The Disneyland Story with Harry Anderson (1990)

This excellent documentary special was produced for Disneyland's 35th anniversary celebration and aired on The Disney Channel. Sitcom actor and magician, Harry Anderson takes us on a time traveling train ride into Disneyland's past and gives us a glimpse at its future by showcasing numerous attractions that were never built in the end. This special is filled with general basic information on the history of Disneyland dispersed with archival footage and clips from the animated features. You can see that this was produced by people who genuinely cared about Walt Disney and his overall legacy. A highlight of the production is a montage of Walt Disney footage set to Louis Armstrongs What A Wonderful World that's done as a tribute to Walt's memory.

This special also uses some of the score from Back to the Future as well as a time travelling train as what moves the basic plot. This was mere months BEFORE the premiere of Back to the Future Part III which features a time travelling train in the finale. Coincidence? Hmmm...

This special hasn't aired in decades and was never released to VHS or DVD but it should be. In hopes of generating interest in it again, we present it here for your rediscovery.

Original air date February 3, 1990

Posted for historical purposes. This channel is not affiliated with the Walt Disney Company.