We’re back with another segment of weird & wacky Disney park photos for a whimsical journey through the archives of nostalgia! Disney Parks have captured some truly bizarre moments in time. From curious attractions that never quite made the cut, to unexpected characters, these weird photos offer a glimpse into the quirky side of Disney history. Let’s explore some more of the offbeat, the forgotten, and the downright strange snapshots that reveal a different layer of magic at Disneyland and Walt Disney World.
Underwater Ribbon Cutting
Dive… dive… dive… The year is 1986: Mickey Mouse and the late [great] Disney CFO Frank G. Wells donned their scuba suits for an underwater ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Living Seas Pavilion. I’m guessing Michael Eisner opted for the drier photo opportunity here… There’s more photo evidence of underwater Mick at the seas. I haven’t been lucky enough to catch the moment myself! Have you?
May the [Silliness] Be With You
Star Wars Weekends was the ultimate celebration of the stories, characters and silliness of George Lucas’ beloved space opera. The events took place at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 1997, 2000, 2001, and between 2003-2015. Long before Disney acquired Lucasfilm and created their own Star Wars land, the company’s biggest mascots wore exclusive costumes for the event. Jedi Mickey, Leia Minnie, Vader Goofy (with MICKEY underpants?!), Stormtrooper Donald, and some precious Ewok chipmunks. Whether you love Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge or not, it’s tough to remember what we once had: big ol’ Star Wars parties at Disney World. I want it back.
FORE!
Mickey and Goofy are heading for troubled waters along a Walt Disney World golf course as they pose for photos that would later be used for postcards. Well, that’s what you get when you leave Goofy to do the driving. You’d think Mickey would learn by the time Runaway Railway came around…
Space Circus
…No really, there was a circus at EPCOT! I know the parks can feel like an actual circus during those peak periods, but at least we don’t run into live elephants in the middle of World Celebration (yes, it still feels weird to not say Future World). By 1987, EPCOT Center was already trying to reinvent itself. Guest feedback was asking for more traditional amusement park fun, and less edutainment. Enter the seasonal EPCOT Daredevil Circus. Imagine high-flying acts including trapeze artists, motorcycles, the Wheel of Death, tightrope walkers and live animals — all right in the middle of Future World. WEIRD!
That’s all for today — but let’s do this again sometime? Do you have any wacky memories from Disney Parks?
The photos featured in this article belong to the Walt Disney Company, with some sourced from the Walt Disney Archives.
