For those who have been around Disneyland for a long time, pre-1985, how did it feel going into a new era under the Eisner/Wells regime? From 1955-1984, Disneyland roughly stayed the same, not much changed after Walt had passed and not many memorable attractions were gone (save for COP and Natures Wonderland). The feel was very much Classic Disney, then comes 1985. I will describe what changes happened in the first 10 years of this new era, the good and the bad, of course.
In 1985, the first significant change into a new hip Disney was Videopolis, an 80’s dancing paradise for teens. The Haunted Mansion saw a live actor in a knight suit and the 30th anniversary celebration saw spectacular prizes being given out for the 30th guest each day as well as the gift-giver extrordinaire. The Main Street Electrical Parade returns after a three year absence with four new floats. The Submarines are repainted and renamed. The Frontierland Shooting Gallery got new laser technology and an entirely new scene. A Disneyland favorite (Adventure thru Inner Space) closes forever.
1986 came and brought Captain EO, a lavish 17 minute 3-D space music video starring Michael Jackson and effects never seen in a 3D theater before. The Totally Minnie parade showed the cool side of Minnie. Circus Fantasy, the first of many (corny IMO) promotions debuts. Big Thunder Ranch opens providing a walkway from Frontierland to Fantasyland. The Character Shop closed and was replaced by Star Traders. Country Bear Vacation Hoedown takes over the original Country Bear Jamboree show. Half of Mary Blair’s ceramic mural displays are taken down in Tomorrowland. The Golden Horseshoe Revue starting Disney legend Betty Taylor has its final show since premiering in 1955 and is replaced with the Golden Horseshoe Jamboree.
1987 oversaw Star Tours, the first non Disney film to have an attraction at Disneyland and the first motion simulator ride. The PeopleMover got a new white paint job along with some C-3PO narration during the new star tours scene. Tony Baxter’s passion project, The Disney Gallery opened above Pirates providing an outer queue for the ride as well. Disney Dollars made their debut. The Mark V monorail trains replace the former 1967 versions. Another promotion, The State Fair debuts at Disneyland.
In 1988, another (cheesy) promotion, Blast from the Past comes to the park. Bear Country is renamed Critter Country. The Mickey Mouse 60th Birthday parade premiers. Fantasyland brings back it’s railroad station after 22 years. America Sings closes its doors forever at the Carousel Theater.
1989 debuted Splash Mountain, a true Disneyland E-Ticket that uses America Sings’ animatronics. The original Disneyland marquee outside the park is replaced. Disneyland Presents A Preview of Coming Attractions closes its doors. Videopolis debuts its first signature stage show, Walt: One Man’s Dream.
1990 claims Disneyland’s 35th anniversary with the Party Gras parade as well the prize giving Dream Machine. The forgettable Dick Tracy and the Diamond Double-Cross debuts at the Videopolis theater. Dumbo is replaced with a version meant for Disneyland Paris adding six more elephants.
1991 sees yet another promotion in the form of the Disney afternoon avenue which retools Autopia and Motor Boat Cruise. The Talespin Plane Crazy show takes up residency at Videopolis and shortly after, Mickey’s Nutcracker takes its spot for the holiday season. The short lived Celebration U.S.A parade comes to Disneyland.
In 1992, the park gets its biggest entertainment show yet, Fantasmic!. The World According to Goofy parade strolls down Main Street. The Haunted Mansion adds Piano Ghost scene. Storybook Land adds modern classics such as The Little Mermaid and Aladdin as well as a repainted and more sophisticated looking Monstro. Fantasyland Railroad station is redesigned to Toontown Depot. Beauty and the Beast gets a stage show at Videopolis. Mattel sponsors it’s a Small World and brings a new pastel color palette used in Disneyland Paris. Mission to Mars closes it’s doors forever.
In 1993, Disneyland’s eighth land Mickey’s Toontown opens to the public. Motor Boat Cruise closes forever and is replaced by Fantasia Gardens. Aladdin’s Royal Caravan premiers and is the first of many Disney animated feature parades. The Tahitian Terrace closes and is replaced by Aladdin’s Oasis. Blaine Gibson’s “Partners” statue is placed in the middle of the Hub. The Haunted Mansion got a new cemetery.
1994 brings Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin to it’s newest land. The popular Lion King Celebration parade makes it’s debut. Billie and the Hillbillies replaces the Golden Horseshoe Jamboree show. Jungle Cruise is slightly shortened and receives a new queue. Adventureland goes through a 1930’s re-theming to accommodate Indiana Jones the following year. The Mike Fink Keelboats close down (not being brought back till 1996). The Skyway closes forever. Matterhorn receives new scene with Frank Wells tribute.
1995 brings the much anticipated 40th Anniversary and the highlight is it’s newest E-Ticket, Indiana Jones Adventure. The Haunted Mansion receives a Hearse in the queue. Space Mountain gets FedEx sponsorship and adds new queue video and animatronic robot. The Spirit of Pocahontas show replaces Beauty and the Beast at Videopolis. The PeopleMover closes for good.
