2001

An overview of Disney-related events that occured in 2001.

The DVD debut of *Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs* kicks off the Walt Disney Platinum Edition video series.

Theatrical releases

Feature films

February 10 - Recess: School's Out (premiere)
February 16 - Recess: School's Out is released to favorable and mixed reviews and becomes a box office failure.
April 6 - Just Visiting (Hollywood Pictures) is released to negative reviews from critics and was the final production from Hollywood Pictures before it folded to Touchstone Pictures.
June 15 - Atlantis: The Lost Empire is released to mixed reviews and moderate commercial success.
August 3 - The Princess Diaries is released to mixed reviews, but becomes a box office success.
October 5 - Max Keeble's Big Move is released to mixed reviews and bombs at the box office.
November 2 - Monsters, Inc. is released as a box office hit and receives universal acclaim.
November 21 - Out Cold (Touchstone Pictures)
December 7 - 'Twas the Night
December 14 - The Other Side of Heaven (Touchstone Pictures)

Shorts

November 2 - For the Birds

Theme parks

January 1 - Walt Disney World Millennium Celebration ends.
- Millennium Village closes at Epcot.
January 2 - Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa opens at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California.
January 9 - Downtown Disney opens at the Disneyland Resort.
January 14 - Collector pins begin to be given out at the Disney Parks.
February 8
- Disney's California Adventure opens at Disneyland Resort.
- Muppet*Vision 3D opens at Disney's California Adventure.
March 28 - The Sorcerer's Hat opens at Disney-MGM Studios and becomes the park's icon, replacing the Earffel Tower.
April 1 - The Main Street Electrical Parade ends its run at the Magic Kingdom.
April 2 - SpectroMagic returns to the Magic Kingdom.
April 7 - Who Wants to Be a Millionaire – Play It! debuts at Disney-MGM Studios.
April 16 - Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge opens.
April 27 - The Los Angeles Times and Orange County Register reports that the Rocket Rods at Disneyland will never reopen due to many factors.
May 1 - The Disney's Animal Kingdom attraction Countdown to Extinction changes its name to Dinosaur.
May 6 - A tree in Frontierland at Disneyland, which had been there since the park opened, falls over, injuring 29 people.
May 12 - Doug Live! closes at the Disney-MGM Studios, due to the show's cancellation from ABC.
May 24 - The Magic Carpets of Aladdin opens at the Magic Kingdom.
July 4 - Disney's Electrical Parade begins performing at Disney's California Adventure.
July 17- Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln receives an upgrade.
July 27 - The Disney Resort Line of the Tokyo Disney Resort goes into service.
September 4 - Tokyo DisneySea opens at the Tokyo Disney Resort.
September 9
- The Country Bear Jamboree closes at Disneyland.
- Tapestry of Nations has its final performance at Epcot.
September 11 and 12 - Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort close due to the terrorist attacks in the northeast. Hotels in both resorts remain open.
September 13 - Who Wants to Be a Millionaire – Play It! premieres at Disney's California Adventure to very low crowds, due to the terrorist attacks halting travel two days before.
September 24 - Tapestry of Dreams premiered at Epcot.
October 1
- Walt Disney World Resort and the Magic Kingdom celebrates its 30th anniversary.
- Cinderella's Surprise Celebration premieres at the Magic Kingdom.
- Playhouse Disney - Live on Stage begins at Disney's MGM Studios.
October 3 - Haunted Mansion Holiday, the seasonal overlay of The Haunted Mansion, debuts at Disneyland.
October 7 - Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough closes at Disneyland.
October 8 - Journey Into Your Imagination closes at Epcot.
November 2 - Disney's River Country closes at Walt Disney World, since it was celebrated the 25th and final anniversary of this water park in June 20, 2001.

Television

January 12 - Lizzie McGuire and Zenon: The Zequel premiere on the Disney Channel.
January 13 - House of Mouse premieres on ABC; Buzz Lightyear of Star Command airs its final episode on ABC.
January 22 - The Book of Pooh premieres on Playhouse Disney.
February 3 - Lloyd in Space premieres on ABC.
February 16 - Motocrossed premieres on the Disney Channel.
March 9 - The Luck of the Irish premieres on the Disney Channel.
April 5 - The Disney Channel debuts in Brazil.
April 13 - Hounded premieres on the Disney Channel.
June 8 - Jett Jackson: The Movie premieres on the Disney Channel.
July 13 - The Jennie Project premieres on the Disney Channel.
August 17 - Jumping Ship premieres on the Disney Channel.
September 1 - The Legend of Tarzan premieres in syndication.
September 14 - The Poof Point premieres on the Disney Channel.
September 15 - The Proud Family premieres on the Disney Channel and Stanley premieres on Playhouse Disney.
September 28 - So Weird airs its final episode on the Disney Channel.
September 30 - Alias airs on ABC.
October 2 - Bob Patterson premieres on ABC.
October 3 - According to Jim premieres on ABC.
October 12 - Halloweentown II: Kalabar's Revenge premieres on the Disney Channel.
November 21 - Recess, after four years as one of the most popular shows on ABC's One Saturday Morning, airs its final episode. It would remain in reruns on ABC until fall 2004. A direct-to-video epilogue and prequel are released two years later.

