Fantasyland Theatre

Former Videopolis dance stage in Fantasyland.

Fantasyland Theatre, formerly Videopolis, is the name of a 5,000-square-foot (460 m2) outdoor amphitheater at Disneyland in Anaheim, California. Located in Fantasyland, it functions as a venue for various shows. In 1995, the location was renamed to Fantasyland Theater.[1] In 2013, it was renamed to the English-classic spelling, Fantasyland Theatre, with the opening of the venue's current show Mickey and The Magical Map.

Predecessor

The original Fantasyland Theater (different spelling) opened in 1956. This theater showed Disney cartoons and Mouseketeers of “The Mickey Mouse Club” featured short films. In 1981, it shut down then replaced with Pinocchio’s Daring Journey.[2]

History

Videopolis opened in June 22, 1985, a short distance to the west of It's a Small World.[3] During the day, the theater was used for theme-park shows, but in the evening, it was used as a dance club with music videos. It featured 70 video monitors that displayed music videos and/or live feeds that allowed guests to watch themselves.[2] The venue included a snack bar called "Yumz" opening on June 19.[4]

The theater was featured in the television program of the same name on the Disney Channel. Filmed live at Videopolis, the show broadcast concert performances from an array of Top 40 bands and singers including Debbie Gibson, New Kids on the Block, Tiffany, Glenn Medeiros, New Edition, Pebbles, Janet Jackson and The Jets. The dance club concept was abandoned in 1989 after several high-profile gang-related incidents, and Videopolis was converted for exclusive stage-show use.

The Children's Miracle Network Telethon also made use of Videopolis from 1982 to 1993.[2] The show's hosts included singer and The Dukes of Hazard actor John Schneider, Marie Osmond, Entertainment Tonight co-host Mary Hart, impressionist Rich Little, Olympic Gold Medalist Mary Lou Retton, NFL Hall of Famer Merlin Olsen, and the 5th Dimension's Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr.[5][6]

Disneyland Paris

In Discoveryland at Disneyland Park, stands Videopolis; a large complex housing the Videopolis Theatre and the Hyperion Café counter service restaurant. It features one of the largest props in the resort: the Hyperion airship.[7]

Shows

As Videopolis

As Fantasyland Theater

As Fantasyland Theatre

Television

References

  1. 1 2 "In the 'Pocahontas' Spirit : If It's Summer and Disney's Latest Animated Film Is Out, It Must Be Time for the Stage Show". latimes. Retrieved August 10, 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 "From Videopolis to 'Mickey and the Magical Map,' A Fantasyland Theatre Timeline" (PDF). DisneylandNews.com (Press release).
  3. 1 2 Strodder, Chris (2008). The Disneyland Encyclopedia – Videopolis, aka Fantasyland Theater. Santa Monica Press. p. 434–435. ISBN 978-1-59580-033-6.
  4. ↑ The Disneyland Encyclopedia, by Chris Strodder, 2008. via "Chronology of Disneyland Theme Park". "Ken Polsson".
  5. ↑ "Princess Fantasy Faire". "The California Source".
  6. ↑ ["http://www.wdwpublicaffairs.com/ContentDrillDown.aspx?DisplayItem=91bb2f7b-29eb-4408-92ea-5f406a7ac059" "Walt Disney World Receives Legacy Award from Children's Miracle Network"] Check |url= value (help). "Walt Disney Public Affairs".
  7. ↑ "Videopolis". DLP.info.
  8. ↑ "New Entertainment Experiences Coming to Fantasyland at Disneyland Park in 2013". Disney Parks Blog. Retrieved August 10, 2015.
  9. ↑ "New show coming to Fantasyland". The Orange County Register. Retrieved August 10, 2015.
  10. ↑ "Discover the Secrets of 'Mickey and the Magical Map' This Summer at Disneyland Park". Disney Parks Blog. Retrieved August 10, 2015.
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