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Tag Archives: 1990s

May 26

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May 26, 1990 – Mickey’s Starland Area Opens in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Park

Starland

“I brought you friends from near and far, you’ll meet them now, each one’s a star.”

On May 26, 1990, the Mickey’s Starland area opened in the Magic Kingdom Park of Walt Disney World. The area replaced the Mickey’s Birthdayland area, which closed on April 22, 1990, at the conclusion of Mickey’s 60th birthday. Many special features from Mickey’s Birthdayland remained, and the new area included a live show called Mickey’s Magical TV World show, with several of the Disney Afternoon characters, including Darkwing Duck and Baloo from TaleSpin. In 1996, the area was revamped and turned into Mickey’s Toontown Fair.

May 25

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May 25, 1990 – The Stage Show Here Come the Muppets Premieres

HCtM

“The Muppets have arrived at the Disney-MGM Studios theme park!”

On May 25, 1990, the stage show Here Come the Muppets premiered in Disney-MGM Studios. This was the first show to feature the Muppets at the Disney Park, after purchasing negotiations had started between Disney and Jim Henson Associates (these negotiations would stall after Henson’s death, though Muppet*Vision 3D continued in the park). The show was performed until September 2, 1991, and was replaced by Voyage of the Little Mermaid.

The show begins with Kermit panicking when he can’t find anyone and the show is about to start. Mickey calls to find how well the show is going, but while Kermit manages to stall, he decides to call his friends to find out where they are. Kermit reaches Miss Piggy on the video phone, and she is alarmed when everyone can see her at home. Kermit then calls Fozzie, who is very lost. However, Kermit manages to guide Fozzie onto the stage, and Fozzie tells Kermit that the others are coming on the monorail. Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem crash into the building before Gonzo and Buster Bunny arrive to help Fozzie and Kermit sing a rendition of “Make ‘Em Laugh.” Miss Piggy performs next a rousing rendition of Lloyd Price’s “Personality.” To kill time between sets (and covering for Animal eating one of the amplifiers), Kermit sings  “It’s Not Easy Bein’ Green.” Finally, Electric Mayhem performs Huey Lewis and the News’ “The Heart of Rock & Roll,” followed by the finale number “Shout!”

May 21

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May 21, 1998 – The New Tomorrowland Opens in Disneyland for the Media

Tomorrowland

“It turns out the new Disney vision has been framed less by NASA and Caltech than by famous visionaries of the past.”

On May 21, 1998, the media day for the newly resigned Tomorrowland was held, with the new area open to the public the following day. The park underwent an extensive redesign that took almost two years and over $100 million, complete with a new symbol for the area itself: the flagship attraction Rocket Rods. Changes were also made to the landscaping, with the addition of crops grown within the park, including artichokes, coffee plants, and orange trees. Several attractions were moved to other parts of the park or discontinued altogether. The most startling change, however, was the new color scheme for the area, which was a new metallic blend.

May 15

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May 15, 1998 – Bill Nye Wins Daytime Emmy

Bill Nye displays his Emmy statuette during the1998 Daytime Emmy Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York on Friday, May 15, 1998. Nye won for "Outstanding Performer in a Children's Series" for his role in "Bill Nye the Science Guy." (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

“Science Rules!”

On May 15, 1998, the 25th Daytime Emmy Awards were held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The science program Bill Nye the Science Guy, distributed by Disney, won five Emmy awards, including one for Bill Nye as Outstanding Performer in a Children’s Series. The series also won for Outstanding Writing in a Children’s Series, Outstanding Sound Editing, Outstanding Sound Mixing, and Outstanding Single Camera Editing. This was the second win for several of these categories, and the first for Nye as Outstanding Performer; the series would go on to win Outstanding Children’s Series the following year.

May 11

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May 11, 1999 – The Debut Album for the Group SHeDAISY, The Whole SHeBANG , is Released Through Lyric Street Records

WholeSHeBANG

“This same woman that melts with your touch wants you to feel what I’m feeling right now.”

