- January
- Capcom releases theDisney's Aladdin video game for the Game Boy Advance in the USA. [623.21] [621.103]
- The Disney Channel premieres theDave the Barbarian show. [652.65]
- January 16
- The Disney Channel airs the Disney Channel Original MoviePixel Perfect. [508.9]
- January 21
- Disney sells the downtown shops of Celebration in Walt Disney World to Lexin Capital. [1378.126]
- January 23
- The Disney Channel premieres the animated TV seriesDave the Barbarian. [1378.173]
- January 27
- The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences nominates the filmFinding Nemo for an Oscar Award in the category Best Animated Feature. [745.479]
- The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences nominates the filmFinding Nemo for an Oscar Award in the category Best Original Screenplay. [745.479]
- The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences nominates the filmFinding Nemo for an Oscar Award in the category Best Original Score. [745.479]
- The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences nominates the filmFinding Nemo for an Oscar Award in the category Best Sound Editing. [745.479]
- The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences nominates Roy Disney for an Oscar Award in the category Best Animated Short Subject, for the filmDestino. [745.479]
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- January 29
- Pixar CEO Steve Jobs announces that Pixar Animation Studios will end its relationship with The Walt Disney Company and seek a distribution deal with another film studio, following the release of the next two films (The Incredibles,Cars). [680.C4] [686] [745.479]
- Disney announces it will release its first in-house-developed computer-animation film,Chicken Little, in 2005. [680.C4]
- (month unknown)
- Disney Interactive releases theDisney's Brother Bear video game for personal computers. Price is US$19.99. [708.101]
- February 5
- The Comcast board of directors discusses a formal bid for the Walt Disney Company. An analysis of assets suggests a bid in the mid-US$20s per share. [745.487]
- February 7
- (to March 7) At Disneyland Paris in France, The Lion King Carnival musical dance performs. [651.27]
- February 9
- Microsoft and Disney announce an agreement to cooperate in developing secure digital media content and delivery systems. Microsoft grants Disney a non-exclusive license to its Windows Media digital rights management software. [686] [731.9]
- Comcast chairman Brian Roberts privately asks Disney chairman Michael Eisner to begin merger negotiations. Eisner refuses, saying he is not interested in a buyout at any price. [686] [745.488] [1002.34]
- February 11
- Comcast launches a hostile takeover bid for Disney, publicly releasing a letter to Michael Eisner outlining the proposed financial terms. If approved, Comcast would issue 0.78 of a Comcast share for each Disney share (total value US$54 billion) plus assume Disney's debt of about US$12 billion. Disney shareholders would then own about 42 percent of the combined company, which would be worth US$125 billion. [686] [745.6,489] [1002.34]
- Institutional Shareholder Services issues a statement criticizing Michael Eisner's leadership, and recommending Disney shareholders withhold their votes from Eisner at the upcoming shareholders' meeting. [745.495]
- Disney releases a response to Comcast's takeover bid, saying they will evaluate the proposal. [745.490]
- February 13
- Disney shares rise 16 percent, Comcast shares drop 12 percent, dropping the proposed value of the deal to US$48 billion. [745.490]
- February 15
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airsThe Simpsons TV show in the US. A Chinese restaurant is called "Mickey Mao's", a reference to Mickey Mouse. [1022]
- February 16
- Diane Disney Miller sends a letter to the Disney board of directors, expressing her opposition to the Comcast deal. Miller also notes Michael Eisner's unwillingness to identify a successor, suggesting that he be replaced when his contract ends in 2006. [745.491]
- The Disney board unanimously rejects the Comcast deal. [745.491]
- February 20
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airsThe Fairly Oddparents TV show in the US. The title of the episode is "Pixies, Inc.", a reference to the Disney-Pixar filmMonsters, Inc.. [936]
- Disney releases the filmConfessions of a Teenage Drama Queen to theaters in the USA. [652.64] [1378.151]
- February 23
- At the Fantasyland Theatre in Disneyland, the showAn Enchanting Musical opens. [652.22]
- The shareholder advisory service Glass, Lewis & Company hears presentations from Roy Disney, Stanley Gold, Michael Eisner, and many others. (Two days later, the group issues a recommendation opposing re-election of Eisner and George Mitchell to the board of directors.) [745.499]
- February 25
- The California Public Employees Retirement Systems pension fund manager announces it would cast its votes against Michael Eisner at the upcoming shareholder meeting. [745.502] [1003.38]
