Videos

Restored Walt Disney World Planning Videos

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Long before YouTube, Disney produced home video previews for guests planning a vacation at Walt Disney World. This video from 1993, sponsored by Delta, starts off with an extended performance set to “Be Our Guest” followed by several guest testimonials. The video continues with a tour of the Magic Kingdom, including some great footage inside attractions as well as Mickey’s Star Land! Next up is the then-newest theme park, referred to as the “Disney Studios” in...Read More...

Videos

Restored Videos: Lake Buena Vista

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Have fun outside the parks, starting with a new kind of vacation at the Disney Institute! Relatively short-lived, guests staying at the Disney Institute resort could participate in classes in animation, photography, film, culinary arts, and more during their vacations.   Next up, take a tour of Typhoon Lagoon in this press reel from 1992.   Get ready when the sun goes down to celebrate New Years Eve every night at Pleasure Island.   And finally...Read More...

Restored Video

Very RARE – Horizons Opening Press Kit Video

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This is an extremely rare 1983 U-Matic videotape press kit that includes footage of getting Horizons ready for opening, construction, interior shots, a short interview with George McGinnis and Robert McCall, and some quick segments by the SVP of GE Research and Development at the time Dr. Roland Schmitt. Thank you to Joe Zarella for the footage. We’ve restored and upscaled it, enjoy!Read More...

Videos

Videos: Walt Disney World’s 20th anniversary

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As Walt Disney World celebrates its 50th anniversary, tonight we look back to 1991 and its 20th anniversary. This special, hosted by John Lithgow, takes a look at the history of Walt Disney World, and includes footage of Roy Disney and early construction. Lithgow tours the Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, the Disney-MGM Studios, Typhoon Lagoon, and more. If you prefer a more behind-the-scenes look from the same time period, this special, Disney Magic in Florida features interviews...Read More...

Videos

New Year’s Eve Celebration Videos – 1993 & 1994

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As a followup to podcast episode 73, we are pleased to present some video from two New Year’s Eve celebrations at WDW! Explode into 1993 at Epcot with a live musical performance from Kool & the Gang: And then, welcome 1994 at Disney-MGM Studios! There are plenty of DJ’s and bands, including a performance by the Turtles, to help celebrate, and a performance of Sorcery in the Sky. And, of course, plenty of party horns to...Read More...

Podcast

Podcast Episode 73: Happy New Year!

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Welcome to Episode 73 of the RetroWDW Podcast: Happy New Year!– We appreciate your support and hope you have been enjoying each and every episode. Be sure to check out some of our previous shows from over the years. We have visited multiple parks, resorts, and just about everything else in between. We are back with a full episode and our first release of 2022.  Listener Mail The mailbag is back for 2022 and we are...Read More...

Historical Research, Videos

Christmas 1989 Isotoner Ad Filmed At Disney-MGM Studios

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Over the years nary a fortnight passes between the last “Back to School” commercial on television and the first Christmas or holiday-themed ad starts running.  In simpler times, in this case 1989, you usually didn’t start seeing holiday ads on television until a week or two before Thanksgiving.  This past year the Lake Buena Vista Historical Society acquired over 400 internal Walt Disney World public relations slides.  A lot of them were promotional images we’d seen...Read More...

LBVHS

LBVHistory Vault Opens to offer extremely Limited Quantities of Past Ornaments & Gifts!

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As we dug out the holiday decorations at LBV HQ we’ve come across a handful of reserves of some of our most popular sold-out ornaments and gifts from past events and offerings. These items are available as a gift for immediate shipping in EXTREMELY limited quantities* with a tax-deductible donation to Lake Buena Vista Historical Society, Inc., a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. If you missed out or need a replacement make your donation today: 2017 –...Read More...