The Walt Disney World Story – 1987

Image Courtesy of Walt Disney World

OPENINGS
In October, the Daredevil Circus Spectacular debuted in Epcot Future World with elephants, aerialists, “skycyclists” and high-wire walkers, and space-age dancers.

Celebrating the U.S. Constitution’s 200th birthday, the “All-America Parade,” one of the largest ever in Magic Kingdom, premiered with Mickey leading 17 floats representing American landmarks.

In October, Walt Disney World Information & Reservation Center opened on Interstate 75 in Ocala.

HIGHLIGHTS
15th Birthday celebration with a car-a-day giveaway continued through September. Birthday Bonanza Weekends awarded prizes including cars to weekend visitors later in the fall.

In July, Kent Robertson, 27, of Collinsville, Ill., became the 250-millionth visitor as Walt Disney World attendance surpassed the official population of the United States.

On Oct. 1, Minnie Mouse debuted in “Totally Minnie” stage show in Fantasyland.

On Oct. 2, Disney Dollars — colorful $1 and $5 bills with portraits of Mickey Mouse and Goofy — debuted at the Vacation Kingdom.

ANNUAL EVENTS
Musical events included Valentine Heartbeat with The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Jason and the Scorchers, Stacy Lattisaw, Nancy Martinez, Billy Vera and the Beaters and Levert; Grad Nite parties with Wang Chung, Glass Tiger, Ready for the World, Oran “Juice” Jones, Nancy Martinez and Bobby Brown; and fall Night of Joy with The Imperials, Randy Stonehill, Benny Hester, Kim Boyce, Greg Volz, Petra, Michael W. Smith and the Clark Sisters. All-American College Orchestra fifth season was conducted by guests Donny Osmond, Rosemary Clooney, Maureen McGovern, Bob McGrath, Johnny Mann, Richard Carpenter and the Clark Sisters.

Biggest Goofy Games III attracted 50 TV stations; WPRI-TV of Providence, R.I., and WATE-TV of Knoxville, Tenn., each won $10,000 for local charities.

“Walt Disney World Happy Easter Parade” broadcast on ABC-TV with Joan Lunden and Ben Vereen.

Larry Nelson won 17th Annual Walt Disney World/Oldsmobile Golf Classic, $600,000 purse.

Susan Anderson chosen 17th ambassador.

Joan Lunden and Alan Thicke hosted the fifth annual telecast of the “Walt Disney World Very Merry Christmas Parade,” carried live on ABC-TV.

Dean Jones narrated Magic Kingdom Christmas Candlelight Processional.

SPECIAL EVENTS
In May, the Golden Anniversary of the film “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” was celebrated by gathering 25 young performers who had portrayed Snow White in Magic Kingdom.

In May, top water skiers competed for the largest purse ever in water-ski history — $75,000 — at the Walt Disney World/Ski Supreme Water Ski Classic.

CELEBRATED GUESTS
Robert Urich; Mickey Rooney; Alan Thicke; Robert DeNiro; Keith Carradine; George Takei; Rob Lowe; Ron Howard; Bo Derek; the Pointer Sisters; New York Giant Phil Simms; Jimmy Connors; June Carter Cash; Louise Mandrell; Anne Murray; Melissa Manchester; Keith Hernandez and Daryl Strawberry; “Voyager” pilots Jeana Yeager and Dick Rutan; rock stars Ric Ocasek, Ron Wood, Tom Petty, David Gilmour, Nick Mason and Richard Wright; movie critic Gene Siskel; syndicated columnist Heloise of “Hints from Heloise”; Martin Luther King III, “What’s Next” guests Phil Simms, Dennis Connor, Earvin “Magic”Johnson and World Series MVP Frank Viola.