Gummi Bears Artwork by Disney Legend Ken Anderson

In 1985, Disney entered the world of TV series animation with two new shows---The Wuzzles and The Gummi Bears. The Wuzzles debuted on CBS, and were based on a hybrid animal line of toys. The Gummi Bears premiered on NBC and were based on...candy! The shows also competed against each other. The Gummi Bears won, and lasted quite a while. In 1990, they were part of the launch of the syndicated Disney Afternoon.

Disney's Gummi Bears were bouncing characters that lived among dragons, trolls, ogres, castles, gargoyles, knights, mermaids, magic and myths. They traveled around in cars through roller coaster-like tunnels which seemed ideal for a ride in Fantasyland at a Disney park to me. Alas, the only theme park attraction they got involved plywood character cut-outs along Disneyland's old Motorboat Cruise as part of the temporary "Afternoon Avenue" event at Disneyland in California promoting the syndicated shows.

Legendary Disney Artist Ken Anderson (his credits include Snow White, Fantasia, The Jungle Book and 101 Dalmatians) did this artwork for The Gummi Bears, which was featured in the August/September 1991 issue of a magazine called Storyboard: The Art of Laughter.

Be sure to check out the 25th Anniversary Reunion for the show on Gummi Bears' co-creator Jymn Magon's website!