Theme Parks Were Better in the 90s (Part 1)

Do you ever look around at retail and restaurants today, observing the sterile, minimalist aesthetics that dominate our world and wonder how we got here? In retrospect, the 1990s were a golden period for themed entertainment just through sheer volume. Malls were colorful, Disney and Universal expanded greatly and it seems like every major tourist destination pivoted towards in-your-face theming and family entertainment. This video is Part 1 of what is already a massive endeavor and today, we'll be taking a look at 90s aesthetics, especially in regards to Disney. I'll also be discussing the peak of McDonald's theming, the Las Vegas Strip in the 90s and the rise of Universal Studios Florida, Universal Studios Hollywood and Islands of Adventure as staples of the era.
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[@aaronsarchive82]

"Did you ever look around at these minimalist spaces?" Yes! Absolutely!!! People complain about fast food restaurants now, but I've been seeing this de-theming trend since the early 2000's. For the past 20 years, I've been observing consumer spaces getting less and less interesting than they were in the 80's and 90's. I'm shocked that only now, the rest of the world seems to have figured this out and agreed that it's a bad idea. But it keeps going because it looks good on social media? Take me back!

[@francisnopantses1108]

I much prefer the spaces now to the heavily themed spaces. Restaurants full of "quirky" antiques nailed to the walls above your table. Seemed very wasteful to me. And who cleaned them? Excess visual noise when you want to relax. Also that style he calls global village coffeehouse was aggressively ugly and everywhere in the early 2000s. I was so glad when the Asian interior design trend happened even if it was done to death.

[@AdamYJ]

Well, the reason they do the minimalist spaces now is because they can be reused easily. A space that was a McDonald’s a month ago can easily turn into a Starbucks soon.

[@cbnz2929]

Not sure it's because of social media...I'd argue that if that's what they're going for, the designs would be much more colorful and extravagant for the 'gram.

[@M50A1]

​@@francisnopantses1108Nice bait

[@jrthetravelingsalesman6357]

Couldn’t agree more with you. I’m at Disney now and staying at the destino tower at Coronado springs and don’t get me wrong I love the rooms and the hotel is gorgeous! But I said to my gf , if you took this out of Disney and put it anywhere else, you would thinks it’s a casino. I’m very surprised by the lack of Disney theming here.

[@Blackdawn80]

There was a very real sense of magic at all the theme parks. As a life long Floridian I can tell you that walking into any one of the parks was special. Everyone was truly happy to be there, they were all cheerful and kind to each other, and I'm talking about the guests. Cast members were also very interested in greeting you and making sure you had a great experience at all times. Contrast to the last few years where people feel entitled, rude and even combative. People skipping lines, the obvious mental health issues from both adults and kids, and cast members who you can simply tell are just there to collect a paycheck and appear more like small town carnival employees.

[@y4rdkat]

I went to DisneySea recently. The guests and cast members all seemed genuinely very happy and cheerful much like it used to be back in the Florida parks. I miss that kind of energy in the parks today

[@FlowerMorgan]

I think the negativity is layered, but from my perspective with cast members, it stems from long hours and little pay. I think the same can be said for guests, many adults in these families are barely allowed vacation time/PTO from work, so they feel like these vacations should be perfect. I think the American mentality of only looking out for oneself is also a problem because many people will ruin other guest's experiences for the benefit of their own. I agree that international parks (never visited, but from what I've seen) have a completely different vibe and dedication (Tokyo especially, Paris, Shanghai, Hong Kong). Things in the U.S. currently are overpriced, everyone is overworked and underpaid, and I think that's really impacting how we vacation and act on these vacations. Personally, I try my best to treat everyone with respect (especially the cast members and employees at Disney who work so hard for so little) and I'll be doing so when I go to Disney World for Christmas for the first time this December.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

"Contrast to the last few years where people feel entitled, rude and even combative." Agreed for sure. It seems like 2020 was a catalyst for enabling the worst people in society and while it's definitely better now than a few years ago, people are still way worse today than they were in previous decades. I think it also depends on where you go though. Part of why I travel to Disneyland so often isn't just the park, but also the people. Everyone is just nicer and happier and meanwhile in Florida, there's always so much blatant line cutting and trashier people who only care about themselves.

[@kartos.]

That was absolutely not my experience in the late 90s at Disney World.

[@dasoupsoup]

That has nothing to do with the quality of the theme parks though, that's just a byproduct of the overall change in society.

[@daisyblonde87]

I think the unknown was made theme parks in the 1990s so amazing. You didn’t have KZbin videos of the rides so you were going there blind aside from maybe watching a promotional video or getting a leaflet from the travel agent before you were there. I first went to Florida in 1997 when I was 10 and it was so big and exciting.

[@S0l1DShark]

I remember going to Disney world in the 90s and on the tv in the hotel on property there was a channel that just showed produced “trailers” for the attractions. I loved just watching it on repeat while drifting off excited for the next day. I wonder if someone uploaded.

[@salthesicillian1752]

Theme parks were amazing in the 90s/early 2000s cause of the experience. Now it seems they just exist for photo ops for social media.

[@AudreyMealiff]

I totally agree. The magic was still there back in the 90s

[@brandyhuhn9714]

You're right, the unknown was definitely a factor.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

I think that was part of it, for sure. When I occasionally watch through old promotional specials, they know how to tease just enough to make you excited. Old marketing was different too though, especially in regards to Disney. It always used to be about how cool or interesting something was, whereas now it's all about "riding with your favorite character" nonsense.

[@TheMellowPumpkin]

I will say, as someone born in 1990, the 90s seemed a lot more kid friendly, if not kid oriented.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

There were for sure. I think Vegas is the most telling indicator of that, because in retrospect, pivoting towards theming and entertainment that appeals to kids is incredibly bizarre. Having just visited there for the first time a month ago, it's clear that the resorts feel almost burdened with decisions from this era and would probably do something much more generic today. When I walked through "The LinQ", I thought that something so boring and stupidly generic could only be designed in the era we live in today.

[@GlennJimenez]

@@PoseidonEntertainmentit was the same with fast food marketing. All about grabbing kids attention in the 90s.

[@princessmarlena1359]

Same here, the ‘80s and the ‘90s reached out to kids and interacted with them better, from my recollection.

[@CordeliaWagner]

Didn't treat them better, just more marketing towards them.

[@zrally2107]

"do it for the children" of the 90's has been replaced by "do it for the environment" now

[@paulmaccaroni]

One of the reasons why I used to love going to my local Regal Theater was because it looked super 80s/90s. Colorful squiggly pattern carpet, bright neon lights, etc. I loved the transportation into a new fun space.

[@romana34]

I miss color! I wouldn’t go back to the 90s, my teen years were not my favorites, but I do miss how colorful it was. You should see how colorful my house was . One room was painted to look like the ocean, and another was Jackson Pollockisk, and my sister did have a water bed, while I had a clear telephone

[@Sour_Ink]

Go paint your walls lol. You can still literally have all these things

[@romana34]

@@Sour_Ink actually for a while I couldn’t because I was in an apartment, where I couldn’t paint. Now I’m back in the house and I have painted a lot of the walls, bright and colorful.

