2003

An overview of all Disney-related events that occurred in the year 2003.

Theatrical releases

Feature films

• January 10 - 25th Hour (Touchstone Pictures)
• February 14 - The Jungle Book 2 is released to negative reviews, but is a commercial success.
• March 21 - Piglet's Big Movie is released to positive reviews, but is a box-office failure.
• April 5 - Peter Pan (Philadelphia International Film Festival)
• April 11 - Ghosts of the Abyss
• April 18 - Holes is released to positive reviews.
• May 2 - The Lizzie McGuire Movie is released to mixed reviews.
• May 3 - Where the Red Fern Grows
• May 30 - Finding Nemo is released and becomes a mega-hit at the box office and gets universal acclaim.
• July 9 - Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, the first PG-13 film to be released under the Walt Disney Pictures label, is released and becomes a hit at the box office.
• August 6 - Freaky Friday
• September 26 - Under the Tuscan Sun (Touchstone Pictures)
• November 1 - Brother Bear is released to mixed reviews, but is a commercial success.
• November 26 - The Haunted Mansion is released to negative reviews.
• December 25 - The Young Black Stallion

Shorts

• May 7 - Boundin'
• May 30 - Knick Knack (re-release)
• June 2 - Destino (Annecy Animation Film Festival)
• December 19 - Destino

Theme parks

• January 16 - Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular premieres in the Hyperion Theater at Disney's California Adventure.
• January 25 - The Japan version of Cinderellabration: Lights of Romance premieres at the Tokyo Disneyland.
• March 3 - Tapestry of Dreams had its final performance at Epcot.
• April 11 - The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh opens in Fantasyland at Disneyland.
• April 15 - Tokyo Disneyland celebrates its 20th anniversary.
• April 22 - Disney's Animal Kingdom celebrates its 5th anniversary.
• May 22 - Reflections of China opens in the China Pavilion at Epcot.
• September 5 - 22-year-old Marcelo Torres is killed after suffering injuries during a derailment of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Frontierland at Disneyland.
• October 8 - Mickey's PhilharMagic opens in Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom.
• October 9 - Mission: SPACE opens in Future World at Epcot.
• October 12 - ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter closes in Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom.
• December 5 - A vehicle on Space Mountain in Tomorrowland at Tokyo Disneyland derails while returning to the station. 4 guests are injured.

Cruise ships

• August - The Golden Mickeys premiered on the Disney Wonder.

Television

• January 10 - You Wish! premieres on the Disney Channel.
• January 17 - That's So Raven premieres on the Disney Channel.
• March 21 - Right on Track premieres on the Disney Channel.
• May 16 - Kim Possible concludes it's first season on the Disney Channel with the episode "Low Budget".
• June 13 - The Even Stevens Movie premieres on the Disney Channel.
• July 7 - Bear in the Big Blue House Season 4 resumes on Playhouse Disney.
• July 18
  • Eddie's Million Dollar Cook-Off premieres on the Disney Channel.
  • Kim Possible begins airing its second season on the Disney Channel with the episode "Naked Genius".
• August 15 - The Cheetah Girls premieres on the Disney Channel.
• September 1 - The Koala Brothers premieres on Playhouse Disney.
• September 20 - Lilo & Stitch: The Series premieres on ABC and the Disney Channel.
• September 28 - JoJo's Circus premieres on Playhouse Disney.
• October 3 - That's So Raven begins its second season.
• October 13 - The 22-minute version of Lights, Camera, Action, Wiggles! (TV Series 3) premieres on Playhouse Disney.
• November 4 - Bear in the Big Blue House Season 4 finale premieres on Playhouse Disney.
• November 21 - Full-Court Miracle premieres on the Disney Channel.
• November 28 - Kim Possible: A Sitch in Time airs on the Disney Channel.
• December 25 - The 21st annual Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade premieres on ABC.

