In the summer of 1990, Disney’s 4th of July Spectacular returned with new attractions, musical performances, and character-filled fun. The Event was broadcast coast to coast. Continuing the trend from past years, the event highlighted what was fresh at Walt Disney World while tipping a hat to Disneyland’s celebrations.
A Spectacular Celebration from Coast to Coast
Following the familiar format, the 1990 edition of Disney’s Fourth of July broadcast included segments from Magic Kingdom. Disney-MGM Studios. Downtown Disney’s Pleasure Island and Disneyland. This year’s production offered a jam-packed showcase of Disney stars, new attractions, and musical numbers set to fireworks and flag-waving.
Featured Highlights from the 1990 Special
- Opening Number at Disney-MGM Studios: A stylish musical mash-up blending “Vogue” and “Pretty Woman” kicks off the special, with Minnie Mouse joining the glamour in front of the Disney-MGM Studios Chinese Theater.
- Mickey Starland Segment: Julie Brown introduces a video “produced by Mickey Mouse” showcasing the new Mickey Starland and its upcoming show, Mickey’s Magical TV World. Characters from Disney Afternoon—including the Gummi Bears, Scrooge McDuck, and Chip ‘n’ Dale—appear throughout.
- Pleasure Island Highlights: Downtown Julie Brown from Club MTV hosts a Fourth of July party at Pleasure Island, where it’s always New Year’s Eve. Jermaine Jackson delivers a performance, and the broadcast revisits New Kids on the Block footage from 1989.
- Dick Tracy at MGM Studios: With Dick Tracy in theaters, Charlie the Kid Korsmo hosts a behind-the-scenes look at a themed stage show at Disney MGM Studios. We see a segment of the Show “Calling Dick Tracey” (With a clue and a Tommy gun)
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles at MGM Studios: The heroes in a half shell appear live on set, the newest show at Disney MGM Studios, and a nod to their brief presence at Walt Disney World.
- Disneyland’s 35th Anniversary & Party Gras Parade: We travel to the West Coast, where viewers see Disneyland’s new Party Gras Parade, part of its milestone celebration. The UCLA Marching Band starts the parade, followed by the Locke Saints High School Marching Band. Then, soaring over 100 feet above Main Street USA, is Mickey Mouse. The first of the characters’ inflatable floats is making its way down Main Street for the parade.
Notable Musical Performance for the 1990 Special
- Walt Disney World Dolphin Segment: The Dolphin building isn’t shown; the resort’s beachfront and pool set the scene.
- Gladys Knight performs a medley of hits near the beach of the newly opened Dolphin Hotel,
- Sammy Wright, the voice of Sebastian, makes his television debut singing the Oscar-winning Under the Sea. Later in the program, he returns to perform “Kiss the Girl.”
- New Kids on the Block at Pleasure Island: The iconic boy band performed “The Right Stuff” and “Hang Tough” to an energetic crowd. Does that sound familiar?
- Jermaine Jackson takes the stage at Pleasure Island with “Don’t Take It Personal.” And it’s a double holiday: Every night, the performance is followed by New Year’s Eve Fireworks at Pleasure Island.
- In their latest Music Video, the New Mickey Mouse Club Mouseketeers burn it up on the New York Streets. They perform along with 17 hosts from the International Disney Club television shows.
- Magic Kingdom Castle Performance: Regis Philbin and Kathie Lee Gifford lead a patriotic stage show, “America the Musical,” in front of Cinderella Castle, backed by a full cast and dancers. Look who’s here, Wendel, Shaker, and Liverlips from the Country Bears Jamboree, who perform with Kathie Lee Gifford.
- The Mickey Mouse Club in NYC: The Mouseketeers premiere their latest music video, filmed on New York Street in MGM Studios.
- Fantasy in the Sky with Sandi Patty: The night ends with a live fireworks finale at Magic Kingdom, featuring Sandi Patty again.
Sam’s 10 Observations from the 1990 Broadcast
- Footage Reuse Confirmed: New Kids on the Block’s performance was identical to that of 1989. This is not the first time Disney has reused footage across parades.
- Mickey Starland Debuts: Formerly Birthdayland, the new themed land featured Disney Afternoon characters and was a marketing tool for TV properties.
- No Inside Shots of the Dolphin Hotel: The broadcast avoids showing interiors since the Dolphin is not Disney-owned, but even today, part of the Epcot Resort Area.
- Julie Brown’s Role Expanded: Club MTV’s host tied the segments together with energy and cross-promotion, even introducing Mickey’s highlight reel.
- Jermaine Jackson in the Spotlight: His Pleasure Island performance was one of the few filmed on a club interior set.
- Ninja Turtles at Disney?: Their limited-time run at MGM Studios made a rare TV appearance in this special.
- Mickey Mouse Club Consistency: Their Typhoon Lagoon footage mirrored segments from other holiday broadcasts.
- Dick Tracy Push: Disney gave heavy promotion to Dick Tracy across multiple park events.
- Regis & Kathie Lee in Magic Kingdom: Their castle-stage tribute was patriotic and pure ‘90s television.
- Sandi Patti’s Third Year: Sandi closed another 4th of July with her powerful vocals and fireworks.
Looking for more nostalgia? Try the Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parades, Happy Easter Parades. 4th of July Spectaculars and the Disney Family Albums.
