Today In Disney History: The Disney Inn Becomes Shades of Green

On this day in Disney history, The Disney Inn at Walt Disney World was leased by the U.S. Department of Defense and eventually renamed Shades of Green. The resort was dedicated to serving active-duty service members, veterans, and their families. The name honors the various “shades of green” worn by U.S. military personnel and the resort continues to operate as an Armed Forces Recreation Center on Disney property. 

Today In Disney History: IllumiNations Debuts at Epcot

IllumiNations debuts at EPCOT at the Walt Disney World Resort on this day in 1988, replacing Laserphonic Fantasy. The 14 minute nighttime spectacular featured striking fireworks and laser show, set over the World Showcase Lagoon, became one of the park’s most beloved evening traditions, combining pyrotechnics, music, and choreographed lighting to celebrate global unity and storytelling.

“Good evening, and welcome to World Showcase. Tonight we are pleased to present a visual journey, an international fantasy of music and light. We're about to embark on a sparkling abstract expedition around World Showcase. With the music as your passport, we'll discover sights and sounds from colorful ports of call. And to celebrate our journey, the countries will be united by the festive elements of water, fire, and light. And now, let your imagination be your guide, as EPCOT Center proudly presents IllumiNations.”

IllumiNations represented a major evolution in Disney Parks entertainment, broadening the idea of what a nighttime spectacular could be at Walt Disney World. Instead of relying solely on fireworks, it introduced a synchronized, story-centered presentation crafted to be experienced from all sides of the lagoon. That approach paved the way for the more narrative‑rich nighttime shows that later emerged across Disney parks around the globe.

It would have its final show on September 20, 1996, replaced by IllumiNations 25 (A) on September 21, 1996. 

Today In Disney History: Toy Story Funhouse Opens at Disneyland

Toy Story Funhouse opened at Disneyland on this day in 1996. During Pixar’s Toy Story run from November 19, 1995 through January 1, 1996, at the El Capitan Theatre, audiences were also treated to a three-level amusement center, themed to the first fully computer-generated feature film. After its run, elements of the amusement center were then moved to Disneyland.

Located in the building that previously housed Mission to Mars (closed on November 2, 1992), the area featured opportunities to interact with the Toy Story characters, learn the two-step from Woody, tackle the Green Army Men obstacle course (while wearing a “base” on your feet like the toys), and play with a giant Lite Brite and Spirograph walls. Guests were also treated to a live stage presentation, Hamm’s All Doll Revue. 

Toy Story Funhouse would close on May 27, 1996, and the location would sit empty for nearly two years before Redd Rocket’s Pizza Planet opened on May 22, 1998, and later renamed Alien Pizza Planet on April 13, 2018. 

Newspaper ad featuring Toy Story Funhouse.