Major Disney anniversaries to commemorate in 2022
There will be a number of major Disney anniversaries and milestones to commemorate in 2022, even as Walt Disney World continues to celebrate its 50th anniversary for the remainder of the year.
There will be another 50th anniversary to celebrate in 2022 as the Main Street Electrical Parade not only returns to Disneyland, but will be celebrating its 50th anniversary. In addition, EPCOT will celebrate its 40th anniversary, Star Tours celebrates is 35th anniversary and one of the Fab Five – Goofy – turns 90.
There are many more attractions, movies and events reaching round-number milestone anniversaries this year. Plus, we’ve included some big Disney birthdays. Here are Disney anniversaries in 2022 to watch for:
January
Jan. 1, 1888: Elias Disney and Flora Call are married in Acron, Fla., a town in eastern Lake County. They are the parents of Walt and Roy Disney. (134rd anniversary)
Jan. 7, 1992: Voyage of the Little Mermaid at Disney’s Hollywood Studios opens. (30th anniversary)
Jan. 7, 2008: Disney-MGM Studios changes its name to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. (14th anniversary)
Jan. 9, 1987: Star Tours opens at Disneyland. (35th anniversary)
Jan. 11, 2017: Iron Man Experience opens at Hong Kong Disneyland. (5th anniversary)
Jan. 17, 1977: The new Mickey Mouse Club airs. (45th anniversary)
Jan. 18, 1882: A.A. Milne, the creator of Winnie-the-Pooh, is born. (149th anniversary)
Jan. 26, 1972: “The Mouse Factory” debuts on television. (50th anniversary)
Jan. 31, 1956: A.A. Milne, the creator of Winnie-the-Pooh passes away at the age of 74. (66th anniversary)
February
Feb. 6, 1986: Walt Disney Productions officially changes its name to The Walt Disney Company. (36th anniversary)
Feb. 11, 1987: The Walt Disney Company re-incorporated in Delaware. (35th anniversary)
Feb. 22, 2012: Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom debuts. (10th anniversary)
Feb. 29, 2012: Disney’s Up All night Dance Party at Magic Kingdom takes place. (5th anniversary)
March
March 1, 2012: Maiden voyage of the Disney Fantasy. (10th anniversary)
March 11, 1977: The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh premieres. (45th anniversary)
March 15, 2020: Walt Disney World closes at the end of business due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This is the seventh time in history Disney World has closed its doors. (2nd anniversary)
March 16, 1992: Walt Disney Studios, Paris, opens. (30th anniversary)
March 17, 2017: The live-action Beauty and the Beast premieres. (5th anniversary)
March 18, 1967- Disneyland’s Pirates of the Caribbean opens. (55th anniversary)
March 23, 2012: Disney Junior replaces SOAPnet on cable television. (10th anniversary)
March 24, 1987: Euro Disneyland agreement signed in France. (35th anniversary)
March 28, 1987: First Disney Store opens, in Glendale Galleria. (35th anniversary)
March 28, 1997: Disney’s Wide World of Sports baseball stadium opened to the public for the first time (Atlanta Braves/Cincinnati Reds exhibition game). (25th anniversary)
March 29, 2012: Opening night of Newsies on Broadway. (10th anniversary)
March 30, 2007: “Meet the Robinsons” film premieres. (15th anniversary)
April
April 2, 1997: The inauguration ceremony officially opened the New Amsterdam Theatre in New York City. (25th anniversary)
April 2, 2007: Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor opens at Magic Kingdom. (15th anniversary)
April 10, 1992: “Newsies” film premieres. (30th anniversary)
April 12, 1992: Disneyland Paris opens (30th anniversary)
April 15, 1938: Huey, Dewey and Louie debut in the short “Donald’s Nephews.” (84th anniversary)
April 26, 2017: iCan the Showbot premieres in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom. (5th anniversary)
May
May 1, 1972: Walt Disney World Railroad – Frontierland station opens. (50th anniversary)
May 4, 2012: Marvel’s “The Avengers” premieres. (10th anniversary)
May 5, 2017 Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2 premieres. (5th anniversary)
May 18, 2012: Meet Merida at Fairytale Garden at Magic Kingdom opens. (10th anniversary)
May 5, 1987: First Disney Dollars sold at Disneyland. (35th anniversary)
May 9, 1955: Kermit the Frog first appears in the premiere of Sam and Friends on local Washington, D.C., television station WRC-TV. (67th anniversary)
May 12, 2017: Nemo & Friends SeaRider opens at Tokyo DisneySea. (5th anniversary)
May 12, 2017: Happily Ever After fireworks show at Magic Kingdom premieres.
