1998

1998

 File:ToonDisneyLogo.jpg
 File:The Oasis at Disney's Animal Kingdom.jpg
 File:The Enchanted Tiki Room (Under New Management) at Magic Kingdom.jpg
 File:Mulan.JPG
 File:Parenttrapposter.jpg
 File:A Bugs Life movie.jpg
 File:Richie Rich's Christmas Wish (1998) Poster.png

## Theatrical releases

### Feature films

* February 20 - *An Alan Smithee Film: Burn Hollywood Burn* (Hollywood Pictures) was released to a universally negative reaction and was a box office bomb.
* February 27 - *Krippendorf's Tribe* (Touchstone Pictures)
* March 27 - *Meet the Deedles* (with DiC Entertainment) was released to negative reviews and became a box office bomb.
* May 23 - *Kiki's Delivery Service* premiered in Seattle International Film Festival
* June 5 - *Mulan* (premiere)
* June 12 - *Six Days Seven Nights* (Touchstone Pictures)
* June 19 - *Mulan* was released to mostly positive reviews and commercial success.
* July 1 - *Armageddon* (Touchstone Pictures)
* July 29 - *The Parent Trap* remake was released to positive reception.
* August 14 - *Air Bud: Golden Receiver*
* September 11 - *Simon Birch* (Hollywood Pictures)
* October 9 - *Rushmore* (Touchstone Pictures)
* October 23 - *Aladdin* is re-released exclusively in IMAX theaters.
* November 13 - *I'll Be Home For Christmas* was released to extremely negative reviews and becomes a box office failure.
* November 20
	+ *Enemy of the State* (Touchstone Pictures)
	+ *The Toddleast and the Little Tale* (re-issue)
* November 25 - *A Bug's Life* was released to very positive reviews and becomes a box office success.
* December 11 - *Claderodin* (produced by Walt Disney Animation, under Walt Disney Feature Animation)
* December 25 - *Mighty Joe Young* becomes a box office bomb and gains mixed reviews from critics.

## Theme parks

* January 21 - The original Disneyland Parking Lot closes to make way for the Disneyland Resort expansion, including Disney California Adventure, Downtown Disney, and Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.
* January 31 - The Magic Kingdom's Cinderella Castle, which was decorated to look like a cake for the 25th anniversary celebration, is returned to its normal look.
* February 1 - ILLUMinations 98 opens at Epcot. The "25" is also dropped from the name.
* February 14 - The Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop opens at Downtown Disney in Walt Disney World.
* February 17 - Construction begins on the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster at Disney's Hollywood Studios.
* April 22 - Disney's Animal Kingdom opens at Walt Disney World.
* May 1 - The Enchanted Tiki Room (Under New Management) opens at the Magic Kingdom.
* May 22 - The "New" Tomorrowland opens at Disneyland with the following new attractions: American Space Experience, Astro Orbitor, Cosmic Waves, Honey, I Shrunk the Audience, and Rocket Rods. Older attractions remaining open after refurbishment: Autopia, Disneyland Monorail System, Space Mountain, Starcade, Star Tours, and Submarine Voyage.
* June 19 - *Animazement: The Musical* begins its run at Disneyland's Fantasyland Theatre.
* July 3 - Innoventions opens at Disneyland.
* September 8 - Submarine Voyage closes at Disneyland. It would reopen nearly nine years later as Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage.
* August 17 - Captain EO closes at Disneyland Paris.
* September 7 - Mr. Toad's Wild Ride closes at the Magic Kingdom.
* October 10 - Journey Into Imagination closes at Epcot to be replaced by Journey Into Your Imagination version featuring Eric Idle without Figment or Dreamfinder.
* December 8 - Test Track begins soft openings at Epcot.
* December 23 - Toon Park closes at Disneyland. Toon Park would however live on at Magic Kingdom (until 2011) and at Tokyo Disneyland.
* December 24 - On Sailing Ship Columbia at Disneyland, a cleat used to secure the ship to the dock tears loose, striking 33-year-old Luan Phi Dawson and his wife in the head, as their two children and other horrified park guests look on. Dawson is declared brain dead two days later and died when his life support system is disconnected. A cast member is also injured. (See Incidents at Disney parks.)