[@Sour_Ink]

@@romana34 thats great

[@SciFi2285]

The minimalist style is as much about business (greed) as it is about aesthetics. These companies found out that people were lingering to appreciate the theming rather than actually spending money. When Vegas abandoned casino theming it was specifically stated that guests were spending more time taking pictures than gambling. And they certainly weren’t going to allow that to continue!

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

I don't think Vegas ever understood theming to begin with. It's all very interesting but also superficial. I watched an old show about Vegas and one of the architects they interviewed was talking about Disneyland and he described it as a giant mall, really missing the point about why people go to Disneyland. It makes sense why Vegas abandoned all of this, because they tried something they didn't understand.

[@MicheleKlinger]

This is speaking to my millennial soul so much. There was something so whimsical and comforting about the 90s aesthetic, and for me, there are so many core memories associated with it all

[@zoso279]

That's something I loved too. Had a blast watching educational shows from that time with the enthusiasm and sincerity they had. So tired of everything today only being done to fulfil the algorithms and everything having to be ironic and cynical.

[@turntablist]

I've never heard anyone pronounce "Aladdin" as Al-Addin, but it makes total sense and has kinda blown my mind.

[@ZontarDow]

I think we're on the verge of a recival of highly themed experiences, in part because of the nostalgia cycle, and in part because it's something you can't get online. A local pet shop near me has a highly themed interior with the fish area being in a shipwreck with the rest of the shop being a beach around it, with a restaurant on the deck of the ship and a zipline and rock climbing. There's also the fact that Trey and Parker of South Park fame have taken out an 800 million dollar loan to open Casa Bonita locations across the US.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

Do you know when the store opened? I'd like to know more, especially if it fits the theme of the video.

[@ZontarDow]

@@PoseidonEntertainment it would have been in the past decade or so, it's a fairly new development. You can find of photos and possibly video of it online it's called "Safari Pet Store Dix30", it's probably the flagship of the brand now since they have a few locations thought none as extravagant as that one, and from the looks of it the planned restaurant seems to not be a thing in the end, and the ziplining that was announced seems to have been changed to an obstacle course which wasn't the case when I went a few years back.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

@@ZontarDow Ohh, it does look really interesting though

[@ZontarDow]

@@PoseidonEntertainment indeed, been there a few times when I was in the area and it has a great atmosphere. Might be able to work it into another video as an example of themed stores still having a niche or that we might see a revival of such places.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

@@ZontarDow I'll keep it in mind for sure. I do think we're probably in the beginning phases of another revival of themed experiences. Epic Universe looks great, Meow Wolf is popular, even a few themed restaurants are more recent.

[@Gabezcube]

If there was only 1 word I can describe the 90s, it would be wacky. Everywhere you go, the theming for these iconic locations at the time was everywhere & they like to pop out to amaze audiences/customers. It's ashame now that you barely see theming nowadays because "simple = better". I may not be a 90s kid (born in 2000), but man everything 90s & even 80s always satisfied me & it always made me wished I got to experience those 2 decades because those times looked so much fun

[@Bald_Sauerkraut]

The 90s especially at Disney made me fall in love with Theme Parks, everything felt wonderful. It gave me a sense of hope and escape, it was truly a way out of the hum drum world of the everyday. I wish my kids could experience this the way I did, it was so wonderful it's permanently etched in my psyche. Nowadays they aren't a escape but just another Corporate billboard everywhere...just feels stale, thank you for another trip down memory lane.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

Everything was designed with meaning, intended to be viewed as art. Now, it's all about selling you franchises and trying to hook you in to vague concepts of a "Disney brand".

[@Bald_Sauerkraut]

Personally @@PoseidonEntertainment that's what makes it feel stale..."Disney Brand" even if Disney is seemingly timeless, definintely has a corporate vs an artistic feel; honestly you hit the nail on the head. Also Disney branding was ALWAYS in the parks, but it was done in such a way that it didn't take away from the theme/environment. Say what you want about Eisner, you would have NEVER had a fake world "Arrendale" being slapped on top of Norway; Imagineers would have found a different way of incorporating the two.

[@pikachuchujelly7628]

Not to mention how much $$$ it costs now. You pay so much money to enter the park, but you can maybe only go on 5 rides because everything is at least an hour long wait. Totally not worth it! There are enough rich suckers out there who are willing to pay that money, so Disney keeps raising the price year after year and still attracts the same large crowds.

[@Bald_Sauerkraut]

@@pikachuchujelly7628 if we didn't have DAS (my children are special needs before someone blasts me)due to the crowds I would not be passholders again, my kids can't do a half day with those kinda crowds... The last time we went though was Feb3rd weekend, and honestly other than Sunday all the waits except Rise and Falcon were >hour wait. I did notice alot of rides breaking down during the day, which is something that kinda surprised me...

[@CharliXCXismymom]

As an interior designer this video literally hits all the points right on the nose! We study the transformations of design fads in school and this was what I wrote my essay on!

[@ratbones620]

Finally someone actually talks about this! I’m not even close to have ever been able to experience the “authentic” 80s/90s aesthetic (late gen-z here). But I’ve always been really fascinated by it. Especially just how much more interesting even common spaces like restaurants and shopping malls were. I also feel like theme parks were much more experimental back then which added a lot to the “wow factor” they had at the time. To me, it seems like a lot of the big parks play it too safe by just making IP based attractions. And while they are cool, we know that these places are capable creating creative and original experiences, and I want them to do just that.

[@gregorysteffensen3279]

Having been born in '93, I've always felt like the 1990s and even post-9/11 America were a bit of a "sugar rush" of a time period -- on one hand, things were bright and colorful and generally optimistic, plus the economy was generally good (at least for the suburban middle class). On the other hand, there's a reason so much of counter-culture back then was based on pointing out how consumerist and environmentally unsustainable the whole affair of car-centric suburbanism, and the retail environment built around it, was. Also, the amount of racism and ableism people actively tolerated when I was a kid was *wild*! There's plenty of stuff I'd like to bring back though -- the better economy, the good music, the color, and so on. Plenty to be nostalgic about so long as we're honest about the lumps and the structural inequalities of the era

[@JohnathanWilliamson849]

@@gregorysteffensen3279 People are racist today though, the difference is that anti-white racism is tolerated and even encouraged by the media and left-wing politicians today. Also the people who were counter-culture in the 90s have turned into corporate worshippers at this point, being used as foot soldiers to tie us in and make us bland.

[@randomfools808]

It was the best time to grow up. Going to McDonald's or Blockbuster could feel like going to Disney or Universal. Movie theaters were really colorful with glowing signs everywhere too. And then the arcades. It was special.

[@randomfools808]

I knew this was going to make me sad but damn, hit harder than I thought. Being a kid of the late 80s and 90s was so special man and it really is a bummer seeing so much of this gone. Going to that International Drive Mcdonalds was just as cool as going to the parks and I was in Orlando a lot. But had no idea all those big name hotels in Vegas were so young. I thought they were 70s. It's one area I've never been. Yes Times Square was awesome during this period too and now it looks so boring. I miss all of this so much.

