Videopolis (Disneyland)

Videopolis was the name of a 5,000-square-foot outdoor amphitheater that operated from 1985 to 1995 at Disneyland in Anaheim, California. Located in Fantasyland, it functioned as a venue for various shows and, in the evenings, as an all-ages dance club. The Fantasyland Theater currently sits where Videopolis once did.

History

Videopolis opened in 1985, a short distance to the west of "It's a Small World". During the day, the theater was used for theme park shows, but in the evening, it transformed into a vibrant 1980s dance club where music videos played instead of the more traditional LPs. Videopolis featured 70 video monitors which displayed music videos and/or live feeds that allowed guests to watch themselves. A snack bar called "Yumz" made food and beverages available to the guests. In addition, the venue's proximity to the backstage mortars from which the nightly fireworks were launched made it a popular viewing location for the aerial shows. (This area is now off-limits for fireworks viewing.)

Videopolis was prominently featured in an a popular television program [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Videopolis_(television_show)] 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. Guests could watch major pop stars' performances and get a chance to be on television, all for the price of an admission ticket to Disneyland.

The Children's Miracle Network Telethon also made use of Videopolis from 1987 to 1995. The show’s hosts included singer and Dukes of Hazard actor John Schneider, Marie Osmond, Entertainment Tonight’s Mary Hart, Las Vegas impressionist Rich Little, Olympic Gold Medalist Mary Lou Retton, NFL Hall of Famer Merlin Olsen, and the Fifth Dimension's Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr.

In 1995, Videopolis was dismantled. Currently occupying that area is the Fantasyland Theater, which is used for themed shows only. It typically closes after the last show of the day, usually early in the evening.

Previous Shows

* Sing'in' Dance'in' Heigh Ho (1987)
* Circus Fantasy (1988)
* One Man's Dream (December 16 1989 - April 29 1990)
* Dick Tracy starring in Diamond Double Cross (June 15 1990 - December 31 1990)
* Plane Crazy (March 15 1991 - September 1991)
* Mickey's Nutcracker (Christmas Seasons 1991 & 1992)
* Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage (April 12 1992 - April 30 1995)
* The Spirit of Pocahontas (June 23 1995 - September 4 1997)
* Disney's Animazment - The Musical (June 18 1998 - October 21 2001)
* Mickey's Detective School (2001 - 2002)
* Minnie's Christmas Party (Christmas Seasons 2001 & 2002)
* Snow White: An Enchanting Musical (February 2004 - September 2006)

Current Show

* Disney Princess Fantasy Fair (October 2006 - present)

References

[http://www.islandnet.com/~kpolsson/disland/dl1985.htm Chronology of Disneyland Theme Park]