Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort opened to guests on May 28, 1994, twenty-five years ago.

Based on the grand lodges in national parks, the 729-room facility was part of Disney’s larger plan to keep guests in the heart of the magic for their entire vacation. The hotel followed close on the heels of the All-Star Sports resort, with another 1920 rooms.

Here’s a few fun facts, videos, and old newspaper clippings about the lodge, in 1994:

Named two years ahead: While the resort opened in May 1994, its name was public at least two years in advance. In May 1992, “Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort” appeared in general contracting classifieds, buried in the Orlando Sentinel newspaper.

Not so hot: There’s a hot spring in the lobby, but for safety sake, it’s not actually hot water. The steam is just “atomized” water. And while it looks the hot spring flows into a stream, to a waterfall, to a pool, and on to the lake, there’s actually three separate water systems.

The geyser had a name: That iconic hourly water spout, a tribute to the Old Faithful geyser at Yellowstone National Park? It’s official Fire Rock Geyser. It spouts every hour on the hour, from 7 am to 10 pm

Safe from the spout: When the wind was blowing, guests relaxing on their balconies at Wilderness Lodge would occasionally be soaked by the geyser. According to fan site wildernesslodgesite.com, Disney installed a computer to monitor wind speed, and reduce the gush when needed.

Spiritual purification: During Native American Heritage Month each November, Disney hires visiting interpreters to perform a ceremony in the lodge, “symbolically driving out negative energy and purifying the resort for the year ahead,” according to Disney Parks Blog.

Whispering Canyon was a buffet: Can we have a return to 1994 prices? Knight-Ridder Newspapers reported that July that the Whispering Canyon Cafe served all-you-can-eat breakfast ($7.75 adults, $3.50 kids) and dinner ($15.75 adults, $6.50 kids). In comparison, the “All-You-Care-To-Enjoy Breakfast Skillet” on the kids menu is now $13, and the adult dinner skillets are now $33 each.

Don’t wear khakis: One reporter, who visited the Wilderness Lodge alone, regretted her choice of clothing at Wilderness Lodge. “The staff… resemble overgrown Eagle Scouts. One morning I came down to the lobby wearing khaki Bermuda shorts with a black T-shirt and vest… I was stopped three times as I tried to get to the door.”

Dale Koppel, “Living large at Wilderness Lodge”, South Florida Sun Sentinel, 13 November 1994. Sun, Nov 13, 1994 – Page 114 · South Florida Sun Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) · Newspapers.com

Early open house: A few weeks before the first guests checked in, Disney held an open house at the Wilderness Lodge. The event featured Mickey, prizes, punch, cookies, and free parking.

“Open house” ad for Wilderness Lodge, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 May 1994. Fri, May 13, 1994 – Page 208 · The Orlando Sentinel (Orlando, Florida) · Newspapers.com

Artificial hill: Disney wanted a staircase to the resort entrance, similar to what you’d find in the Rocky Mountains. “But Florida has all the topography of a tortilla,” noted The Orlando Sentinel, which explained that the lobby is actually on the second floor, above a hidden ground floor for support services.

It’s now safer to ask for ketchup: Until 2018, Whispering Canyon cast members would holler for ketchup. Apparently it’s still okay to holler yourself.