Menu

The Decade That Changed Walt Disney World…Forever

Michael Eisner and Mickey Mouse
Credit: Disney

The late 1980s through the 1990s was revolutionary for The Walt Disney Company. This period ushered in the former CEO Michael Eisner, who, together with Frank Wells, changed the entire company.

Disney World 2023 attendance figures are down

Credit: patchrick84, Flickr

This time is often called the Disney Decade and the Disney Renaissance. But what exactly was the Disney Decade? Let’s dig in!

The Disney Decade (Overview)

Many describe the Disney Decade beginning with the release of The Little Mermaid (1989). It marked the end of a rough few decades for the iconic company.

The Little Mermaid Saved Disney

Credit: Disney

Following the success of The Little Mermaid, Disney continued to produce a series of critically acclaimed and commercially successful animated films. These include Beauty and the Beast (1991), Aladdin (1992), The Lion King (1994), and Pocahontas (1995).

a-whole-new-world-aladdin

Credit: Disney

Many consider the “Disney Decade” to have ended with Tarzan (1999), while others claim it started to taper off earlier. Nevertheless, Disney was setting records, making tons of money, and expanding into various other industries.

Tarzan

Credit: Disney

The Disney Decade also included the acquisition of ABC and ESPN and the birth of the Disney Channel (including its many shows).

Related: History Repeats Itself: Critics Warn Disney is ‘Rotting From the Head Down’

Other significant elements of the Disney Decade include the company beginning its working relationship with Pixar (which it later acquired after Eisner left), partnerships with Miramax, the creation of the Disney Store, and the debut of Disney Cruise Line.

Disney Store

Credit: Disney

This period also saw the creation of Euro Disney (now Disneyland Paris), the California Adventure Park in Anaheim, and the birth of the Disney Vacation Club.

Related: Is It Worth It? 3 Reasons to Travel to Disney World as a Californian

However, some other significant changes came to Walt Disney World Resort.

The Disney Decade at Walt Disney World Resort

When the Disney Decade began, EPCOT had just opened its doors. There were no other plans to build a third or fourth theme park in Florida. The construction of EPCOT already stretched the company’s budget (which is why many countries and original attractions never came to fruition).

In defense of EPCOT

Credit: Disney

Three significant changes came to Walt Disney World Resort during these transformative years under Michael Eisner: Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, and the inclusion of new thrill rides at the current parks.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Originally named Disney-MGM Studios, this film-themed park opened in 1989 to rival Universal Studios Orlando. It started as a concept of making an entertainment pavilion at EPCOT to show how movies were made.

Related: Disney Guest Sues Over Real Life Tower of Terror Experience

However, the idea expanded more and more, and when Disney leaders learned Universal Studios was building a new park in the area, they decided to push ahead with a new third gate.

disney's hollywood studios

Credit: Disney

Its initial attractions included The Great Movie Ride, Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!, Backstage Studio Tour, and the Magic of Disney Animation.

Related: The Great Movie Ride – Whatever Happened To Its Props And Costumes?

Although most of those attractions and the original movie-making theme have been removed, many elements are still around today.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Some may argue that this theme park’s opening date may not be part of the “Disney Decade.” But even if that were true, the development and concept were part of it.

disney's animal kingdom entrance

Credit: Disney

It opened in 1998, adding the fourth theme park to the Walt Disney World Resort. Although a Walt Disney World vacation had been a multi-day vacation before, the fourth theme park made it a requirement.

Thrill Attractions

One of Michael Eisner’s goals with the Walt Disney World Resort is to make it more appealing to teens and adults. Of course, this required a delicate balance to maintain the family-friendly brand and audience.

The 1990s saw many thrill rides added to places such as Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, and Disney-MGM Studios.

In Magic Kingdom Park, Splash Mountain was introduced. It helped add a little thrill to the park while keeping the Disney feel with dark ride elements and an exterior that blends into the skyline.

Related: Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Mocked as ‘Rainforest Cafe: The Ride’

Br'er Rabbit and Mr. Bluebird,, Splash Mountain

Credit: DisneyTips

Magic Kingdom also saw the addition of the controversial ExtraTERRORestial Alien Encounter. It was a very adult-friendly attraction that terrified an entire generation of kids by simulating an escaped alien attacking guests.

Related: The Dark History Behind Disney World’s Most Controversial Ride

ExtraTerrorestial Alien Encounter

Credit: Disney

During this time, Disney introduced Test Track at EPCOT – the theme park’s first thrill ride.

The Disney Decade also ushered in The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith. Similar to the other big thrills introduced during this time, these were themed to the idea of Hollywood and intended to draw in younger crowds.

Other Additions

Although they weren’t thrill rides, this decade also brought us Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, Fantasmic!, and Honey I Shrunk the Audience (now gone), Blizzard Beach, and the Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf.

Could There Be Another ‘Disney Decade’?

There were also many failed proposals that happened during this time as well. By some standards, Euro Disney and California Adventure parks were failures that the company had to go back and fix.

Disney California Adventure

Credit: Disney

But there were also other unsuccessful aspects, such as Disney’s America, WestCOT, and Port Disney. However, most Disney fans and cast members will cite this period as the best moment of Disney’s greatest. Even if there were certain failures, the company was still willing to take risks, push the envelope, and focus on the experience of its fans.

So, will we ever see another Disney Decade like the former one? Maybe.

But not in the near future… and likely not with its current CEO Bob Iger.

South Carolina Treasurer trashes Disney after dropping it

Credit: Disney

About Steven

Steven has a complicated relationship with Disney. As a child, he visited Walt Disney World every few years with his family. But he never understood why kids his age (and older) were so scared of Snow White or Alien Encounter. He is a former participant of the Disney College Program (left early…long story), and he also previously worked in Children’s publishing, where he adapted multiple Disney movies and TV shows. He has many controversial opinions about Disney…like having a positive view of Michael Eisner, believing Return of the Jedi is superior to The Empire Strikes Back, and that Toy Story Land and Galaxy’s Edge should have never been built (at least not at Hollywood Studios). Every year for the past two decades, Steven has visited either Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Aulani or went on a Disney Cruise. He’s happy to share any and all knowledge of the Disney destinations (and he likes using parenthesis a lot…as well as ellipses…)

One comment

  1. The Disney Magic will be in effect 🪄

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.