Albums

• January 28 - Playhouse Disney 2
• July 22 - Kim Possible

Comics

• June - Gemstone Publishing begins publishing Disney comic books, starting with Walt Disney's Comics and Stories #634 and Uncle Scrooge #319.
• September 18 - Gemstone publishes their first issues of Mickey Mouse and Friends and Donald Duck and Friends.

Books

• September 1 - Disney Trim-A-Tree: With 24 Book Ornaments
• October 1 - The Haunted Mansion: From the Magic Kingdom to the Movies

Events

• April 25 - EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival is held runs until June 8, which is celebrated on its 10th Anniversary.
• May 7 - Crossover Time celebrated its 14th anniversary.
• May 27 - June 9 - The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim make their first Stanley Cup Finals appearance in franchise history. However, they lost in seven games to the New Jersey Devils.
• October 18 - EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival is held until November 16.
• November 28 - EPCOT Holidays Around the World is held until December 30.

Video games

• January 16 - Disney Sports Snowboarding for Game Boy Advance
• February 2 - Piglet's Big Game
• February 7 - Treasure Planet
• February 13 - Disney Sports Motocross
• April 4 - Disney Princess for Game Boy Advance
• May 7 - Finding Nemo: Nemo's Underwater World of Fun for PC
• May 12 - Finding Nemo is released for PlayStation 2, GameCube, Xbox, PC, & Game Boy Advance
• June 2 - Toontown Online
• August 12 - Wiggly Party for PC
• September 2 - Disney's Extreme Skate Adventure
• September 19 - Disney Princess: Magical Dress-Up
• September 30 - The Lion King 1½ for Game Boy Advance
• October 14 - Lizzie McGuire: On the Go!
• November 4 - Brother Bear for Game Boy Advance
• November 11 - Brother Bear for PC

Home video releases

• January 7 - Signs (Touchstone Home Entertainment)
• January 14 - The Horse in the Gray Flannel Suit (DVD only)
• January 21 - 101 Dalmatians II: Patch's London Adventure
• February 18 - Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams (Dimension Home Video)
• February 25
  • Beauty and the Beast: Belle's Magical World: Special Edition
  • Dinosaur (re-issue)
  • The Emperor's New Groove (re-issue)
• March 4
  • Heavyweights
  • Man of the House
  • Blank Check
• March 11
  • Inspector Gadget 2
  • Stanley: Hop to It and Spring Fever
• March 25 - Who Framed Roger Rabbit (Touchstone Home Entertainment)
• April 1
  • Disney Sing Along Songs: Circle of Life
  • Sing a Song with Pooh Bear (and Piglet Too)
• April 8
  • Life with Mikey
  • The Marrying Man
• April 15
  • Castle in the Sky
  • Kiki's Delivery Service
  • Spirited Away
• April 29 - Treasure Planet
• May 6 - Toothless
• May 13 - The Hot Chick
• May 20
  • Atlantis: Milo's Return
  • The Rescuers
  • 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Special Edition
  • 25th Hour (Touchstone Home Entertainment)
• May 27 - A Bug's Life: 2-Disc Collector's Edition
• June 3 - 3 Ninjas
• June 10 - The Jungle Book 2
• June 24 - Air Bud: Spikes Back
• July 29 - Piglet's Big Movie
• August 5 - Slam Dunk Ernest
• August 12 - The Lizzie McGuire Movie
• August 19 - Chicago (Miramax Home Entertainment)
• August 26 - Stitch! The Movie
• September 2
  • Kim Possible: The Secret Files
  • The Brave Little Toaster
  • The Brave Little Toaster Goes to Mars
  • The Brave Little Toaster to the Rescue
  • Escape to Witch Mountain: Special Edition
  • Return from Witch Mountain: Special Edition
• September 9 - Sleeping Beauty: Special Edition
• September 23 - Holes
• October 7 - The Lion King: Platinum Edition
• October 14
  • Flight of the Navigator
  • Holy Matrimony
• October 21 - George of the Jungle 2
• October 28 - Disney Sing Along Songs: On My Way
• November 4 - Finding Nemo (2-Disc Collector's Edition)
• November 11
  • Gerry (Miramax Home Entertainment)
  • Eloise at the Plaza
  • Lilo & Stitch's Island of Adventures
• November 18 - The Santa Clause 2
• December 2 - Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
• December 9
  • Lizzie McGuire: Fashionably Lizzie and Growing Up Lizzie
  • Recess: Taking the Fifth Grade
  • Recess: All Growed Down
  • Recess Christmas: Miracle on Third Street (re-issue)
• December 16 - Freaky Friday