May 13, 1992 – Disneyland’s Fantasmic! debuts. (20th anniversary)
May 25, 1932: Goofy makes his first appearance in “Mickey’s Revue.” (90th anniversary)
May 26, 2017: “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales” film premieres. (5th anniversary)
May 27, 1977: Disneyland’s Space Mountain opens. (45th anniversary)
May 27, 1977 – Disneyland’s Starcade opens. (45th anniversary)
May 27, 2017: Guardians of the Galaxy–Mission BREAKOUT! opens at Disney California Adventure. (5th anniversary)
May 27, 2017: Pandora—The World of Avatar opens at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. (5th anniversary)
June
June 1, 2002: Journey into Imagination with Figment opens at EPCOT (20th anniversary)
June 7, 1940: Daisy Duck makes her first appearance in “Mr. Duck Steps Out.” (82nd anniversary)
June 9, 1934: Donald Duck makes his first appearance in “The Wise Little Hen.” (88th anniversary)
June 11, 2007: Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage opens at Disneyland. (5th anniversary)
June 15, 2012 Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station opens in Magic Kingdom. (10th anniversary)
June 16, 2017: “Cars 3” film premieres. (5th anniversary)
June 21, 2002: “Lilo & Stitch” film premieres. (10th anniversary)
June 22, 1977: “The Rescuers” film premieres. (45th anniversary)
June 22, 2012: “Brave” film from Pixar, premieres. (10th anniversary)
June 24, 1893: Roy O. Disney is born. (129th anniversary)
June 27, 1997: “Hercules” film premieres. (25th anniversary)
June 29, 2007: “Ratatouille,” from Pixar, premieres. (15th anniversary)
July
July 9, 1982: “Tron” film premieres. (40th anniversary)
July 11, 2020: Magic Kingdom Park and Disney’s Animal Kingdom reopen to the public with new health and physical distancing guidelines after being closed effective March 16 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. . (2nd anniversary)
July 12, 1957 – Disneyland’s Frontierland Shootin’ Exposition opens. (65th anniversary)
July 15, 20201: EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios reopen to the public with new health and physical distancing guidelines after being closed effective March 16 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (2nd anniversary)
July 17, 1992 – Splash Mountain at Magic Kingdom opens. (30th anniversary)
June 17, 1972 – Main Street Electrical Parade debuts at Disneyland. (50th anniversary)
July 30, 1932: Flowers and Trees, first full-color cartoon and first Academy Award winner, premieres. (90th anniversary)
August
Aug. 1, 1997: Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort opens at Walt Disney World. (25th anniversary)
Aug. 1, 2002: Once Upon a Toy at what is now Disney Springs opens. (10th anniversary)
August 13, 1942: “Bambi” film premieres. (80th anniversary)
August 17, 2007: High School Musical 2 set cable records on its debut on Disney Channel. (15th anniversary)
September
Sept. 5, 1927: Oswald the Lucky Rabbit makes his debut in “Trolley Troubles.” (95th anniversary)
Sept. 5, 1930: Pluto makes his first appearance in “The Chain Gang.” (92nd anniversary)
September 8, 2012: Grand Opening of the first Disney Baby Store in Glendale, California. (10th anniversary)
September 15, 1997: Disney Springs’ West Side opens at Walt Disney World. (15th anniversary
Sept. 27, 1947: “Fun and Fancy Free” premieres. (75th anniversary)
October
Oct. 1, 1982: EPCOT Center opens with the following attractions: (40th anniversary)
- The American Adventure
- American Adventure Pavilion
- Canada Pavilion
- France Pavilion
- Germany Pavilion
- Imagination Pavilion
- Impressions de France
- Italy Pavilion
- Japan Pavilion
- The Land Pavilion
- Living with the Land
- Main Entrance
- Mexico Pavilion
- Norway Pavilion
- O Canada!
