This Week in Disney History: March 29 - April 4

April 2, 1954 - Walt Disney announces Disneyland Park and television show plans
On a bench in Los Angeles' Griffith Park, Walt Disney dreamed of a place where parents and children could have fun together. Imagining it was one challenge, but financing it was quite another, forcing Disney to look for outside help. The ABC television network agreed to become a partner in exchange for several considerations, including original programming. Once both boards finalized the 35% stake, two "Disneylands" were announced - the park and a television series. ABC debuted the first episode on October 27, 1954, treating viewers to an exclusive look at the park under construction as well as production work on Sleeping Beauty and Davy Crockett. The "Disneyland" television series would continue under various names through 2008, including "Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color" and "The Magical World of Disney."

April 1, 1995 - Blizzard Beach opens at the Walt Disney World Resort
According to legend, a freak snow storm once blanketed the southwest corner of Walt Disney World, and enterprising locals took advantage, creating Florida's first ski resort on Mount Gushmore. But when the usual hot weather returned, the black diamond runs and bobsled tracks melted away to create some of the world's most thrilling toboggan runs. (It's implausible, but then again, this place did open on April Fool's Day.) Walt Disney World's second water park features a family-friendly mix of unique and exciting attractions, but for many the signature ride remains Summit Plummet. Perched atop a ski jump launch, daring riders plunge down this 120 foot tall incline hitting near freeway speeds; fittingly, there's a radar gun at the bottom displaying yours. Learn more about Blizzard Beach's 15th anniversary in the March 25 issue of Eyes and Ears.

March 29:
1998 - Disney hosts Central Park event in New York City for the opening of Disney's Animal Kingdom
2002 - Walt Disney Pictures releases The Rookie

March 30:
1997 - The Disney's Wide World of Sports box office officially opens
2007 - Walt Disney Pictures releases the computer animated feature Meet the Robinsons

March 31:
1958 - Grand Canyon diorama (part of the Disneyland Railroad) opens at Disneyland Park
1999 - Touchstone Pictures releases 10 Things I Hate About You
2000 - Touchstone Pictures releases High Fidelity
2002 - Primeval Whirl opens at Disney's Animal Kingdom

April 1:
1974 - Pioneer Hall opens at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground

April 2:
1940 - Walt Disney Productions becomes a publically traded company, offering stock for the first time
2007 - Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor opens at Magic Kingdom Park

April 3:
1994 - Frank G. Wells, President of The Walt Disney Company, dies in a helicopter accident

April 4:
1954 - Joe Fowler is hired as a construction supervisor for Disneyland Park; he later becomes its operations manager, then a key executive in the construction of the Walt Disney World Resort
1994 - Michael Eisner assumes the presidency of The Walt Disney Company following Frank Wells' death