[@ShadowDragon-cw7wb]

I swear, when I remember what stuff looked like in the late 90's and first half of the 2000's when I was a kid, it feels like a dream. I have lived in Orlando for most of my life so I saw the peak of this era when it existed. Like a dream full of colors where none exist today.

[@MonsterKidCory]

As a teenager and young adult of the 90's, I'm really starting to miss those days before the world starting going to stupid from 9-11 onward. And while I intellectually knew it, I didn't quite put my finger on the 90sness of WDW at the time, when I went there for my honeymoon close to 10 years ago. Some of it doesn't work (like whatever they did to the atrium of the Contemporary), but a lot of it - especially the outdoor aesthetic of the Swan and Dolphin, and Fantasia Gardens - really does. A lot of echoes of the old 90's Disney Store too. Thanks for the memories 😃

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

I only really grew up with the atrium of the Contemporary as it is in its current style and I can't say that I dislike it. I do really like the new lobby design that falls into the Mary Blair style though. I just fear that once they decide to finally redo the atrium, it'll fall into the "Incredibles" room design, rather than what they managed to do with the lobby.

[@MonsterKidCory]

@@PoseidonEntertainment obviously I never experienced the atrium prior to 2014, but even if I hadn't seen photos of what it looked like before, I would have still felt that the atrium was overcrowded. It has a lot of airy, vertical space, but then every inch of the floorspace is crammed in with something. It undermines the whole thing. Honestly, if I was redoing the Contemporary, my inspiration would be Bespin... Look at Empire Strikes Back or the Battlefront games and tell me that aesthetic wouldn't be perfect. That was legitimately the aesthetic that it was built with to begin with. Honestly, the real shame of what they're doing with the Contemporary is that Cabana Bay is down the road. While I'm generally critical of Universal, they knocked it out of the park with that hotel.

[@chanhjohnnguyen1867]

Minimalism has been the blight of American life for 15 years

[@TempoLOOKING]

Liberalism

[@Whitephosphorenjoyer]

@@TempoLOOKINGWhat of it?

[@cgimovieman]

Sheesh, this video is pretty much a portrait of me as a person in video form. I was born in 1979, a little kid in the 80’s, and a teenager in the 90’s. I grew up in the Midwest, taking vacations to the Orlando theme parks, and also going to many other amusement parks like Cedar Point. I had a waterbed, loved themed restaurants like Hard Rock Cafe and Planet Hollywood, pretty much was into all things 90’s. In 1998 I moved to Orlando shortly after striking out on my own as an adult, and have lived there ever since for over 25 years. Even the shots of the Mall at Millenia you used struck a chord with me, as I’ve gone there since the first month it opened, and was there just a few days ago. I suppose most people, so long as things were relatively good, miss times like their teenage years a lot. You’re at the point of still being very young and not having many worries or responsibilities, but yet you are fully aware and can do adult things like driving a car or being out on your own. For me, that was the perfect mix, and the 90’s were an absolutely great decade for that. Wow did I have fun and love it. I swear I still haven’t been able to adapt ever since with all of the ongoing changes, to the point of being depressed, alone, and unemployed. But I still can make myself feel good by watching videos like this and revisiting things from the 90’s. Were some things from the decade a little out there and dated? Sure. But you know what? They were sure fun. It was a colorful decade that had so many new things to enjoy. Many of which changed our lives. I think some of those slowly came back and sort of became a double edged sword on us, as they killed off other things or led us to be pretty obsessed, but at the time the were sure great.

[@that70space]

Same. We probably ran into each other on I-Drive or at the parks!

[@vanirheim]

I used to work at the dallas zoo and often had lunch at the themed mcdonalds across the street. It was incredibly well done but unfortunately it was in such a rough neighborhood that I bet they didnt get may children coming in anymore. Was sad to see the location sterilized. It was an iconic dallas landmark. As a kid you would see the animals at mcdonalds before you saw the actual zoo - so its how you knew it was close.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

2004 was really the year that killed McDonald's when they attempted McCafe lol. It's slowly taken over everything since.

[@AdamYJ]

@@PoseidonEntertainment Part of that was having to respond to the childhood obesity epidemic.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

@@AdamYJ lol, also fair

[@splorngo]

I live near the Gladys Porter Zoo & we also had a local themed McDonalds! When they remodeled it was like my childhood left :c

[@pikachuchujelly7628]

Remember those slides and play areas that McDonald's used to have?

[@nebulynn]

I miss these spaces from my childhood, but I wonder how much of it was due to wearing the rose-colored glasses of a kid in the early 2000s. Thank you for another insightful video!!

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

I grew up around the same time and wondered how much nostalgia factored into it. However, I think it's objectively clear that a lot of entertainment in this era embraced aesthetics that I think are just way more interesting. Las Vegas would never built hotels today like they did in the 90s.

[@gregorysteffensen3279]

Having been born in '93, I've always felt like the 1990s and even post-9/11 America were a bit of a "sugar rush" of a time period -- on one hand, things were bright and colorful and generally optimistic. On the other hand, there's a reason so much of counter-culture back then was based on pointing out how consumerist and environmentally unsustainable the whole affair of car-centric suburbanism, and the retail environment built around it, was. Also, the amount of racism and ableism people actively tolerated when I was a kid was *wild*! There's plenty of stuff I'd like to bring back though -- the better economy, the good music, the color, plenty to be nostalgic about so long as we're honest about the lumps

[@pikachuchujelly7628]

Nostalgia is definitely a huge part of it, but architecture and interior design have objectively become more simple and plain looking since then. Remember when McDonald's had those iconic golden arch buildings and a play area inside with slides and a ball pit for kids to play in? That's all gone now. I haven't seen a single one of those play areas in at least a decade. I guess it costs too much to hire cleaning staff to maintain it.

[@timschultz2806]

Nothing was better than 1980s EPCOT

[@aaronsarchive82]

PREACH!

[@mechanesthesia]

I appreciate so much your referencing and documentation of examples of Memphis Group and Global Village Coffeehouse [GBC]. I had seen the latter but didn’t know there was a name for it and it was a distinct style. You unlocked a new vision in me because now I can see and detect these elements. I really love how you describe these things from an aesthetic lens. Would love to check out any other videos you have in the future on different aesthetic styles through the ages.

[@abbyzinger]

Hey Poseidon, I love your content, I watch almost all of it and I love how thorough you are with your research and archival footage. I feel like this video kind of lost the plot, though. I'm 35min in and so far this video is mostly about themed McDonald's and the history of Vegas, which are interesting and you're doing a good job covering, but it's not why I clicked on this video. If I wanted to know more about those topics, I would've watched a video about "the history of themed McDonald's" or "the history of themed resorts in Vegas" or something like that. I clicked on this video because I wanted to know more specifically about theme PARKS in the 90s, and so far this video doesn't really seem to be about that. I love your content, I really enjoy how thoughtful you are and you make such GREAT content. I think I would've preferred if you had made those topics their own videos, instead of making them a 15min long tangent in a very long video that's only Part 1. I love a long video, but I also work in television production, so I know that sometimes less is more - even if it kills us to cut those details out, it can do a better job delivering the main story we intend to tell. Just my opinion! I really debated leaving this comment, I don't want it to come off as mean or rude, but I thought, Poseidon Entertainment seems like the kind of guy who would appreciate constructive criticism. This is coming from a place of love not hate!

