90s-2000s were the peak era of Disney parks. Animal Kingdom and DCA were new, and the international parks were expanding. Especially around 2007-ish, when they had that Year of a Million Dreams event at WDW- from service, to attractions, to entertainment- it was all top notch.
In the early 2000's I was in middle and high school on the west coast of FL, and we would go on the weekends. For the past 15 years I thought it was just me and my memory. It really was elite back then, wasn't it?! When I went in 2012 with my husband it just didn't hit the spot like it used to. I haven't been back since and I stay in the know, but I feel like it's lost its luster. Especially in the last 5 years.
I went in 2007 to that. I was 16 and didn’t think I’d be happy at Disney at all. I was pleasantly surprised at how fun Disney was. My standout attraction was Malestrom at Epcot.
@@TheElvisJamboree I’d argue that pre-Chapel Bob Iger was pretty decent. Most of it come from luck by acquiring good companies at the perfect time, but I’d say he was the fourth best Disney ceo, behind the Disney brothers and Eisner.
I noticed this last year. The last place right now to see and feel the 90's at Disney is at Blizzard Beach. The 90's aesthetic is every place. It gave me alot of nostalgic feelings.
When there were beautiful trees in front of the castle and everywhere! It was pure magic! It felt like a beautiful garden small town America! And Disney was really into it! Magical!! It was the perfect recipe so magical!!!
I especially miss the commercials from this time. The 90s-2006 were the peak of life imo. Just before big technology hit and you still paid attention to the world around you. Plus Disney in this time was probably the best it ever was, imo.
Although Disney has become even more immersive with their experiences and brought in so many intellectual properties, I think 90s era Disney was peak family vacation Disney. You still got to enjoy the park, and now people either have to struggle with crowds with every attraction.
Not at all! When I grew up in the 80s and 90s, I was nostalgic for the 50s and 60s when my parents grew up. I enjoyed the music and fashion and wanted to go to an old-fashioned diner.
I was at Disney for about a week in 1998, it was the last time I've been there and I see now it has changed A LOT, everything has gotten much more expensive and complicated. The Animal Park had just opened up so we toured all four parks and had a great time. I miss those old days at Disney, it will always be one of my favorite places anywhere.
The 06 version is the one that was the pinnacle of my childhood. I got my AP this year finally, but i know it would take so much to bring back the era of Disney this was, or even something comparable. It screams "alive."
Alien Encounter was one of the best attractions from concept to execution WDW has produced, and I'm not into scare or horror. The casting, direction, acting and script were perfectly mixed with the practical, visual, and the binaural sound effects along with the latest AAs. I remember one visit as a teen, next to me sat a younger teen girl. She nervously asked me "Is this scary?" I calmly looked her straight in the face and with reassurance replied... "No." LOL. It was sad to see it go, but I can understand why.
I was a mouseketeer at Mickey's Starland show. That costume was so cute. I miss Mr. toads wild ride. I miss the Lion King Show. I met my husband at Mannequins dance club Pleasure Island. I know - who meets their husband there and it lasts 25 years and 3 kids later! Lol!
I was lucky enough to visit while the Alien Encounter was running. I can remember now the breath of the alien on my neck and the smell. There was a young child in my group and the poor thing was so scared, her parents were trying to calm her down in the shop.
I was at WDW in 1997 during the 25th anniversary. Does it seem like WDW in the 90's is like DL today? I went to DL and it reminded me of WDW in 1997. Nostalgic! ❤️
Thank you for uploading this!! Brings back many memories of going to MK as a kid in the 90s! I was 6 when you filmed this and my family had just moved to Orlando. Its interesting to see how much has changed and how much has remained basically the same. I think out of all the parks MK has changed the least out of all the parks. Especially compared to Hollywood Studios which is a totally different park now!
thank you again for these videos ... this was the last time I was there and especially with the Epcot videos and stuff like Horizons and other attractions ... it's in my view "when WDW was in it's prime" with different attractions. So glad to see what is probably on tapes and not always digitized, preserved
31:55 I knew it!! There was a theater sitting between Carousel Of Progress and Dream Flight (now Buzz Lightyear). I believe that theater was around even before 1994 and then it was demolition and turned into a meet and greet.
