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Roy Oliver was born
June 24, 1893
In Chicago, Illinois, Roy Oliver ("Roy Disney") is born to Elias and Flora Disney. -
Walter Elias was born
June 24, 1893
In Chicago, Illinois, Roy Oliver ("Roy Disney") is born to Elias and Flora Disney. December 5, 1901
Walter Elias ("Walt Disney") is born at 1249 Tripp Avenue, in Chicago, Illinois, to parents Elias and Flora Disney. Walter is named after Reverend Walter Parr. -
Walt Disney attends art institute
1915
Walt Disney attends the Kansas City Art Institute. -
New company
1919
Walt and Ubbe Iwwerks (later Ubbe Iwerks) form a company called Iwerks-Disney Commercial Artists. The name is later changed to Ub Iwerks. -
Micky Mouse
March, 1928
Ub Iwerks modifies Walt Disney's "Oswald The Lucky Rabbit" character, turning him into Mickey Mouse. Iwerks begins work on the first Mickey Mouse cartoon -
First Silent Film
May, 1928
Walt Disney's first silent film featuring Mickey Mouse, "Plane Crazy" premieres as a sneak preview at a theatre on Sunset Boulevard, in Los Angeles, California. It cost US$1772.89 to make. Minnie Mouse also debuts. Walt Disney applies for a trademark for "Mickey Mouse" for use in motion pictures. Walt Disney's trademark application for "Mickey Mouse" is filed with the United States Patent Office. Walt Disney copyrights the film "Plane Crazy". -
Steamboat Willie
September, 1928
Walt hires an orchestra in New York to record the soundtrack for "Steamboat Willie". Walt Disney's "Mickey Mouse" trademark application is granted. A musical score for "Steamboat Willie" is completed, and Walt Disney heads to New York to have it recorded. The Mickey Mouse film "Steamboat Willie" is completed. -
Snow White
December 21, 1937
Disney's first full-length animated feature film "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" premieres at the Carthay Circle Theatre in Hollywood. It is the industry's first full-length animated movie. The $1.5 million needed to complete the film nearly bankrupted the company. Two million drawings make up the 83 minute film -
Pinocchio
February 7, 1940
The animated feature film "Pinocchio" premieres at the Central Theatre in New York. It cost $2.6 million to produce. An Academy Award (Music, Best Song) is won for the song "When You Wish Upon a Star" from the film "Pinocchio". An Academy Award (Music, Best Score) is won for the film "Pinocchio". -
Alice in Wonderland
December 25, 1950
The first Disney TV special "One Hour in Wonderland" airs on NBC, sponsored by the Coca-Cola Company. Walt Disney and several Disney cartoon characters make their TV debut. The show previews portions of the film "Alice in Wonderland". -
Disney Land
December, 1952
Walt Disney forms Walt Disney Incorporated, to develop ideas for a "family park" to be called "Disneyland". -
Disneyland Opens
July 17, 1955
Disneyland opens, in Anaheim, California. 15,000 guests were invited, but attendance for the day is recorded as 28,154. Based on an initial US$10,000 for planning, the final cost is $17 million to build. The opening is broadcast live on ABC. The Red Wagon Inn restaurant opens in Adventureland at Disneyland. The Refreshment Corner, on Main Street, USA opens in Disneyland. Disney's Mark Twain riverboat is christened in Disneyland.