Walt Disney World 4th of July Flashback(s)

In the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, the Disney Decade was in full swing, and part of it was advertising what’s new at Walt Disney World Resort.  Disney parks was no stranger to “live” events from the parks.  The Happy Easter Parade, Christmas Day Parade, and yes, The 4th of July Spectacular.  While Disney has “live streamed” some recent 4th of July performances, it just doesn’t quite feel like the anticipation of waiting to watch the “live” fireworks on July 3rd in the 1980s.

1988 Walt Disney World 4th of July Speculator

The show followed a similar model as the Easter and Christmas Parades.  It was Michael Eisner using the formula that was so successful for Walt Disney and the early days of Disneyland…leverage the television media as a way to promote the parks.  Michael even makes an appearance on the show introducing the final number, a page right out of Walt’s book.

1989 Walt Disney World 4th of July Speculator

In 1989 the focus was on Disney recording artists and the newly opened MGM Studios theme park.  The Spectacular kicks off at Washington Square, New York, New York, or in this case, at Walt Disney World MGM Studios.  Remember the Studios had just opened just two months earlier on May 1st, 1989 – New Kids on the Block are at Pleasure Island along with the Mannequin Dancers.  Mickey Mouse Club Members are at the new Typhoon Lagoon Water Park; boy that footage looks familiar, almost like I’ve seen it before.  Carol Channing is at Cinderella’s Castle; Jane Frisk, at the Theater of the Stars, and The Temptations in front of Oscars Service Station at MGM Studios.  Disneyland has just opened the new Splash Mountain while Willard Scott and Gretchen Carlson, Miss America, host the All-American Parade at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom along with the Main Street Electrical Parade, and Sandi Patty closing out the Spectacular during the “live” fireworks performance.

 

1990 Walt Disney World 4th of July Speculator

The 1990 WDW Fourth of July Spectacular followed a similar format to the previous year’s:  highlighting what’s new at Walt Disney World, checking in at Disneyland, and showcasing Disney recording artists.  The show starts with a musical performance at Disney MGM Studios, an interesting mix between Vogue and Pretty Women featuring Minnie Mouse.  For 1990, we find Gladys Knight at the “Fabulous New Dolphin Hotel”; though we never actually get to see any of the Dolphin Hotel, we do get to see a little of the beach where Sammy Wright, the singing voice of Sebastian, performs.

 

1991 Disney Great America Celebration

The 1991 Walt Disney World 4th of July special saw a considerable change from previous 4th of July Spectaculars with the word “spectacular” dropped from the title replaced by Disney’s Great American Celebration.  Our hosts, Connie Sellecca and Robert Guillaume kick things off from Disneyland with Tevin Campbell performing Sweet Freedom while Mickey embarks on a coast to coast hot air balloon ride finishing the song from EPCOT Center’s American Adventure along with a marching band and Disney characters.