This Week in Disney History: March 22-28

March 24, 1972 - Country Bear Jamboree opens at Disneyland Park
Originally envisioned by Walt Disney as entertainment at his never-built Mineral King ski resort, Imagineer Marc Davis would bring this audio-animatronic showcase to Disneyland Park’s newly christened Bear Country after its successful debut at Magic Kingdom Park in 1971. A musical revue (penned by X. Atencio and George Bruns) performed by a troupe of friendly bears including host Henry, starlet Teddi Barra and guitarist/occasional Elvis impersonator Liver Lips McGrowl, the show later spread to Tokyo Disneyland and inspired two holiday versions. The Country Bears’ Disneyland Park run ended in 2001 to make way for The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, but look carefully inside the attraction and you might spot the animal head trio of Max, Buff and Melvin keeping a watchful eye over the Hundred Acre Wood.

March 28, 1987 - The first Disney Store opens
Need an oversized Mickey Mouse plush, but you’re hundreds of miles from your nearest Disney resort? Not to worry - just head to your local Disney Store. The original location opened this date at the Glendale Galleria mall near Los Angeles. Visitors can peruse exclusive and limited-edition merchandise from clothing and home decor to collectibles, and can even book their next Disney vacation. Magic is also available at disneystore.com, where shoppers can personalize their items. Disney Store will soon be revitalizing its more than 200 North American locations with a “destination” shopping concept, and a new flagship store will open in New York City’s Times Square later this year.

March 22:
1975 - Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village (now called Downtown Disney Marketplace) opens

March 23:
1969 - Disneyland Park hosts Herbie Day, featuring a parade of Volkswagen Beetles down Main Street, U.S.A. (promoting the film The Love Bug)
1990 - Touchstone Pictures releases Pretty Woman
2000 - Disney’s Aida, featuring music by Elton John and Tim Rice, opens in New York City

March 24:
1956 - Astro-Jets opens at Disneyland Park
1987 - Michael Eisner and French prime minister Jacques Chirac signs the Euro Disney protocol to bring the new Disneyland Resort Paris to France
2006 - “Hannah Montana” (television series) debuts on Disney Channel

March 25:
1969 - President Nixon presents Lillian Disney with a special gold medal honoring Walt for “Distinguished Public Service and Outstanding Contributions to the Public and the World"
1990 - Disneyana Shop opens at Hospitality House at the Magic Kingdom Park
1994 - Walt Disney Pictures releases D2: The Mighty Ducks

March 26:
1994 - Food Rocks opens at The Land at Epcot
1995 - Disneyland Park hosts its first marathon and 5K run

March 27:
1961 - Snow White Grotto opens at Disneyland Park
1986 - Bob Hope helps officiate the groundbreaking of the Disney-MGM Studios
1989 - The new Walt Disney World Casting Center opens
2005 - “Grey’s Anatomy” debuts on ABC
2009 - “Celebrate! A Street Party” debuts at Disneyland Park

March 28:
1987 - Port of Entry opens at Epcot
1997 - The first game is held at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Baseball Stadium (now Champion Stadium) between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds

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