Character debuts

• January 3 - Sunny Stevens/Iesha
• January 17 - Raven Baxter, Eddie Thomas, Chelsea Daniels, Cory Baxter, Tanya Baxter, Victor Baxter, Señorita Rodriguez
• January 21 - Lil' Lightning, Lars
• January 24 - Serena Valentine
• January 25 - Sis Frogs
• January 26 - Max
• January 31 - Crystal
• February 4 - Johannes Niels
• February 5 - Robert Canler, Nigel Taylor
• February 14 - Ranjan, Ranjan's Father, Messua, Shanti's Mother, Lucky
• February 16 - Professor Harold Hill
• February 21 - Dr. Sleevemore
• February 28 - Nicki Peterson, Ricky Rodriguez
• March 7 - Monkey Ninjas, Frederick the Monkey, Proctor Lee
• March 11 - G2
• March 28 - Gabriel
• April 18 - Warden Walker, Mr. Sir, Katherine Barlow, Dr. Pendanski, Sam the Onion Man, Stanley Yelnats IV, Stanley Yelnats III, Stanley Yelnats II, Stanley Yelnats I, Elya Yelnats, Clyde Livingston, Austin Gorg, Trout Walker, Myra Menke, Morris Menke, Madame Zeroni, Hector Zeroni, Zigzag, X-Ray, Armpit, Squid, Magnet
• April 24 - Meg Murry, Charles Wallace Murry, Mrs. Murry, Mr. Murry, Calvin O'Keefe, Mrs. Which, Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, Happy Medium, It, Aunt Beast, Principal Jenkins
• April 25 - Professor Dementor, Jack Hench, Mr. Stoppable, Mrs. Stoppable
• May 2 - Paolo Valisari, Isabella Parigi
• May 7 - Lamb, Jackalope
• May 10 - Joyce Summit, Raylean Tingley, Checkmatey
• May 16 - Frugal Lucre
• May 17 - Sonny Lombard
• May 20 - Chakashi, Edgar Volgud, Ashtin Carnaby, Erik Hellstrom, Obby, Krakken, Sam McKeane
• May 23 - Rene
• May 30 - Nemo, Dory, Marlin, Coral, Bruce, Nigel, Darla, P. Sherman, Gill, Anchor, Chum, Crush, Squirt, Seagulls, Pearl, Tad, Sheldon, Mr. Ray, Nigel, Philip Sherman, Anglerfish, Moonfish, Whale, Tank Gang, Jellyfish Forest, Gerald, Blenny
• June 2 - Flippy
• June 20 - Tabasco, Paprika, Funny Toned Security Guard, Amber
• June 24 - Grandma Framm
• June 27 - Duke Anoi
• July 7 - Lily
• July 9 - Jack Sparrow, Hector Barbossa, Will Turner, Elizabeth Swann, Joshamee Gibbs, James Norrington, Weatherby Swann, Pintel and Ragetti, Jack the Monkey, Cotton, Cotton's Parrot, Marty, Murtogg and Mullroy, Theodore Groves, Anamaria, Gillette, Giselle, Scarlett, Jacoby, Koehler, Weatherby, Twigg, Bo'sun, Mallot, Grapple, Executioner of Port Royal
• July 25 - Vivian Francis Porter, Dr. Fen, Zita Flores, Oliver, Johnny Lovely, Miss Hightower
• August 1 - Reverend Haygood
• August 6 - Tess Coleman, Anna Coleman, Ryan, Elton Bates, Harry Coleman, Stacey Hinkhouse
• August 8 - Gemini, DJ Despicable
• August 15 - Galleria Garibaldi, Chanel Simmons, Dorinda Thomas, Aqua Walker, Francobollo Garibaldi, Juanita Simmons, Jackal Johnson, Ivana, Pucci Simmons, SADI
• August 22 - Falsetto Jones, Jonathan Kwizzowski
• August 26 - Sparky, Dr. Hamsterviel, Reuben
• September 5 - Nana Possible