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

I think the issue is with the title, not necessarily the content, because the thesis is themed entertainment of the 90s, not necessarily theme parks. I was worried that if I titled it something else, it wouldn't play well to the KZbin algorithm and judging from viewership, I do think I was right to play it safe. However, in the following part(s?), I will have a much bigger focus specifically on parks. I see where you're coming from and I appreciate the input, but I think this was also the best way to generate viewership. Once I'm done with each part of the video, I'll edit everything together into a more cohesive product that I'll probably release some time in 2025.

[@abbyzinger]

@@PoseidonEntertainment that's fair! You gotta do what works for the algorithm, I respect that a lot. And hey, I did enjoy the video (and watched it all) even tho it wasn't what I expected, and maybe I wouldn't have clicked it with a different title/thumbnajl. So it worked! And I learned a lot of stuff I never would've otherwise, and you made me interested in topics that I previously wasn't as interested in (like the origins of Vegas, after watching your video I'm like, I want to learn more about this!). I look forward to the future parts you put out, again, I'm a big fan of your work, I'm a fan of how thorough you get into everything, and I really appreciate your dedication to making ambitious projects like this multipart deep dive. Thank you for your thoughtful reply and continued hard work!

[@LoveStallion]

I imagine growing up a few mins from Disneyland during my teenage years in the 90s totally spoiled me and my expectations for the future. The place was absolute gold for 15 years.

[@Cheezbat]

As a kid and teen in the 80’s and 90’s, I wholeheartedly believe this was the best time….the parks, malls, restaurants, hotels, everything was bigger, brighter, and willing to take chances. Walt Disney World’s pinnacle was the 90’s.

[@HOTD108_]

What a coincidence that "the best time" is when you personally were a kid and teen. I suspect some bias here lol.

[@Cheezbat]

@@HOTD108_ bias? Sure. Because I everything was affordable back then. Everything was fun, bright, optimistic…now it’s all cynical bland overpriced trash. There are no more Warner Bros stores. No more KB toys. No more Disney Stores. No more Toys R us. No more Blockbusters. What happened to Sam Goody and all the record stores? Arcades? Showbiz Pizza? Gone. All of it. Things were better. Run better. Cleaner. People were nicer. The parks were quality. That’s a fact.

[@albtckl]

1981 baby here and I totally agree!

[@gregorysteffensen3279]

I do think we have to acknowledge the lumps that came along with the era though -- it was a great economy for mostly white suburbanites and extremely car-dependent, and there's a reason why most of the counter-culture of the '80s/'90s was a sort of eco-hippie attempt to point out why the whole thing was unsustainable. Not to mention all the casual racism/ableism/sexism inherent in basically any comedy or even just casual spaces. There's plenty to mourn from the 20th century and plenty to fix in the 2020s, but we need to be extremely honest with ourselves that the '80s and '90s weren't perfect or we're going to become just as nostalgia blind as the Boomers often were about the 50s and 60s

[@Cheezbat]

@@gregorysteffensen3279 You’re touching on a much bigger subject… I’m just talking about the overall aesthetic and the way things were… And honestly well yes there were still issues they were nowhere near the issues we deal with today.

[@azolivas]

I loved Disneyland in the 90's. Completely different that what it is today. I also attribute it to social media being non existent. The over flow of video and media from the parks takes away all the magic and anticipation. Those days will never be again!

[@heathermclaren9901]

I'm glad you spend so much time discussing Vegas here, because I really do think that Vegas in aggregate, especially 1990 on, is maybe the most interesting example of what themed entertainment on a large scale can mean. There are several Vegas attractions I miss from the 90's, especially the Caesar's ancient magician themed dining experience and the Excalibur animatronic show (cheesy yes, but I do think a modern revival with better animatronics could be really good. Excalibur needs a major rennovation in general.) However, of all the big Vegas themed resorts, none has gone downhill as much of the Luxor. It's just been gradually stripped of all the themeing that made it interesting. The rooms get grosser every year. Even the facade has been damaged by the giant ugly ads that they slapped onto the side of the building. The Luxor needs a lot of help to get it back up to standards.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

When I walked around the Luxor, it did seem quite run down, especially since it seemed like one of the best resorts 20 years ago. I did plan on discussing Caesar's Magical Empire though, along with the MGM Grand and its theme park. Was there another Excalibur animatronic show I'm missing other than the one I discussed though? Vegas has so much history that it's overwhelming, but if you have more info on theming in the resorts or themed entertainment from this era, it'll be a help going forward for sure.

[@keeleon]

Vegas was one of our favorite childhood family vacation destinations. I went there like a year ago and , and because I don't drink or gamble, literally the only thing of remote interest to me was Area 15 and Omega Mart (which are fantastic however) .

[@keeleon]

@@PoseidonEntertainment I don't remember any specific animatronics at Excalibur, but they did have some motion simulator rides, that at the time were basically theme park level attractions, and felt just as equal to Star Tours. I think from a technology perspective, its just impossible to catch that same kind of magic in such a small place now.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

@@keeleon Yeah, Area 15 was great. I was interested to see Omega Mart because it looked cool but I didn't realize how much depth there was. I didn't expect to be there for 4 hours trying to discover the story.

[@pikachuchujelly7628]

The Circus Circus hotel had a really cool indoor amusement park with roller coasters and water rides. I absolutely loved that place when I went to Vegas as a kid. I wonder how it is now.

[@Tamisday]

Clearly, we need a 90’s-themed theme-park.

[@coastermadab]

This is amazingly put together. Well done! And it's so true... theme parks in the 90s WERE the best.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

This took so long to do lol. I'm stressed because I think there's at least another two parts to this.

[@Pencilman246]

Someday there’s going to be video essays about why so many 90s kids grew up to make video essays and podcast about theme park history in the late 2010s and early 2020s. As much as I love this type of content there’s been such a huge rise in it, it’s an interesting trend that deserves its own exploration, like why was there so much 50s nostalgia in the 80s etc.

[@CinnamonGrrlErin1]

I think about that last part a lot. I was born in 82 but I adore a lot of the kitschy 50s-inspired styles that was around when I was growing up. I was also really obsessed with my dad's American Graffiti records too.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

I was aware of the general irony of producing a video like this, also noting that 90s retrospective nostalgia is now a trend. However, I do think that in regards specifically to themed entertainment, there was a lot more effort put into it then most of what we see today.

[@user-fe8uq9zp2g]

I’m a late late 90s kid - practically 2000s tbh and I think it’s because life post covid “seems” bleak so we reflect on the past more than ever. it feels like something that never was almost because of how COVID’s dystopian set up left us. Of course this probably isn’t the main reason but definitely I can see it being part of it. It’s not a reach though that the 90s-2000s businesses were more animated and colorful. Now the ultra minimalism has reached its peak and possibly downfall it’s exciting to see what comes next.

