A Holiday Broadcast of Firsts
The 1990 Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade opened with footage of the 354th Tactical Fighter Wing in Saudi Arabia preparing to watch the parade. This new format—clearly labeled “Portions Recorded”—indicates a growing role for pre-recorded musical numbers.
Hosts and Opening Highlights
Joan Lunden and Alan Thicke hosted from Walt Disney World, joined by Regis Philbin on Main Street, U.S.A. Sarah Purcell and Jaleel White co-hosted from Disneyland. Special guest Amy Grant also performed in a pre-recorded video from Disneyland. The University of Central Florida Marching Band started the parade, followed by Santa’s elves and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Parade.
Holiday Moments and Salutes
Lee Greenwood performed a patriotic tribute to the Armed Forces, one of the earliest musical segments in Disney’s Christmas specials. Joan Lunden spotlighted Operation Desert Shield Family Parties held at Disneyland and Walt Disney World.
Santa’s elves took a break at the newly opened Disney Yacht and Beach Club Resort, appearing in a music video showcasing the resort’s festive flair. Michael Eisner introduced the inaugural National Teacher of the Year Awards.
Behind the Scenes at MGM Studios
Regis toured the Disney-MGM Studios Backlot, highlighting blue screen effects, the Honey, I Shrunk the Kids playground, and the animation studio. Behind-the-scenes features on The Rescuers Down Under included insights from Jeffrey Katzenberg, Ed Gombert, Mike Gabriel, Andreas Deja, and Mark Henn, emphasizing the importance of the Florida-based animation facility.
Alan Thicke joined the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for a live performance right on Main Street, U.S.A.
Disneyland Performances & Parade
At Disneyland, pre-recorded segments featured six local bands performing in six themed lands:
- UCLA Marching Band in Fantasyland on and around the carousel
- Bloomington High School Band near Splash Mountain
- Katella High School Band in Tomorrowland
- Capistrano Valley High School Band in Frontierland
- Arroyo High School Band in New Orleans Square
- Mission Viejo High School Band near the Matterhorn
The six bands united on Main Street, U.S.A., finishing in Town Square for a Christmas medley, launching Disneyland’s parade. Amy Grant performed, followed by a musical tribute to the Disney Afternoon. These local performances gave Disneyland’s segment a strong community feel, highlighting the park’s unique connection to Southern California’s talent.
Jaleel White tackled Disneyland’s iconic mountain range—Big Thunder, Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, and the Matterhorn—in full Urkel mode.
NFL Meets Disney
As ABC prepared to broadcast Super Bowl XXV, Dan Dierdorf, Al Michaels, and Frank Gifford previewed the halftime show celebrating Walt Disney World’s 20th anniversary. The 1991 Super Bowl XXV halftime show, produced by Disney and aired on ABC, was the first Super Bowl halftime show created by The Walt Disney Company. It also marked the first time the show featured an all-kids cast, including New Kids on the Block.
Parade Finale and Presidential Message
The special concluded with more parade coverage at Walt Disney World and Santa’s much-anticipated arrival. President George H.W. Bush offered a holiday message recognizing the Armed Forces deployed during Desert Shield. The show ended with troops overseas singing “White Christmas.”
Looking for more nostalgia? Try the Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parades, Happy Easter Parades. 4th of July Spectaculars and the Disney Family Albums.
