Eden Espinosa as Pocahontas (photo from TheDisneyBlog.com)
The Spirit of Pocahontas
This was a far more traditional Disneyland stage show playing several times per day at the Fantasyland Theater. But boy did I love this show. The highlights for me were the native American dancers performing Colors of the Wind, Chief Powhotan and, of course, Pocahontas. In fact, Pocahontas was often portrayed by Eden Espinosa (shown above) who later went on to be a star on Broadway in Wicked, Brooklyn and Rent.
Fantasmic!
Still, easily, the best show in Disneyland’s history, and it’s now 23 years old! But back in 1996 it was only four years old and was awing guests two – and often – three times per night on the Rivers of America. “A journey beyond your wildest imagination”. There are a million high quality videos of Fantasmic! on YouTube, but here’s one from way back in 1994.
Main Street Electrical Parade
The original nighttime spectacular was celebrating its “Glowing Away” season in 1996. The 24 year old parade had seen better days. Crowds were down and on more than one occasion I saw a tractor come out to help a float finish the route. But Disneyland turned this all into a positive by capitalizing on the parade’s nostalgia and announcing 1996 would be its final year. And wow, did the crowds come streaming in! The parade received the send off it deserved. While the parade has had comebacks at Walt Disney World and Disney California Adventure, it never again (so far) has reappeared at Disneyland.
Fantasy in the Sky
There’s Magic in the Stars was still three years away in 1996. Back then Disneyland firework shows were still loud booms in the sky more-or-less synced to music with no story to speak of. I’ve never been a huge fireworks fan, so I love how Disney uped the firework ante with Magic in the Stars, Holiday Wishes and everything that’s come since. Nevertheless, in 1996, after a day like the one above, there was no better way to end it than a classic presentation of Fantasy in the Sky.