Blogs, Events, LBVHS, Podcast, Retro Disney World

RetroMagic 2023: Resource Guide

With less than a month to go, we are all gearing up RetroMagic to celebrate 40 years of EPCOT Center. Leading up to this celebration, we thought it would be beneficial to everyone who is either attending or not attending to prepare a little. We have put together a list of books, resources, podcast episodes, restored videos, and more so you can pack your brain before we see you in Florida. We hope you enjoy this...Read More...

Podcast

Podcast Episode 84.5: DVC Feedback

So our last episode, Episode 84: Disney Vacation Club, we dug into the history of the vacation club and the original resort. Throughout this episode, we were able to discuss our personal experiences with DVC and also our opinions. While going over all of the details in Episode 84, we asked for your feedback and your own opinions on DVC. You as the listeners did not disappoint! We had an amazing response and received tons of…Read More...

Historical Research, Retro Disney World

National Disability Independence Day – Accommodations Guide at Walt Disney World 1972

July 27th is National Disability Independence Day marking 33 years since President George H.W. Bush signed the landmark Americans With Disabilities Act into law in 1990. While visitors today are familiar with the myriad accommodations for individuals with disabilities available at Disney parks and resorts you may wonder what the experience was like in the Magic Kingdom’s opening year. To mark the occasion we are adding to our archive the very first accessibility guide produced for...Read More...

Videos

Happy 4th of July

Happy 4th of July from all of us at LBVHS! To celebrate we are happy to share “Celebrate the Spirit! Disney’s All-Star 4th of July Spectacular” from July 4th, 1992. Shot in Walt Disney World and Disneyland, the special aired on broadcast TV and was hosted by John Ritter. There are performances by Celine Dion, Billy Ray Cyrus, Los Lobos, Kris Kross, and more.  Read More...

Videos

Videos: 4 hours of time travel to 1992

We’ve added nearly 4 hours of restored home movie footage shot over several days in February 1992 to our YouTube channel. Early in the “Disney Decade”, the first video contains a visit to the Magic Kingdom. There are lots of character greetings, as well as a castle stage show starring Roger Rabbit. Plus some great shots inside attractions including Dreamflight. There are lots of great views around the park, and the day ends with footage of...Read More...

Podcast

Podcast Episode 84: Disney Vacation Club

For our main topic, we take you back to the late 80s and early 90s and get into the history of the Disney Vacation Club. We all know what the vacation club is nowadays, but how did it start, and why? In this era of Walt Disney World, things were much different, and the concept of a timeshare at Disney World seemed impossible. Disney decided to change this and tackled the concept of taking ownership in…Read More...

Videos

Video: Everyone loves a parade

We recently published a number of videos of Magic Kingdom parades over the years on our YouTube channel! Additionally, this special from the Disney Channel gives a behind the scenes look at the Main Street Electrical Parade.   We also have a brief restored film of the parade from 1979. The “Remember the Magic” parade was introduced for the resort’s 25 anniversary. We have this video, shot from Main Street USA, as well as another as...Read More...

LBVHS

LBVHistory Announces 2023 Holiday Ornament: Holly Jolly Poly

The team at The Lake Buena Vista Historical Society has been hard at work creating a special holiday ornament or decor adornment, whatever your fancy, for 2023! We present The Holly Jolly Poly! Donate to Reserve your Holly Jolly Poly! In the style of the Polynesian Resort Signs, the ornament is cast resin, hand-painted, and features a traditional brown background, Maui’s likeness, and of course, the phrase Mele Kalikimaka right front and center! We’ve also included...Read More...