• September 12 - Malcom The Wraithmaster, Little Wiz
• September 19 - Clarence Saint-John, Maxwell Carrington
• September 20 - Richter, Mr. Wong
• September 26 - Sister Spice
• September 27 - Bernice Beachmont, Phantasmo
• October 3 - Timothy North, White Stripe, Devon Carter
• October 4 - Clip, Mrs. Edmonds
• October 6 - Puck
• October 10 - Helga
• October 11 - Mr. Stenchy
• October 12 - Spooky, Holio, Officer Kahiko
• October 13 - Gigi, Cannonball, Mr. Jameson, Charles and Mary, Mitzi Suzuki and Kato Stewart
• October 14 - Zeke Holloway, Atticus Thorn
• October 17 - Muffy, Alana Rivera, Loca, William
• October 18 - Snooty Student, Penny Madrid, Winston Kotter, Elderly Man
• October 20 - Billy, Bonnie, Kixx, Keoni Jameson
• October 21 - Sally and Kowalski
• October 27 - Amnesio
• November 1 - Kenai, Koda, Rutt, Tuke, Denahi, Sitka, Koda's mother, Tug, Tanana, The Rams, Caribou Stampede, Mammoths, Sockeye Salmon, The Great Spirits
• November 3 - Edwina Badger, Swirly
• November 7 - Yori, Master Sensei, Fukushima, Hirotaka, Mrs. Pleakley, Pixley Pleakley, Bertley Pleakley, Fibber
• November 10 - Tank
• November 11 - Crockett, Lucille, Tyler
• November 14 - Sprout, Zach Makeli, Summer Gale
• November 17 - Elastico, Ringmaster
• November 21 - Yaarp, Mayor Anolo
• November 24 - 627, Deforestator
• November 26 - Jim Evers, Sara Evers, Elizabeth Henshaw, Ramsley, Megan Evers, Michael Evers, Ezra, Emma, Zombies, The Fiery Dragon
• November 28 - Rufus 3000, Mr. McHenry
• December 5 - Topper
• December 8 - Melty
• December 12 - Fudgy, Aunt Stacy, Houdini
• December 15 - Sinker
• December 19 - Nosy, Dahlia, Chronos
• December 22 - Finder
• December 26 - Slushy
• December 29 - Dupe, Heat

People

Births

• January 2 - Cyrus Arnold (actor and voice actor)
• January 27 - Vera Tan (voice actor)
• February 20 - Olivia Rodrigo (actress and singer-songwriter)
• May 24 - Cole and Jadon Sand (twin actors and voice actors)
• June 16 - Anna Cathcart (actress)
• July 1 - Storm Reid (actress)
• July 13 - Wyatt Oleff (actor)
• August 18 - Max Charles (actor, voice actor, and musician)
• September 3 - Jack Dylan Grazer (actor and voice actor)
• September 8 - Nicolas Cantu (actor, voice actor, YouTuber, stand-up comedian, and animator)
• September 16 - ChrisShwafer (Content creator, writer, and animator)
• October 24 - Hudson Yang (actor and voice actor)

Deaths

• March 20 - Michael Jeter (actor and voice actor)
• June 30 - Buddy Hackett (actor, voice actor, and comedian)
• July 6 - Buddy Ebsen (actor and dancer)
• September 11 - John Ritter (actor)
• October 2 - Dale Oliver (animator)
• October 27 - Rod Roddy (radio and television announcer)
• November 12 - Jonathan Brandis (actor, voice actor, director, and screenwriter)
• December 27 - Pete Alvarado (animator and comic book artist)

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