## Television

* January 1 - *Movie Surfers* premieres on the Disney Channel.
* January 6 - *Bear in the Big Blue House* Season 2 premieres on Playhouse Disney.
* March 1 - *Bug Juice* premieres on the Disney Channel.
* March 4 - *101 Dalmatians: The Series* ends with "Dalmatian Vacation, Part 3: Dearly Beloved". Reruns continue on ABC until 1999.
* March 15 - *PB&J Otter* premieres on Playhouse Disney.
* April 18 - Toon Disney begins broadcasting.
* June 20 - *Bill Nye the Science Guy* airs its last episode.
* June 27 - *You Lucky Dog* premieres on the Disney Channel.
* August 29 - *Brink!* premieres on the Disney Channel.
* August 31 - *Hercules: The Series* premieres on ABC and in syndication.
* October 10 - *Out of the Box* premieres on Playhouse Disney.
* October 17 - *Halloweentown* premieres on the Disney Channel.
* November 6 - *Rolie Polie Olie* premieres on Playhouse Disney.
* December 20 - *The Wiggles Live at Disneyland Park* premieres on Disney Channel Australia to welcome The Wiggles.

## Albums

* January 27
	+ *Winnie the Pooh: Friends Forever*
	+ *Ariel's Favorites*
* February 3
	+ *Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs*
	+ *Peter Pan*
* February 10
	+ *Archive Collection Vol.1: Burl Ives: Chim Chim Cherie*
	+ *Archive Collection Vol. 2: Hayley Mills: Let's Get Together*
	+ *Archive Collection Vol. 3: Louis Prima with Gia Maione: Let's Fly With Mary Poppins*
	+ *Archive Collection Vol. 4: Rex Allen: 16 Golden Hits*
	+ *Archive Collection Vol. 5: Cliff Edwards: Ukulele Ike Sings Again*

## Comics

* December - Gladstone Publishing loses the rights to the Disney comic license.

## Video games

* *A Bug's Life* for PC
* May - *Mickey Mouse: Magic Wands!* for Game Boy
* September 14 - *Animated StoryBook: Mulan*
* October 27 - *A Bug's Life* for PlayStation
* November 2 - *The D Show*
* December 8 - *A Bug's Life* for Game Boy Color

## Home video releases

* February 3
	+ *Hercules*
	+ *G.I. Jane* (Hollywood Pictures Home Video)
	+ *Air Bud*
* February 10 - *Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella*
* February 14 - *Winnie the Pooh: Un-Valentine's Day* (re-issue)
* February 17
	+ *The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes*
	+ *The Strongest Man in the World*
	+ *The Horse in the Gray Flannel Suit*
	+ *The Barefoot Executive*
	+ *Beauty and the Beast: Belle's Magical World*
* March 3
	+ *Peter Pan*
	+ *The Moon-Spinners*
* March 24
	+ *Mary Poppins* (re-issue)
	+ *The Sword in the Stone* (re-issue)
	+ *Alice in Wonderland* (re-issue)
	+ *Pete's Dragon* (re-issue)
	+ *Robin Hood* (re-issue)
	+ *Dumbo* (re-issue)
* March 31
	+ *Flubber*
	+ *Mary Poppins*
* April 21 - *The Little Mermaid*
* May 19
	+ *The Apple Dumpling Gang* (re-issue)
	+ *The Brave Little Toaster* (re-issue)
	+ *The Brave Little Toaster Goes to Mars*
	+ *Pretty Woman*
	+ *The Love Bug*
* June 2 - *Melody Time*
* July 14 - *The Spirit of Mickey*
* July 28 - *Disney Sing Along Songs: Honor to Us All*
* August 4
	+ *The Black Cauldron*
	+ *Mr. Magoo*
* August 25
	+ *Winnie the Pooh: Frankenpooh* (re-issue)
	+ *Winnie the Pooh: Spookable Pooh* (re-issue)
	+ *Boo to You Too! Winnie the Pooh* (re-issue)
	+ *Disney Sing Along Songs: Happy Haunting: Party at Disneyland*
	+ *Money Rock*
	+ Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World
* September 15
	+ *Kiki's Delivery Service*
	+ *Lady and the Tramp*
* September 29
	+ *The Killer Man*
	+ *The Jungle Book: Mowgli's Story*
* October 6
	+ *A Walt Disney Christmas* (re-issue)
	+ *A Disney Christmas Gift* (re-issue)
	+ *Jiminy Cricket's Christmas* (re-issue)
	+ *Mickey's Christmas Carol* (re-issue)
	+ *Winnie the Pooh and Christmas Too* (re-issue)
	+ *Spot's Magical Christmas* (re-issue)
	+ *How the Toys Saved Christmas* (re-issue)
	+ *101 Dalmatians: Christmas*
	+ *Raymond Briggs' The Bear*
* October 13 - *The Santa Clause*
* October 14 - *Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas*
* October 27 - *The Lion King II: Simba's Pride*
* November 10 - *Dead Poets Society*
* November 24 - *Richie Rich's Christmas Wish*
* December 8
	+ *South Park*
	+ *The Parent Trap*
	+ *Mr. Magoo* (re-issue)
	+ *Six Days Seven Nights* (Touchstone Home Video)
* December 18
	+ *Air Bud: Golden Receiver*
	+ *Summer of the Monkeys*

