The problem with being a Disney geek is that there is so much history to a company that has been around for nearly 90 years. It may be that you are in to animation, collectibles, pins, theme parks or movies but whatever you interest, there is still more and more you can find out.
There is a blog that I enjoy reading that goes into Disneyland Paris history more than any other I know. Designing Disney (http://www.designingdisney.com/) has brought up more new information on Disneyland Paris for me than ever before. Whether it be the Neverland Club that once resided in Festival Disney, to the Preview Centre that was onsite before the park even opened. At present, they are running a series entitled “Lost Treasures ” that is taking a look back at the preview centre and all it was comprised of. It was a fascinating read and took me right back to my childhood.
I remember it vividly. It is April 1992. My parents had gone away for the weekend and had deposited my brother and me at my Grandparents. Usually, staying at my Grandparents was pretty dull but on this occasion I couldn’t wait, and for one reason. That evening, ITV were broadcasting a 2 hour special live from Europe’s newest resort destination, Euro Disney. We would see the park properly for the first time, enjoy live music and entertainment and best of all, Pat Sharpe was presenting!
I sat on the floor in fromt of Grandma’s old, brown television with my bowl of tomato soup and waited with baited breath for the show to begin. Needless to say, for the next two hours of my life I sat, motionless and watched it from beginning to end. It was AMAZING!!
Tina Turner sang “Simply the Best”, Pirates danced and ran riot in Adventureland and Michael Eisner cut the opening ribbon (Ok, not all my memories were that good!)
I did find a full video of the show, broadcast by ABC and contains much of the same footage. Below you will find the american show from beginning to end.
UPDATE: A MASSIVE thank you to Glenny127 for finding the ITV broadcast. You can see the whole thing now below!
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by mousemag, DisneyBrit. DisneyBrit said: VIDEO – The Euro Disney Grand Opening I Remember – http://tinyurl.com/624293e […]
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Here’s the full ITV version from beggining to end. I must warn you though, it’s pure corn!
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6983293658315243144&ei=eYRwS8H4DtiT-AaK17TbBg&q=Grand%20Opening%20of%20Euro%20Disney&hl=en#
Wow! Well done for finding it. Guess what I will be doing this evening!