The SaveDisney Timeline

Explore key events that shaped the SaveDisney movement. Track the many supporting players and themes in our articles. The SaveDisney Timeline is a work in progress... When did things start to go wrong? You be the judge.

 

Stock Price	Year
	1966	*	Dec 15, 1966 - Walter Elias Disney dies of cancer
		*	1967 - Roy E. Disney becomes Director
	1968	*
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		*	Oct 1, 1971 - Walt Disney World opens in Orlando, FL
	1972	*	Dec 20, 1971 - Roy O. Disney dies
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	1975	*
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	1977	*	1977 - Roy E. Disney resigns as officer of the company, but remains on the Board of Directors
	1978	*	1978 - Disney licenses cartoon compilations to MCA's DiscoVision - first Disney videos
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		*	1980 - Ron Miller (husband of Diane Disney Miller) becomes President
		*	1980 - Walt Disney Home Video launched
		*	1980 - First animated classic released on video for rental, Dumbo
		*	1982 - Epcot Center opens in Orlando, FL
		*	1982 - Walt Disney's heirs sell name/likeness of Walt to Walt Disney Productions
		*	1982 - TRON, first CGI feature released
		*	1983 - Tokyo Disneyland opens
		*	1983 - Disney Channel launched
$0.33	1984	*	Mar 1984 - Roy Disney resigns as Director
		*	1984 - Touchstone Pictures launched with Splash (under Miller)
		*	1984 - Saul Steinberg attempts hostile takeover
		*	1984 - Roy Disney, Stanley Gold and others bring about fundamental management changes at WDC that result in Ron Miller (husband of Diane Disney Miller) being replaced by Frank Wells (President) and Michael Eisner (CEO)
		*	1984 - Roy Disney heads Animation Department
		*	1984 - Jeffrey Katzenberg heads Film Division
		*	1985 - Pinocchio released on home video (sell-through video program launched)
		*	1985 - Peter Schneider joins Disney as VP of Feature Animation
		*	1985 - TV Animation Division launched - first low budget Disney animation produced overseas
	1986	*	1986 - Company changes name from Walt Disney Productions to The Walt Disney Company
		*	1986 - Jay Rasulo joins Strategic Planning group
		*	1986 - Disneyland's Adventure Thru Inner Space closed
		*	1986 - Last time Song of the South was released in theatres in North America
		*	1986 - Studio releases its first R rated film (Down and Out in Beverly Hills)
		*	1986 - The Mickey and Donald Show launched in China
		*	1986 - Walt Disney's Golden Horseshoe Revue at Disneyland goes dark after 31 years of continuous performances
		*	1987 - Duck Tales premieres, first low budget TV animation series with classic Disney characters
		*	1987 - Disney Stores Launched
		*	1987 - Paul Pressler joins consumer products division
		*	1988 - Peter Murphy joins Strategic Planning group
		*	1988 - Tom Schumacher joins as producer of Rescuers Down Under (1990)
		*	1989 - David Stainton joins Strategic Planning group
		*	1989 - The Little Mermaid released, returning Disney to its roots
		*	1989 - Disney/MGM Studios opens in Orlando, FL
		*	1989 - Disney announces intention to buy Jim Henson Productions and The Muppets
$6.42	1990	*	May 1990 - Jim Henson dies, Muppets deal falls through
		*	1990 - Tom Staggs joins Strategic Planning group
		*	1990 - Eisner announces The Disney Decade, an ambitious expansion plan later abandoned
		*	1990 - Duck Tales: The Movie released, first low budget feature from TV Animation group
		*	1991 - Beauty and the Beast nominated for Best Picture Oscar
		*	Mar 1991 - Howard Ashman, lyricist, co-producer of Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin dies
		*	Mar 1991 - Peggy Lee awarded $3 million for Lady and the Tramp royalties after suing Disney
		*	1991 - David Stainton moves from Strategic Planning to Creative Affairs - Feature Animation
		*	1991 - Slesinger family files suit over Winnie the Pooh video sales
		*	1992 - Peter Schneider becomes President of Feature Animation
		*	1992 - Disney announces layoffs of 300 to 400 at Imagineering
		*	1992 - Tom Schumacher becomes VP of Creative Affairs - Feature Animation
		*	1992 - EuroDisney opens in Paris
		*	1992 - Port Disney Long Beach plans abandoned
		*	1993 - Purchase of Miramax Studios from Weinstein brothers
		*	1993 - Purchase Anaheim Mighty Ducks Hockey Franchise
		*	1993 - Sharon Morrill joins TV Animation group