[@lerak8452]

Yep not to long ago it was about the 80s, and I remember in the 90s it was about the 70s.

[@nunyabusiness2785]

My family could never afford to go to theme parks in the 90s. But I saw the commercials for them and thought they looked awesome.

[@marcuschristensen1883]

I was born and raised in Vegas in the late 80s and 90s, and it was AMAZING growing up there during that time! All these themed-casinos were incredibly impressionable on myself and my friends, siblings and cousins! Treasure Island, Excalibur and the Adventuredome (originally named, Grand Slam Canyon) in particular were our own type of "Disneylands." There was also a Star Trek Experience at the Hilton, which ran from 1998 to 2008 which was also incredibly fun and entertaining.

[@cosmicoryx5947]

i think, in addition to minimalism, another factor at play in how things feel more bland these days is HOW companies integrate IPs into things. Product placement in the late 80s and 90s was probably just as rampant as it is today imo, but its clear from things like the bespoke fiberglass McDonald's figures at specific locations and the grounding of the theming in actual design innovations that pre-existing brands and characters were actually integrated in a way that had some thought put into it to make them really feel like part of the environment. Today however, companies are just so obsessed with the idea of doing everything as cheaply as possible that you end up with a lot of IP branding that is just pre-existing art and mass-produced assets lazily slapped onto everything. The disney buses mentioned in the video are a great example.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

Agreed. I see why Mouse Gear included Mickey and even though it was incredibly tacky, it had a lot of character. Now I look at Creations and it's just meaningless nothingness with Mickey slapped onto it.

[@mamagrubbs]

I grew up in Orlando in the 90s going to Disney or universal once a year when family from up north visited. it was my favorite memories

[@2012oland]

Didn’t even watch this yet but 100%. Every time I go to Disney I hope to relive what my wife and I experienced on our honeymoon in the 90’s, and it’s sad that it will never be like that again.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

I barely even touched on Disney in the video. Still, I have quite a lot more to say about them, ranging from their resorts, to 90s Epcot, to Downtown Disney, Pleasure Island and Disney Quest.

[@wolfumz]

My parents just celebrated their 50th anniversary by repeating their honeymoon in Hawaii. One of the things they talked was how much Honalulu has changed, we had their photos from 1973 side by side with photos from 2023. It's sad to have these places lost to time, transformed into something else. On the other hand, it seems futile to try to relive old memories. The world is not going to stop turning. My theory for why these 90s parks are so different, yes, the pre-internet, pre-social media, pre-smart phone culture is important. But, I think the economy plays a big role, too. The middle class hadn't been totally destroyed, in the mid 90s, 2008 was a long ways away. There was a lot more optimism from the middle class in this era.

[@benjaminpfister938]

This was a rush of nostalgia for me in parts. The McDonaldland segment, the flashy & bright colors and highly themed entertainment (such as the Disney signs) were my favorites. Excited for Part 2.

[@andynava5144]

Man this is only part 1 and I already think this is one of your best video essays yet. So diverse and intriguing

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

I feel like I've barely touched on anything either. It's overwhelming, but I'm enjoying exploring all of these different topics and eventually tying them together.

[@andynava5144]

@@PoseidonEntertainment will this be more than 2 parts potentially? Like 3 or 4? I'm already itching to rewatch this first part because it's so well researched and entertaining

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

@@andynava5144 I'm thinking it might be 3 because it's already long as is. I doubt it'll be 4, but I suppose it just depends on how much material I can find.

[@andynava5144]

@@PoseidonEntertainment awesome, I'm excited

[@thecunninlynguist]

i think what happed me was, I was a kid in the 80s/90s...so there's that sense of wonderment. Now it's just...whatever. I kinda see the same wonderment in my nephews when they go to theme parks...so maybe it isn't lost

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

I agree that nostalgia plays a factor, especially I as I grew up in the early 2000s, so I only experienced the last remnants of the decade. However, the style was objectively very different and themed entertainment was much more prevalent.

[@kalzium8857]

The 90s are also still fondly remembered here in western europe. While some people would claim that we saw this time through rose tinted but it was a really different time. For themeparks i think it is a different picture. Themeparks are a huge winner of the EU. The introduction of the Euro and Schengen were a big boon to the larger european themeparks. I remember some themeparks as a child and was astonished how much they have grown since then. While not all themeparks have profited from it, but i think the difference between the us and europe is interesting.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

From what little I know of theme parks in Europe, I can see why people would be nostalgic for them in this era too. However, it seems to me that a lot of parks tried emulating Disney, whereas today, they're pursuing their own interests in a way that looks far more interesting to me.

[@me-myself-i787]

I think European theme parks are better than American ones because Europe is so much more population dense, meaning theme parks have a larger audience to attract, and can therefore invest more in new additions. Side-note: Phantasialand reminds me of the Encounter at Farpoint from Star Trek. In that episode, some people kidnapped an alien and forced it to construct a luxury resort. That would explain why Phantasialand is so immersive despite it not having the budget of a Disney or Universal park, and why other parks haven't been able to replicate such a high level of theming. But obviously, the idea that some businessmen kidnapped an alien and forced it to construct a theme park is ridiculous.

[@BrandonPenson]

Great video! I loved Mcdonald's as a kid and growing up in the '90s, the playplaces were incredible. The part about Las Vegas was both informative and educational. For me, at least. And I didn't realize that the "sky" at the Forum Shops was just an illusion. All this time I thought it was an outdoor mall! I also love the point you made about colors and designs. I feel like in the '90s (and maybe even '80s) everything was about spectacle and making things "POP", thereby capturing your attention and bringing you in.

[@frojo9]

Theming was EVERYWHERE! Like tell me why the waiting room at my doctor's office was themed to a jungle adventure 🥴. Such camp period of time... unless you're at Wendy's, Wendy's was just themed to the color yellow and weirdly brown windows.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

Yeah, if one place benefitted from modern minimalist aesthetics, it was Wendy's lol. Those previous stores were horrible.

[@randomfools808]

My dentists as a kid was themed to a submarine and had a play area inside and Sega Genesis. The 90s were something else man.

[@CinnamonGrrlErin1]

Because companies knew how to appeal to families and, as someone else said, it was just easier in the pre-phone social media era. One big reason my family and I went to WDW in the 90s was because of all the promotion for the newly opened Tower of Terror ride. There were tv specials and the made for TV movie, and my dad really wanted to ride it because he loved the Twilight Zone. We drove from *Maine* because of this ride 😂 And I know Eisner was very far from perfect, but he knew how to appeal to people. He was smart enough to do a modern take on Walt's approach and make himself seem friendly and approachable when he presented the specials and the Sunday night movies. Getting Family Matters and Step by Step to go to WDW was genuis marketing. Who exactly is drawn in by current Disney marketing? Certainly not I.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

A lot of people criticized Eisner for trying to be the next Walt Disney, yet I think that it actually worked. It seemed like he actually liked the company and genuinely got excited to see it grow, even if he did make many major, massive mistakes. I think Iger only engages with the culture of the company as superficially as he thinks consumers do.

