50th anniversary disappointment

[disneyfreak75]

Okay, i am brand new here so this may have been a past post but is anyone else bummed that the 50th anniversary celebration ends September 30th? I was really upset because all articles say 18 months from May 5/06. That would make the celebration over in november! I was supposed to go to Disney in April but fell ill so had to cancel and the earliest date I could book was October.

i emailed the DL website and they said that it is ending early because of the Halloween celebration but the 50th and Halloween will overlap at WDW.

[blackjackdelta]

Sorry to hear about your illness. I has been posted on a few boards that it would be ending late Sept, early October. A number of people have stated that it should go to the end of the year but that would take away from the Halloween and Christmas setups. It has to end sometime. We changed our plans 2 times now to just to make sure ceratin attraction were open and the 50th still going on.

Good luck,

Jack pirate:

[julia & nicks mom]

I booked an October trip assuming that it would be going on b/c when it first started - they said it was an 18 month celebration! I am bummed but I don't think everything will just be gone in one day!

But now I am looking at the bright side - that they Year of a Million Dreams will be going on and I want to go during that time!!!

[Alex2kMommy]

Even if you don't see it by the official end of the 50th celebration, I was told that the 50th decorations would be taken down but parade and other things will continue through the end of the year.

[LoriLuvsDisney]

I, myself, can't wait for the 50th year to be over. We went to Disneyland in November - it was great. Went to WDW in April, same things were there even the fireworks show and the parade! I'll be back in August, but at least I'll get to see the new Pirates! I'd like my years to be 18 months long, I figure I'd be 29 with that math!

[doombuggy]

I, myself, can't wait for the 50th year to be over. We went to Disneyland in November - it was great. Went to WDW in April, same things were there even the fireworks show and the parade!

Huh??? The Wishes fireworks show here at the WDW MK are different from the DL MK's fireworks! And the parade is different too!

Disneyland: Happiest Homecoming on Earth
Walt Disney World: Happiest Celebration on Earth

[HydroGuy]

The biggest thing I would expect to change after the 50th is over is the fireworks show, and it is my understanding they will continue that until Feb 2007. So the reality is you will not miss much in October except all of the Mickey "50" signs which, in truth, is just not that big a deal IMO. I think you will be fine. If it were me I would pay more attention to ride closures of which there will be several - see http://www.riderefurbs.com/. Not listed is Small World, which usually goes down sometime in October for the Holiday overlay.

[azgal81]

Too bad you didn't join us over here earlier. It has been posted numerous times for a while now it would be over by October 1st!

All you will probably miss are the decorations I believe the fireworks show will go on for awhile.

Personally I am ready for a change!

[JenDisneylandlver]

I agree that you really won't miss much, were leaving in a few weeks, and this will be our second trip during the 50th. But honestly had it been gone this time I wouldn't have felt upset. I'm more worried about my favorite attractions being open when we go honestly! Like the Pirates for example, we planned around it making sure it will be open! I've also heard that the fireworks will still be around, so really all you will miss is the decorations. And like someone else said, while it's nice to see, that's not really a huge deal.

I also fell ill early in the year, and was not sure if we could go at all this year. So I'm just really grateful that my health is holding up for this years trip! As long as I make it, I'm happy!

[disneyfreak75]

I had submitted some pictures for the collages and want to know if one of my pictures was chosen. I know that they were supposed to email everyone that got chosen but they did mention that not all emails were sent. i understand that these collages are some of the things that is to be taken down.... is this true?

I heard that the celebration wasn't spectacular if you aren't a big parade fan. I just want to see the collages really but also wanted to be a part of the 50th... oh well, i hear that Halloween is pretty cool there too.

Jendisneylandiver: glad to hear that you are well and able to go!

Oh darn, just went on the ride closure website and it says that the monorail and california screamin' will be shut down while we're there...what is CS like? Is it one of the super cool rides??? Monorail isn't a big deal but still something you gotta do.

[HydroGuy]

Oh darn, just went on the ride closure website and it says that the monorail and california screamin' will be shut down while we're there...what is CS like? Is it one of the super cool rides??? Monorail isn't a big deal but still something you gotta do.
Screamin is going down for maintenance. It is one of the top rides at DCA, and a really fun roller coaster.

[MrShiny]

Huh??? The Wishes fireworks show here at the WDW MK are different from the DL MK's fireworks! And the parade is different too!

Disneyland: Happiest Homecoming on Earth
Walt Disney World: Happiest Celebration on Earth

The WDW fireworks share a small piece of the music from DL, but are nowhere near as nice. The E-Tickets in the Sky segment is amazing - only sad I won't see it again. The parades are completely different (WDW's is the same as the 100 Years celebration), but both are just OK.

