An overview of all Disney-related events that occurred in the year 2006.
Theatrical releases
Feature films
- January 13 - Glory Road
- January 27
- Annapolis
- Roving Mars
- February 17 - Eight Below
- March 10 - The Shaggy Dog
- March 24 - Stay Alive (Hollywood Pictures)
- April 14 - The Wild was released to mixed-to-negative reviews and becomes a box office failure.
- April 28 - Stick It (Touchstone Pictures)
- June 9 - Cars is released to generally positive reviews and becomes a commercial success.
- July 7 - Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
- August 11 - Step Up
- August 25 - Invincible
- September 29 - The Guardian (Touchstone Pictures)
- October 20
- The Prestige (Touchstone Pictures)
- The Nightmare Before Christmas (3-D reissue)
- November 3 - The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
- November 22 - Déjà Vu (Touchstone Pictures)
- December 8 - Apocalypto (Touchstone Pictures)
Shorts
Theme parks
- January 23 - Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! opens in Hollywood Land at Disney California Adventure, replacing Superstar Limo.
- April 5 - Cinderella Castle Mystery Tour closes in Fantasyland at Tokyo Disneyland.
- April 7 - Expedition Everest opens in Asia at Disney's Animal Kingdom.
- April 8 - Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast opens in Discoveryland at Disneyland Paris.
- July 13 - Autopia, UFO Zone, and Stitch Encounter open in Tomorrowland at Hong Kong Disneyland.
- July 25 - Matt Ouimet steps down as president of the Disneyland Resort to become president of the Hotel Group of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. Ed Grier, former executive managing director of Walt Disney Attractions Japan, takes over as president of the Disneyland Resort.
- July 31 - Disney announces the demise of the "Sword in the Stone" show at the Magic Kingdom as part of the "Year of a Million Dreams" promotion (it would be replaced by another show called the Royal Court Academy).
- August 19 - Who Wants to Be a Millionaire – Play It! closes in Animation Courtyard at Disney-MGM Studios, almost two years to the day that its Disney's California Adventure counterpart closed in Hollywood Land on August 20.
- August 31 - Nara Dreamland, a false blatant copy of Disneyland that was originally supposed to be a Japan-based version of Disneyland, went out of business, and rides were left abandoned.
- September 4 - Tokyo DisneySea celebrates its 5th anniversary.
- September 16 - Cinderellabration has its final performances at the Magic Kingdom.
- September 22 - Tower of Terror opens in American Waterfront at Tokyo DisneySea.
- September 30 - The Happiest Homecoming on Earth ends
- Club Buzz reopens as Tomorrowland Terrace at Disneyland.
- Dream Along with Mickey premieres at the Magic Kingdom.
- October 1 - The Walt Disney World Resort and the Magic Kingdom celebrates its 35th anniversary.
- October 2 - The Year of a Million Dreams promotion begins.
Television
- January 16 - That's So Raven concludes its third season on the Disney Channel.
- January 20 - High School Musical premieres on the Disney Channel and draws an astonishing 7.8 million viewers.
- January 27
- The Suite Life of Zack & Cody concludes its first season.
- The Emperor's New School premieres on the Disney Channel.
- February 3 - The Suite Life of Zack and Cody begins its second season on the Disney Channel.
- February 20
- Power Rangers Mystic Force premieres on Jetix.
- That's So Raven begins its fourth and final season on the Disney Channel.
- March 20 - JoJo's Circus concludes its second season on Playhouse Disney.
- March 24 - Cow Belles and Hannah Montana both premiered on the Disney Channel.
- April 28 - Bear in the Big Blue House airs its final episode.
- May 5 - Mickey Mouse Clubhouse premieres on Playhouse Disney (United States).
- May 6 - JoJo's Circus begins its third and final season on Playhouse Disney.
- May 27 - The Buzz on Maggie airs its final episode on the Disney Channel.
- June 10 - Kim Possible concludes its third season on the Disney Channel.
