movie: So the Drama” debuted on the Disney Channel.
Apr. 8, 2005 – Choreographer Onna White, who worked on the 1977 Disney animated-live action feature “Pete’s Dragon,” passed away in California.

[pdrlkr]

Thanks Vince!

[Jeff]