		*	1994 - Disney Theatrical Productions goes to Broadway with Beauty and the Beast
		*	Apr 1994 - Frank Wells dies in helicopter crash on Easter Sunday
		*	May 1994 - The Return of Jafar, first low-budget sequel from TV Animation
		*	Jun 1994 - The Lion King released, top grossing animation feature ever
		*	Jul 1994 - Jeffrey Katzenberg leaves after public clash with Eisner
		*	Jul 1994 - Eisner undergoes quadruple bypass surgery
		*	Aug 1994 - Joe Roth joins as Chairman of Walt Disney Motion Picture Group, replacing Katzenberg
		*	Sep 1994 - Disney lays off 50 Imagineering staff
		*	Sep 1994 - 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea closes at Walt Disney World with no replacement
		*	1994 - Bob Iger named ABC's President and COO (prior to merger)
		*	1994 - Paul Pressler named President of Disneyland Resort
		*	1994 - Disneyland Skyway ride closed with no replacement
		*	1994 - Prince Alwaleed invests in EuroDisney (bails out failing investment)
		*	1994 - Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs released on home video, leaving only Song of the South unreleased on video domestically
		*	1994 - EuroDisney renamed Disneyland Paris
		*	1994 - Disney's America plans abandoned after controversy
		*	Mar 1995 - Indiana Jones Adventure opens (last E-ticket to open at Disneyland)
		*	1995 - George Mitchell joins Board of Directors
		*	1995 - Disney Development Company merged into Walt Disney Imagineering
		*	1995 - Disneyland PeopleMover closed
		*	1995 - Pocahontas begins downward trend in Disney's Animated Features
		*	Oct 1995 - Michael Ovitz hired as President
		*	Nov 1995 - Toy Story released, first Pixar film
$21.43	1996	*	Feb 1996 - Purchase of Capital Cities/ABC for $19 billion; Largest media merger in history to the point and the second largest sum of money ever paid for a U.S. company
		*	Apr 1996 - Joe Roth becomes Chairman of Walt Disney Studios
		*	1996 - Stephen Bollenbach (CFO) leaves after one year
		*	1996 - DreamQuest acquisition (digital FX studio)
		*	1996 - Southern Baptists call for boycott of Walt Disney Company
		*	1996 - Purchase Anaheim Angels Baseball Franchise
		*	1996 - Disneyland's Main Street Electrical Parade "Glows Away Forever", resulting in capacity crowds
	1997	*	Jan 1997 - Michael Ovitz leaves after public clash with Eisner and approx $100 million severance package
		*	1997 - Knight Ridder purchases Capital City newspapers (Kansas City Star, Forth Worth Star-Telegram, Wilkes Barre Times Leader, Belleville News-Democrat) for $1.65 billion
		*	1997 - McKinsey consultants brought in to "improve" Disneyland operations
		*	1997 - Disneyland's $30m Light Magic replaces Electrical Parade, closes first summer of operation
		*	1997 - Disney Board of Directors named "worst in America" by BusinessWeek for the first time
		*	Apr 1998 - Toon Disney launched
		*	Apr 1998 - Animal Kingdom opens in Orlando, FL
		*	May 1998 - Retooled Tomorrowland reopens at Disneyland, plagued by budget cuts
		*	May 1998 - Peter Murphy becomes Chief Strategic Officer
		*	1998 - Geraldine Laybourne (ABC/Cable President) leaves after two years
		*	1998 - Paul Pressler promoted to President of Disney Theme Parks, replaced by Cynthia Harriss at Disneyland
		*	1998 - Disney Channel pushes Walt Disney era programs into Vault Disney late night slot
		*	1998 - Tom Staggs becomes CFO
		*	1998 - Bob Iger become President of Walt Disney International
		*	1998 - Judith Estrin joins Board of Directors
		*	1998 - Jay Rasulo moves from Regional Entertainment to head EuroDisney
		*	1998 - Disney buys out remaining Winnie-the-Pooh rights from Milne heirs
		*	1998 - Clinton signs bill to extend copyrights an additional 20 years (Mickey Mouse)
		*	Sep 1998 - Disneyland Submarine Voyage closed with no replacement
		*	Dec 24, 1998 - visitor fatally injured and employee seriously injured while waiting to board Columbia sailing ship at Disneyland
	1999	*	1999 - Fairchild Publications (W, Jane, and Women's Wear Daily) is sold to Advance Publications
		*	1999 - Peter Schneider becomes President of Film Division, to be replaced as Feature Animation President by Tom Schumacher
		*	1999 - Completion of Infoseek acquisition
		*	1999 - Hong Kong Disneyland announced as venture between Disney and Hong Kong government
		*	Jul 1999 - Katzenberg lawsuit regarding future profit participation settled for $275 million