## Magazines

* June - *Disney Adventures* publishes its 100th issue.

## Events

* January - Production begins on *Recess: School's Out*.
* January 26 - Ranch and Grove Holding Corporation is merged into the Walt Disney World Company.

## Character debuts

* January 13 - Ursa
* January 16 - Amber Dearly
* January 17 - Bob and Flo Spinelli
* February 9 - Jacques the Beaver, Lois, Big Old Bullfrog, Doc Hogg
* February 16 - Rebecca, Judge Dimsdale De Vil
* February 17 - Webster, Crane, Le Plume, Witherspoon, Chandeleria, Tres, Chaude
* February 20 - Cave Pup
* February - Newton, Vostok
* March - Brad Van Beck
* March 15 - Peanut Otter, Baby Butter Otter, Jelly Otter, Opal Otter, Ernest Otter, Mayor Jeff, Pinch Raccoon, Scootch Raccoon, Walter Raccoon, Wanda Raccoon, Munchy Beaver, Flick Duck
* March 21 - Ootsie Snootie, Bootsie Snootie
* March 28 - Anna Otter
* April 8 - Otto and Etta Otter
* April 18 - Steve Ellinger
* May 1 - Uh-Oa
* May 19 - Robbie McGroarty, Fanny, Ratso, Hearing Aid, Supreme Commander, Tinselina, Microwave, Squirt, Faucet, Calculator, Viking 1, Wittgenstein, The Missile
* May 29 - Arpin Lusene
* June 1 - Baby Blotter
* June 19 - Fa Mulan, Li Shang, Mushu, Shan Yu, Cri-Kee, Little Brother, Yao, Ling, and Chien Po, Fa Zhou, Fa Li, Grandmother Fa, Chi-Fu, Hayabusa the Falcon, General Li, The Emperor of China, Fa Family Ancestors, The Matchmaker, Fa Li, Khan, Shang's Horse, Elite Hun Soldiers, Hun Army, Imperial Scouts, Lone Chinese Guard
* July 19 - Malevola De Vil
* July 29 - Annie James, Hallie Parker, Nick Parker, Elizabeth James, Charles James, Martin, Chessy, Sammy, Meredith Blake, Marva Kulp Sr, Marva Kulp Jr
* August 14 - Dr. Patrick Sullivan
* August 25 - John Rolfe, King James, Queen Anne, Mrs. Jenkins, Uttamatomakkin, Jesters
* August 31 - Cassandra, Icarus, Adonis, Mr. Parentheses, Homer
* September 1 - King Salmoneus
* September 3 - Chipacles, Clion
* September 7 - Daedalus, Helen of Troy
* September 12 - Orthos
* September 15 - Achilles
* September 16 - Typhon, Echidna
* September 18 - Queen Hippolyte
* September 23 - Hecate
* September 29 - Tabaqui
* September - Oberon De Spair
* October 3 - Gelman
* October 5 - Nestor & Meleager
* October 10 - Prometheus
* October 17 - Aggie Cromwell, Gwen Piper, Marnie Piper, Dylan Piper, Sophie Piper, Luke, Kalabar, Benny, Harriet
* October 27 - Kiara, Kovu, Zira, Vitani, Nuka, Outsiders, Crocodiles
* October 31 - Chiron
* October - Eugene Photomas
* November 4 - Chimera, Ladon
* November 6 - Lavina, Geryon, Tivius
* November 10 - Orion
* November 13 - Jake Wilkinson, Allie Henderson, Eddie Taffet
* November 14 - Amphitrite
* November 16 - Poseidon
* November 21 - Erwin Lawson, Syrinx
* November 24 - Great King Pan, Nemesis
* November 25 - Flik, Princess Atta, Dot, Hopper, Molt, Thumper, P.T. Flea, Heimlich, Gypsy, Manny, Slim, Rosie, Dim, Francis, Tuck and Roll, The Queen, The Fly Brothers, Bird, Grasshoppers, The Blueberries, Ant Colony
* November 28 - Alexander, Callista
* December 2 - Doc Owl
* December 3 - Jeremiah Tortoise
* December 16 - Andromeda
* December 25 - Gregg O'Hara, Jill Young, Mighty Joe Young, Andrei Strasser, Doctor Ruth Young, Garth, Jason
* Dexter Dingus

