Source: Laughing Place
March 1991 – November 1991
LOCATION
Fantasyland – The Disney Afternoon Avenue took over the walkway between the Storybook Land Canal Boats and It’s A Small World, including the lagoon on the east side and the theater on the west side. Today, this path does not have a separate theme from the rest of the land, but it’s still walkable the way it was in 91.
BACKGROUND
In the early 90s, Disney made a major leap in its programming, with the successful launch of its afternoon syndicated tv shows. Adventures of the Gummi Bears, Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers, DuckTales, and TaleSpin became a very popular two-hour slot called “Disney Afternoon”. And in true Disney cross-promotion fashion, naturally Disney Afternoon was destined for an appearance in the park.
A summer celebration, Disney Afternoon Avenue, opened in the spring of 1991. The Avenue, an existing walkway in the park, mixed characters from the shows with the scenery and attractions already in Disneyland.
EXPERIENCE
Visitors to the Disney Afternoon Avenue received special maps, with circles identifying locations to collect souvenir stamps. These were pop-up little spots including Duckburg City Hall and Scrooge’s Vault. Between visiting the pop-ups, visitors would encounter characters from the shows, who wandered the Avenue and stopped for meet & greets.
Disney Afternoon Avenue also drew in visitors to classic attractions with new overlays, including:
- Chip ‘n’ Dale Rescue Rangers Raceway
- Motorboat Cruise to Gummi Glen
- New stage show at the Videopolis stage: Plane Crazy
- Refreshed train station
Finally, the Avenue had a few specialty drink and snack stands, offering themed refreshments connected to the shows and characters.
Source: Flickr
CLOSURE
The Afternoon Avenue itself turned out to be fairly popular in Disneyland, though the same can’t be said for the attraction overlays. The event concluded by the end of 1991, but by then, the Raceway and Motorboat Cruise no longer drew in many crowds. When the Avenue closed, the walkway returned to its original Fantasyland theming, with the promenade taking on the color scheme & décor of It’s A Small World.
TRIVIA
In September 1991, Disney Afternoon did a special broadcast on Disneyland, including footage of the Splash Mountain opening a few years prior.
Mickey’s Toontown did not open until 1993 – so Chip and Dale’s neighbors weren’t part of the Afternoon Avenue.
Source: Jim Hill Media
Ah, Disney Afternoon Avenue. I enjoyed diving into Uncle Scrooge’s moneybin ball pit.
I believe my first ever visit to Disneyland was during this. I have a handful of pictures. TaleSpin and Rescue Rangers remain among my favorite shows from Disney.