Disney in 1994 | Everything that Happened

The Walt Disney Company has a rich and lengthy history with decades of amazing movies, shows and park experiences. To commemorate Disney’s 100th birthday this year, I am spotlighting the company’s history year by year in this new ‘Disney by the Years’ series.

Here is a quick rundown of everything that happened in the world of Disney in the year 1994. I hope you find this lookback in time helpful and entertaining.

Disney 1994 Disney Company Headlines:

Tragedy struck the Walt Disney Corporation in April when the company’s President and COO Frank Wells died in a helicopter accident. Disney CEO Michael Eisner will temporarily absorb Weiss’ responsibilities.

Disney 1994 Movies Headlines:

Here is a quick rundown of what opened at the theaters in 1994 for Disney:

Disney:

January 14 – Iron Will
February 11 – Blank Check
March 25 – D2: The Mighty Ducks
April 15 – White Fang 2: Myth of the White Wolf
June 24 – The Lion King
July 12 – Angels in the Outfield
October 28 – Squanto: A Warrior’s Tale
December 25 – Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book

Touchstone Pictures:

January 7 – Cabin Boy
February 4 – My Father the Hero
March 11 – The Ref
April 22 – The Inkwell
April 29 – When a Man Loves a Woman
June 3 – Renaissance Man
June 29 – I Love Trouble
August 26 – It’s Pat
September 2 – A Simple Twist of Fate
October 7 – Ed Wood

Hollywood Pictures:

January 7 – The Air Up There
March 4 – Angie
April 8 – Holy Matrimony
August 12 – In the Army Now
August 19 – Color of Night
August 26 – Camp Nowhere
September 14 – Quiz Show
November 11 – The Santa Clause
November 23 – A Low Down Dirty Shame

Direct-To-Video Releases in 1994 Included:

The Return of Jafar

Disney 1994 Parks Headlines:

The most notable news item related to Disney parks in 1994 was the company’s announcement that they would be starting up a new Disney cruise line.

Disneyland Headlines:

Some of the major changes at Disneyland in 1994 included:

Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin opened at Disneyland in January.
The Skyway closes permanently at Disneyland Park.

Disney World Headlines:

One of the most notable Disney World news items occurred in February, when Disney leased out the former Disney Inn to the US Department of Defense. The hotel was renamed Shades of Green and made available to US military members and their family.

Equally as noteworthy, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge opened in May 1994 along with its popular Artist Point and Whispering Canyon Café restaurants.

Some of the other major changes at Disney World in 1994 included:

The Muppets on Location: Days of Swine and Roses show closed in January
The Kitchen Kabaret show in Epcot’s Land Pavilion was retooled and reopened as Food Rocks.
The Mickey Mania parade replaced the 20th Anniversary Celebration Parade in the Magic Kingdom.
The first run of Captain EO at Epcot ends in July. Fear not fans, it will be back in the future.
The Legend of the Lion King opens in the Magic Kingdom.
The Sunset Boulevard area of Disney-MGM Studios opens including the iconic Twilight Zone Tower of Terror ride.
The popular 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea ride closes permanently at the Magic Kingdom.
The American Journeys film in Magic Kingdom officially closes.
Innoventions opens at Epcot.
Spaceship Earth was refurbished during the year and reopened in November with a number of updates, most notably with a new narrator, actor Jeremy Irons.
The Sports End-Zone food court opens at the All-Star Resort.
The Pasta Piazza Ristorante restaurant replaces Sunrise Terrace Restaurant at Epcot.
Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies in the Magic Kingdom and the Electric Umbrella in Epcot open in June.