Help me plan a magic kingdom 80's day

[Meridagal]

My dh and I were talking about how lucky our dd (6 yrs) is to be able to go back to WDW. He said he wished he could have gone when he was young to experience the magic as a child. Please help me recreate Disney from the 80's. I have found a list a of opening day attractions, but I can't seem to find a source that lists when they were added. I have booked crystal palace for dinner because we both loved Winnie the Pooh as children. I have fast passes for Peter Pan and pirates. Thanks!

 

[LSUfan4444]

Railroad and People Mover are absolutely must do's

 

[Meridagal]

Railroad and People Mover are absolutely must do's

Thanks my son (2) will love the train!

 

[WillowRain]

If you want a real 80's day, no booking dining or FP+.

 

[Meridagal]

If you want a real 80's day, no booking dining or FP+.

Very true, but only if I can build a real time machine and have the crowd levels from the 80's.

 

[The Foolish Mortal]

I went to WDW at ;peast once every year 1980 to 1988. For that experience, I remember usually starting in Adventureland, running to the Jungle Cruise and Pirates before the lines got long. Then enjoy a break in the Tiki Room. Then grab a dole whip to try and keep you cool while you wait for Thunder Mountain RR. After that, I usually wanted to spend the rest of the day at HM

 

[WillowRain]

As far as I can see the whole park except Fantasyland is the same as it was in the 80's. It's going to be like some crazy time machine. i mean, People Mover? Country Bears? Carousel of Progress?? Those 3 alone I have not seen since the late 90's when Disneyland closed them here. I am stoked! So, those are 3 of my suggestions lol.

 

[StraightToDumbo]

Don't forget to bring your tube socks with the colored rings and hair spray so that you can properly feather your locks to three stories tall.

 

[Meridagal]

I went to WDW at ;peast once every year 1980 to 1988. For that experience, I remember usually starting in Adventureland, running to the Jungle Cruise and Pirates before the lines got long. Then enjoy a break in the Tiki Room. Then grab a dole whip to try and keep you cool while you wait for Thunder Mountain RR. After that, I usually wanted to spend the rest of the day at HM

Thank you! That sounds like a magical day. I will add a dole whip and jungle cruise to our day.

 

[amberpi]

Please tell me you're going to make him wear a polo shirt with the collar popped and those super short shorts men wore then with Rayban aviators/wayfarers, please, please, please. That's like all the pics of my dad on all our vacations from the 80s

 

[The Foolish Mortal]

As far as I can see the whole park except Fantasyland is the same as it was in the 80's.

A lot of the attractions are still the same in the other areas, but some stuff is missing. I still think that Mission to Mars was the best attraction they have ever had in the Stitch location. And I still have a soft spot for If You Had Wings (kind of a proto-Soarin with a ridiculous theme song)

 

[The Foolish Mortal]

Please tell me you're going to make him wear a polo shirt with the collar popped and those super short shorts men wore then with Rayban aviators/wayfarers, please, please, please. That's like all the pics of my dad on all our vacations from the 80s

It needs to be a neon shirt. And preferably izod if we're talking eighties

 

[AngiTN]

You have to print out coupons to use for the rides too

Please tell me you're going to make him wear a polo shirt with the collar popped and those super short shorts men wore then with Rayban aviators/wayfarers, please, please, please. That's like all the pics of my dad on all our vacations from the 80s

There is a segment of tourist from somewhere in Europe that seems to be stuck in the era that pops the collar of their polo shirts. I'm not sure where they are from, I'm awful with accents but we see them every trip and they always look straight out of the 80's with the popped collar, spiked hair, and while not short shorts, they aren't baggy cargo shorts.

 

[Dr.Mickey]

I remember talking to a classmate in high school (graduated in 89) about how the 60s and 70s had an iconic appearance, but the 80s were diverse enough that nobody would really remember anything iconic about the 80s in the future. I was having this conversation with a girl who was wearing fingerless gloves, hair teased up 6 inches, a baggy striped sweatshirt over acid washed blue jeans with the ankles rolled up tight. It might as well have been Cindy Lauper. You know, it's interesting what you can't see in the moment...

 

[amberpi]

You have to print out coupons to use for the rides too


There is a segment of tourist from somewhere in Europe that seems to be stuck in the era that pops the collar of their polo shirts. I'm not sure where they are from, I'm awful with accents but we see them every trip and they always look straight out of the 80's with the popped collar, spiked hair, and while not short shorts, they aren't baggy cargo shorts.

And there are hipster elements in that dad uniform of the 80s that exist all over my neighborhood. But, I mean, I've seen male rompers in the wild already, because irony? I guess. I have seen some of these throw backs of which you speak and they HAVE included the frosted tips of the early 00s, which was also a terrible look.

 

[maltdizzy]

Then grab a dole whip

'80's would be more Citrus Swirl, IMHO.

And I still have a soft spot for If You Had Wings (kind of a proto-Soarin with a ridiculous theme song)

I do too...though it was just a giant commercial for Eastern airlines

Unfortunately, so much of the feel of the old '80's WDW is gone...from attractions (Main Street Theater, Penny Arcade, Mr Toad's Wild Ride, submarines, most of Future World, World Showcase street performers) to overall culture (there used to be no reason significant pre-planning).

My suggestions...Jungle Cruise, Pirated, Haunted Mansion, Tom Sawyer Island, Space Mountain, Tiki's (was called Tropical Serenade back then), People Mover, Carousel of Progress, Speedway, Astro Orbiters, Dumbos, Peter Pan, Small World (I actually hate the MK's IASM, but hated it just as much in the '70's and '80's), Tea Cups, Steamboat. For Epcot, Living Seas, The Land, all of the World Showcase).

But if you want the fly-by-your-seat feel, Disneyland still is very much that way.

 

[WillowRain]

Please tell me you're going to make him wear a polo shirt with the collar popped and those super short shorts men wore then with Rayban aviators/wayfarers, please, please, please. That's like all the pics of my dad on all our vacations from the 80s

Well if her husband was only a kid in the 80's he should be wearing like a old school Mickey ringer tee with short shorts and the fanny pack, and his big sunglasses should have the hook that goes around the neck! Or a hypercolor shirt! (I actually have these pictures of 9 year old me)

 

[amberpi]

Well if her husband was only a kid in the 80's he should be wearing like a old school Mickey ringer tee with short shorts and the fanny pack, and his big sunglasses should have the hook that goes around the neck! Or a hypercolor shirt! (I actually have these pictures of 9 year old me)

That would also be excellent.

 

[Meridagal]

It needs to be a neon shirt. And preferably izod if we're talking eighties

I think he does have a few izod shirts, none are neon. That would be a tough sell, but he would be easier to spot in the crowd.

 

[Meridagal]

'80's would be more Citrus Swirl, IMHO.



I do too...though it was just a giant commercial for Eastern airlines

Unfortunately, so much of the feel of the old '80's WDW is gone...from attractions (Main Street Theater, Penny Arcade, Mr Toad's Wild Ride, submarines, most of Future World, World Showcase street performers) to other all culture (there used to be no reason significant pre-planning).

My suggestions...Jungle Cruise, Pirated, Haunted Mansion, Tom Sawyer Island, Space Mountain, Tiki's (was called Tropical Serenade back then), People Mover, Carousel of Progress, Speedway, Astro Orbiters, Dumbos, Peter Pan, Small World (I actually hate the MK's IASM, but hated it just as much in the '70's and '80's), Tea Cups, Steamboat. For Epcot, Living Seas, The Land, all of the World Showcase).

But if you want the fly-by-your-seat feel, Disneyland still is very much that way.

Thanks for adding more rides to my list.