Step with me into the Wayback Machine to 1986 (and 1987), when Walt Disney World celebrated its 15th anniversary and rolled out the red carpet to fully embrace 80s weirdness. The park (and the greater Disney machine) celebrated the occasion in numerous ways, including the 90-minute “Walt Disney World’s 15th Anniversary Celebration,” which aired on ABC on November 9, 1986.

That special deserves a post of its own, because it encapsulates so much late-80s awesomeness. Hosted by Bea Arthur and Betty White, it features a tap dancing Emmanuel Lewis; musical performances galore – Dolly Parton, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Ray Charles, Air Supply, the Everly Brothers, The Monkees, and Charlie Daniels (dedicating a song to Leonard Bernstein) – platitudes about freedom and democracy from Charlton Heston, Ted Kennedy, and Warren Burger; and a generic speech about the Constitution from none other than Ronald Reagan. It also has birthday wishes from random celebrities like Justin & Justine Bateman and… OJ Simpson. (Oops.)

The beginning and end of the special also highlights many of the floats and parade performers at the center of the Magic Kingdom’s 15 Years of Magic parade, which kicked off the in-park celebrations in October 1986 and ran daily through September 1987.

I caught it during the summer of ’87.

My pictures below really don’t do the parade justice, so if you have a few minutes, I highly recommend checking out one of the grainy home videos uploaded to YouTube. The 80s acid trip is well worth your five or six minutes.

The 15 Years of Magic parade kicked off with Mickey and Minnie, natch. Except this was 1987 so Mickey pulled a Don Johnson and was stylin’ it in a white Miami Vice suit. I mean, just check this out…

Photo: Disney Parks

Really, the first thing you should know about this parade is that it was led by the “guest of the day.” Now, Disney Parks still honor a “guest of the day” in various ways even today. But this guest? Not only did this person/family get to lead off the parade, immediately behind the Mickey/Minnie float, but they also won a red Chevrolet Cavalier convertible!

That’s right. Disney gave away a car EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR FOR AN ENTIRE YEAR! They out Oprahed Oprah before she even made it a thing. If that’s not peak 80s excess, I don’t know what is.

The 15 Years of Magic parade, though, is thing of bizarre awesomeness. After the lucky Chevy convertible winner, Chip and Dale cruise by on a float as the lead singers in an 80s rock band. Their backup? Pluto, Tigger, the… Big Bad Wolf on a double-neck guitar? And Br’er Bear rocking a keytar? What?

They were also surrounded by eight dancers on roller skates. Man, I miss the 80s.

I’m not ashamed to admit that when I visit a Disney park, I still get a thrill out of the character meet-and-greets. And the randomer and rarer they are, the better. And if you’re like me – a fan of obscure walkaround characters – then this parade delivers. The entire Robin Hood gang, including Prince John, Friar Tuck, and the Sheriff of Nottingham! Winnie the Pooh balancing a honey pot on his head! The Queen of Hearts! Mary Poppins penguins!

Next up is Donald Duck stealing the spotlight on a float decorated with streamers and presents.

As if all of this wasn’t weird enough, the next float guarantees legendary status for the 15 Years of Magic parade. The Country Bears. Yes, those oft-neglected, much-maligned, but SUPER AWESOME members of the Country Bear Jamboree (a personal Top 3 attraction at the Magic Kingdom, to be sure).

Following behind a troupe of dancers wielding rolling pins and decked out in more 80s ruffles and puffery than should be allowed, Wendell, Shaker, and Liver Lips are baking a birthday cake.

That’s pretty much it. They just bounce around to the music and wave at the audience. But come on, putting the Country Bears front and center in your anniversary parade take cajones. And I’m 100% here for it.

The parade rounds out with an AMAZING ensemble of dancers that pretty much define 1987. Big hair. Shiny silver outfits. Headbands. Leg warmers. Pink leisure suits.

And Goofy dancing atop a crystal version of Cinderella Castle.

Ah 1987. What I wouldn’t give for a retro blast of random weirdness to roll down Main Street today.