Nancy McKeon did not reprise her role as Jo partly because the first day of filming for this project fell on the first day of filming a new season of her series The Division (2001).
The plaque on the gate establishes Eastland Academy's founding date as 1893.
Mrs. Garrett's Thanksgiving toast includes a wish for peace on Earth. The September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on New York City happened after the film's production had completed but before it ever aired on TV.
No mention is ever made of the fates of Geri Tyler (who is only mentioned in the past tense in reference to the first time she visited Blair at Eastland), Andy Moffett, Beverly Ann Stickle, Pippa McKenna, any of the former Eastland headmasters (although Mr. Parker is mentioned by name), any of the girls' parents or ex-boyfriends, or any of the girls Blair, Tootie and Natalie roomed with in the show's first season (although Sue Ann was mentioned in past tense). However, it is implied that George Burnett went off to seek fame in fortune in Hollywood, as ER (1994) and several major film roles had already made that happen for George Clooney in real life by that point.
Scott Bryce's role as Jo's husband Rick was recast because he could not get out of playing Craig Montgomery on As the World Turns (1956).