The 1990 WDW Fourth of July Spectacular followed a similar format to the previous year’s: highlighting what’s new at Walt Disney World, checking in at Disneyland, and showcasing Disney recording artists. The show starts with a musical performance at Disney MGM Studios, an interesting mix between Vogue and Pretty Women featuring
Minnie Mouse. For 1990, we find Gladys Knight at the “Fabulous New Dolphin Hotel”; though we never actually get to see any of the Dolphin Hotel, we do get to see a little of the beach where Sammy Wright, the singing voice of Sebastian, performs. Remember, even today, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin are not owned by or managed by Disney, so “skipping” any details makes sense. Club MTV’s Downtown Julie Brown is at Downtown Disney Pleasure Island, where even the Fourth of July can turn into New Year’s Eve! On Pleasure Island, it’s the first teen group to have three top 10 hits from a single album, and the New Kids on the Block look surprisingly, or EXACTLY, the same as last year on the 4th of July (1989 Spectacular).
Disney wouldn’t reuse the footage, would they? And that’s not the first time a performance has been repeated between Easter, Christmas, and/or 4th of July specials in the ’80s and ’90s; I’m looking at you, Typhoon Lagoon, and the Mouseketeers. Julie Brown also introduces a video produced by none other than Mickey Mouse that highlights the New Mickey Star Land. The residents of Star Land, all from Disney afternoon TV include The Gummie Bears, Scrooge McDuck, LaunchPad, and Chip and Dale Rescue Rangers. The main attraction at Mickey Star Land is Mickey’s Magical TV World, set to premiere later this summer (1990), featuring the same Disney afternoon TV friends.
Julie Brown tells us about six entertainment venues at Pleasure Island, but we only get to see inside one via a performance by Jermain Jackson. Dick Tracy is in theaters, and the Detective’s Little Buddy “Charlie the Kid” takes us to Disney MGM Studios to look at a musical salute and stage show featuring Dick Tracy. While at the Studios, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have taken residence. At the Magic Kingdom, Cinderella’s Castle comes alive with a stage performance by Regis Philbin and Kathy Lee Gifford for a musical tribute to America. The Mickey Mouse Club Mouseketeers “Burn it up” in their latest music video from New York Street in Disney MGM Studios. In Disneyland, the 35th Anniversary Celebration is underway, including the all-new Party Grass Parade along with some 4th of July festivities; then, like the previous years, Sandi Patty closes the special with a live performance along with Fantasy in the Sky fireworks, though the amount of actual fireworks time is shrinking every year.
You might also like Walt Disney World 4th of July Speculators 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, or The Voices of Liberty on the 4th of July.
You might also like a look at the Toy Story 4 Press Conference, and To Infinity and Beyond, a look at What’s next at Disney Parks (2018)