Books

October 21 - The Book of Pooh: Rhyme Time

Video games

January 24 - Winnie the Pooh Baby for PC
March 15 - Disney's Aladdin in Nasira's Revenge for PlayStation (North America only)
March 29 - Dance Dance Revolution GB Disney Mix for Game Boy Color (Japan only)
April 27 - Disney's Phonics Quest and Winnie the Pooh Kindergarten for PC
October 2 - Winnie the Pooh: ABC's and Winnie the Pooh: 123's Disney Learning Toddler and Preschool for PC
October 25 - Monsters, Inc. Scream Team Training for PC
November 6 - Rolie Polie Olie: The Search For Spot for PC
November 14 - Tarzan: Untamed for PlayStation 2
November 15 - Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs for Game Boy Color
November 17 - Tarzan: Untamed for GameCube
November 22 - Adventure of Tokyo Disney Sea for Game Boy Advance (Japan)
December 20 - Adventure of Tokyo Disney Sea for PlayStation 2 (Japan)

Home video releases

VHS & DVD releases

January 9
- Love Tales (re-issue)
- Sweetheart Stories (re-issue)
- Mickey Loves Minnie (re-issue)
- Winnie the Pooh: Un-Valentine's Day (re-issue)
- Winnie the Pooh: A Valentine for You
January 16
- Pete's Dragon
- Mission to Mars (VHS only)
January 23
- The Kid
- The Thirteenth Year
January 30 - Dinosaur
February 12 - American Legends
February 27 - Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure
March 20
- The Sword in the Stone
- Bedknobs and Broomsticks: 30th Anniversary Edition
- Remember the Titans
- Toy Story
- Toy Story 2
- Alley Cats Strike
April 3 - 102 Dalmatians
April 10 - The Love Bug
May 1
- The Emperor's New Groove
- The Emperor's New Groove: The Ultimate Groove Edition (DVD only)
June 5 - Oliver & Company (VHS only)
July 17
- The Book of Pooh: Stories from the Heart
- My Date with the President's Daughter
August 7 - Recess: School's Out
September 11
- The Book of Pooh: Fun with Words
- Fun with Friends
September 18 - Principal Takes a Holiday
October 9 - Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: Platinum Edition (DVD only)
October 23
- Dumbo: 60th Anniversary Edition
- Whispers: An Elephant's Tale
November 6
- Disney Sing Along Songs: The Twelve Days of Christmas (re-issue)
- 101 Dalmatians: Christmas (re-issue)
- Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse
- Recess Christmas: Miracle on Third Street
- Sister Act
- Santa Who?
November 27 - Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: Platinum Edition (VHS only)
December 4 - Walt Disney Treasures Wave 1 (DVD only)
December 18
- The Princess Diaries
- Child Star: The Shirley Temple Story

Albums

January 23 - Recess: School's Out
February 27 - Disney's Greatest Volumes 1 and 2
March 27 - Cruella's Favorite Villain Songs
May 22 - Atlantis: The Lost Empire
September 11 - Playhouse Disney
October 23 - Monsters Inc.

Business

Buena Vista Games is founded, Disney Interactive and Buena Vista Interactive being subsidiaries in the process.
Disney loses the rights to King Louie following a lawsuit with Gia Prima for not paying royalties and impersonation of her husband's voice.
October 24 - Disney purchases Fox Family Worldwide from News Corporation and Saban Entertainment. The buyout included the Fox Family Channel, the Fox Kids brand name, rights to the Fox Kids/Fox Children’s Productions library of shows and Fox Kids channels in Europe and Latin America (including their 75.7% majority stake in Fox Kids Europe N.V.), the Saban Entertainment library, Saban International Paris and other subsidiaries. Fox Family Worldwide is renamed ABC Family Worldwide. 17 days later, Fox Family became ABC Family. Saban Entertainment is renamed to BVS Entertainment and Saban International Paris was sold off to become an independent studio.

Events

January 1 - Walt Disney World's Millennium Celebration comes to an end.
April 20 - EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival runs until June 11.
October 20 - EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival runs until November 19.
After 1 year, the last videos in the Walt Disney Gold Classic Collection were The Sword in the Stone, Oliver & Company (Canadian copy only), and Bedknobs and Broomsticks, followed by the Platinum Edition of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in October 2001.

