What were Disney theme parks like in the 90s?

[AnimationFan94]

Were there less or more people? Was everyone in the 90s happier because they were richer? What was the atmosphere of the parks in the 90s? Were people laid back or are there wild stories?

 

[theluckyrabbit]

They weren't anywhere near as crowded as they are now, but people still complained that the parks were too crowded! APs were so much cheaper that it was unbelievable, and not that many people had passes. The people we knew thought pass holders were "weird," and almost all the APs we knew worked for Disney.

 

[neverlandsky]

DL longest waits were Star Tours 45-60 mins, Space Mountain 45-90 mins, & Splash Mountain 90-120 mins until Indiana Jones came along and that was up to a 3-4 hour wait. That was the ride you RD. Me & DH RD it and rerode it 5 times in a row. Crowds were way less. Everything else was walk on because of Mickey’s Towntoon as well. Skyway quick and awesome jumping from Tomorrowland to Frontierland. No need for fast passes or ADRs because there were none. You could walk up to any restaurant and be put on a waiting list 30 minutes before they opened.

Main Street Electrical parade was the best. Didn’t have to arrive hours before the parade started. 20 minutes was enough and you had an awesome seat.

Actually The 90s were a bit harder money wise. The 80s were way better in that regard.

 

[Brett Wyman]

I remember we just went last minute frequently, any time of year, with no planning, and with no issues. I was in college in North Florida in the mid-late 90s and we went on a whim multiple times. (And oh man adult we would never go near the Kissimmee motels we stayed in back then!). We did do Caribbean Beach sometime around 98', again booked last minute.

 

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

I remember my mom putting me in a stroller till age 11 due to my physical disability and no one paid attention like they would today

 

[low-key]

weird stuff happened behind bus stops

 

[tvguy]

Were there less or more people? Was everyone in the 90s happier because they were richer? What was the atmosphere of the parks in the 90s? Were people laid back or are there wild stories?

I can't speak to Disneyworld, but Disneyland was less crowded. I don't think people were richer, prices were just lower. And in the 1990's Disney stockholders got discounts on top of that. I miss that, although the $100 dividend checks do offset that a bit

 

[North of Mouse]

Less crowds, less planning, less stress, Dining ressies could be made morning of - or walk ins, many less strollers, shorter lines for rides, no FP's to worry about, deciding to take a trip to WDW on a whim, and many more I could name.

 

[Sandeep1]

Less crowds, less planning, less stress, Dining ressies could be made morning of - or walk ins, many less strollers, shorter lines for rides, no FP's to worry about, and many more I could name.

Yup! Disney Dining Plan wasn't yet in existence which made it significantly easier to make dining plans. I remember one evening just walking up to Le Celier and easily getting in. Same with any restaurant really (except maybe character dining but I had no interest in that).

Lines weren't nearly as bad as now. You could utilize morning and late evening hours for a huge advantage. Of course, things only got better once FP was introduced in 1999.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Fewer people.
Fewer attractions.
Fewer parks {AK opened in 1999).
Non-expiring tickets.

 

[fla4fun]

I feel the 80’s were the golden age for WDW. The parks weren’t too crowded, the hotels weren’t too expensive and the parks were in good shape. Things started gradually going downhill in the 90’s and then the downhill progression sped up dramatically after 9/11. I think the period when people didn’t travel much put Disney in the nickel and dime mindset.

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

I remember going in the mid 90's. I believe it was a lot cheaper back then. The time of year we went I believe it was late May, it really was not crowded at all. I remember riding Splash Mountain a few times in a row, it was seriously exit the ride and get back on. Maybe that was a fluke, but lines were never really long and I do not remember waiting very long for anything.

 

[North of Mouse]

I feel the 80’s were the golden age for WDW. The parks weren’t too crowded, the hotels weren’t too expensive and the parks were in good shape. Things started gradually going downhill in the 90’s and then the downhill progression sped up dramatically after 9/11. I think the period when people didn’t travel much put Disney in the nickel and dime mindset.

I agree that the best times we have had at Disney to present was in the 80's after Epcot opening in '82.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

There were definite off seasons in the 90s. The modified school schedules weren't nearly as widespread back then.

 

[Skippy918]

I went in 87 but it was 4th of July and it was packed. I also went in May of 2000 and it wasn’t too bad. The best time was sept of 2003. We walked right on all the rides. We used the leftover parkhoppers from the 2000 visit so we didn’t need to get any more tickets.

 

[SamFaniam]

Loved Disney World in the 90s except for this-

 

[Sandeep1]

Loved Disney World in the 90s except for this-

View attachment 397367

Damn that looks hideous!

 

[DisneyOma]

Moderate resorts were actually moderately priced!
There were lots of unique amenities that you weren't nickeled and dimed for.
Length of stay tickets were reasonably priced.
There were unique items in the shops, at the resorts, etc.
Downtown Disney didn't look like any other outdoor Florida mall.

 

[L&Lfan]

I enjoyed all my WDW trips from my first visit in 1972 until the introduction of magic bands. That’s when things went downhill, imo. The ‘70s, ‘80s, ‘90s and early ‘OOs were the most magical times.

 

[Sandeep1]

I enjoyed all my WDW trips from my first visit in 1972 until the introduction of magic bands. That’s when things went downhill, imo. The ‘70s, ‘80s, ‘90s and early ‘OOs were the most magical times.

Agreed. Bob Iger was the beginning of the end. MBs were the nail in the coffin.