This Week in Disney History: May 30 – June 5

May 31, 2008 — A Buzz Lightyear action figure joins the crew of space shuttle Discovery mission STS-124, blasting off to the International Space Station.

“To infinity and beyond!” Buzz Lightyear finally became a real-life Space Ranger as he blasted off into space with the help of a few friends from NASA. On May 31, 2009, the 12-inch-tall action figure lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center aboard Space Shuttle Discovery. After a few words of advice from legendary astronaut Buzz Aldrin, Buzz Lightyear joined seven fellow space explorers for this several-month long endeavor. His mission was to fly in zero gravity inside the International Space Station as part of Disney and NASA’s “Toys in Space” initiative. Through this program, Buzz’s role was to help introduce fun elements from space and science into elementary school classrooms from coast to coast. During Buzz’s space adventure, students could play educational online games featuring Buzz Lightear on NASA’s Kids’ Club website. Buzz’s blast-off coincided with the opening of the “Toy Story Mania!,” attraction, which took place on May 31 at Walt Disney World and June 17 at Disneyland Resort.

June 2, 2011 — Soundsational Summer launches at Disneyland Resort.

The exciting new additions to Disneyland Resort took Guests below the ocean and beyond the stars. Disney Soundsational Summer began June 2, 2011 at Disneyland Park with an extravagant two-day debut event. The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure attraction premiered at Disney California Adventure Park on June 2 in a splashing ceremony. Jodi Benson, the original voice of Ariel in the Disney animated film, sang a contemporary version of “Part of Your World” for the event, and Sherie Renee Scott, star of Broadway’s “The Little Mermaid,” performed “Poor Unfortunate Souls.” The new attraction created a musical journey through the film complete with colorful animatronics. The Force was felt on June 3 when Star Tours — The Adventure Continues attraction premiered at Disneyland Park. This thrilling attraction takes Guests on more than 50 different adventures to a galaxy “far, far away” in a 3-D simulated ride through space. “Mickey’s Soundsational Parade” also premiered during this memorable occasion. Guests had the opportunity to experience the Soundsational Summer celebration from June 3 to Sept. 5, 2009. With the exciting new attractions and parade, a techno “ElecTRONinca” dance party, inspired by the Disney film “Tron,” and the return of the award winning “World of Color” water spectacular, it was certainly a sizzling summer celebration.

Also this week in Disney History:

May 30
1936 — “Thru the Mirror” (Mickey Mouse cartoon short) debuts
1953 — “Don’s Fountain of Youth” (Donald Duck cartoon short) debuts
1967 — Groundbreaking is held for the construction of the Walt Disney World Resort
2003 — Disney-Pixar releases “Finding Nemo”

May 31
2008 — A Buzz Lightyear action figure joins the crew of space shuttle Discovery mission STS-124, blasting off to the International Space Station
2008 — Toy Story Midway Mania! opens at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
2012 — Disney’s Art of Animation Resort opens at the Walt Disney World Resort

June 1
1987 — If You Had Wings closes at Magic Kingdom Park
1989 — Typhoon Lagoon opens at the Walt Disney World Resort
1995 — Space Mountain: From the Earth to the Moon opens at Disneyland Paris
1997 — The final performance of The Lion King Celebration parade takes place at Disneyland Park

June 2
1984 — The Laserphonic Fantasy premieres at the World Showcase Lagoon at Epcot
1989 — Touchstone Pictures releases “Dead Poets Society”
2002 — Epcot leaders dedicate Journey into Imagination with Figment
2011 — Soundsational Summer launches at Disneyland Resort
2011 — The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure opens at Disney California Adventure Park

June 3
1949 — The Donald Duck/Chip ‘n’ Dale short “Winter Storage” debuts
1983 — Bistro de Paris restaurant opens at the France pavilion at Epcot
2011 — Soundsational Summer launches at Disneyland Resort
2011 — Star Tours — The Adventures Continue opens at Disneyland Park
2011 — Wally Boag, Disney Legend and “Golden Horseshoe Revue” star at Disneyland Park, dies at age 90

June 4
1990 — The Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel opens
1990 — Bengal Barbecue opens at Disneyland Park
1991 — Company D opens at the Walt Disney World Team Disney building
1997 — Magic Kingdom I ferryboat at the Walt Disney World Resort is renamed Admiral Joe Fowler
2011 — Betty Taylor, Disney Legend and “Slue Foot Sue” from Disneyland Park’s “Golden Horseshoe Revue,” dies at age 91

June 5
1972 — If You Had Wings opens at Magic Kingdom Park
1999 — The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh opens at Magic Kingdom Park
2000 — Touchstone Pictures releases “Gone in 60 Seconds”