Today In Disney History: Disney Acquires Rights to Zorro

On this day in Disney history, Walt Disney Productions acquired the television rights to the character Zorro from writer Mitchell Gertz. This deal set the stage for the classic Disney’s Zorro TV series that debuted in 1957 and became one of the studio’s most beloved live-action shows, running for 78 episodes and helping solidify Disney’s presence on television in the 1950s.

Today In Disney History: The Disney Inn Becomes Shades of Green

On this day in Disney history, The Disney Inn at Walt Disney World was leased by the U.S. Department of Defense and eventually renamed Shades of Green. The resort was dedicated to serving active-duty service members, veterans, and their families. The name honors the various “shades of green” worn by U.S. military personnel and the resort continues to operate as an Armed Forces Recreation Center on Disney property. 

Today In Disney History: Ollie Johnston and Frank Thomas Retire

On January 31, 1978, two of Walt Disney’s most celebrated animators, Ollie Johnston and Frank Thomas, officially retired from The Walt Disney Company. Both were part of Walt’s famed Nine Old Men, the core team of animators behind some of Disney’s most beloved classics — including Pinocchio, Sleeping Beauty, Bambi, Cinderella, and Peter Pan. After their retirement, Johnston and Thomas continued to influence the animation world through lectures, consulting work, and co-authoring the influential book Disney Animation: The Illusion of Life, which remains a cornerstone reference on the craft of animation. Both men were honored as Disney Legends in 1989. 

In Memoriam: Catherine O’Hara (1954-2026)

Catherine O'Hara, the Emmy Award-winning actress who starred in "Home Alone" and "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York" as Kate McCallister, as well as in "The Nightmare Before Christmas," where she voiced Sally, has passed away at 71. O'Hara was born on March 4, 1954, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She started her acting career in 1974 as a cast member of The Second City (an improvisational comedy group) in her hometown of Toronto. 

Her Disney (and Disney-adjacent) filmography includes,  "Dick Tracy" where she played Texie Garcia, "Betsy's Wedding" where she played Gloria Henner, Tim Burton's "The Nightmare Before Christmas" where she voiced Sally as well as Shock of Lock, Shock, and Barrel, "A Simple Twist of Fate" where she played Mrs. Simon, "Tall Tale" where she played Calamity Jane, "Chicken Little" where she voiced Tina (the alien mom), "Brother Bear 2" where she voiced Kata, "Frankenweenie" where she voiced Susan Frankenstein, weird Girl, and Gym Teacher and "Elemental" where she voiced Brook Ripple. Additionally, she provided the voice of Morgana in a 2016 episode of "Sofia the First". She served as the narrator for the EPCOT attraction "Canada: Far and Wide," a 360-degree panoramic film located in the Canada Pavilion. 

Episode 199 - From Oozma Kappa to the Scare Floor

Welcome to Episode 199 of the Talking Disney Podcast.

In this episode, we talk about the MiceChat Gumball Rally quickly approaching, Disneyland Handcrafted is out, Zootopia 2 is available on digital, plus much more. We continue our journey of watching and discussing the Disney-Pixar animated films, with Monsters University. 

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Today In Disney History: IllumiNations Debuts at Epcot

IllumiNations debuts at EPCOT at the Walt Disney World Resort on this day in 1988, replacing Laserphonic Fantasy. The 14 minute nighttime spectacular featured striking fireworks and laser show, set over the World Showcase Lagoon, became one of the park’s most beloved evening traditions, combining pyrotechnics, music, and choreographed lighting to celebrate global unity and storytelling.

“Good evening, and welcome to World Showcase. Tonight we are pleased to present a visual journey, an international fantasy of music and light. We're about to embark on a sparkling abstract expedition around World Showcase. With the music as your passport, we'll discover sights and sounds from colorful ports of call. And to celebrate our journey, the countries will be united by the festive elements of water, fire, and light. And now, let your imagination be your guide, as EPCOT Center proudly presents IllumiNations.”

IllumiNations represented a major evolution in Disney Parks entertainment, broadening the idea of what a nighttime spectacular could be at Walt Disney World. Instead of relying solely on fireworks, it introduced a synchronized, story-centered presentation crafted to be experienced from all sides of the lagoon. That approach paved the way for the more narrative‑rich nighttime shows that later emerged across Disney parks around the globe.

It would have its final show on September 20, 1996, replaced by IllumiNations 25 (A) on September 21, 1996. 

