philip lelyveld The world of entertainment technology

20Dec/11Off

The Muppety Makeover of Disneyland That Almost Happened

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Because that's what Disney actually had in the works back in 1990 when the company first attempted to acquire the Muppets. A publicity stunt that would have been so huge that people could have seen it while they were out on the 5 driving by Disneyland.

It was Jack Lindquist -- the then-president of the Disneyland Resort -- who reportedly dreamed up this promotional scheme. Which was to have involved Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Goofy and Pluto announcing that -- after having spent a full year of hosting Disneyland's 45th anniversary celebration -- they were now exhausted. Which is why these Disney characters needed a break.

Enter Kermit the Frog. Who -- in a series of full-page ads which were to have run in newspapers & magazines around the country -- was to have offered to cover for the Mouse. He'd volunteer to have the Muppets run Disneyland while Mickey & his pals went off on a much-needed, year-long cross-country vacation.

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Read the full story here.

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