Disney Timeline Trivia

A Timeline of Walt Disney Productions and Disney Studios

• In 1923, Walt Disney signs a contract to produce a series of Alice Comedies for M.J. Winkler, which led to the creation of Disney Bros. with his brother, Roy.
• In 1928, after losing the Oswald the Lucky Rabbit series contract to Universal Pictures, Walt, Roy, and Ub Iwerks create the Mickey and Minnie Mouse characters.
• In 1937, Walt Disney releases his first full-length animated feature film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, which was a major success.
• In 1940, the studio moves to Burbank, California and becomes a publicly traded company.
• In 1941, the studio begins making propaganda films to boost U.S. morale during World War II, and a bitter animators' strike occurs.
• In 1953, WED Enterprises is formed as an umbrella organization to control the rights to Disney and Disney makes a Disneyland programming deal with American Broadcasting-Paramount Theatres to fund Disneyland.
• In 1954, Disney studio ends its distribution deal with RKO Radio Pictures and founds its own distribution arm: Buena Vista Film Distribution Company Inc.
• In 1955, Disneyland opens in Anaheim, California, The Lady and the Tramp is released, and The Mickey Mouse Club premieres on ABC television.
• In 1961, Disney studio purchased the film and merchandising rights to A.A. Milne's Winnie the Pooh books.
• In 1963, The Enchanted Tiki Room opens in Disneyland, which is the first attraction featuring audio-animatronics.
• In 1964, Disney releases Mary Poppins, which becomes the first Disney film to receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture.
• Throughout the years, Disney releases several successful films, such as Pinocchio, Fantasia, Dumbo, and Old Yeller, and creates popular TV shows, including Zorro and The Mickey Mouse Club.