Correct! The theatre opened on December 15, 1994 as part of the New Tomorrowland renovation, replacing the original Tomorrowland Stage that had been there since 1980. The site was converted into a backstage parking area and a meet and greet location for Stitch, it was permanently closed on January 4, 2009 and was demolished shortly after.
Miss PIrates quite a bit. Worked there while in high school from 96-98. When the video came up, I can still smell the ride. Yes, it had a smell that only those who worked there know. I still have two coins that “I found” while in the treasure room. Was a great time and the park was a great place to visit. Now, I will not take my daughter because of how disappointing the MK is. Was there New Year’s Day 2023 and the cast members are, well, they are horrible. Even when I was in high school, I realized that people were there to enjoy themselves and they paid a lot to do so. Most The cast members i had contact with last year were not happy and there was no effort to create any “magic”.
I was there then as a teenager and man people talk about how bad Tomorrowland is now, well we had to suffer through Dreamflight, which was basically just a 5 minute Delta airlines commercial.
From the UK been every year since our wedding in 1989 except 1990 as had my first child and covid. Universal, in my opinion, has changed the most. Huge!
I was at Magic Kingdom and Epcot back in 1994, it's almost exactly like it was here. Sadly, Innovations at the Tower of Terror were not open yet which was a huge disappointment.
@@DisneyDave My first experience was when I took my girlfriend there in 2013. I was on a hiatus after 1998 and came back after all this time. BTW, my girlfriend became my fiance one year later after I surprised her a visit to EPCOT, and we've been married since 2016.
This was back in the day when Disney stayed out of politics and didn't rob their base customers blind. Back when there was such a thing as Disney Magic. That Alien Encounter attraction was legit!! I lost it when it was breathing on your neck!!
Notice how everything was way more patriotic and the women were actually attractive. Now Disney just holds drag queen shows and try to get into political wars that involve with innocent CHILDREN! It’s sad and embarrassing how gross my favorite entertainment company has gotten. Ever since like 2015-2016, there were definitely warning signs in movies like Finding Dory, but I always kind of ignored it since I was always so excited whenever a new Disney movie/sequel came out. Now, I just don’t bother anymore. I MIGHT go see Moana 2 and maybe an Incredibles 3/Rio 3 if it ever gets made, but other than that, I’m just so done. Would rather spend my money at Universal and/or Busch Gardens/Sea World.
@@iilikeitlikethatiiDisney has gotten way more political and creepy than they’ve ever been. U only like them now if they align with ur political ideology, not when EVERYONE used 2 enjoy Disney as a whole.
45:03 Who the HELL is that character?! At first I thought it was Tik Tok the Crocodile, or maybe some walkaround version of Elliott the Dragon, but it really doesn't look like either with those wing things. Not a croc from Fantasia either- I remember them always wearing feather hats.
1:17:45 I can't believe I overlooked this performance!! The female performers are wearing cat ears (neko mimi) and meowing. They're the reason why I have a thing for catgirls beside anime!!
@@DisneyDave they sound different from how they normally sound though, i wonder when they changed, and if that was how they had sounded even back in 1971
AND THIS IS THE DISNEY THAT DON'T KNOW BOUT ALL Y'ALLZ THAT NEEDZ TO BE BACK!! I DONT GIVE A F BOUT DISNEY ANYMORE!! DISNEY HAS RUINED MY CHILDHOOD!! DISNEY WAS MY CHILDHOOD PLAYGROUND! MY FIRST AND EVER CHILDHOOD PLAYGROUND!! Note I don't hat Disney in general I just don't like the way is heading!!
1:16:06 I can't tell you how many guest at Disney including cast members have commented that of all the guest they see ride this ride I'm one of the few if the only one that utilized the ride's full potential and spun the cup the fastest.
Awesome! 👍👍 I was a kid then. Disney has sunk.....at least Tokyo Disneyland is still holding on to what attracts. It's the culture of Japan. Today, America's culture has been morally taxed, and its values are bankrupt.
90s-2000s were the peak era of Disney parks. Animal Kingdom and DCA were new, and the international parks were expanding. Especially around 2007-ish, when they had that Year of a Million Dreams event at WDW- from service, to attractions, to entertainment- it was all top notch.
In the early 2000's I was in middle and high school on the west coast of FL, and we would go on the weekends. For the past 15 years I thought it was just me and my memory. It really was elite back then, wasn't it?! When I went in 2012 with my husband it just didn't hit the spot like it used to. I haven't been back since and I stay in the know, but I feel like it's lost its luster. Especially in the last 5 years.