- June 23 - Leroy & Stitch premieres on the Disney Channel as the conclusion of Lilo & Stitch: The Series.
- June 26 - Kyle XY premieres on ABC Family.
- July 21 - Read It and Weep premieres on the Disney Channel.
- July 28 - The Replacements premieres on the Disney Channel.
- July 29 - Lilo & Stitch: The Series airs its final episode on the Disney Channel, over a month after the finale film Leroy & Stitch had already aired.
- August 25
- The Cheetah Girls 2 premieres on the Disney Channel.
- Brandy & Mr. Whiskers airs its final episode on the Disney Channel.
- August 27
- The W.I.T.C.H. episode "L is for Loser" premieres.
- Playhouse Disney ditches its 'Playhouse' format of presentation (UK).
- September 4 - Yin Yang Yo! premieres on Jetix.
- September 15 - Breakfast with Bear is taken off the air.
- September 16 - Handy Manny premieres on Playhouse Disney.
- September 24 - Brothers and Sisters premieres on ABC.
- September 28 - Ugly Betty premieres on ABC.
- October 20
- The Little Einsteins episode "The Birthday Machine" premieres on Playhouse Disney.
- Return to Halloweentown premieres on the Disney Channel.
- November 20 - Little Einsteins concludes its first season.
- December 16 - Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go! airs its final episode on Jetix.
- December 25 - The 24th annual Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade premieres on ABC.
Albums
Comics
- June 21 - The first issue of the new Gargoyles comic book by Slave Labor Graphics is published.
- November - Gemstone stops publishing Mickey Mouse and Friends and Donald Duck and Friends.
Books
- May 4 - The Art of Cars
- October 3 - Disney Dossiers: Files of Characters From the Walt Disney Studios
Video games
- February 9 - Finding Nemo: Escape to the Big Blue for Nintendo DS
- March 28 - Kingdom Hearts II for PlayStation 2
- May 16 - Kim Possible: Legend of the Monkey's Eye for Windows and MacOS PCs
- June 5 - Cars
- September 1 - Roblox
- September 12 - Little Einsteins for Game Boy Advance
- October 19 - Kim Possible: What's the Switch? for PlayStation 2
Home video releases
- January 3
- January 16 - Jumping Ship
- January 17 - The Devil and Max Devlin
- February 7 - Bambi II (VHS and DVD; this was the last Disney film released on VHS for the public, later VHS releases were Disney Movie Club Exclusives only)
- February 14
- Disney Princess Sing Along Songs Vol. 3 - Perfectly Princess
- Quack Pack Volume 1
- Goof Troop Volume 1
- The Golden Girls: The Complete Fourth Season
- Grey's Anatomy: Season One
- February 28 - Lady and the Tramp: 50th Anniversary Platinum Edition (DVD)
- March 7
- March 14 - Remember the Titans - Director's Cut
- March 21
- April 4 - The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
- April 11
- The Greatest Game Ever Played
- Pooh's Grand Adventure: The Search for Christopher Robin: Special Edition
- Spymate
- April 12 - Valiant (Disney Movie Club Exclusive VHS)
- April 25
- Brother Bear 2 (Demo VHS)
- Little Einsteins: Team Up for Adventure
- Casanova
- Shopgirl
- May 9
- Scrubs: The Complete Third Season
- The Golden Girls: The Complete Fifth Season
- May 16
- Con Air: Unrated Extended Edition
- Crimson Tide Extended Edition
- Enemy of the State Extended Edition
- May 19 - Lady and the Tramp: 50th Anniversary Platinum Edition (Disney Movie Club Exclusive VHS)
- May 23 - High School Musical: Encore Edition
- June 6
- Glory Road
- Dumbo: Big Top Edition
- Home Improvement: The Complete Fourth Season (Touchstone Television)
- June 20
- Eight Below (DVD)
- Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure (DVD)
- June 22 - The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Disney Movie Club Exclusive VHS)
- June 27
- Cow Belles: More Moo-vie
- Leroy & Stitch
- Annapolis
- Commander in Chief Part 1
- July 18 - The Suite Life of Zack & Cody: Taking Over the Tipton and That's So Raven: Raven's Makeover Madness
- August 1 - The Shaggy Dog
- August 15 - The Fox and the Hound 2 (Demo VHS)
- August 22 - Little Einsteins: Mission Celebration!
