DINUS » Disney in 1959

Disney in 1959

Last Updated on: February 20th, 2023

The Walt Disney Company has a rich and lengthy history with decades of amazing movies, shows and park experiences. To commemorate Disney’s 100th birthday this year, I am spotlighting the company’s history year by year in this new ‘Disney by the Years’ series.

Here is a quick rundown of everything that happened in the world of Disney in the year 1959. I hope you find this lookback in time helpful and entertaining.

Disney 1959 Movies Headlines:

In 1959, Disney released several movies, including:

January 29 – Sleeping Beauty
March 19 – The Shaggy Dog
June 26 – Darby O’Gill and the Little People
August 4 – The Big Fisherman
November 10 – Third Man on the Mountain

As was custom at this time, Disney also re-released a number of classic movies to theaters in 1959:

June 19 – The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad
July 10 – The Reluctant Dragon
December 24 – Dumbo

Disney won three Oscars in 1959- two for the shorts Grand Canyon and Ama Girls and one for the documentary White Wilderness.

Overall, the year saw a decent output of movies quantity-wise, but the quality is through the roof with a few of the company’s most beloved animated and live-action feature films making their debut in the year.

Disney 1959 Parks Headlines:

Disneyland Headlines:

Disneyland was 4 years old in 1959 and saw its first decent-sized overhaul during the year. A number of iconic attractions made their debut in 1959 including the Matterhorn Bobsleds, the Disneyland Monorail and the Submarine Voyage.

Other notable changes at Disneyland include:

The addition of the Fantasyland Autopia in June.
The Rainbow Mountain Stage Coaches close in September.
The Conestoga Wagons close in September.

Disney 1959 Television Headlines:

In 1959, Walt Disney Presents was in its second year of production and was going strong every Sunday night on ABC. A notable episode was the January 30th show titled The Peter Tchaikovsky Story which was the first stereophonic broadcast of a television program in history.

In June, the company aired a live television special titled Disneyland ’59 to show off the various new attractions at the park.

Also on TV in 1959 were the live action drama Zorro and the Mickey Mouse Club which would both be canceled this year.

1959 Archives

Here is the Internet’s largest rundown of all the Disney movies, TV shows, park attractions and more released or opened in the year 1959. New entries added daily, so be sure to check back often.

Disney Movies Released in 1959

The Shaggy Dog

Third Man On The Mountain

Darby O’Gill And The Little People

Jungle Cat

Sleeping Beauty

Disney Songs Released in 1959

I Wonder (Song)

“I Wonder” is a song from the 1959 Disney animated film “Sleeping Beauty“. The song is performed by the film’s protagonist, Princess Aurora, as she…

Once Upon a Dream (Song)

“Once Upon a Dream” is a song from the Disney animated film “Sleeping Beauty“. The song was composed by Jack Lawrence and Sammy Fain, with…

Hail to the Princess Aurora disney song music

Hail to the Princess Aurora (Song)

“Hail to the Princess Aurora” is a song from the 1959 Disney animated film “Sleeping Beauty“. The song is performed by the fairies Flora, Fauna,…

Poor Aurora (Song)

The Gift of Beauty and Song/Maleficent Appears disney song music

The Gift of Beauty and Song/Maleficent Appears/True Love Conquers All

“The Gift of Beauty and Song” is a song from the 1959 Disney animated film “Sleeping Beauty“. The song is sung by the three good…

Matterhorn Yodelers (Song)

“Matterhorn Yodelers” is a musical composition that is often associated with the Matterhorn Bobsleds attraction at Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California. The Matterhorn Bobsleds is…