		*	Oct 1999 - Club Disney closes five regional centers
		*	Nov 1999 - ESPN Stores close
		*	Nov 1999 - DreamQuest folded into Secret Lab (FX for live action & CGI animation films)
$28.02	2000	*	Jan 2000 - Disney Channel moves from Premium to Basic cable, begins format change
		*	Jan 2000 - Bob Iger becomes President & COO of Disney, also becomes Director
		*	Jan 2000 - Joe Roth (WD Studios Chairman) leaves Disney after six years
		*	Feb 2000 - Disney announces closure of Toronto and Vancouver Animation Studios
		*	May 2000 - Dinosaur, first in-house CGI animated feature released
		*	Sep 2000 - Disneyland Rocket Rods closed after only 2 years of operation
		*	2000 - Zenia Mucha joins ABC
		*	2000 - Disney Studios Paris park opens
		*	2000-2003 - Roy & Stanley struggle for years to try to make management more accountable, focus on developing a succession plan and ensure independent and informed decision making in the Board Room
$20.27	2001	*	Jan 2001 - Go.com shuttered, WD Internet Group folded back into company- 400 layoffs
		*	Feb 2001 - Disney's California Adventure opens as second gate in Anaheim, CA
		*	Mar 2001 - Disney announces layoff/buyout of 4,000 jobs company wide (3,000 take the buyout deal)
		*	Apr 2001 - Disney announces restructuring of Animation, approx 300 in Burbank to be laid off, 30%-50% salary cut for those that remain
		*	Jun 2001 - Peter Schneider leaves Disney after Pearl Harbor and Atlantis fall short of expectation
		*	Jun 2001 - Disney lays off 1,000 company wide (final phase of 4,000 layoff for those who didn't take buyout deal)
		*	Sep 2001 - Disneyland Country Bear Jamboree closed, even as movie version was in production
		*	Oct 2001 - Secret Lab closed (Disney's in-house CGI facility)
		*	Fall 2001 - Acquisition of Fox Family Channel for $5.3 billion, Murdoch laughs
		*	2001 - Disneyland's Electrical Parade returns to DCA ("Forever" is not such a long time)
		*	2001 - Tokyo DisneySea (funded by Oriental Land Company) opens
		*	2001 - Japan Disney Stores sold to Oriental Land Company
		*	2001 - DisneyQuest Chicago (regional game center) closes, plans for Philadelphia and Anaheim are abandoned
$16.16	2002	*	Feb 2002 - David Stainton becomes President of TV Animation
		*	Mar 2002 - Disney Feature Animation announces 256 jobs to be cut
		*	Sep 2002 - Paul Pressler leaves Disney to join The Gap, replaced by Jay Rasulo as President of Disney Theme Parks
		*	Sep 2002 - Disney Channel cancels Vault Disney (last remains of Walt Disney's shows)
		*	Dec 2002 - George Mitchell becomes Presiding Director
		*	2002 - Zenia Mucha promoted to Sr. VP Corporate Communications
		*	2002 - Disney strikes agreement with Shanghai government to explore second China park
		*	2002 - Disney Stores announce reorganization into Disney Home and Disney Play concepts, never materializes
		*	2002 - Disney-branded VISA card offered
on spec date	2003	*	Jan 2003 - David Stainton becomes President of Feature Animation, replacing Tom Schumacher
		*	Feb 2003 - Andrea Van de Kamp voted off Disney Board for voicing opposition to Eisner
		*	Mar 2003 - Disney Stores in Australia close
		*	Apr 2003 - Sell Anaheim Angels Baseball Franchise
		*	May 2003 - Announcement that remaining 350 Disney Stores will be sold
		*	2003 - Walt Disney Animation Japan studio closure announced, 103 jobs lost
		*	2003 - Walt Disney Animation Paris studio closed
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$21.19		*	Sep 5 - 1 death and 10 injuries on Disneyland's Big Thunder Mountain
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		*	Oct 14 - Cynthia Harriss resigns as President of Disneyland, replaced by Matt Ouimet
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		*	Nov 26 - Roy learns he will not be entered on the slate of Directors for next election
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$22.95		*	Nov 30 - Roy issues letter of resignation from the WDC Board, publicly marking his split from Eisner and other Board Members
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$22.37		*	Dec 1 - Stanley Gold Resigns from WDC Board
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$21.47		*	Dec 5 - Roy and Stanley launch SaveDisney website which posts resignation letters and offers opportunity to email to Roy and Stan