EPCOT when they opened The Living Seas in 1986. That place truly was the world of the future back then.
I went in 2007 to that. I was 16 and didn’t think I’d be happy at Disney at all. I was pleasantly surprised at how fun Disney was. My standout attraction was Malestrom at Epcot.
Wow I miss the 90s so colorful and vibrant
The 90's certainly was that! good times ❤️
@@DisneyDave and then the 2 Bobs came along.
@@DisneyDaveI was born in 90’s. I was just a baby at that time. The early 2000’s was good as well
@@TheElvisJamboree I’d argue that pre-Chapel Bob Iger was pretty decent. Most of it come from luck by acquiring good companies at the perfect time, but I’d say he was the fourth best Disney ceo, behind the Disney brothers and Eisner.
I noticed this last year. The last place right now to see and feel the 90's at Disney is at Blizzard Beach. The 90's aesthetic is every place. It gave me alot of nostalgic feelings.
When there were beautiful trees in front of the castle and everywhere! It was pure magic! It felt like a beautiful garden small town America! And Disney was really into it! Magical!! It was the perfect recipe so magical!!!
At 37:31 the greeter in front of Delta Dreamflight is ME. A long time ago in a theme park not so far away.
Jimmy, Awesome, its so cool when people spot themselves on video Ive recorded from the 90's
Thank you for putting this together. This is the Disney World that I remember from my childhood and hold dear. Even the scary ExtraTERRORestrial. 😄
Your welcome, thanks for watching and commenting
Wow 🥹 some of those dancers on the castle stage taught me shows when I transferred from Disneyland in 2012! Legends!
I especially miss the commercials from this time. The 90s-2006 were the peak of life imo. Just before big technology hit and you still paid attention to the world around you. Plus Disney in this time was probably the best it ever was, imo.
With the voices of
Robin Williams as The Timekeeper
And
Tim Curry as S.I.R.
Yes! and both amazing actors
Although Disney has become even more immersive with their experiences and brought in so many intellectual properties, I think 90s era Disney was peak family vacation Disney. You still got to enjoy the park, and now people either have to struggle with crowds with every attraction.
Is it weird to feel nostalgic for an era you never grew up in?
Not at all! When I grew up in the 80s and 90s, I was nostalgic for the 50s and 60s when my parents grew up. I enjoyed the music and fashion and wanted to go to an old-fashioned diner.
It's amazing how little the Magic Kingdom has changed since the 90's.
very true
The first time I ever went was ‘95!! I miss those days 😭
These were the best times! 🥲
Me too! I was 3 years old.
I was at Disney for about a week in 1998, it was the last time I've been there and I see now it has changed A LOT, everything has gotten much more expensive and complicated. The Animal Park had just opened up so we toured all four parks and had a great time. I miss those old days at Disney, it will always be one of my favorite places anywhere.
Wow... everything had color and imagination
Omg, the mickey parade was so 90s. 😂
The 06 version is the one that was the pinnacle of my childhood.
I got my AP this year finally, but i know it would take so much to bring back the era of Disney this was, or even something comparable. It screams "alive."
Ah yes, when the castle looked like it came from the pages of a magical fairy-tale instead of a mismatched toy shop
Miss this. I was working there in the 90s.
Great to hear you worked there in the 90's, You must have some amazing memories
man this brings me back this was the park of my childhood all the different awesome shows they had
James, you are right, those show were awesome, Its a shame there's not as many now
Alien Encounter was one of the best attractions from concept to execution WDW has produced, and I'm not into scare or horror. The casting, direction, acting and script were perfectly mixed with the practical, visual, and the binaural sound effects along with the latest AAs. I remember one visit as a teen, next to me sat a younger teen girl. She nervously asked me "Is this scary?" I calmly looked her straight in the face and with reassurance replied... "No." LOL. It was sad to see it go, but I can understand why.
Alien Encounter, still one of my all time favorites. Doing that as a kid was crazy scary but also awesome.
It was such a cool experience
Wow, loved the “Everyday is a Holiday” stage show!
Thank you for reminding me what the castle stage show was called ❤️
12:18 The Villian lyrics in this segment rams everything that's 90s down your throat and that includes rap lyrics.
