Videopolis

 Source: Burnsland

June 1985 – June 1995

LOCATION

Fantasyland – Videopolis was a large outdoor stage tucked in the rear of Fantasyland. This area later became the Fantasyland Theatre, which now houses Mickey and the Magical Map. To find Videopolis, guests could either take the Disneyland Railroad to the Fantasyland station, right next door to the theater, or follow the walkway toward It’s A Small World and veer left at the theater entrance.

BACKGROUND

Videopolis began as a nighttime outdoor dance club, primarily targeting teen visitors. The massive staging area had a 5,000 square foot dance floor and 70 television screens, which displayed popular music videos as the DJ encouraged partygoers to dance. During the day, the stage housed various shows, including a Mickey Mouse Club reunion and the Children’s Miracle Network Telethon.

By 1989, the daytime shows were much more popular than the nighttime dance party, so Videopolis became a full-time theater. The attraction retained its name, even though it was really just an open space for performances that regularly changed.

EXPERIENCE

Videopolis’ claim to fame was its dance parties. Each night, the lights would dim and the party would begin, with the crowd dancing under a neon glow. Videopolis would occasionally host live performances, but the show was primarily centered on popular 80’s music videos and songs.

During the day, Videopolis’ atomosphere would change dramatically, depending on what show was playing. The Videopolis lineup included the following shows:

• One Man’s Dream (1989)
• Dick Tracey In Diamond Double Cross (1990)
• Plane Crazy (1991)
• Mickey’s Nutcracker (1991)
• Beauty and the Beast (1992-1994)

Like the Fantasyland Theater, Videopolis would transform into a comfortable musical theater during the day, leaving little trace of the nighttime party until after dark.

 Source: Wikia

CLOSURE

With a constantly changing show lineup, Videopolis itself was no longer an attraction. Instead, Disney decided to re-theme the theater, and it became the Fantasyland Theater in 1995, with a debut show called “The Spirit of Pocahontas”. From then on, instead of listing the theater as an attraction on park maps, Disneyland marked whatever show was playing in the theater as the attraction.

TRIVIA

A number of famous musical acts performed at Videopolis in telethons, guest appearances, and private performances. Some of these acts included: New Kids On The Block, No Doubt, The Wiggles, Miami Sound Machine, and The Spinners.

Walt Disney World briefly had a nightclub in its Downtown Disney district called “Videopolis East”.

Videopolis was nicknamed the “100-Day Miracle”. The entire process of opening the attraction, from conception to rope drop, took just 100 days.

 Source: WD Pro Media