- February 29
- The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences awards an Oscar (Best Animated Feature) for the filmFinding Nemo. [890]
- (month unknown)
- Premiere magazine publishes its list of the 100 Greatest Movie Characters of All Time. Disney entries are #45: Mary Poppins, and #87: Captain Jack Sparrow (Pirates of the Caribbean). [675.53]
- Touchstone releases the filmVeronica Guerin on videocassette and DVD. [675.97]
- Touchstone releases the filmDuplex on videocassette and DVD. [675.99]
- March 2
- On the evening before the annual shareholders meeting, Michael Eisner, Robert Iger, and the Disney board of directors meet. Eisner offers to resign, but the board opposes this. Eisner agrees to cede the title of chairman to George Mitchell. [745.507]
- March 3
- At the Philadelphia Convention Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, The Walt Disney Company holds its annual shareholders meeting. After various speeches, the inspector of elections reads the vote tallies. 45 percent of shareholders withheld their votes to re-elect Michael Eisner to the board of directors, and 24 percent withheld votes from George Mitchell. [694.B5] [745.502] [1004.31]
- (evening) The Disney board of directors meets, deciding to replace Michael Eisner with George Mitchell as chairman. A press releases is issued making the announcement. [745.508]
- March 5
- Disney releases the live-action feature filmHidalgo to theaters in the USA. [650.63] [651.27] [652.24]
- March 6
- France issues three postage stamps for Stamp Day, depicting Walt Disney characters: Donald Duck (45 cents), Mickey Mouse (50 cents), and Minnie Mouse (75 cents). [1156.1218]
- March 9
- Disney releasesWinnie the Pooh: Springtime with Roo on videocassette and DVD in the USA and Canada. [652.24] [697.7]
- March 14
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airsThe Simpsons TV show in the US. One of the movies listed at a theater is "Eating Nemo", a reference to the Disney-Pixar filmFinding Nemo. [1023]
- ABC Family airs the Touchstone Televsiion two-hour movieCeleste in the City. [1378.126]
- March 19
- The Disney Channel airs the Disney Channel Original MovieGoing to the Mat/ [649.63] [663.13]
- March 21
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airsThe Simpsons TV show in the US. A movie theater is showing the Disney filmThe Lizzie McGuire Movie. [1024]
- March 27
- Touchstone world premieres the filmThe Alamo in San Antonio, Texas. [1378.17]
- March 28
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airsThe Simpsons TV show in the US. When asked why she is in prison, a girl says "I pushed Snow White over the parapet at Disneyland.". [1025]
- March 30
- Touchstone releases the filmBrother Bear on videocassette and DVD. [652.24] [675.96] [697.3] [731.85]
- (month unknown)
- Touchstone releases the filmDirty Pretty Things on DVD, for US$29.99. [676.96]
- Touchstone releases the filmThe Magdalene Sisters on DVD, for US$29.99. [676.101]
- Touchstone releases the filmSplash on DVD, for US$29.99. [676.102]
- Touchstone releases the filmRansom on DVD, for US$29.99. [676.102]
- April 2
- Disney releases the animated feature filmHome on the Range to theaters in the USA. [651.27] [652.24] [675.19]
- Disney Interactive releases theDisney's Home on the Range video game for the Game Boy Advance in the US. Price is US$29.95. [652.76] [679.122] [688.9]
- The Big Thunder Ranch area in Disneyland is modified to include name "Little Patch of Heaven", with log cabin renamed Pearl's Cottage. [1300.76] [1378.78]
- April 9
- Touchstone generally releases the live-action feature filmThe Alamo to theaters in the USA. [613.63] [675.19] [1378.17]
- April
- Disney Editions releases theHome on the Range: The Adventures of a Bovine Goddess book, by Monique Peterson. [652.77]
- Seventy-five plaster Mickey Mouse statues decorated by celebrities begin a one-year tour of the United States. (The statues will then be auctioned off for charity at Sotheby's in New York.) [651.18]
- April 15
- The Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters attraction opens at Tokyo Disneyland. [415.22] [652.24] [1378.107]
- THQ releases theFinding Nemo video game for the PlayStation 2 in Canada. [688.9]
- April 21
- Apple Computer reaches an agreement with Disney's Buena Vista Music Group for Apple's Internet iTunes Music Store to carry soundtrack music titles of many Disney films. [686]
- April 25
- The ABC TV network premieres the ABC Family Original MovieBrave New Girl. [1378.96]
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airsThe Simpsons TV show in the US.
- The dress-up character resembling Eeyore from Walt Disney World is run-over by a car; the character's actor says "Everything happens to Eemore.".
- A character in Miami tells an old man "If you take a woman [to Epcot], she will be yours.".