- August 29
- Desperate Housewives: The Complete Second Season
- Darkwing Duck: Volume 1
- TaleSpin: Volume 1
- Brother Bear 2 (DVD)
- Eight Below (Disney Movie Club Exclusive VHS)
- August 31 - Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure (Disney Movie Club Exclusive VHS)
- September 5
- Twitches
- Disney Sing Along Songs: Happy Haunting: Party at Disneyland
- Lost: The Complete Second Season
- Escape to Witch Mountain 2-Movie Collection
- Commander in Chief Part 2
- September 12
- The Wild
- Goal! The Dream Begins
- Grey's Anatomy: Second Season Uncut
- September 19 - Stick It (Touchstone Home Entertainment)
- October 3 - The Little Mermaid: Platinum Edition (DVD)
- October 10
- The Fox and the Hound: 25th Anniversary Edition
- Bad Santa Director's Cut
- Scrubs: The Complete Fourth Season
- October 18 - Brother Bear 2 (Disney Movie Club Exclusive VHS)
- October 19 - Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas (Disney Movie Club Exclusive VHS)
- October 24
- Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior: Kickin' Edition
- Hannah Montana: Livin' The Rock Star Life
- November 1 - The Wild (Disney Movie Club Exclusive VHS)
- November 7
- Cars (DVD)
- Cinderella III: A Twist in Time (Demo VHS)
- November 14
- Adventures of the Gummi Bears: Volume 1
- DuckTales: Volume 2
- Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers: Volume 2
- Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey Saves Santa and Other Mouseketales
- Home Improvement: The Complete Fifth Season (Touchstone Television)
- The Golden Girls: The Complete Sixth Season
- November 21 - Alias: The Complete Fifth and Final Season
- November 28
- Robin Hood: Most Wanted Edition
- The Cheetah Girls 2: Cheetah-Licious Edition
- December 5
- Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
- High School Musical: 2-Disc Remix Edition
- Disney DVD Game World: Disney Princess Edition
- Disney DVD Game World: Disney Dogs Edition
- December 12
- The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe: Extended Edition
- The Fox and the Hound 2
- Air Buddies
- December 19
- Invincible
- Step Up
- Walt Disney Treasures: Your Host Walt Disney
- Walt Disney Treasures: The Complete Pluto, Volume 2
- Walt Disney Treasures: More Silly Symphonies
- Walt Disney Treasures: The Hardy Boys - The Mickey Mouse Club
Events
- April 21 - EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival is held runs until June 11.
- May 10 - The Broadway production of Tarzan officially opens.
- July 7 - Walt Disney Pictures introduces its 2006-2022 logo in front of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest.
- September 19 - Disney officially enters the Blu-ray market.
- September 29 - EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival is held runs until November 16.
- October 6 - The Disney Movie Rewards program begins.
- November 16 - Following the success of the West End production, a Broadway production of Mary Poppins officially opens.
- November 23 - The JoJo's Circus balloon makes her 2nd appearance at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
- November 24 - EPCOT Holidays Around the World is held runs until December 30.
- December 12 - After 21 years, the last Disney movie to use the original Walt Disney Pictures logo is The Fox and the Hound 2.
Business
- January 24 - The Walt Disney Company announces that it would acquire Pixar Animation Studios. As part of the merger, Steve Jobs (the owner of Pixar) becomes the chief shareholder in the company. Shortly thereafter, the Feature Animation department reopens (having been shut down two years earlier), and John Lasseter is put in charge of Imagineering in the theme parks.