- Spaceship Earth
- United Kingdom Pavilion
Oct. 2, 1992: “The Mighty Ducks” film premieres. (20th anniversary)
Oct. 10, 1957: First program of the Zorro television series. (65th anniversary)
Oct. 10, 1992: Approval of The Mighty Ducks hockey franchise by the NHL Board of Governors. (20th anniversary)
Oct. 13, 1997: LEGO Imagination Center opens at what is now Disney Springs. (25th anniversary)
Oct. 16, 2007: Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert begins sold-out tour to 69 cities. (15th anniversary)
Oct. 18, 1967: “The Jungle Book” film premieres. (55th anniversary)
Oct/ 30, 2012:The Walt Disney Company announces its agreement to purchase Lucasfilm Ltd. (10th anniversary)
November
Nov. 2, 2012 “Wreck-It Ralph” film premieres. (10th anniversary)
Nov. 3, 1977: “Pete’s Dragon” film premieres. (45th anniversary)
Nov. 3, 2017 “Thor: Ragnarok” film premieres. (5th anniversary)
Nov. 3, 2007: The Little Mermaid begins previews as a stage show on Broadway. (15th anniversary)
Nov. 13, 1997: The Lion King stage production opens on Broadway. (25th anniversary)
Nov. 15, 1932: Art School formed at Disney Studio to train animators. (90th anniversary)
Nov. 22, 2017 The Academy Award winning film “Coco” premieres. (5th anniversary)
Nov. 12, 2012: Celebrate the Magic, a fireworks show debuted at Magic Kingdom and lasted for four years. (10th anniversary)
Nov. 18, 1928: Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse make their debut in “Steamboat Willie.” (94th anniversary)
November 21, 2007: “Enchanted” film premieres. (15th anniversary)
Nov. 25, 1992: “Aladdin” animated film premieres. (30th anniversary)
November 27, 2002: “Treasure Planet” film premieres. (20th anniversary)
Nov. 30, 1967: “The Happiest Millionaire,” the last film with personal involvement from Walt Disney, who died during production, premiered. (55th anniversary)
December
Dec. 5, 1901: Walt Disney is born. (121st anniversary)
Dec. 6, 2012: The New Fantasyland area opens at Magic Kingdom in Disney World with the following attractions: (10th anniversary)
- Enchanted Tales with Belle
- Meet Ariel at Her Grotto
- D Royal Majesty Makers
- Storybook Circus Giggle Gang
- Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid
- Wowzer the Clown
Dec. 11, 1992: “The Muppet Christmas Carol” film premieres. (30th anniversary)
Dec. 14, 2017: Disney announces plans to acquire 21st Century Fox. (5th anniversary)
Dec. 15, 1966: Walt Disney passes away. (56th anniversary)
Dec. 15, 2017 “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” film premieres. (5th anniversary)
Dec. 16, 1952: WED Enterprises was founded by Walt. (68th anniversary)
Dec. 20, 1971: Roy O. Disney passes away, less than three months after the opening of the Magic Kingdom. (51st anniversary)
Dec. 21, 1937: Premiere of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” first feature-length animated film, at the Carthay Circle Theatre. (85th anniversary)