[@CinnamonGrrlErin1]

​@PoseidonEntertainment I think because he put his own spin on things. He was never "Uncle Mike" like "Uncle Walt" (thank god 😅) but he has a good streak of showmanship in him. His career before Disney is really fascinating too, I don't think many people realize he helped get the first Muppets TV show pilot on the air back in the 70s. Iger is just completely flavorless by comparison, his favorite color is probably beige. Him taking over is like when the IRS took over Krusty Burger on The Simpsons.

[@doctaC07]

I definitely agree 90s were the sweet spot for Disney...although a close 2nd is probably late 2000s/early 2010s simply due to fast pass being in its prime. They still had paper fast pass, and it worked, from my experience using it. I had annual passes during this time, and you could absolutely go to the park on a random day, and ride most if not all the rides, without much waiting in lines, and also without any planning ahead or anything, besides maybe avoiding super busy days. You can't do that anymore, and in the early 90s I recall as a kid having to wait in lines and hating it, despite it probably being peak Disney.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

Ah, lines must have seemed horrible back then, yet probably look quaint compared to today. I'd rather wait an hour in a constantly moving line than experience the systems in place today.

[@danandtab7463]

I like that you mentioned I drive in Orlando. My family used to take day trips there all the time during the 90s, and it was so clear that entire stretch was inspired by the nearby theme parks.

[@stefanied3219]

A lot of problems for these places are also becoming run down over the years... themes are not bad, and being dated is like a time capsule, but soooooo many businesses over the decades have cut more and more staffing in favor of profit, so it gets dirty, and has minimal or nonexistent upkeep 🤦‍♀️

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

Agreed. I think the reason that businesses have switched to minimalism is because it reduces upkeep and cleaning.

[@lilbuggerus5201]

Goodness this makes me miss the amazing advertising done back in the 90s for Disneyland and all theme parks. I remember when i was at the doctors and scared of a shot, i asked my mom to talk to me about Disneyland and what it is like. She went with my other siblings and I hadn't gone by that time. It was such a magical idea and just amazing. It made my love for the park when i eventually made it. Good stuff and an amazing video! Definitely got a new sub and like from me, ty so much for the long hard work on this video!

[@GenoppteFliese]

In my local mall, when a shop is empty, they use some large pictures ("Fake facades") to hide it and on first glance these 3D-like pictures look like the store is operational. A few weeks back I had to kill some time in another town and I found a mall there that makes good use of empty stores by installing seating areas, kicker tables and what made me really happy was a corner with a bunch of arcade machines ( slighty smaller than the originals) where you could play old arcade games for free.

[@Wetzeem]

I was born in 86 and graduated high school in 2005, so when you said you were covering the 90’s between 85 and 2005, I got so excited.

[@charlesdebarber2997]

You are correct that the era of building themed entertainment peaked in the 80s and 90s. Almost no new theme parks have been built in the US since 2004. This is especially new with Disney. Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, Pleasure Island (defunct), Disney's California Adventure, Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo DisneySea, Disneyland Paris, Disney Studios Park, and Hong Kong Disneyland were all built during that time. Out of the 12 Disney Parks, all but 2 of them (Disneyland and Shanghai Disneyland) opened within a 24 year period. 9 of them opened during the Eisner era. 9/11 and The Great Recession have a lot to do with that. It may also indicate a decline in America's middle class.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

I do think that changing economic conditions are the largest issue with why things have changed. We're entering a new Gilded Age of (almost)-monopolies being allowed to exist, largely enabled by government corruption, and minimalist trends are a cheap, thoughtless way to expand.

[@MCLegoboy]

Dude, the McDonalds and Universal segments hit me with the nostalgia. Were things actually better back then? YEAH! Doesn't mean they were good for us, maybe some of it not even actually all that good, but McDonald's looks so boring nowadays (not that I eat there anymore), and Universal definitely had a bigger wow factor than it currently does today.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

At least Universal is on the rise though. They've had more recent hits than misses and Epic Universe does seem like an actual gamechanger. USF specifically is still in desperate need of new dark rides, but I'm hoping that changes after Epic opens.

[@thedrewster0408]

@@PoseidonEntertainment Namely before Epic Universe’s grand opening in the summer of 2025 there’s going to be a new land area for the kids that is going be opening next year called DreamWorks Land. Which will replace the former KidZone area.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

@@thedrewster0408 Yeah, but it's essentially just meet and greets and likely a new play area. I would like to see more come to the area eventually, but USF is only getting cheaper rethemes at the moment while Epic takes all the money. It's not necessarily bad and Villain-Con at least had an interesting idea behind it, but these changes won't fix the park.

[@thedrewster0408]

@@PoseidonEntertainment Although the Shrek Meet and Greet place looks kind of interesting with Shrek’s house in the swamp as it’s theme. It is kind of sad of how Universal treats its “main mascot” as of now.

[@bchristian85]

McDonalds is boring, and Taco Bell is even more boring. I'd say the current Taco Bell branding is the epitome with everything wrong with the current era of marketing.

[@itsclauds7554]

I was born in 1999 and am so enamored by content like this. I think I got the tail end as the 90s spilled over just a bit into the early 2000s. There is a feeling that I can't replicate from my childhood but have been chasing it ever since. I think I can't find it because the world is simply different now

[@PaulAdler11]

This video is my childhood. Also it’s incredible.

[@jazzbutters]

I was born in 1991 . All the visuals you use in this video are so accurate and so good this deserves some sort of prize ❤

[@karlstrauss2330]

When I first started watching your KZbin channel I thought you were just another generic theme park centric content creator. Now I realize you are actually an art and culture critic. Subversively impressive!

[@biancacdakitteee7161]

Yo! I'm just going to say this. As the 1st video the pops up on my feed the millisecond I open the app, to see the 90s decor in your thumbnail made me want to shed happy tears.! I miss the old days so so much!❤🥰😍🙂

[@katcalico9142]

I always wanted a waterbed - I had one friend with one - so jealous!! I grew up in Florida in the time period - my latter teenage years in Orlando - I miss the days when theme was king!!!!

[@blinkereye123]

While I do agree that the 90s were a boom period for theme parks and themed entertainment spaces in general, bear in mind that every decade is usually split in to two halves; the first half is the residual feelings of the previous decade, while the second half is when the more memorable 'tropes' and 'themes' start to take hold of the popular psyche (at least in the U.S.), so all aspects of popular culture have to adjust themselves accordingly.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

Yeah it's pretty fluid, but that's why I specified that this was really a 20 year period, capped loosely with 5 years from the 80s and 5 years from the 2000s.

[@hlavco]

I feel like, for whatever reason, decade spans seem more cohesive when you start them on 4's. '64-73, '74-83, '84-93, etc. Next year, in 2024, we get to find out what the "real" 2020s will be like.

[@mack.attack]

The 90s began in 1991 when Nirvana dropped Smells Like Teen Spirit and ended around 8AM Eastern time September 11, 2001.