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	Jan 2004	*	Jan 9, 2004 - New improved SaveDisney website launched, allowing supporters to register and receive Walt Quotes and bumper stickers
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		*	Jan 12 - Announcement that Florida animation department will be closed, 258 jobs cut
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$24.16		*	Jan 27 - Roy and Stan make public their decision to Vote No on the re-election of 4 key Directors - Eisner, Mitchell, Bryson and Estrin
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		*	Jan 29 - Pixar breaks off talks with Disney regarding partnership
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	Feb 2004	*	Feb 6 - Stanley appears on Kudlow & Cramer to discuss No Vote
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$27.60		*	Feb 11 - Comcast announces its hostile bid for Disney, stock price jumps nearly 15%
		*	Feb 11 - Institutional Shareholder Services (Proxy Advisor) advocates a Withhold vote on Michael Eisner
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		*	Feb 12 - SaveDisney announces it's March 2nd rally in Philadelphia, to be held one day prior to Annual Shareholder Meeting
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		*	Feb 17 - Disney announces deal to buy Muppets and Bear in the Blue House
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$26.30		*	Feb 25 - Glass Lewis & Co.(Proxy Advisor) advocates a Withhold vote on Eisner and Mitchell
		*	Feb 25 - Calpers, Calsters, and other large investors begin to publicly endorse a No Vote on Eisner
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		*	all of Feb - Concerted push by Roy, Stanley, entire Shamrock and SaveDisney family to woo investors to Vote No on key directors
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$26.76	Mar 2004	*	Mar 2 - SaveDisney Rally in Philadelphia draws 800 people to briefing and cocktail reception to discuss problems and needed changes
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		*	Mar 3 - Disney annual shareholder meeting in Philadelphia - 5 1/2 hour contentious meeting where Roy/Stan met with thunderous applause - preliminary results show Eisner withhold vote 43%, Mitchell withhold vote 24%
$26.80		*	Mar 3 - Hours after annual meeting, Board announces Eisner will be replaced as Chairman of the Board by George Mitchell
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		*	Mar 24 - SaveDisney lawyers request results of Disney 401(k) voting but Disney stalls and refuses
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		*	Mar 29 - Judge dismisses case against Disney re: Winnie the Pooh rights
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	Apr 2004	*	Apr 2 - Last hand drawn animated feature released, Home on the Range
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		*	Apr 4 - Second accident at Disneyland Big Thunder Mountain (riderless)
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		*	Apr 15 - Final results of Proxy Voting show 45.37% of shares voted to withhold from Eisner and 25.69% voted to withhold from Mitchell
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		*	Apr 19 - SaveDisney learns actual results of Disney 401(k) proxy voting. Final numbers - 72.5% of 401(k) shares voted withhold vote from Eisner, and 63.7% withhold from Mitchell
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$24.80		*	Apr 20 - ABC Management Shakeup, Reshuffling of Personnel with a few going away altogether
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		*	Apr 24 - Disney Board holds weekend retreat to discuss succession planning issues
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		*	Apr 26 - Disney Board holds first Board meeting since March 3rd in Philadelphia
		*	Apr 26 - Eisner makes Forbes' list of worst CEOs in America
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$23.95		*	Apr 28 - Comcast officially drops its bid for Disney
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	May 2004	*	May 3 - Stan/Roy announce alternate slate will be proposed next year if current board does not face issues
		*	May 3 - Stan speaks to 'Society of American Business Editors and Writers, Inc'. at Annual Conference, advocates proficiency test for directors
$23.00		*	May 5 - Controversy over Michael Moore film erupts between Disney/Miramax
