More 20,000 leagues

    I came upon a bunch more photos from the eighty's.  And I actually have access to a computer to scan and post them.  So I will bring a few more 20,000 leagues pictures to the table as the new Little Mermaid attraction is almost online in New Fantasyland.  We can take a look back to an attraction that used to occupy some of that real-estate.

A view from the skyway

Local seafood

The seaweed sways with the ebb and flow of the tide

More wildlife

    Here are a few promotional pictures I have from a book from 1986.  The lagoon was so beautiful, and offered some amazing photo opportunities.

A beautiful fleet of seafaring vessels

Early morning mist

I absolutely love this angle

Sea farmers

Children's Activity Centers

     Children's Activity Centers at select Walt Disney World Resorts allow parents to enjoy a night out and leave the kids at a Disney resort where they will be cared for and entertained. The clubs provide video games, toys, Disney movies, dinner and snacks. Parents are provided with pagers so they can be contacted if necessary. I am not sure how much it cost to house you child at one of these clubs then, but now it will run you $11.50/hr.  Which I do not think is ridiculous by today's standards.  Camp Dolphin at the Dolphin Resort runs $10.00/hr.  The other clubs around property include The Mousketeer Clubhouse at The Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, Simba's Clubhouse at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, The Neverland Club at the Polynesian Resort, Sandcastle Club at the Beach Club, and Cub's Den at the Wilderness Lodge,  Each club has a different theme based on the resort within which the club is located.
 

climbing out of the nursery window

Cloud pillows

         The best facility I visited was the Neverland Club at the Polynesian Resort. It was a blast as a child here.  As a child of the 80's, arcades were the most fun you could have.  The Neverland club featured arcade games that you could play continually without pumping in quarters, which was unheard of to me at that time. Constant classic Disney shorts or feature animated films shown on a screen that only rivaled that of Universe of Energy, or so it seemed.  Amazing themeing throughout including climbing out of the nursery window to "fly" to Neverland, cloud pillows from being in the sky "flying", even Hooks pirate ship.

       There was a buffet which served only kids favorites like mac and cheese, pizza, chicken fingers, and pb&j.  With dessert I might add.  Unlike today, where you are limited to so much per child, I served myself up an "unhealthy" portion of ice cream for my hot fudge sundae. I loved these times as a child, and made some fond memories at the club.  I am sure my parents had a blast without us three kids.  They ate at nice restaurants like California Grill and Narcoossee's,  while we as children had a ton of Disney fun. I would not hesitate to send my child to one of these places, especially the Neverland Club.  Even though times have changed in 20 years, the Disney difference hasn't.

   The above certificate was handed out to the children after your stay at the Mouseketeer Clubhouse at the Grand Floridian, at least back in 1986.  I do not have one for the Neverland Club, so I am not sure if you received something like this.  If anyone knows what was given out, if anything, from the Neverland Club I would love to hear about it.

Journey Into Imagination

     There are never too many pictures of this attraction online. The original JII when Figment wasn't annoying, he was cute.  People need to experience THIS Figment.

Dreamfinder in the Dreamcatcher

"You've got a Figment"

"Some happy songs, some snappy dances!"

Daredevil Circus Spectacular at EPCOT Center

     October 1st, 1987 marks the debut of the Daredevil Circus Spectacular, which performed in Communicore plaza.  The 80's was a difficult time for the parks.  And guests just really did not understand EPCOT Center.  The lack of traditional Disney characters as well as it was so completely different than anything that came before it.  Among the people that did not understand EPCOT Center was Michael Eisner.  While looking for ways to improve EPCOT Centers earnings, he decided that Futureworld needed a circus.  A "future" themed circus. It was billed as "The Greatest Show In Space".  Instead of being in a circus tent, it was right in the center of Futureworld which was transformed into an 8 ring "Spacearena".  The show only lasted till March 19th, 1988.

Check out the pavilion logos in the bottom left of the picture

        There were four elephants in the show, and they were not just elephants, they are "mutant prehistoric pachyderms from the steaming jungles of a little known planet in the Archturian Cosmos!"  They were actually the Christiani Elephants.  They performed on a stage built on top of the Fountain of Nations.  The fountain below gave the "Space ring" a cool look.  That was one sturdy stage,  it had to hold 36,000 pounds of pachyderm. 

"Space cycles" over Communicore

      

"Sincotron climbs the heights of a space probe needle!"

Two full rings of trapeze featuring The Flying Rodriguez Family

More Space cycles featuring The Winn Troupe

Archturian Power Drones during the finale

     This show also featured live music by The Future corps.  Also some of The Winn Troupe performed on "The Wheel of Destiny".  Here is a fabulous video which looks to be shot from the roof of Communicore East. There is two other parts to watch as well

 

Teenage Muntant Ninja Turtles

    
      The Teenage Muntant Ninja Turtles appeared at Disney MGM Studios in 1990 and did performances until 1996.  The Turtles would pull up in their Turtle Party Wagon (which did not resemble the van they drove in the animated series) and dace around their stage while April O'neal sang.  This stage was located back on New York Street.  They did "sign" autographs and took pictures with guests as well.

Lets open my autograph book that I got in 1989

This was the first instance that I can remember where the character used a stamp for and autograph

The outfits were too cumbersome to actually sign their names

I guess them having three fingers didn't help either

April O'Neal was the only human character, so she is able to sign her name

     This was huge with my brother and I since we absolutely loved everything Turtles around this time. The cartoon show (1987) was very popular as well as action figures and other mechandise. The live action film debuted in 1990, along with two sequels to follow in the early 90's.  There is also many shows that have aired over the years on television.  There is actually a new series the will begin airing on Nickelodeon starting in 2012.

World of Motion asthetics

  

Then

     This space in EPCOT Center has changed a lot since 1986 when this photo was taken.  I loved when everything was more open and less cluttered.

Now

      There were views available all over Futureworld that are nonexistant today.  Don't get me wrong I love test track, but the exterior of the pavillion seems kind of overcrowded.

Here is an example of blocked sightlines

20,000 Leagues Under The Sea

20,000 leagues under the sea lagoon ariel view circa 1987