The Walt Disney World Company Eventful Timeline

The Walt Disney World Company owns the Disney/ABC Television Group and ESPN Inc., various Disney Parks across the globe and more. Their brands are highly recognizable and the Walt Disney World company strives to bring entertainment worldwide. See the eventful timeline of the Walt Disney World company today and learn more than 20 interesting facts.

The Walt Disney World Company Timeline:

1923 – Under the name of Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, Walt Disney signed a contract with M.J. Winkler to produce a series of Alice comedies.
1928 – The first cartoon to feature Mickey Mouse debuted at Colony Theatre (New York) named, Steamboat Willie.
1929 – The Disney Brothers company becomes 4 companies: Walt Disney Productions, LTD., Walt Disney Enterprises, Liled Realty and Investment Company, Disney Film Recording Company.
1932 – The first full colored cartoon debuts named, Flowers and Trees. It won an Academy Award, a first for a cartoon short subject.
1937 – Disney’s first feature length animated film debuts at the Carthay Circle Theatre in Los Angeles, California, named Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
1940 – The first Walt Disney Productions stock is issued and the Disney Studio moves to Burbank, California.
1950 – The first complete live action film opens in theatres, named Treasure Island. Also Disney’s first TV show airs, One Hour in Wonderland.
1952 – WED Enterprises is established by Walt Disney.
1955 – The first Disney park opened, Disneyland in California.
1964 – A very successful live action, Mary Poppins opens in theatres.
1971 – Walt Disney World opened.
1982 – Now Epcot, then Epcot Center opened.
1983 – Disney’s first international park opened, Tokyo Disneyland.
1983 – Broadcasting of The Disney Channel started.
1986 – Walt Disney Productions becomes The Walt Disney Company.
1987 – The first Disney Store opens in Glendale, California.
1989 – Now Hollywood Studios, then MGM Studios opened.
1996 – Merger with Capital Cities/ABC and Disney is approved by stockholders.
1998 – Animal Kingdom opened.
2005 – Robert A. Iger becomes The Walt Disney Company’s CEO.
2006 – The purchase of Pixar Animation Studios is completed by Disney.
2009 – The purchase of Marvel Entertainment is completed by Disney.
2012 – The purchase of Lucasfilm is completed by Disney.