Disney Parks' Forgotten Franchises: A Look Back at the 90s
During the early years of Disney-MGM Studios in the 1990s, the park featured several unexpected attractions and live shows based on popular franchises. One such example was the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, who made their debut on June 30th, 1990. The characters would roll up in their Turtle Party Wagon, perform ninja dancing, and sign autographs for guests.
The success of the Star Wars-themed simulator attraction, Star Tours, which opened at Disneyland in 1987, paved the way for other non-Disney intellectual properties to appear at Disney parks. This led to a surge in popularity among teenage and young adult demographics, with the park becoming a hub for pop culture experiences.
Other notable mentions include the live parade experience based on Jim Henson's Dinosaurs, which ran from September 1991 through August 1992, and the Ace Ventura Pet Detective: Live in Action stunt show, which opened on November 10th, 1995. However, not all of these shows were well-received by guests, with some being deemed out of place or creatively neutered.