Videopolis (1985–1995) was a nighttime dance club in Disneyland’s Fantasyland, designed to attract teenagers and young adults with a high-tech, MTV-inspired experience. Opening on June 22, 1985, near It’s a Small World, it featured a 5,000-square-foot dance floor, 70 television monitors, live musical acts, and a snack bar called Yumz. In 1990, it transitioned into a full-time amphitheater, and in 1995, it was renamed Fantasyland Theater (later Theatre in 2013).
Below are 10 fun facts about Videopolis during its 1985–1995:
- Rapid Construction: Dubbed the “100-Day Miracle,” Videopolis was built in just 105 days at a cost of $3 million, using staging elements from the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, showcasing Disney’s ability to execute a fast-tracked project under CEO Michael Eisner’s leadership.
- MTV-Inspired Dance Floor: The 5,000-square-foot dance floor, capable of holding 3,000 guests, was surrounded by 70 video monitors displaying popular 1980s music videos from artists like Madonna and Duran Duran, with live camera feeds projecting dancers onto two 16-foot screens.
- Neon and Laser Effects: A giant overhead grid lowered from the ceiling, equipped with neon lights, lasers, and “skytracker” spotlights that shot into the night sky, creating a vibrant, high-energy atmosphere enhanced by four “light sticks” flashing subliminal images like stars and dancers.
- Yumz Snack Bar: The Yumz snack bar, opened on June 19, 1985, served trendy 1980s fare like pizza bread, nachos, churros, popcorn, and beverages including Coke, Diet Coke, and Cherry Coke, catering to the club’s young clientele. Videopolis featured a merchandise stand selling neon-colored Mickey Mouse crop-top T-shirts, new wave jewelry, and sunglasses, complementing the club’s trendy 1980s aesthetic and encouraging guests to embrace the vibe.
- Live Musical Acts: Videopolis hosted top 1980s performers, including Debbie Gibson, New Kids on the Block, Tiffany, and Janet Jackson, with concerts filmed for a Disney Channel show called Videopolis in 1987, boosting its pop culture relevance.
- Daytime Theater Use: During the day, the venue functioned as a 1,800-seat amphitheater for family-friendly shows like One Man’s Dream (1989–1990) and a Mickey Mouse Club reunion, transforming into a dance club after dark until 1989.
- Videopolis Pass: Disney offered a $40 summer-long pass for nightly park admission after 5 p.m., targeting teens for repeat visits, competing with Knott’s Berry Farm’s Studio K, which charged $8 for evening entry.
- Disney Channel Broadcasts: The 1986 TV special Disneyland’s Summer Vacation Party showcased Videopolis with performances by Miami Sound Machine, Boy George, The Bangles, and Oingo Boingo, highlighting its role as a premier entertainment venue.
- Conversion to Amphitheater: The dance club concept ended on November 26, 1989, due to operational challenges, and in 1990, Videopolis was converted into a full-time outdoor theater for shows like Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage (1992–1995).
- Fantasyland Theater Rename: On June 23, 1995, the venue was renamed Fantasyland Theater with the debut of The Spirit of Pocahontas, marking its shift to a permanent stage for Disney musicals, later adopting the classic spelling “Theatre” in 2013.