Character debuts

January 12 - Lizzie McGuire, Miranda Sanchez, David Gordon, Matt McGuire, Jo McGuire, Sam McGuire, Kate Sanders, Danny Kessler, Claire Miller
January 13 - Microphone Mike
January 26 - Ruby Mendel
February 2 - Monique Taylor
February 3 - Lloyd Nebulon, Captain Nora Nebulon, Francine Nebulon, Eddie Horton, Kurt Blobberts, Douglas McNoggin, Mrs. Bolt, Station, Megan Uno, Rodney Glaxer, Violet, Frank Horton, Brittany Boviak
February 8 - Vitale Robustelli, Swifty La Rue, Camellia Falco, Patrick
February 10 - Tasha
February 16 - Dr. Phillium Benedict, Becky Detweiler, Kojak, Secret Service Look-Alike Agents, Dr. Rosenthal, Professor Fenwick
February 27 - Angel, Buster, Reggie, Francois, Sparky, Mooch, Ruby, Scratchy, Otis, the Dogcatcher
March 3 - Pru
March 11 - Gwyn, Robin Hood
May 4 - Angel Lieberman
June 1 - Lanny Onasis
June 15 - Milo Thatch, Kida Nedakh, Lyle Tiberius Rourke, Gaetan Molière, Helga Sinclair, Preston B. Whitmore, Joshua Sweet, Kashekim Nedakh, Vincenzo Santorini, Audrey Ramirez, Wilhelmina Packard, Fenton Q. Harcourt, Jebidiah Allardyce "Cookie" Farnsworth, Thaddeus Thatch, Queen of Atlantis
June 19 - Millicent
August 3 - Mia Thermopolis, Queen Clarisse Renaldi, Lana Thomas, Helen Thermopolis, Josh Bryant, Anna and Fontana
September 4 - Renard Dumont, Sindbad, Chandu, Crystal Skull, Paco
September 5 - Nuru and Sheeta
September 6 - Queen La, Leopard Men
September 7 - Hugo and Hooft, Lieutenant Colonel Staquait
September 15 - Penny Proud, Dijonay Jones, Zoey Howzer, LaCienega Boulevardez, Suga Mama, Oscar Proud, Trudy Proud, BeBe & CeCe Proud, Puff, Sticky Webb, Felix Boulevardez, Sunset Boulevardez, Papi Boulevardez, the Gross Sisters, Michael Collins, Coach Collins, Stanley Griff, Joyce Griff, Mark Griff, Harry, Elsie, Dennis
September 16 - Dania
September 21 - Wizard Kelly, Myron Lewinski, Omar Phillips, Melina Bianco
September 24 - Samuel T. Philander
September 25 - Hista
September 26 - Abigail Markham
September 28 - Bobby Proud, Ginger S. Kelly, Ajay, Tristan the Magician
October 5 - Max Keeble, Megan, Troy McGinty, Don Keeble, Lily Keeble, Evil Ice Cream Man, Principal Elliot T. Jindrake, Jenna, Chelsea, Robe, Dobbs, Daniella Sanchez, Mega
October 8 - Naoh, Muviro
October 9 - Zutho, Gozan and Hungo
October 10 - Helga
October 12 - The Chang Triplets, Mr. Chang, Red-Nosed Baby, Timothy Smythe, Crandall Smythe, Cindy
October 14 - Tublat
October 19 - Frankie White
October 31 - Finster Zombies
November 2 - James P. Sullivan, Mike Wazowski, Boo, Randall Boggs, Henry J. Waternoose, Celia Mae, Roz, Yeti, Fungus, Flint, Thaddeus Bile, Needleman and Smitty, George Sanderson, Trailer Son and Mom, Dr. Payne, Funny Toned Security Guard, Carlos, CDA
November 4 - The Tylers
November 9 - Percy Proud
November 29 - Tasha
December 7 - Stephanie, Danny Wrigley
December 10 - Grandma Griff
December 14 - Sergi

People

Births

January 19 - Tyler Merna (actor and voice actor)
February 15 - Haley Tju (actress and voice actress)
February 21 - Isabella Acres (actress and voice actress)
February 23 - Lilla Crawford (actress, singer, and dancer)
March 6 - Milo Manheim (actor)
April 15 - Django Marsh (actor and voice actor)
June 1 - Ed Oxenbould (actor)
July 3 - Avalon Robbins (model and actress)
August 5 - Josie Totah (actress)
August 6
- Harley Graham (actress and voice actress)
- Ty Simpkins (actor)
August 8 - Aubrey K. Miller (actress)
August 30 - Sean Ryan Fox (actor and voice actor)
September 4 - Tenzing Norgay Trainor (actor)
October 9 - Joshua Carlon (actor and voice actor)
October 12 - Raymond Ochoa (actor, voice actor, and musician)
October 14 - Rowan Blanchard (actress, singer, model, and dancer)
November 15 - Sadie Stanley (actress and singer)
December 13 - Harley Bird (actress)
December 14 - Joshua Rush (actor and voice actor)

Deaths

January 26 - Thor Putnam (layout artist)
February 17 - John Sutherland (producer, writer, animator, and voice actor)
May 10 - Deborah Walley (actress and voice actress)
May 11 - Douglas Adams (writer)
May 18 - Maurice Noble (animation production designer, animation background artist, and layout designer)
May 19 - Mike Sammes (vocal arranger and session musician/singer)
July 15 - Ted Berman (film director, animator, and screenwriter)
August 4 - Lorenzo Music (actor, voice actor, writer, producer, and musician)
August 23 - Kathleen Freeman (actress)
September 13 - Dorothy McGuire (actress)
November 29 - George Harrison (musician)
December 26 - Nigel Hawthorne (actor)
December 31 - David Swift (screenwriter, animator, director, and producer)