## People

### Births

* January 4 - Coco Jones (actress, singer, rapper, and dancer)
* January 9 - Kerris Dorsey (actress and singer)
* January 28 - Ariel Winter (actress, voice actress, and singer)
* February 15 - Zachary Gordon (actor and voice actor)
* April 6
	+ Peyton List (actress and model)
	+ Spencer List (actor)
* April 9 - Elle Fanning (actress)
* April 24 - Ryan Newman (actress and singer)
* May 4 - Taylar Hender (actress and voice actress)
* June 11 - Charlie Tahan (actor)
* June 19 - Atticus Shaffer (actor and voice actor)
* July 3 - Isabella Murad (actress and voice actress)
* July 9 - Robert Capron (actor)
* July 22 - Madison Pettis (actress, voice actress, and model)
* July 31 - Rico Rodriguez (actor and voice actor)
* August 1 - Khamani Griffin (actor and voice actor)
* August 3 - Cozi Zuehlsdorff (actress, voice actress, and singer)
* August 12 - Fiona Bishop (actress, voice actress, and singer)
* August 25 - China Anne McClain (actress, voice actress, and singer-songwriter)
* September 15 - Seth Dusky (actor and voice actor)
* October 28 - Nolan Gould (actor and voice actor)
* October 29 - Jenna Lea Rosen (vocalist, actress, voice actress, and singer)
* November 4 - Darcy Rose Byrnes (actress and singer-songwriter)
* November 23 - Bradley Steven Perry (actor and voice actor)
* December 16 - Kiara Muhammad (actress, voice actress, and singer)
* December 22 - G. Hannelius (actress)

### Deaths

* February 14 - Thomas McKimson (animator)
* February 28 - James Algar (director, screenwriter, and producer)
* March 8 - Marvin Davis (master planner, art director, and scenic designer)
* March 31 - Eda Reiss Merin (actress and voice actress)
* May 27 - Ken O'Connor (layout artist and art director)
* May 28 - Phil Hartman (actor, voice actor, comedian, graphic artist, and screenwriter)
* June 5 - Jeanette Nolan (actress)
* June 12 - Retta Davidson (animator)
* July 22 - Marjorie Ralston (voice actress)
* October 3 - Roddy McDowall (actor, film director, photographer, and voice artist)
* October 15 - Jack Boyd (effects animator)
* November 30 - Ruth Clifford (actress and voice actress)