- February 9 - The Walt Disney Company acquires the rights to Oswald the Lucky Rabbit (namely the character and the 26 Disney-animated cartoons he stars in) from NBCUniversal, as part of a deal which sends sportscaster Al Michaels from Disney's ABC and ESPN to NBC Sports.
Character debuts
- January 4 - Olivia Mears, Yan Yan, Coney Island Freaks, Ms. McGuire
- January 7 - Troy
- January 20 - Troy Bolton, Gabriella Montez, Sharpay Evans, Ryan Evans, Chad Danforth, Taylor McKessie, Kelsi Nielsen, Zeke Baylor, Jason Cross, Martha Cox, Ms. Darbus, Jack Bolton, Mrs. Montez
- January 27 - Malina, Guaka
- February 3 - Ozker
- February 7 - Porcupine, Mena, Ronno's mother
- February 11 - Brad Montergoe
- February 17 - Jerry Shepard
- February 20 - Sydney
- February 24 - Moxie, Donna Cabonna, Tiffany
- February 28 - Mr. Flaco Moleguaco
- March 10 - Dave Douglas, Dr. Kozak, Rebecca Douglas, Carly Douglas
- March 18 - The Flaming Moths
- March 22 - Spencer Moseby
- March 24 - Miley Stewart, Lilly Truscott, Oliver Oken, Jackson Stewart, Robby Ray Stewart, Amber Addison, Taylor Callum, Courtney Callum
- March 26 - Corrie
- March 31 - Jessica and Janice Ellis, Cooper Montgomery, Albert Dontzig
- April 7 - Homework, Professor Pema Dorje
- April 14 - Samson, Benny, Kazar, Ryan, Nigel, Bridget, Larry, Blag, Wildebeests, Cloak and Camo, Samson's Father, Mama Hippo, Remmy, Monty, Jacques, and Raber, Scab and Scraw, Eze And Duke
- April 28 - Ruthie Ray Stewart
- May 1 - Mary Ann
- May 5 - Toodles, Handy Helper
- May 7 - Baby Red Bird
- May 13 - Bubbles the Elephant
- May 19 - Zawp, Ace, Mortlegax, Woody, Theo Cavenaugh, Forehead, Wrapper, Blowhard, Boomer
- May 23 - Coral, Jenna
- June 5 - Papo
- June 6 - Count Spatula, Lenny, Gerald
- June 9 - Lightning McQueen, Sally Carrera, Mater, Chick Hicks, Doc Hudson, Luigi, Guido, Mack, The King, Mia and Tia, Harv, Flo, Ramone, Sheriff, Luigi, Guido, Sarge, Fillmore, Red, Lizzie, Stanley, Bessie, Tex Dinoco, Lynda Weathers, Jay Limo, Frank, Tractors, Dudley Spare, Delinquent Road Hazards, Jerry Recycled Batteries, Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- June 10 - Fury Gorgon, Euryale, Medusa Gorgon, Stacey Wintergrin, Kyle Wilkins
- June 16 - Wendy Wu, Tory, Lisa
- June 23 - Leroy, Snafu, Nosox, Woops, Tickle-Tummy, Shrink, Sproing, Stamen, Leroy Clones
- June 24 - Sun Park, The Juicer
- June 30 - Mr. Corelli
- July 1 - Huntsboys 88 and 89, Huntsgirl 18
- July 7 - Davy Jones, Cutler Beckett, Ian Mercer, Tia Dalma, Kraken, Bootstrap Bill Turner, Leech, Holly O'Neil, Clanker, Maccus, Koleniko, Angler, Ogilvey, Palifico, Jimmy Legs, Penrod, Ratlin, Hadras, Wyvern, Greenbeard, Crash, Pelegostos Tribe, Bellamy, Prison Ravens
- July 8 - Ozker, Evil Jake
- July 28 - Todd Daring, Riley Daring, Dick Daring, Agent K, C.A.R.T.E.R., Tasumi, Sierra McCool, Buzz Winters, Conrad Fleem, Abbey Willson, Johnny Hitswell