[@Pop_Candyz]

This is something that I've been noticing over the years and it's so interesting but also disheartening. Really looking forward to the next part!

[@CJolieTV]

This is in my top favorite videos of the year! I love the 90s visuals

[@whatever32]

Fantastic video! This is one of my favourite topics, I’ve become so interested in theming and architectural aesthetics/interior design from the 80s/90s and specifically how much they differ from where we are right now. Some of my favourite, defining memories of my childhood are of travelling to the theme parks in Orlando, feeling overwhelmed and transported by how fantastical the theming was. Like, going to a Rainforest Cafe aged 5 definitely altered my brain chemistry. You hit the nail on the head with “90s camp” - I know this stuff is kitschy, it’s loud - but it’s meant to be! It’s FUN. Movies from that era were so earnestly silly, and they had real texture. The worlds feel lived in. Nowadays even real places are designed to look as sterile as possible. Seeing that new McDonalds just depressed me, and I don’t even like McDonalds. Why does it look like an airport? When are we gonna get fake temple stone facades and jungle sets with physical pyrotechnics back in our movies? In our LIVES…

[@FieryPheonix-pq8sh]

From the original Universal and its amazing movie-based experiences , to Hollywood Studios and the new attractions added to the Disney Parks, and even other places like Chuck E Cheese and Rainforest Cafe, the 90s truly seem like a magical place. Sad everything now has to be “modern” and “minimalist” instead of fun like it used to be!

[@danandtab7463]

My first thought maybe why they scaled down all this megatheming in regular spaces is that it all must be quite a nightmare to maintain and keep clean, especially when you're talking about restaurants where it's a struggle just to keep sanitary standards, let alone the dust off the Ronald McDonald. :) Vegas as a whole, however, just one day decided to go into an entirely different direction and chase the kids away, starting with that famous "what happens in Vegas" slogan. Looking forward to part 2!

[@keeleon]

Man, as a 40 year old who grew up about 2 hours from both Las Vegas and Knotts/Disneyland, this video hit me in the EVERYTHING. Great job and thank you for reminding me about some of these things I haven't thought about for years! I actually just got back from the IAAPA expo this weekend with my brother and we spent the whole time lamenting how they don't seem to care about "theming" like they used to. I'll take The T-REX at Disney Springs over any Chils/Red Rbon/Applebees/Cheesecake Factory any day of the week!

[@gtonyxkid2012]

This video was soooo good! This channel is everything I love learning about, I love everything rollercoasters amusement parks, history and it combines it all into one, and I definitely can’t wait for part 2!!

[@jtstacey83]

The one thing about all this theming is it is colorful, alive, and makes one feel happy. Today everything is in one form or another, a variation of muted gray. Which is boring and frankly depressing. The 80s and 90s were about sensory overloads now it's all about not wanting to overload any sensory. A big gripe I have today about Disney is the lack of theming this is notable concerning all the recent hotel remodels which took something fun and unique and turned it into something boring and plain. Go look at any of the hotel remodels and it feels like you walked into a Holiday Inn but are paying five times the price. All vestages of being unique seemed to have been stripped away which in a way reflects society today were at one point culturally we celebrated people being an individual but today while we seem to celebrate uniqueness that is honestly just a veneer as everyone seems to purposely try and force people into being part of the pack.

[@King_Comic]

The 90s was the last good decade of American life. The 2000s was the beginning of the end, the 2010s kicked off the downfall.

[@WaterBug46]

I’m watching this from a hotel room in Universal Orlando resting my sore body. But my memory has been awakened from those old tv adds where whimsy and color were celebrated. A ton of work went into this. Thank you. And I agree with you.

[@hph9614]

Im an 87 baby and i have 2 small kids. They both are absolutely fascinated with the 90s, from the music to the toys and everything in general. Your right, things are just not the same. Its slmost like the fun has been taken out of everything..on purpose. I try do any and every activity with my kids that keeps old traditions alive!

[@EstoNoEsUnSpoiler]

As a 1999 Space Camp alumnus, this video was very endearing to me. The aesthetics and the zeitgeist felt just right. Of course I’m seeing everything with the rose tinted glasses of my youth bu nevertheless… it was magical

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

Nostalgia plays a part for sure, but I think it's undeniable that the era embraced certain theming trends and aesthetics that are either absent or very different today.

[@Historidame]

Ive actually been thinking a lot about how bland our cultural vibe is right now and I think this video sums up what was lost perfectly. Really entertaining! Also, you always pick such great background music. Where do you get it from if you don't mind my asking?

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

All the tracks in this video are from Epidemic Sound, which I've found to be a great resource

[@Historidame]

Thanks!@@PoseidonEntertainment

[@TL_oS]

What a beautiful job you have done on this series so far. I look forward to watching the rest. This made me weep for what has been lost in Las Vegas. I was so lucky to have experienced all the best that themed entertainment had to offer back then.

[@doucetandjones]

I can’t wait for part 2! I miss the 90s and themed spaces like these

[@txag007]

Great video man! Even Astroworld in Houston had great themeing as a Six Flags park. It was always a thrill to go and see everything in the summer time with my family.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

Do you have more details on that? For Part 2 (or maybe even a Part 3?) I'm looking to do a segment on theming in other U.S. parks in the 90s and any information on theming would be helpful.

[@porkins74]

@@PoseidonEntertainment The KZbin channel "Airtime Thrills" has a multi part documentary on Astroworld.

[@mutecryptid]

The current sterile minimalism is somehow boring and distressing at the same time. I hate going almost anywhere man-made nowadays.

[@capcaw]

I got so excited seeing this notification! An hour long Poseidon video on an extremely interesting topic. Early Christmas gift!

[@Pyewackettt]

I really enjoyed this, looking forward to part 2!

[@johanna7254]

Your videos are so well researched and presented! This one made me a bit sad, though. I grew up in the 90s but didn't go to theme parks very often, due to my family's financial situation. I only went to Disneyland once, and Great America (Santa Clara) and the Santa Cruz Boardwalk a few times here and there. Even though I'm now an adult and making money, the increasing prices and what you're getting for that price isn't even worth it usually. :/

[@rolfathan]

I'm not sure what corporate stooge visited a hospital and said "THIS! This is it!!!! We need to live in this, CONSTANTLY!!! Every business, every facet of life. White, Beige, Metal, Glass. Nothing more!" but this person apparently courted and won the hearts of EVERY single corporation, forever. They refuse to even humor more than one single color.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

You can thank Steve Jobs for that. The Apple Store was meant to highlight the product and drown out the rest of the store. I get what they were going for, but it's unfortunate that everyone else just saw "cheap and clean" from the aesthetic.

[@hiimdaisy26]

Really enjoyed the video, looking forward to part 2!

[@sscarbyy4218]

Incredible video! Can’t wait for part 2!

[@noobnob8055]

Its been interesting to grow up in the 2000s and seeing this change as I grew up I do wish I got to experience theme parks of the 90s more But I am glad I grew up in a time where smoking inside was banned, and Clowns are disliked. So pros and cons I guess Love your videos

[@bigbangbot-SuperSqank]

As someone who wasn’t even alive in the 90s, I agree.