Today In Disney History: Walt Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Released

Walt Disney’s sixteenth animated feature film Sleeping Beauty is released on this day in 1959. Produced by Walt Disney Productions and distributed by Buena Vista Film Distribution.

Sleeping Beauty tells the story of Princess Aurora, a young royal cursed at birth by Maleficent to fall into an eternal sleep on her sixteenth birthday. Raised in secret by three good fairies—Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather—Aurora grows up unaware of her true identity until fate draws her back to the kingdom and into the path of the curse. When Maleficent’s spell is fulfilled, the fairies rally to protect the realm and guide Prince Phillip on a perilous quest to defeat the evil fairy. Through courage, love, and magic, the curse is finally broken, restoring peace and awakening Aurora to her happily ever after.

Directed by Clyde Geronimi (Supervising Director), Eric Larson (Sequence Director), Wolfgang Reitherman (Sequence Director), Les Clark (Sequence Director) and produced by Walt Disney. Starring the voices of Mary Costa (Princess Aurora), Bill Shirley (Prince Phillip), Eleanor Audrey (Maleficent), Verna Felton (Flora and Queen Leah), Barbara Luddy (Merryweather), Barbara Jo Allen (Fauna), Taylor Holmes (King Stefan), Bill Thompson (King Hubert). Directing Animatirs included Marc Davis, Ollie Johnston, Milt Kahl, John Lounsberry, Frank Thomas. 

We talked about Sleeping Beauty on Episode 65 (Click Here) of the Talking Disney Podcast

Today In Disney History: Goofy’s How to Be a Sailor Released

The Goofy animated cartoon short film How to Be a Sailor is released on this day in 1944. Produced by Walt Disney Productions and distributed by RKO Radio Pictures, Inc. 

In the film, Goofy demonstrates methods of sea navigation from early vessels to modern ships, and engages in a battle with the Japanese fleet.

Directed by Jack Kinney and produced by Walt Disney. Starring the voices of Pinto Colvig (Goofy) and John McLeish (Narrator). Animated by Edwin Aardal (Aninator), Don DaGradi (Layout Artist), Andy Engman (Animator), Becky Fallberg (Ink & Paint Artist), Hugh Fraser (Animator), Jeanne Lee Keil (Ink & Paint Artist), Hal King (Animator), Cliff Nordberg (Assistant Animator), John Sibley (Animator), Edna Smith (Ink & Paint). 

Disney’s 2026 Upcoming Movie Releases

Here is the latest list of Disney movies releasing in 2026, that we will no doubt be talking about. Some movies are coming that we really want to see, and others we do not really care to see, but will for the sake of the blog. I am including all movies and films that fall under The Walt Disney Studios banner, including Walt Disney Pictures, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Lucasfilm, Marvel Studios, Searchlight Pictures, and 20th Century Studios. 

Send Help (January 30, 2026) - 20th Century Studios

• Directed by Sam Raimi
• Written by Damian Shannon, Mark Swift
• Produced by Sam Raimi, Zainab Azizi
• Starring Rachel McAdams, Dylan O'Brien

Psycho Killer (February 20, 2026) - 20th Century Studios

• Directed by Gavin Pollen
• Written by Andrew Kevin Walker
• Produced by Roy Lee, Matt Berenson, Andrew Kevin Walker, Arnon Milchan
• Starring Georgina Campbell, James Preston Rogers, Malcolm McDowell

Today In Disney History: Toy Story Funhouse Opens at Disneyland

Toy Story Funhouse opened at Disneyland on this day in 1996. During Pixar’s Toy Story run from November 19, 1995 through January 1, 1996, at the El Capitan Theatre, audiences were also treated to a three-level amusement center, themed to the first fully computer-generated feature film. After its run, elements of the amusement center were then moved to Disneyland.

Located in the building that previously housed Mission to Mars (closed on November 2, 1992), the area featured opportunities to interact with the Toy Story characters, learn the two-step from Woody, tackle the Green Army Men obstacle course (while wearing a “base” on your feet like the toys), and play with a giant Lite Brite and Spirograph walls. Guests were also treated to a live stage presentation, Hamm’s All Doll Revue. 

Toy Story Funhouse would close on May 27, 1996, and the location would sit empty for nearly two years before Redd Rocket’s Pizza Planet opened on May 22, 1998, and later renamed Alien Pizza Planet on April 13, 2018. 

Newspaper ad featuring Toy Story Funhouse.