Walt Disney World Inside Out - Walt Disney World's 25th Anniversary Kickoff (1996)

Walt Disney World Inside Out was a Disney Channel series that ran from June 1994 through December 1997 that chronicled what was happening monthly at the Walt Disney World Resort. For most of it's three year run it was a monthly series but near the end it became a weekly one. Comedian Scott Herriot was the original host of the series but he was replaced in 1995 by professional presenter J. D. Roth and actress Brianne Leary with beloved boxer George Foreman rounding out the cast. The series is now a time capsule of Walt Disney World and its surrounding theme parks in the mid 1990's.

This very special episode of the series is double the length of every other episode produced as it was chronicling the plans for Walt Disney World's 25th Anniversary. The episode is presented with an introduction by Roy Disney Jr. and is the only one he ever did this for. It features a host of ABC stars including Drew Care, Ellen DeGeneres, Michael J. Fox, Sharon Lawrence, Ben Savage, Rider Strong, Alex Trebek, The Lawrence Bros, the Pointer Sisters, Savion Glover, and greetings from various other celebrities. President Bill Clinton also provides a message for the event.

The 15 month long celebration 25th Anniversary celebration was one of the biggest The Walt Disney Company ever undertook and became the standard for future such milestones. It had more to do with marketing than marketing for a single event. Accordingly, there were several TV specials and other tie ins regarding this celebration (some of which are in our archive.) This episode of Walt Disney World Inside Out aired in October after the actual 25th Anniversary took place so that footage from the true event could be incorporated into the broadcast.

This special showcases several of the attractions and events that went on at the parks for the event. We see the parades, park events, stage shows, historical retrospectives, and the re-dedication ceremony. One of the most divisive things The Walt Disney Company ever did was turn Cinderella's Castle into a giant birthday cake. The big reveal is here.

For those who weren't there or alive at the time these broadcasts provide a glimpse at what this period in Walt Disney history was really like.

Original airdate October 8, 1996

Posted for historical purposes. This channel is not affiliated with the Walt Disney Company.