This Day In Disney History- May 23
Welcome back to our magical journey through the history of the Walt Disney Company. Today we are looking at the events on this day in Disney history- May 23.
May 23rd featured the creation of Walt’s first company, the opening of a Magic Kingdom attraction, and the debut of a renovated Disneyland land. So, let’s get started!
Laugh-O-Gram Films Incorporated (1922)
On this day in 1922, Walt Disney incorporated Laugh-O-Gram Films, Inc.
![Laugh-O-Gram](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Laugh-O-Gram-1.jpg)
![Laugh-O-Gram](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Laugh-O-Gram-1.jpg)
Photo: D23
Disney’s first cartoon company, Laugh-O-Gram Films was headquartered in Kansas City. The company would eventually go bankrupt.
The China Plate Released (1931)
On this day in 1931, the Silly Symphony cartoon The China Plate was released.
![The China Plate](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/The-China-Plate-1024x576.jpg)
![The China Plate](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/The-China-Plate-1024x576.jpg)
Photo: Also IMDB
In the cartoon, painted characters on a china plate come to life.
New Fantasyland Opens (1983)
On this day in 1983, Disney continued its grand re-opening of New Fantasyland.
On hand for the festivities were children of the original kids that crossed the park’s drawbridge in 1955. Also present was Lillian Disney.
![New Fantasyland](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/05.25.1983-new-fantasyland-1180x600-1-1024x521.jpg)
![New Fantasyland](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/05.25.1983-new-fantasyland-1180x600-1-1024x521.jpg)
Photo: Also D23
New attractions inside Fantasyland included Pinocchio’s Daring Journey, and the Sleeping Beauty Castle drawbridge was lowered for only the second time in park history.
Disney and McDonald’s Agree To New Deal (1996)
On this day in 1996, Disney and McDonald’s signed a 10-year multinational market alliance.
![Mickey Happy Meal](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/8-1024x423.jpg)
![Mickey Happy Meal](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/8-1024x423.jpg)
Credit: McDonald’s
The agreement would eventually lead to the addition of McDonald’s locations inside the Disney Parks.
Light Magic Debuts (1997)
On this day in 1997, the Disneyland parade Light Magic debuted.
![Disneyland Light Magic](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Light-Magic.jpg)
![Disneyland Light Magic](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Light-Magic.jpg)
Photo: Also D23
The parade would only run until September 1, 1997.
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin Opens (2001)
On this day in 2001, the Magic Carpets of Aladdin opened in the Magic Kingdom.
![Magic Kingdom live stream](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Magic-Carpets-of-Aladdin.jpg)
![Magic Kingdom live stream](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Magic-Carpets-of-Aladdin.jpg)
Photo: Disney
On the hup-and-spoke attraction, guests can fly high above Adventureland on a magic carpet.
My Little Princess Opens (2009)
On this day in 2009, My Little Princess opened at the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel.
![Hong Kong Disneyland](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Hong-Kong-Disneylan-BibbiBobbidi-Boutique.jpg)
![Hong Kong Disneyland](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Hong-Kong-Disneylan-BibbiBobbidi-Boutique.jpg)
Photo: Also Disney
The boutique allowed young Disney fans to get a princess makeover!
Mickey and the Magic Map Premiers (2013)
On this day in 2013, Mickey and the Magical Map premiered at Disneyland.
![Mickey and the Magical map](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Screenshot-2023-05-22-at-13-32-45-dlo810012small.jpg-WEBP-Image-550-×-343-pixels.png)
![Mickey and the Magical map](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Screenshot-2023-05-22-at-13-32-45-dlo810012small.jpg-WEBP-Image-550-×-343-pixels.png)
Photo: Also Disney
Housed inside the Fantasyland Theatre, the stage show premiered for media and invited guests.
Rock Your Disney Side Kicks Off (2014)
On this day in 2014, Rock Your Disney Side kicked off at Walt Disney Worl and Disneyland.
![Rock Your Disney Side](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Screenshot-2023-05-22-at-13-33-34-RDS7.jpg-WEBP-Image-900-×-743-pixels.png)
![Rock Your Disney Side](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Screenshot-2023-05-22-at-13-33-34-RDS7.jpg-WEBP-Image-900-×-743-pixels.png)
Photo: Disney
At both the Magic Kingdom and Disneyland, guests could dress up in their Disney finest for a special 24-hour event.
Alice Through The Looking Glass Premieres (2016)
On this day in 2016, Alice Through the Looking Glass premiered in Los Angeles.
On hand for the event were film stars Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter, and director Tim Burton.
Rivers of Light Closes (2019)
On this day in 2019, Rivers of Light closed at Diseny’s Animal Kingdom.
![Rivers of Light](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/1206ZU_0944MS-1024x683.jpg)
![Rivers of Light](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/1206ZU_0944MS-1024x683.jpg)
David Roark, photographer
The nighttime spectacular used water fountains, mist screens, and floating lanterns to tell a story.
![50th Decorations removed cinderella castle](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/50th-Decorations-removed-cinderella-castle-2-1024x768.jpg)
![50th Decorations removed cinderella castle](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/50th-Decorations-removed-cinderella-castle-2-1024x768.jpg)
Cinderella Castle
That concludes this day in Disney history- May 23. So, be sure to come back tomorrow to see what happens next!
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