I was a mouseketeer at Mickey's Starland show. That costume was so cute. I miss Mr. toads wild ride. I miss the Lion King Show. I met my husband at Mannequins dance club Pleasure Island. I know - who meets their husband there and it lasts 25 years and 3 kids later! Lol!
So cool to hear you were a Mouseketeer Shelly, Mannequins dance club was awesome
Delta Dreamflight was a fun ride, I wish my son could have experienced it.
Modern Disney is incapable of this level of creativity and theming.
I miss the powdered soap in the bathrooms 😂
different! 😂😂😂
I was lucky enough to visit while the Alien Encounter was running. I can remember now the breath of the alien on my neck and the smell. There was a young child in my group and the poor thing was so scared, her parents were trying to calm her down in the shop.
I was at WDW in 1997 during the 25th anniversary. Does it seem like WDW in the 90's is like DL today? I went to DL and it reminded me of WDW in 1997. Nostalgic! ❤️
Thank you for uploading this!! Brings back many memories of going to MK as a kid in the 90s! I was 6 when you filmed this and my family had just moved to Orlando. Its interesting to see how much has changed and how much has remained basically the same. I think out of all the parks MK has changed the least out of all the parks. Especially compared to Hollywood Studios which is a totally different park now!
thank you again for these videos ... this was the last time I was there and especially with the Epcot videos and stuff like Horizons and other attractions ... it's in my view "when WDW was in it's prime" with different attractions. So glad to see what is probably on tapes and not always digitized, preserved
Such amazing footage. We have home video from 91 and 96 that I really must get digitised. Thanks for sharing.
You must, It would be great to see them 👍
I wish MK would get back to its roots and have more live shows throughout the park
Anthony, That would be great to see more live shows in the park again 👍
31:55 I knew it!! There was a theater sitting between Carousel Of Progress and Dream Flight (now Buzz Lightyear). I believe that theater was around even before 1994 and then it was demolition and turned into a meet and greet.
Correct! The theatre opened on December 15, 1994 as part of the New Tomorrowland renovation, replacing the original Tomorrowland Stage that had been there since 1980. The site was converted into a backstage parking area and a meet and greet location for Stitch, it was permanently closed on January 4, 2009 and was demolished shortly after.
Great video. 95 was my first time, 96 Disneyland then back to World in 98 and stayed at the All Stars sport resort
Paul, Great memories 👍
Miss PIrates quite a bit. Worked there while in high school from 96-98.
When the video came up, I can still smell the ride. Yes, it had a smell that only those who worked there know. I still have two coins that “I found” while in the treasure room.
Was a great time and the park was a great place to visit. Now, I will not take my daughter because of how disappointing the MK is. Was there New Year’s Day 2023 and the cast members are, well, they are horrible.
Even when I was in high school, I realized that people were there to enjoy themselves and they paid a lot to do so. Most The cast members i had contact with last year were not happy and there was no effort to create any “magic”.
Miss these days. A different world 😢
It certainly was! 😔😔😔
That lion king show rocked it was awesome!!¡!!
It was the best
Great video. Part of the true Disney years
I was there then as a teenager and man people talk about how bad Tomorrowland is now, well we had to suffer through Dreamflight, which was basically just a 5 minute Delta airlines commercial.
true 😂 but it was a classic
From the UK been every year since our wedding in 1989 except 1990 as had my first child and covid. Universal, in my opinion, has changed the most. Huge!
👍
Wish we had a new castle show …bring back the villains
definitely & a new parade! Can you believe the Festival of Fantasy Parade has been running 10 years now
I was at Magic Kingdom and Epcot back in 1994, it's almost exactly like it was here. Sadly, Innovations at the Tower of Terror were not open yet which was a huge disappointment.
July 1-7, 1995 was the 1st time I ever went to Walt Disney World. Stayed at Shades of Green . Timekeeper was our first ride.
❤️
The biggest difference: no cellphones!! Guests were present in the moment.
How I remember it 😭
1:42 Bluey: What? There weren't doors on the trams?!
Bingo: It was the 90s....
It was so strange getting on the trams when they first introduced the doors
@@DisneyDave My first experience was when I took my girlfriend there in 2013. I was on a hiatus after 1998 and came back after all this time. BTW, my girlfriend became my fiance one year later after I surprised her a visit to EPCOT, and we've been married since 2016.
