The Wonderful World of Disney - The Dream Is Alive - The 20th Anniversary Celebration of Walt Disney World (1991)

This rarely seen CBS Anniversary special begins with then Disney CEO Michael Eisner binge watching Disney anniversary specials from the past. He then goes on a quest to find the perfect host for the Walt Disney World 20th Anniversary Special. In this period, Eisner became the face of The Walt Disney Company on their weekly TV show and specials.

Like Walt Disney, even though he often appeared in introductions, Eisner only ever appeared as a character in one show and this is it. Having Micheal Eisner heading out to talk with celebrities defines who he actually was and how he changed the trajectory of the company after he took over. He focused on doing mature comedies under the Touchstone picture label to generate revenue for the film division and many of those seen here are alumi from or were currently making films for Disney at the time this was shot. Among the celebrities he meets are figures who had a history with Eisner's Disney.

Caroll Burnett had a new series premiering the week after this aired.

Eddie Murphy was filming The Distinguished Gentleman for Disney at the time this special was made.

Whoopi Goldberg was filming Sister Act and is featured in her nun outfit. Steve Martin was making Father of the Bride. He also started his career working at Disneyland when it first opened in 1955. His mentor was Wally Boag.

Baby Sinclair was a character on the Jim Henson series for Disney Dinosaurs.

Tim Allen was starring in the sitcom Home Improvement for Disney at the time.

Bette Midler had appeared in several Disney produced films under the Touchstone Pictures label.

Dolly Parton had appeared in a few Disney produced and specials.

Goldie Hawn was in several Disney produced comedies at the time. Her heritage with Disney went back to the time of Walt Disney on the film The One and Only Genuine Original Family Band.

Robin Williams was appearing in several Disney produced films at the time most famously Aladdin. In his ad-libbed segment he lists off some of the projects he'd made with Eisner at both Paramount and Disney.

There's also an appearance by President George Bush. At the time Disney as sponsoring his Points of Light Foundation. This is further explored in some of the Independence Day specials.

A few music performances are featured by Garth Brooks and Amy Grant.

The scene of Angela Lansbury comes from The Best of Walt Disney Music: A Legacy in Song. Beauty & the Beast would premiere the month after this TV special aired.

Billy Joel's segment originates from the TV special Simply Mad About The Mouse.

Sprinkled between the segments is genuine footage from the Walt Disney World 20th Anniversary Celebration in the parks.

The special ends with various characters and celebrities singing the theme song written for the 20th Anniversary. These anniversaries always have a song composed for them to this very day. This tradition began with the Sherman Bros for Disneyland's Tencennial in 1965.

In the end, this special may be a bit skimpy when compared with the previous specials but it does embody the Disney of the Eisner era at the time. If this concept had been done in the 1960's it's easy to imagine Walt himself doing something similar with his own stable of stars.

As an extra bonus we've also included some of the Walt Disney World 20th Anniversary TV commercials from the time.

Original airdate October 25, 1991

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