Many popular celebrities of the time made cameos including; Rue McClanahan, Estelle Getty, John Forsythe, Kate Jackson and even Ronald Reagan. I still enjoy this special just as much as I did 22 years ago. This show may seem like a two-hour advertisement, but for some it is a glimpse at a magical world.
Back in the late 1980's The Magical World of Disney generally showed a Disney movie or some sort of special event on a weekly basis. These shows were something that I would look forward to each week. Generally, these shows would bring cast members from popular NBC shows together in an interesting way. One instance showed us Mickey Mouse leaving his comfortable lifestyle and running away only to befriend young Andy from the hit series Family Ties.
I feel that one of the oddest specials to air was the Walt Disney World Celebrity Circus. This originally aired in 1987 and featured a cast including; Tony Randall, Malcolm-Jamal Waner, Lisa Bonet and Kim Fields. Mixed in with these celebrities were some of the most daring circus acts and performers across the world. A make-shift circus was created on top of the EPCOT Center Fountain of Nations that was able to hold up several elephants.
Through the years, Disney World specials have unfortunately decreased. Now only a yearly Christmas parade is broadcast, with very few additional theme park programming. I hope that when Walt Disney World turns 40 years old in October that we get to see a few new television specials. Do you have any favorite memories of watching Walt Disney World specials?