Most of us are aware of what the next ten years were like, how did you feel going into this new Disneyland scene, was it unsettling, exciting, etc?
In 1985, the first significant change into a new hip Disney was Videopolis, an 80’s dancing paradise for teens. The Haunted Mansion saw a live actor in a knight suit and the 30th anniversary celebration saw spectacular prizes being given out for the 30th guest each day as well as the gift-giver extrordinaire. The Main Street Electrical Parade returns after a three year absence with four new floats. The Submarines are repainted and renamed. The Frontierland Shooting Gallery got new laser technology and an entirely new scene. A Disneyland favorite (Adventure thru Inner Space) closes forever.
1986 came and brought Captain EO, a lavish 17 minute 3-D space music video starring Michael Jackson and effects never seen in a 3D theater before. The Totally Minnie parade showed the cool side of Minnie. Circus Fantasy, the first of many (corny IMO) promotions debuts. Big Thunder Ranch opens providing a walkway from Frontierland to Fantasyland. The Character Shop closed and was replaced by Star Traders. Country Bear Vacation Hoedown takes over the original Country Bear Jamboree show. Half of Mary Blair’s ceramic mural displays are taken down in Tomorrowland. The Golden Horseshoe Revue starting Disney legend Betty Taylor has its final show since premiering in 1955 and is replaced with the Golden Horseshoe Jamboree.
1987 oversaw Star Tours, the first non Disney film to have an attraction at Disneyland and the first motion simulator ride. The PeopleMover got a new white paint job along with some C-3PO narration during the new star tours scene. Tony Baxter’s passion project, The Disney Gallery opened above Pirates providing an outer queue for the ride as well. Disney Dollars made their debut. The Mark V monorail trains replace the former 1967 versions. Another promotion, The State Fair debuts at Disneyland.
In 1988, another (cheesy) promotion, Blast from the Past comes to the park. Bear Country is renamed Critter Country. The Mickey Mouse 60th Birthday parade premiers. Fantasyland brings back it’s railroad station after 22 years. America Sings closes its doors forever at the Carousel Theater.
1989 debuted Splash Mountain, a true Disneyland E-Ticket that uses America Sings’ animatronics. The original Disneyland marquee outside the park is replaced. Disneyland Presents A Preview of Coming Attractions closes its doors. Videopolis debuts its first signature stage show, Walt: One Man’s Dream.
1990 claims Disneyland’s 35th anniversary with the Party Gras parade as well the prize giving Dream Machine. The forgettable Dick Tracy and the Diamond Double-Cross debuts at the Videopolis theater. Dumbo is replaced with a version meant for Disneyland Paris adding six more elephants.
1991 sees yet another promotion in the form of the Disney afternoon avenue which retools Autopia and Motor Boat Cruise. The Talespin Plane Crazy show takes up residency at Videopolis and shortly after, Mickey’s Nutcracker takes its spot for the holiday season. The short lived Celebration U.S.A parade comes to Disneyland.
In 1992, the park gets its biggest entertainment show yet, Fantasmic!. The World According to Goofy parade strolls down Main Street. The Haunted Mansion adds Piano Ghost scene. Storybook Land adds modern classics such as The Little Mermaid and Aladdin as well as a repainted and more sophisticated looking Monstro. Fantasyland Railroad station is redesigned to Toontown Depot. Beauty and the Beast gets a stage show at Videopolis. Mattel sponsors it’s a Small World and brings a new pastel color palette used in Disneyland Paris. Mission to Mars closes it’s doors forever.
In 1993, Disneyland’s eighth land Mickey’s Toontown opens to the public. Motor Boat Cruise closes forever and is replaced by Fantasia Gardens. Aladdin’s Royal Caravan premiers and is the first of many Disney animated feature parades. The Tahitian Terrace closes and is replaced by Aladdin’s Oasis. Blaine Gibson’s “Partners” statue is placed in the middle of the Hub. The Haunted Mansion got a new cemetery.
1994 brings Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin to it’s newest land. The popular Lion King Celebration parade makes it’s debut. Billie and the Hillbillies replaces the Golden Horseshoe Jamboree show. Jungle Cruise is slightly shortened and receives a new queue. Adventureland goes through a 1930’s re-theming to accommodate Indiana Jones the following year. The Mike Fink Keelboats close down (not being brought back till 1996). The Skyway closes forever. Matterhorn receives new scene with Frank Wells tribute.
1995 brings the much anticipated 40th Anniversary and the highlight is it’s newest E-Ticket, Indiana Jones Adventure. The Haunted Mansion receives a Hearse in the queue. Space Mountain gets FedEx sponsorship and adds new queue video and animatronic robot. The Spirit of Pocahontas show replaces Beauty and the Beast at Videopolis. The PeopleMover closes for good.
Most of us are aware of what the next ten years were like, how did you feel going into this new Disneyland scene, was it unsettling, exciting, etc?
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