On May 11, 1999, the debut album for country group SHeDAISY, entitled The Whole SHeBANG, was released through Disney’s country music label Lyric Street Records. SHeDAISY was the first group signed to the label after it was incorporated, and the album was given positive reviews on its release. The album peaked at number 6 on the Billboard Top Country Albums, as well as number 70 on the Billboard 200. The album spawned five singles, including “Little Good-Byes,” “This Woman Needs,” “I Will…But,” “Lucky 4 You (Tonight I’m Just Me),” and “Still Holding Out for You.” A rereleased remix version of the album was released three years later, but did not have as much success as its predecessor.

May 7

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May 7, 1999 – 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Has Special Engagement at the El Capitan Theatre

20000“A whale of a tale and it’s all true, I swear by my tattoo.”

On May 7, 1999, a special restored version of the ground-breaking live-action feature 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea was shown for a limited engagement at the El Capitan Theatre. The film on its first showing was accompanied by director Richard Fleischer, matte artist Peter Ellenshaw, and Disney historian Scott MacQueen, who talked about the film in detail and introduced the movie to audiences. The limited engagement ran until May 13, with shows scheduled daily at noon, 3pm, 6pm, and 9pm.

April 26

April 26, 1990 – The Mickey’s Magical TV World Show Opens at Mickey’s Starland in Walt Disney World

MMTVW

“What’s all the fuss about Gummi magic? So far, it’s nothing but tricks!”

On April 26, 1990, the live show Mickey’s Magical TV World opened in the Mickey’s Starland area of Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Park. The show featured characters from the popular Saturday morning cartoons, including Disney’s Adventures of the Gummi Bears, Ducktales, and Chip ‘n’ Dale Rescue Rangers; other popular shows were added and some were taken out through the years of the show. The musical stage show, hosted by Mickey Mouse, lasted about fifteen minutes. The show closed on March 11, 1996.

April 19

April 19, 1997 – The Animated Series Nightmare Ned Premieres on ABC

Nightmare Ned

“Thank goodness I’m awake.”

On April 19, 1997, the animated series Nightmare Ned premiered on ABC. Based on a video game, the show is about 10-year-old Ned Needlemeyer, who handles his problems in his everyday life through his nightmares every night, including school, bullies, and his family. The show ran for only 12 episodes before getting cancelled, with the last episode airing August 9.

April 12

April 12, 1995 – The Los Angeles Production of Beauty and the Beast Opens

BatbBroadwayLogo

“But Disney did something right here: it has delivered to Los Angeles virtually the entire, excellent Broadway cast.”

On April 12, 1995, the Los Angeles production of the hit Broadway musical Beauty and the Beast opened at the Shubert Theater. The show featured most of the original Broadway cast, including Susan Egan as Belle, Terrence Mann as Beast, Gary Beach as Lumiere, Beth Fowler as Mrs. Potts, Burke Moses as Gaston, and Tom Bosley as Maurice. The production lasted a little over a year, running until September 29, 1996, and wound up winning three Ovation Awards, as well as eleven Drama-Logue Awards.

March 25

March 25, 1996 – John Lasseter is Awarded a Special Academy Award for Toy Story

John Lasseter Award

“Now we take you to the world of computer animation, where director John Lasseter has proved that a boy with a hard drive can go a long way.” – Presenter Robin Williams

On March 25, 1996, the 68th Academy Awards were held in the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles, California. At this ceremony, John Lasseter was awarded a special Academy Award for the creation of the first fully computer-animated feature film, Toy Story, calling its creation a milestone in the achievement of motion pictures. The film had been a long time in the making, going back to Lasseter’s aspirations after starting at Disney decades earlier. Lasseter showed up on stage to receive the award, bringing with him a Woody and a Buzz Lightyear toy. Lasseter thanked the Academy for its longtime support of student filmmakers, as well as everyone at Pixar and Disney for their support and effort into making the film.