So cool!
Thank you ❤️
awesome video! takes me back to when I was a teen at the same place and same year.
Great to hear that
God I wish I could experience this
This was back in the day when Disney stayed out of politics and didn't rob their base customers blind. Back when there was such a thing as Disney Magic. That Alien Encounter attraction was legit!! I lost it when it was breathing on your neck!!
What politics are you talking about
That was childhood. Good old times
Notice how everything was way more patriotic and the women were actually attractive. Now Disney just holds drag queen shows and try to get into political wars that involve with innocent CHILDREN! It’s sad and embarrassing how gross my favorite entertainment company has gotten.
Ever since like 2015-2016, there were definitely warning signs in movies like Finding Dory, but I always kind of ignored it since I was always so excited whenever a new Disney movie/sequel came out. Now, I just don’t bother anymore. I MIGHT go see Moana 2 and maybe an Incredibles 3/Rio 3 if it ever gets made, but other than that, I’m just so done. Would rather spend my money at Universal and/or Busch Gardens/Sea World.
@@iilikeitlikethatiiDisney has gotten way more political and creepy than they’ve ever been. U only like them now if they align with ur political ideology, not when EVERYONE used 2 enjoy Disney as a whole.
@@LordTylerBluGunderson Bloody true. Political and woke, feminism. Not to mention, only Money matters to them
Real musicians playing actual instruments. Lol
The good Ol' Days 👍
Can you imagine staying in a Disney hotel for $69 a night?! That gets you about 40 minutes now 😂
😂😂😂 so true
want to watch but also don't want to be sad
1:12:48 Bittersweet, never again.
R.I.P Splash Mountain 😔
@@DisneyDave I know we should embrace change since nothing lasts forever. But I can't shake the feeling this is very bad decision Disney made.
An objective better time and country.
45:03 Who the HELL is that character?! At first I thought it was Tik Tok the Crocodile, or maybe some walkaround version of Elliott the Dragon, but it really doesn't look like either with those wing things. Not a croc from Fantasia either- I remember them always wearing feather hats.
Max, according to The Disney Wiki this character is Tick-Tock the Crocodile
Miss those prices
Me too . . its so expensive now!
1:17:45 I can't believe I overlooked this performance!! The female performers are wearing cat ears (neko mimi) and meowing. They're the reason why I have a thing for catgirls beside anime!!
7:24 wall-e is that you O.o
awww, LOVE that movie! 👍
1:01:20 pinnochio restaurant bells?
@Cecnorthernohio yes your right, this was when the Dumbo ride was right beside the Pinocchio restaurant
@@DisneyDave they sound different from how they normally sound though, i wonder when they changed, and if that was how they had sounded even back in 1971
Historical
Daryl-Rhys, Thanks for watching
Im curious, was this shot on VHS, VHS-C, or Video8?
This was shot on a Video8 Camcorder
Continental Airlines… 😂
AND THIS IS THE DISNEY THAT DON'T KNOW BOUT ALL Y'ALLZ THAT NEEDZ TO BE BACK!! I DONT GIVE A F BOUT DISNEY ANYMORE!! DISNEY HAS RUINED MY CHILDHOOD!! DISNEY WAS MY CHILDHOOD PLAYGROUND! MY FIRST AND EVER CHILDHOOD PLAYGROUND!!
Note I don't hat Disney in general I just don't like the way is heading!!
15:48 Birds!!! They don't let birds loose at the end of the performances anymore today.
I remember they released birds in a parade once, it was during the "Remember the Magic" 25th anniversary parade
@@DisneyDave It's safe to assume animal rights were breathing down their neck and they stopped it all together.
@@mkaplan1383 absolutely 💯
1:16:06 I can't tell you how many guest at Disney including cast members have commented that of all the guest they see ride this ride I'm one of the few if the only one that utilized the ride's full potential and spun the cup the fastest.
Awesome! 👍👍 I was a kid then. Disney has sunk.....at least Tokyo Disneyland is still holding on to what attracts. It's the culture of Japan. Today, America's culture has been morally taxed, and its values are bankrupt.
Disney before Woke was awesome. Now…………..?????,
Disney has always been progressive and inclusive through its history. Relabeling it woke is just an excuse to be an assh*le.