1994: The Lion King

 

In 1994, Disney released its biggest ever animated film- The Lion King. The film broke all box office records and inspired one of DISNEYLAND's greatest ever parades. This lion would have a mighty roar.

1993: Cult Classics at the Mouse House

 

1993 was considered a down year for Disney films. The Lion King was delayed so the year would not feature a feature length animated film from Walt Disney Pictures. The company considered making Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas an "official" Disney film, but the darker subject matter made them skittish. It went out as a Touchstone Pictures film and underperformed at the box office.

 

Another film that came out that same year was Hocus Pocus. The Halloween film would (oddly enough) get a summer release. As the final movie made by Bette Midler as part of her multi-film contract with Disney, it was seen as a lesser effort. Both films underperformed at the box office.

The movies would not be forgotten by their fans, however. Nightmare Before Christmas would gain a huge cult following, with the limited merchandise offerings from 1993 getting top dollar on eBay. Disney noticed that licensees were clamoring for permission to produce new merchandise. The company fully embraced the characters they had written off just a few years earlier and even handed the keys to DISNEYLAND's famed Haunted Mansion over to Jack for the Halloween and Christmas seasons.

 

Hocus Pocus had a similar path to re-emergence. Repeated airings on cable television and its huge home video sales during the Halloween season made for a cult hit that had gained millions of fans in the years after its release. The film is now finding its way to the Disney theme parks and merchandise.

DISNEYLAND Weekend Tips

 

DISNEYLAND Weekend Tips

 

1992: Goof Troop

 

In 1992, Disney introduced Goof Troop, an animated TV show featuring Goofy and introducing his son Max. The show would eventually produce two spinoff films, one of which was released in theaters.

1991: Beauty and the Beast

 

The Disney Golden Age would continue with arguably the greatest of the musical films- Beauty and the Beast. For the first time ever, Disney would publicly screen a work in progress cut of a film before it was completed. Despite the fact that the film was unfinished, audiences lucky enough to see it were instantly enchanted. The film would quickly become a modern classic.

1990: Disneyland is 35

 

In 1990, DISNEYLAND celebrated 35 Years with the lively Party Gras parade and a huge announcement- the area around Walt Disney's Magic Kingdom would be transformed into a resort, with a new shopping district, hotels and theme park. The plans would change over time, but they would eventually come to fruition in 2001.

1989: The Little Mermaid

 

In 1989, Disney's second golden age of animation began with the release of The Little Mermaid. The film was a return to Disney's classic storytelling, marrying it with high tech animation and amazing music. The film was a huge success, with people of all ages embracing its lively music and characters.

1988: Who Framed Roger Rabbit

 

Derided before it premiered as another surefire flop like George Lucas' Howard the Duck, Who Framed Roger Rabbit's success was not a sure thing. The animation/live action hybrid was a risky gamble and even Walt Disney Pictures wasn't entirely certain of its success. The Disney name was unceremoniously removed from the film, replaced with the Touchstone banner. The film would go on to become the biggest hit of 1988.

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