Disney Time facts for kids

Disney Time was a super popular TV show in the United Kingdom. It ran for a long time, from 1961 all the way to 1998! You could watch it on the BBC and sometimes on ITV.

This show was a special treat, often shown during school holidays like Christmas or Easter. It featured exciting clips from Disney movies. Famous people called "hosts" would introduce these clips. Over the years, many well-known stars hosted the show, including Paul McCartney and Linda McCartney, Noel Edmonds, Sarah Greene, and even Doctor Who actor Tom Baker.

What was Disney Time?

Disney Time was a bit like a mini-movie marathon. Instead of watching one whole film, you got to see the best bits from lots of different Disney movies. Imagine seeing a funny scene from Dumbo, followed by an exciting moment from Peter Pan, and then a magical song from Mary Poppins!

The show was especially popular because it brought the magic of Disney right into your living room. It was a perfect way to enjoy your holidays with some classic animated and live-action adventures.

The Early Years (1960s)

In the 1960s, Disney Time quickly became a holiday tradition. Many of the early shows were broadcast on Christmas Day.

Famous Hosts and Films

• 1961: The very first show was hosted by David Jacobs. It featured clips from beloved films like Pinocchio and Bambi.
• 1962: Hayley Mills, a popular Disney star, hosted a special called "Hayley in Disneyland." She even met Walt Disney himself! Clips included Snow White and Fantasia.
• 1963: Actor David Tomlinson introduced scenes from Alice in Wonderland and 101 Dalmatians.
• 1964: The amazing Julie Andrews, who starred in Mary Poppins, hosted the Christmas show.
• 1965: Susan Hampshire and Maurice Chevalier were among the hosts, showing clips from Lady and the Tramp and Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree.
• 1966: Rolf Harris hosted the Christmas show, featuring Jungle Book clips.
• 1967: Dick Van Dyke, another star from Mary Poppins, hosted the Christmas special.
• 1968: Peter Ustinov and Val Doonican were hosts, with films like Blackbeard's Ghost and Cinderella.
• 1969: Cilla Black hosted from Blackpool, showing clips from The Love Bug.

The 1970s: A Decade of Fun

Disney Time continued to be a big hit in the 1970s, with many famous faces joining the fun.

More Stars and Classic Movies

• 1970: Jimmy Tarbuck and Cliff Richard introduced films like The Aristocats.
• 1971: The presenters from Blue Peter – Valerie Singleton, Peter Purves, and John Noakes – hosted the Christmas show.
• 1972: Bruce Forsyth and Rolf Harris were among the hosts.
• 1973: Paul McCartney and Linda McCartney hosted the Christmas show, sharing clips from Robin Hood and Herbie Rides Again.
• 1974: Rod Hull and his puppet Emu brought laughter to the August Bank Holiday show.
• 1975: Tom Baker, famous as the Fourth Doctor, hosted a special show. He even appeared in his Doctor costume!
• 1976: The comedy group The Goodies hosted the Christmas show from Selfridges department store in London.
• 1977: Noel Edmonds hosted a show for the Queen's Silver Jubilee. David Jacobs returned to host the Christmas special, celebrating 50 episodes of Disney Time!
• 1978: Cliff Richard and Paul Daniels were among the hosts, showing films like Pete's Dragon.
• 1979: Isla St Clair hosted the show from Scotland for the first time. Rod Hull and Emu returned for the Christmas show, featuring a preview of the new film The Black Hole.

The 1980s: New Faces and Favorites

The 1980s saw a new generation of presenters and continued to showcase popular Disney films.

Highlights from the Eighties

• 1981: Kenny Everett hosted a show with clips from Popeye and Condorman. There was even a special Disney Time for the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer, hosted by Penelope Keith.
• 1983: Cilla Black hosted the Easter show, featuring Tron.
• 1984: Noel Edmonds returned to host the Easter show.
• 1987: Phillip Schofield started hosting Disney Time this year.
• 1988: Anneka Rice and David Essex were among the hosts.
• 1989: For the first time since 1960, there was no Disney Time show on BBC1 during the Christmas holidays.

The Final Years (1990s)

In its last decade, Disney Time continued to be a holiday staple, often with Phillip Schofield as the main host.

The Nineties Era

• 1990: Phillip Schofield hosted the Boxing Day show from Walt Disney World in Florida. This was the 100th episode! It featured clips from Honey, I Shrunk the Kids and The Little Mermaid.
• 1991: Phillip Schofield hosted all the holiday shows, from places like Warwick Castle and Walt Disney World.
• 1992: Phillip Schofield hosted from the Tower of London and Disneyland Paris. Later in the year, Sarah Greene took over, presenting from Emmen Zoo in the Netherlands and showcasing a preview of Beauty and the Beast.
• 1993: Sarah Greene continued to host, including a special edition from EuroDisneyland in Paris with clips from Aladdin.
• 1994: Sarah Greene hosted a wildlife edition featuring The Lion King.
• 1995: Michaela Strachan became a regular host, presenting from Disneyland in California and Norway. She even showed a preview of Toy Story!
• 1996: Michaela Strachan continued to host, including a "Summer Disney Time" with clips from The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
• 1997: Tim Vincent and Jenny Powell hosted, showing clips from Hercules and George of the Jungle.
• 1998: The very last Disney Time was a special World Cup edition hosted by footballer Rio Ferdinand. The final show was hosted by Michaela Strachan and David Bellamy from Kew Gardens, featuring films like Mulan.

After 1998, the show stopped being broadcast. The Disney Channel UK had started broadcasting on BSkyB in 1995, but it never had a similar show.

Other Mentions

The name "Disney Time" has also been used for songs by artists like Jarvis Cocker and the band Millencolin.