[@NinthShinigami]

Me neither 😂 but agreed 🤝

[@DeanGilberryCrunch]

Loved the video! I was thinking about what sets you apart from other creators and it hit me that your sound design is perfect. All your videos sound and more importantly feel like those documentaries I grew up watching on the discovery and history channels. It’s nice to see videos that highlight just how amazing themed entertainment used to be.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

I do definitely aim for a "documentary" feel for my bigger videos, I'm glad that it translates well.

[@21kaduku]

I def thought you were a 1M+ subscriber channel. You deserve more views. As a person who hates going to themeparks but loves learning about their history and stuff, you and Defunctland are two of my favorites.

[@saxonwax]

WE PEAKED IN 2005 - ITS OVER FOLKS

[@millabasset1710]

I feel like the 2000s doesn't get enough love, even if the early 2000s were these weird set of years that also mimicked the feel of the 90s.

[@NinthShinigami]

I agree, me being from that era (mostly, as I was born 2005)

[@francisnopantses1108]

No jobs, no wage growth. Maybe if you were a kid it didn't touch you.

[@millabasset1710]

@@francisnopantses1108not my fault for being a kid back then, much like how you preferred your childhood too. The 2000s were bad for the American international image and wages sucked; however it’s better than the economy we have now.

[@Nick-ue7iw]

The 2000s were a golden era for tech and games, and nerd culture in general. Got totally derailed by the Great Recession and security theater following 9/11.

[@Makoto03]

This was incredibly nostalgic, as a 90s kid. Thank you.

[@justinjayankura8676]

Great video, very nostalgic. brought me back to my childhood.

[@bunniesbunniesbunnie]

I hate it so much. "clean, sterile" areas should not be what we see in a theme park. If I want that, I'll go to Ashley Furniture Stores.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

Well, we live in an era where the CEO of Disney admires Apple Store aesthetics and the parks are sponsored by MLMs.

[@bjvincent8786]

Your title to this topic just sums it up perfectly but not only theme parks, television, cartoons, movies etc. were better in the 80s and 90s. Disney will always have a firm grip on pop culture and modern media, but it's hard to deny the '90s was a powerhouse of a decade for the production company. From enhanced animation to an iconic music catalog and live-action classics, the '90s elevated Disney to new, almost unmatchable heights. Sadly when it comes to Disney of today I do not feel like traveling a long distance to experience a lot of Disney rides that are essentially IP driven tv/movie reruns. I have seen Frozen, Ratatouille, Finding Nemo and watched the Princess and the Frog. I go to Disney to experience first-hand their Imagineering creativity, their story-telling. Not their IP attractions which are boring reruns.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

I both agree and disagree. I think as with anything, most of the disposable, forgettable media of the 90s has been lost while its highlights stand out, just as I think there are highlights today that will be remembered over the majority of media produced. Cinema was for sure different then, but even despite many of the issues I have with what studios are putting out today, there's still a lot that I've enjoyed. I do agree that 90s Disney was better though. I'd much rather be watching hand-drawn renaissance films over the same over-saturated franchises that reuse the same archetype of characters over and over again while cutting down on meaningful conflict in the story.

[@justinreid2947]

Honestly, with the movies that Disney are releasing these days, I'm not so sure that they can hold on to pop culture and modern media as strongly as they used to. Even a multi-billion dollar corporation like Disney can only put out the movie equivalent of shovelware video games so much before people get tired of it. And this is even more true when you consider how expensive it is to take a family out to the movies these days. The only good Disney movie this year was Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol 3. and as movies are concerned I think this era of Disney is worse than they were in the 80s before the Disney Renaissance started with the Little Mermaid. Disney not only needs to treat their creatives with respect instead of just sunk costs on a balance sheet, they also need to learn how to take risks. Because if they don't do that then there may not be a Little Mermaid to get them out of trouble this time.

[@leftfinned]

This was so well done! Thank you.

[@kevinfraser7815]

Haven’t even started and already know I’ll like this one- great work always

[@aaronsarchive82]

There seems to be no info on it on YT, but as someone who lived in the Orlando area, I can confirm there was a 2nd Ronald animatronic. This one was at the World's Largest location, and it sat in a corner across from Mac Tonight. This version of Ronald stood behind a counter where he would put on a short magic show. In later years, he was gone from the stage.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

Themed McDonald's locations are fascinating, but yeah, there's very little documentation of them out there.

[@Canadian_Guy_82]

My man... EVERYTHING was better in the 90s!! lol 😂

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

Pretty much lol

[@Crossword131]

This was fun. And I learned things. Thanks for your work.

[@NinthShinigami]

I’m fairly convinced *EVERYTHING* was better in the 90’s, entertainment-wise. Not just theme parks, but cinema, television, even animation like the Disney renaissance films and I’d even throw in anime, and public spaces like shopping malls and other entertainment venues. I can’t quite put my finger on it, or explain it correctly, but there was truly something special about that decade. There was passion, and ambition to deliver a truly outstanding and unique product…

[@aledandrian]

That’s just your nostalgia coloring your perspective

[@NinthShinigami]

@@aledandrian I was born 2005 💀 I didn’t even live in the 90’s 🤣

[@MapleStarBlitz]

​@@NinthShinigamii was born at the very end of the 90s, all ive ever seen was the world growing colder (colors , peoples personalitys) and more empty we have almost no third places anymore

[@NinthShinigami]

@@MapleStarBlitz I dunno if it’s just me, but I think, in the United States at least, we started growing colder after 9/11. Literally, there’s footage of tv just before the attacks, and everything looked cheery, colorful, bright, a sense of wonder and excitement, like even the commercials… it’s not to say it’s never been around since, but I’m certain ever since, it’s been largely missing…

[@aledandrian]

@@NinthShinigami okay then you don’t actually know what it was like lmao

[@PrimeStone]

I especially loved 90s Nickelodeon. My favorites were ren and stimpy and rocks modern life

[@NinthShinigami]

My era was 00’s - 10’s but 90’s Nickelodeon was so so good. It’s just 00’s had Avatar, so immediately it wins out for me 😂

[@PrimeStone]

@@NinthShinigami yeah I remember fairly odd parents too.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

I grew up too late for those, but Nick is a 90s staple for sure. I was in the era where it moved into Spongebob, Fairy Odd Parents, etc.

[@abrahamcota4348]

Great video! Can't wait for part 2

[@xSuperCartmanx]

This is such a great documentary, amazingly well done and as someone born on 90 was a ride

[@zacg_]

Themed EVERYTHING was better in the 90s. Chuck E Cheese obviously comes to mind but even more so I think of Las Vegas. And the theme park industry has becoms so coaster focused that they don't seem to care about immersion. I love coasters but I prefer themed experiences and dark rides.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

I think that Chuck E. Cheese might be a segment in the next part. I'm not sure yet because its history goes back to the 70s, but I do think it was most popular in the 90s and early 2000s.