memories of Disney World's 25th Anniversary celebration

[sross1800]

Hi there! My name's Sean! I'm 24 years old, and I've got autism. Even though I've never been to Disney World and/or Disneyland (because me and my family can't afford it), and even though I'm never going back to any theme park again (because the last time I went to a theme park was back in June of 2009, 1 month after I graduated from high school, when I went to Six Flags St. Louis with me, my friend, my friend's mom, and my friend's younger brothers, and I got a little motion sickness there), but since I like the nostalgia of both the 1980's and the 1990's, and since Disneyland is celebrating its 60th anniversary, what memories do you have from Disney World's 25th Anniversary celebration from around circa 1996 to 1997 (besides the birthday cake Cinderella Castle and the song "Remember The Magic", which Brian McKnight did an awesome job recording!)?

Thanks!
Sean

 

[Figgy1]

Welcome Sean! I do hope you get to experience the magic of Disney someday!

 

[sross1800]

Thanks! But like I said, as much as I love Disney, I don't want to go to Disneyland and/or Disney World because my family can't afford it (and even if we won the lottery, if I go on Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Twilight Zone Tower Of Terror, or other Disney World and/or Disneyland thrill rides, I'm afraid I'll get motion sickness, like I did at Six Flags St. Louis), and actually, to be honest, I don't really want to go on vacation, because with my autism, I'm afraid I'll get homesick!

 

[Figgy1]

Thanks! But like I said, as much as I love Disney, I don't want to go to Disneyland and/or Disney World because my family can't afford it (and even if we won the lottery, if I go on Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Twilight Zone Tower Of Terror, or other Disney World and/or Disneyland thrill rides, I'm afraid I'll get motion sickness, like I did at Six Flags St. Louis), and actually, to be honest, I don't really want to go on vacation, because with my autism, I'm afraid I'll get homesick!

I understand completely!

 

[sross1800]

Yeah! So figmentfan423, did you attend Disney World's 25th Anniversary celebration back in 1996 and/or 1997? If so, what memories did you have (other than the birthday cake Cinderella Castle and the song "Remember The Magic", which like I said, Brian McKnight did an awesome job recording?)

 

[ryguy]

I do remember the Cake Castle, that's for sure. It was definitely creative! But that is all I really remember.

During one of the anniversary's (maybe the 15th) Disney were giving away prizes. Basically everyone who went through the gates received a instant ticket, if you were lucky you would win a prize. That was kinda cool.

 

[brb1006]

While not the same celebration, there was another castle show similar to this and was made for the 20th Anniversary back in 1991. It was also one of the last times you would see characters such as Dodger from Oliver & Company ever showing up at the the parks.

Here's footage of the show.

 

[Jason21783]

I went to WDW once when I was 3, and don't remember a whole lot. And I didn't go back until the year of the 25th anniversary, so all of that holds a special place in my heart. My aunt, a WDW veteran, hated the cake castle, but I didn't mind it so much (I was 13). I remember Disney was handing out buttons that would say the date of your first visit, and cast members around the park would greet you with a "Welcome back!"

They half a ton of merchandise with the 25th logo, and it all heavily featured the Genie and Simba.

WDW was a very different place then too. No Animal Kingdom yet, and MGM was actually my favorite park at the time. The Tower of Terror and Star Tour blew me away. The Studio tram tour was actually something impressive, and seemed to still go through a working studio. I was nervous about going on Alien Encounter, and I got to experience the last days of Horizons. I remember it being one of my Aunt's favorites, but as a typical 13 yo, I didn't fully appreciate its awesomeness until it was gone. We still had Food Rocks, Body Wars and the Timekeeper too.

Your first visit is always remembered with rose colored glasses, but it still remains one of my favorite eras of the parks.

 

[Figgy1]

Yeah! So figmentfan423, did you attend Disney World's 25th Anniversary celebration back in 1996 and/or 1997? If so, what memories did you have (other than the birthday cake Cinderella Castle and the song "Remember The Magic", which like I said, Brian McKnight did an awesome job recording?)

No but I wish I had gone. I went a few times in the 80s and once in the early 90s. Then life got in the way. We were really afraid to go after my son was diagnosed with autism because he does not do well with changes to his schedule. I'm quite surprised how well he does there.

 

[LAKid53]

We were there in August 1997 (our very first trip). The castle wasn't fully decorated yet, but it was BRIGHT pink. And made a wonderful backdrop for a picture of my daughter and the purple cast on her broken wrist. My daughter insisted our first ride be Space Mountain. Like yours at Six Flags, it didn't go very well (she was 9) and we spent the rest of our time on rides that didn't leave the ground and then the afternoon at the resort pool - where she dangled her feet in the water since she couldn't swim with a cast on her arm. But she got her first pair of ears, which is VERY important.

 

[fireworksandfairytales]

The cake castle is the first castle I remember seeing & it'll always have a special place in my heart of that reason. I also remember the Remember the Magic parade; I thought it was so cool to be able to go out and dance with the characters when the floats would stop. I miss that parade, even though I was really young when I saw it.

 

[Disnee4Me]

Yeah! So figmentfan423, did you attend Disney World's 25th Anniversary celebration back in 1996 and/or 1997? If so, what memories did you have (other than the birthday cake Cinderella Castle and the song "Remember The Magic", which like I said, Brian McKnight did an awesome job recording?)

 

[Bluewaves]

I remember the vomit pink cake castle, hopefully they never do that again, it was pretty bad

 

[Disnee4Me]

Our family was there in March '97. It was the first time for my younger son...well he was there when I was pregnant with him

 

[JIMINYCR]

Welcome.... Maybe by joining us on this site you will get a stronger desire to visit WDW or DL.
First... Many people think Disney is unaffordable for them, but if you really want to go, you will find a way to start saving now, a little at a time. Over time you will see that savings grow, to the point that youll eventually meet your goal. There are also many ways people can do a Disney trip cheaper and spend less money.
Second... Lots of people get motion sickness. If you get the chance to go you still can enjoy yourself, Disney offers a wide variety of things to do and enjoy. Plan on avoiding those rides you know wont agree with you and you can still have an exciting and memorable trip.
Third... Our first trip was before the 25th celebration and second trip was after it was over. I'm glad I wasnt there at that time because I never liked the looks of the birthday cake castle. But I do agree with you , I like the Brian McKnight song, he did an awesome job with it.