17 days

17 years ago in the Disney universe...

• Theatrical releases included Tarzan, Inspector Gadget, and Toy Story 2
• Test Track opened at Epcot
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh opened at Magic Kingdom
• Rock n Roller Coaster opened at Hollywood Studios
• Fastpass was first offered (at Disneyland Paris)
• The Hunchback of Notre Dame musical premiered in Berlin

Bonus:  Epcot's Holiday's Around the World food booths preview here

18 days

18 years ago in the Disney universe...

• Big screen debuts include Mulan, the new Parent Trap, and Air Bud: Golden Receiver
• The original Disneyland parking lot was closed to make way for California Adventure, Downtown Disney, and the Grand Californian
• Animal Kingdom opened at Walt Disney World
• Mr. Toad's Wild Ride closed in Florida

19 days

19 years ago in the Disney universe...

• Michael Eisner and Steve Jobs announced a 10-year partnership between Disney and Pixar
• Hercules, Air Bud, and Flubber debuted on the big screen
• The Disney Channel converted from a premium cable channel to a basic cable channel and adopted a new logo
• Recess debuted on Saturday morning cartoons
• Walt Disney World's Coronado Springs Resort opened

20 days

20 years ago in the Disney universe...

• Big screen films included James and the Giant Peach, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and the live action 101 Dalmatians
• Disneyland began its massive renovation of Tomorrowland
• Walt Disney World celebrated its 25th anniversary

21 days

3 weeks to go!  

21 years ago in the Disney universe...

• New big screen movies included Pocahontas, A Goofy Movie, Operation Dumbo Drop
• Pixar's first feature film, Toy Story, debuted
• The Indiana Jones ride opened at Disneyland
• Blizzard Beach water park opened in Florida
• Disneyland's People Mover closed after 28 years (You can look forward to the Tomorrowland Transit Authority at the Magic Kingdom...same idea!)

Fun Fact about Cinderella's Castle:

22 days

22 years ago in the Disney universe...

• Donald Duck celebrated his 60th birthday
• The Lion King and Angels in the Outfield debuted in movie theaters
• Twilight Zone Tower of Terror opened at Disney World
• Beauty and the Beast premiered on Broadway

23 days

23 years ago in the Disney universe...

• Cool Runnings and The Nightmare Before Christmas debuted in the theaters
• Full House aired its Walt Disney World episode
• Mickey's Toon Town opened at Disneyland

A bonus story for today, of one family's Thanksgiving meal at Walt Disney World:  Magic Kingdom Pilgrims

24 days

24 years ago in the Disney universe...

• Newsies, Sister Act, Honey I Shrunk the Kids, The Mighty Ducks, Aladdin, and the Muppet Christmas Carol all hit the big screen
• Disneyland Paris opened
• Fantasmic debuted at Disneyland
• Splash Mountain opened in Florida

25 days

25 years ago in the Disney universe...

• Beauty and the Beast premiered
• Darkwing Duck debuted on the Disney Channel
• Walt Disney World celebrated its 20th birthday

26 days

26 years ago in the Disney Universe...

• The Rescuers Down Under, Dick Tracy, and Pretty Woman were all released into the theater.
• Fantasia was re-released
• Disney Comics was founded
• The first issue of Disney Adventures magazine was published

Fun Fact:  Space Mountain at WDW has a different track layout than the one at Disneyland; in fact, there are two tracks, a left side and a right side!

27 days

27 years ago in the Disney universe...

• The Little Mermaid launched the renaissance of Disney feature films
• The New Mickey Mouse Club began on the Disney Channel (hello Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, and Christina Aguilera)
• Disney Hollywood Studios and Typhoon Lagoon both opened in Florida

28 days

28 years ago in the Disney universe...

• Who Framed Roger Rabbit and Oliver and Company both premiered
• Rescue Rangers debuted on the Disney Channel
• The Illuminations nighttime show began at Epcot
• The Norway pavilion opened at Epcot

29 days

29 years ago in the Disney universe...

• The first Disney store opened in Glendale, California
• Star Tours opened at Disneyland
• Duck Tales premiered

30 days and counting...

Time is flying!  I thought it would be fun to do a daily countdown until our trip!

30 years ago...

• Walt Disney was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame
• The Great Mouse Detective was released
• Walt Disney World celebrated its 15th anniversary
• Captain EO opened at Disneyland and Epcot