[1026]
- April 27
- The Disney board expresses complete confidence in Michael Eisner as CEO, and Robert Iger as President. [1097.50]
- April 28
- Comcast withdraws its bid to buy the Walt Disney Company, due to Disney executive reluctance to support the acquisition, and Comcast investor concerns over business focus. [686] [1097.50]
- May 4
- The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror attraction opens at Disney's California Adventure. [394.23] [652.18,24]
- May 17
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airsThe Simpsons TV show in the US. A car wash place is called "When you Wash Upon a Car", a reference to the song "When You Wish Upon a Star" from Disney'sPinocchio film. [1027]
- The Artist's Palette restaurant opens at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa at Walt Disney World. [1378.43]
- May 18
- Buena Vista Home Entertainment releases a DVD set ofDisney Treasures: Walt Disney on the Front Lines. [651.65] [708.97] [733.94]
- Buena Vista Home Entertainment releases a DVD set ofDisney Treasures: Mickey Mouse in Living Color, Volume 2. [651.65] [708.97] [733.94]
- Buena Vista Home Entertainment releases a DVD set ofDisney Treasures: The Chronological Donald Duck, Volume 1. [651.65] [708.97] [733.94]
- Buena Vista Home Entertainment releases a DVD set ofDisney Treasures: Walt Disney's Tomorrowland. [651.65] [708.97] [733.94]
- May 27
- Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa opens in Walt Disney World. [414.20] [665.20]
- May 28
- Touchstone releases the live-action feature filmRaising Helen to theaters in the USA. [676.72]
- June
- At a meeting of the Disney board of directors, CEO Michael Eisner tells the board he has chosen Robert Iger as his successsor. [745.522]
- June 16
- The Walt Disney Pictures / Walden Media filmAround the World in 80 Days is released to theaters. [665.24] [1378.42]
- June 23
- The United States Postal Service issues four different 37-cent stamps titledThe Art of Disney: Friendship. They feature Mickey Mouse, Bambi, Simba, and Pinocchio, each with friends. [671.43] [1155.112]
- (month unknown)
- Bill Anderson is named a Disney Legend. Anderson began at Disney in 1943, and was a longtime producer of TV programs and movies. [1378.30]
- Disney's Community Service Awards program distributes $440,000. [1378.149]
- Tim Conway is named a Disney Legend. Conway was an actor in many Disney movies. [1378.153]
- Alice Davis is named a Disney Legend. Davis was a costume designer for film and park figures. [1378.173]
- Rolly Crump is named a Disney Legend. Crump was a designer for many park attractions. [1378.164]
- July 1
- The Villains Lair shop at Disneyland closes. [1300.437]
- July 2
- The filmAmerica's Heart & Soul is released to theaters. [1378.29]
- July 6
- Disney Interactive releases theKim Possible 2: Drakken's Demise video game for the Game Boy Advance in the US. [666.21] [673.101] [678.60]
- July 7
- Touchstone releases the live-action feature filmKing Arthur to theaters in the USA. [676.58] [685.14] [706.24] [864.38] [1096.56]
- July 23
- In San Diego, California, the Comic-Con International convention is held. An exclusive sneak peek preview is held of the filmThe Incredibles, attended by director Brad Bird and producer John Walker. [755.31]
- July 25
- The ABC Family Original MovieCrimes of Fashion premieres. [1378.161]
- (month unknown)
- Zagat releases itsSurvey of U.S. Family Travel Guide: Sites & Attractions, Restaurants, Lodging. Disney has several top rated attractions:
- #1: Magic Kingdom,
- #2 Epcot,
- #4 Disneyland,
- #6 Disney-MGM Studios,
- #8 Disney's Animal Kingdom.