$23.00		*	May 5 - Twilight Zone Tower of Terror opens at DCA but fails to draw crowds as expected
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	Jun 2004	*	Jun 9 - Sr. VP Sharon Morrill becomes President of DisneyToon Studios (direct to video animation)
		*	Jun 23 - Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11 opens nationwide after distribution controversy between Miramax's Harvey Weinstein and Michael Eisner
	Jul 2004	*	Jul 8 - Another accident on Disneyland's Big Thunder Railroad injures three -- Employee error, faulty track system blamed
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	Aug 2004	*	August 9 - Donald Duck receives star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
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	Sep 2004	*	Sep 8 - Animator Frank Thomas, one of Walt's "Nine Old Men," dies at age 92
		*	Sep 9 - Michael Eisner announces he will resign at the end of his contract in Sept. 2006
$23.32		*	Sep 13 - Roy and Stanley send letter to the Board asking for worldwide search for a suitable replacement to commence immediately, with Eisner to leave Disney organization by 2005 Annual Meeting
		*	Sep 21 - Board announces search for new CEO should be completed by June 2005, Iger only internal candidate
		*	Sep 28 - Roy and Stanley cautiously acknowledge that Board is on the right track by hiring search firm
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$23.88	Oct 2004	*	Oct 5 - Family of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad victim files suit against Disney
		*	Oct 18 - Disney shareholder lawsuit over Michael Ovitz's $140 million severance package goes to trial
		*	Oct 25 - Disney announces that Heidrick & Struggles engaged to find new CEO
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	Nov 2004	*	Nov 19 - Proposal by Frank Wierenga to keep a Disney heir on the Disney board
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	Dec 2004	*	Dec 1 - Fred Langhammer elected by Board as new independent director
$27.37		*	Dec 3 - Roy & Stan announce 'No Alternate Slate' will be run
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		*	Dec 29 - SEC announces Disney can omit from proxy the proposal allowing investors to nominate candidates to the company's board
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$27.85	Jan 2005	*	Jan 3 - SaveDisney upgrades website yet again
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		*	Jan 31 - "Dream on, Silly Dreamer," a documentary on the demise of traditional animation at Disney, premieres at Animex Film Festival
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	Feb 2005	*	Feb 8 - Roy Disney and Stanley Gold make public their withhold vote for all Directors at this year's meeting
		*	Feb 9 - "DisneyWar" by James Stewart hits shelves, book details scandals of Eisner-led management
		*	Feb 10 - "Dream On, Silly Dreamer" screens for shareholders prior to Disney meeting in Minneapolis
$29.34		*	Feb 11 - Disney Annual Meeting held in chilly Minneapolis - Roy and Stan attend, do not speak
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	Mar 2005	*
$28.00		*	Mar 10 - Roy & Stanley openly criticize CEO search process, horrified to find Eisner involved in candidate interviews, issue Open Letter to the Board
		*	Mar 13 - Disney announces Robert Iger to Replace Eisner as CEO, Eisner to step down Sept 30, 2005
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	Apr 2005	*
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	May 2005	*	May 9 - Roy Disney, Stanley Gold sue The Walt Disney Company, certain Directors for fraud, breach of duty of disclosure regarding Board's public statements about search for Eisner's replacement as CEO
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	Jun 2005	*	Jun 6 - Delaware Chancery Court allows lawsuit filed by Roy Disney and Stanley Gold to void 2005 election of Walt Disney Company Directors to go forward
$27.76		*	Jun 13 - A 4 year old child dies after riding Mission: Space at EPCOT
		*	Jun 22 - Southern Baptists call for end to boycott of Walt Disney Company
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$25.00	Jul 2005	*	Jul 8 - Joint statement from The Walt Disney Company and Roy E. Disney and Stanley P. Gold announces that they have agreed to put aside their differences
$26.33		*	Jul 17 - 50th Anniversary of Disneyland

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