#Disneyland60.....Today In Disneyland History......July 29, 2007

Beauty and the Beast Closes On Broadway

July 29, 2007

On July 29, 2007, Disney’s lavish Broadway musical Beauty a the Beast gave its final performance after 5,461 shows, making it the eighth longest running production on Broadway. Based on the 1991 animated classic film of the same name, which was in turn adapted from the French fairy tale by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont, Beauty and the Beast featured music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, and book by Linda Woolverton. Beauty and the Beast tells the story of a prince who is transformed into a hideous beast as punishment for his cruel and selfish ways, and an adventurous young woman named Belle whom he imprisons in his castle. In order to become human again, the Beast must earn Belle's love before it's too late. Seven new songs were written for the stage musical. Luckily for lovers of this all time classic tale of love, guests of Disneyland can find Beauty and the Beast playing in the Royal Theater in the new Fantasy Faire across a small stone footbridge to the left of Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough.  

Three times daily, at 3:15, 4:35 and 5:45
 audiences of all ages are treated to this abbreviated version of a beautiful tale of love and longing.  This enchanting and rollicking version of Beauty and the Beast is told by Mr. Smythe and Mr. Jones, a pair of vaudeville-style Renaissance storytellers complete with live musical accompaniment that further enhance the burlesque feel of this delightful show. Also on hand for the story telling are of course Belle and  Lumière. Following each performance, characters from the show are available to meet guests.  Audience members may even be invited to don a costume or pretend to be a character in order to aid the storytelling process. At 11:05, 12:15 and 1:30 each day, Fantasy Faire visitors can join in as Mr. Smythe and Mr. Jones bring to life Tangled.   While you’re enjoying these sensational fairy tales, be sure to try some faire from Maurice’s Treats Snack Cart. The Twisted Treats along with a Boysen Apple freeze are the perfect afternoon indulgence. And that’s what happened today in Disneyland’s history.

#Disneyland60.....Today In Disneyland History......July 28, 1951

Alice In Wonderland Released in US

July 28, 1951

On July 28, 1951, RKO Radio Pictures released Walt Disney’s 13th animated film Alice in Wonderland in U.S. theaters two days after it’s UK premier.  Featuring Kathryn Beaumont as the voice of Alice, Kathryn would later narrate the Alice in Wonderland attraction, which first opened June 14, 1958 in Fantasyland.  Alice in Wonderland is a dark ride based on the animated Disney adaptation of the movie.  The attraction resides next to a second ride, the Mad Tea Party, based on a scene in that same adaptation.  

In 1983, the ride was updated as part of an overall refurbishment of Fantasyland as the Upside-Down Room and Oversized Room were eliminated and the Mad Hatter's Tea Party was moved to the very end of the ride. A new narration track by Kathryn Beaumont was recorded. To create more unified theming in Fantasyland, the Mad Tea Party attraction was moved from a location at the rear of Fantasyland to a location adjacent to the Alice in Wonderland ride that same year. The Alice in Wonderland ride, however, did not reopen until 1984, one year after the rest of the New Fantasyland opened.  Until the most recent refurbishment in 2014, Alice herself was only seen in the singing flower garden, hidden behind a leaf to the visitors' right. Now, she is featured in several scenes.  Next time you’re in Disneyland, hop on board your very own caterpillar for a ride through the looking glass.  And that’s what happened today in Disneyland’s history.