- July 29 - Link, Guardian Serpent
- August 5 - Brandi Tipton, Hobgoblins, Sam Spark
- August 6 - Kavo
- August 11 - Gwen
- August 12 - Azma
- August 19 - Rose's Parents
- August 25 - Chaps, Manny, and Sperk, Marisol Duran, Lola Duran
- August 26 - Nita, Anda and Kata, Atka, Innoko, Siqiniq and Taqqiq, Bering, Chilkoot, Yin, Master Yo, Night Master, Carl the Evil Cockroach Wizard, Dave the Tree Stump, Ultimoose, Coop
- September 1 - Jabberwocky
- September 4 - Edna, Kraggler, Lina, Princess Melodia, Roger the Skelewog, Roger Skelewog Jr., Zarnot, Lie Fairy
- September 8 - Jacobo Jacobo, Rainbow Mane, Saranoia
- September 9 - Mrs. Grumplestock, Pix McGee, Dustin Dreamlake, Donny Rottweiler
- September 16 - Brocamas, Manny Garcia, Turner, Stretch, Dusty, Squeeze, Pat, Rusty, Fix-It, Leonard Francis Lopart, Kelly, Fluffy Louise Lopart, Mrs. Portillo
- September 22 - Beatrice Rose Endicott, Harrison Hightower III, Manfred Strang, Shiriki Utundu, Archibald Smelding
- September 23 - Gregory, Aunt Cathy
- September 30 - Pooka Pooka
- October 14 - Luann Stewart, Bobby Ray Stewart
- October 28 - Nigel Thrall, Coach Sackerson
- November 3 - Bud and Sylvia Newman, Jack Frost, Buddy Calvin-Claus
- November 4 - Flicker, Abuelito
- November 18 - Sigmund Brock, Davey Hunkerhoff
- November 19 - Mii
- December 2 - Master Pho
- December 9 - Lady Lady
- December 12
- Deputy Sniffer, Budderball, Buddha, B-Dawg, MudBud, RoseBud, Wolf, Billy, Belinda, Grim and Denning, Selkirk Tander, Alice Finch
- Cash, Dixie, Waylon and Floyd, Granny Rose, Lyle Snodgrass, Zelda, Winchell P. Bickerstaff, Olivia Farmer
- December 16 - Colonel Hank Carter, Constance Hatchaway, Zazu's Girlfriend
- December 21 - Stu, Ernie, Mr. B
People
Births
- February 18 - Gabriella Graves (actress, voice actress, and musician)
- March 1 - Ramone Hamilton (actor and voice actor)
- April 10 - Dana Heath (actress and voice actress)
- April 20 - Josh Zaharia (actor)
- April 29 - Xochitl Gomez (actress)
- May 6 - Aryan Simhadri (actor, voice actor, and writer)
- June 12 - Carter Sand (actor and voice actor)
- June 25 - McKenna Grace (actress)
- June 29 - Sam Lavagnino (voice actor)
- August 13 - Dior Goodjohn (actress)
- October 5 - Jacob Tremblay (actor and voice actor)
- October 17 - Maxwell Simkins (actor and rapper)
- December 9 - Pixie Davies (actress and voice actress)
Deaths
- February 24 - Don Knotts (actor, voice actor, and comedian)
- February 25 - Darren McGavin (actor)
- March 8 - Rhoda Williams (actress and voice actress)
- July 7 - Syd Barrett (musician, singer-songwriter, artist, and poet)
- July 13 - Red Buttons (actor and comedian)
- July 21 - Mako Iwamatsu (actor)
- August 13 - Tony Jay (actor, voice actor, and singer)
- September 7 - Bernard Wolf (animator and television producer)
- November 16 - Eustace Lycett (special effects artist)
2006