[1100.96]
- August 3
- Touchstone Home Entertainment releases the filmHidalgo on DVD in the USA. [683.4] [699.2] [734.91]
- August 5
- Disney announces the Disney Dream Desk PC computer. It features 2.6 GHz processor, Windows XP operating system, CD-RW/DVD drive, mouse, keyboard, digital pen, optional 14.1-inch LCD monitor wih mouse ears (US$299) and optional printer. Price is US$599. [686] [735.6] [740.26]
- August 9
- Donald Duck receives a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame. [755.28] [1248.45]
- August 11
- Disney releases the live-action feature filmThe Princess Diaries 2: The Royal Engagement to theaters in the US. [652.24] [665.24] [672.34] [676.64] [706.28]
- August 17
- Disney releasesMickey, Donald, Goofy: The Three Musketeers on videocassette and DVD in the USA. [683.4] [699.11]
- August 20
- (to August 21) The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra plays music from Disney films. The Great American Concert with Fireworks - Walt Disney: 75 Years of Music. [665.24]
- August 21
- The Disney Channel premieres the TV seriesBrandy & Mr. Whiskers. [1378.95]
- August 27
- In Itasca, Illinois, over three days, a reunion is held of six original Mouseketeer actors of theMickey Mouse Club. A question and answer session is held with Bill Farmer (voice of Goofy) and Tony Anselmo (voice of Donald Duck). [755.28]
- August 31
- Buena Vista Home Entertainment releases the animated feature filmThe Lion King 2 - Simba's Pride on videotape and DVD in the USA. [665.24] [683.4] [700.11] [734.91]
- September 5
- The musical playAida closes on Broadway in New York. [1378.13]
- September 10
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airsThe Fairly Oddparents TV show in the US. The main characters in the bookThe Three Musketeers all wear black Mouseketeer Mickey Mouse hats. [904]
- The Walt Disney Company announces that Michael Eisner will retire as CEO on September 30, 2006. [694.B5] [745.523] [1101.50]
- September
- The Goofy's Country Dancin' Jamboree show in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World closes. [1378.184]
- The ABC1 TV channel debuts in the United Kingdom. [1378.2]
- September 17
- Touchstone releases the live-action feature filmMr. 3000 to theaters in the USA. [707.24] [711.67] [777.149]
- September 20
- The Disney board of directors meets, over three days. They discuss CEO succession, and decide to hire a professional search firm to aid in the search for Michael Eisner's replacement. [745.525]
- October 3
- The ABC TV network premieres theDesperate Housewives TV show. [1378.182]
- October 5
- Walt Disney Home Entertainment releases the filmAladdin on DVD in the US. Price is US$29.99. [696.2] [700.11] [707.110] [736.94] [754.22] [780.99]
- October
- An Olympic full-length 21-foot wide pool is completed on Main Street in Disneyland. [939.42]
- Disney auctions a personalized Haunted Mansion tombstone on eBay.com, for US$37,400. A tombstone for winner Cary "Jay" Sharp is placed inside the Disneyland attraction, near the trio of ghostly musicians. [757.57]
- October 18
- The Animation Academy class opens at The Magic of Disney Animation in Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World. [1378.34]
- October 26
- Disney releases the filmMulan on DVD in the US. Price is US$29.99. [696.2] [709.106] [736.94] [754.22] [780.107]
- November 5
- Disney releases the Pixar Animation Studios animated short filmBoundin' to theaters. [1378.92]
- Disney releases the Pixar Animation Studios computer-animated feature filmThe Incredibles to theaters in the US. (US theater ticket sales over opening weekend: $70.7 million.) [665.24] [669.62] [686] [702.44] [709.16] [711.72] [728.54] [754.22] [781.98] [1355.15]
- November 9
- The showOn the Road begins its US tour in Cleveland, Ohio, featuring over sixty Disney songs. [754.21]
- November
- Disney announces the acquisition of CrossGen Enterprises publisher. [1378.163]
- November 16
- The Turtle Talk with Crush attraction opens in Epcot at Walt Disney World. [756.15] [914.6]
- The Stitch's Great Escape attraction opens in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. The location formerly housed The ExtraTerrorestrial Alien Encounter. [754.21] [756.27]
- November 19
- Touchstone releases the live-action feature filmNational Treasure in theaters in the US. [711.75] [712.102] [754.22] [755.66] [781.104]
- November 25
- In New York City, New York, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is held. Included is a large balloon ofChicken Little. [756.27]
- (month unknown)
- Chronicle Books releasesThe Art of The Incredibles book, by Mark Cotta Vaz. Price is US$40. [755.72]
- Ape Pen Publishing releases theDisneyland ... The Beginning, by Carlene Thie. Price is US$55. [755.73]
- Disney Editions releases theCooking with Mickey and the Disney Chefs. Price is US$19.95. [755.73]
- December 7
- Disney releases the DVD setWalt Disney Treasures: Mickey Mouse in Black & White Volume 2. [738.92] [755.69]
- Disney releases the DVD setWalt Disney Treasures: The Complete Pluto Volume 1. [738.92] [755.69]
- Disney releases the DVD setWalt Disney Treasures: The Mickey Mouse Club Week 1. [738.92] [755.69]
- December 8
- Disney announces that it will support the Blu-ray Disc format for video releases in North America and Japan when the discs become available. A single disc can hold up to 50 GB of data. [686]
- December 12
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airsThe Simpsons TV show in the US. A t-shirt salesman tells another character he sold the t-shirt design rights to the Disney company. [1057]
- December 14
- Touchstone releases the filmMary Poppins: 40th Anniversary Edition on DVD in the USA. Price is US$29.99. [712.52.12] [755.24]
- Disney releases the DisneyToon Studios short filmThe Cat that Looked at a King on DVD. [1378.125]
- Disney releases the filmThe Princess Diaries 2: The Royal Engagement on videocassette and DVD in the USA. [712.165] [755.24] [781.116]
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