I think all that the end of the 50th will mean is different fireworks (biggest loss), no more 50's or gold vehicles, and maybe the end of the Steve Martin movie (also a loss, but bet it'll be on DVD someday).

Just wonder if the new bride will be removed for HMH - she just got there!

[disneyfreak75]

Screamin is going down for maintenance. It is one of the top rides at DCA, and a really fun roller coaster.

I figured as such. We were just in WDW 2 years ago for our honeymoon and i think that was one of our favorite rides....

[disneyfreak75]

Okay, DH told me I am thinking of the wrong ride. it is the big one you can see from the pictures right??

[YoHo]

California Screamin is in DCA and looks like anormal wooden rollercoaster. It's also constantly broken. There are rumors it will never open again. Or at least that Imagineering would like to shut it down permanently.

As for the 50th. as of July 17th, the place will in fact be 51 yers old, so it's still a little late. Far be it from me to judge a Disneyland celebration of a WDW marketing event. They started it when the place was still 49 anyway.


As far as the replacement marketing event. I wish they'd just stop with the bull. If they took the money they spent on these dumb marketing concepts and spent it on the parks or maybe the salaries, they'd get a lot more guests and a lot happier guests.

[HydroGuy]

Okay, DH told me I am thinking of the wrong ride. it is the big one you can see from the pictures right??FWIW, I am starting to think that www.riderefurbs.com has it wrong. They have had Screamin listed as going down for quite awhile now, but nobody else seems to have it listed. For example another reliable source is MousePlanet and their weekly update: see http://www.mouseplanet.com/articles.php?art=dl060626xx#Rehabs
and they are not listing Screamin as going down.

In answer to your question, I am not sure what you mean. California Screamin is at the back of the DCA park and has a large loop with a Mickey face in it.

[HydroGuy]

As far as the replacement marketing event. I wish they'd just stop with the bull. If they took the money they spent on these dumb marketing concepts and spent it on the parks or maybe the salaries, they'd get a lot more guests and a lot happier guests.Hmmm. The DLR parks have been setting attendance records left and right over the last year. Rather saying they or doing something wrong it appears to me that they are doing a lot right... :confused3

[Barbday62]

The person who asked about the collages: I dont know your answer but unless you know where it is you may have an easier time finding a needle in a hay stack. The collages are everywhere. some are even high up and the pictures are mostly the size of your thumb nails. We saw collages all over in both parks, at the Disneyland and Grand California Hotels. They litterly are amazing and everywhere.!! If you know what picture you end up in then finding it is much easier. They are very clear pictures when you look close up (Unless you happen to be in one really high like the Buzz Light year one then you can not see each indiviadual pictures. Because its too high.)

I hope you can get your answer and a picture of the collage you ended up in, We take pictures of them all over and it comes out great in digital.

[YoHo]

Hmmm. The DLR parks have been setting attendance records left and right over the last year. Rather saying they or doing something wrong it appears to me that they are doing a lot right... :confused3


That's because This was more then a marketing event.

WDW not been setting attendence records with the same celebration.

[HydroGuy]

That's because This was more then a marketing event.

WDW not been setting attendence records with the same celebration.The 50th celebration at WDW is about 10% as visible as it is at DLR so this is not a good comparison and it is definitely not the same celebation. I was at WDW last week.

Further, MK had strong growth in 2005. Attendance was up over 6% at MK. DL attendance was up over 8%. And the marketing campaign did not kick in until May 2005.

[disneyfreak75]

Oh darn, this one says that the bobsleds are closed while we're there while the other website didn't...or at least I don't remember it saying this. given the fact that the California Screamin is broken down a lot (per prev. poster) I'd rather do the bobsled. oh well, guess I'll just have to see when I get there.

[YoHo]

Historically speaking, 6% is not strong growth. Burbank cares a lot more about Florida's numbers and they were really hoping they would get an attendence boost there.

I'm not gonna say any more though. This is a rumors a news kinda topic I don't want to risk anything with the mods.

[snowy76]

The 50th celebration at WDW is about 10% as visible as it is at DLR so this is not a good comparison and it is definitely not the same celebation. I was at WDW last week.
Agree that the celebration in WDW is being touted differently -- but I'm surprised to hear that it wasn't very visible. We were there a year ago and reminders of "Happiest Celebration on Earth" was EVERYWHERE. Maybe it was because the new/borrowed attractions for the celebration had just opened then? I'd imagine they're not going to focus so heavily on it now and will want to start to promote the new theme more heavily as the 50th winds down.

BTW, we've been to WDW each of the last 3 years and attendance has been way up each time, from our observations. There's been a steady climb since people have gotten over post 9-11 fears about travel -- and since WDW has been offering promotions like free dining. Disney has pumped a LOT of money into marketing the Florida parks, we see it constantly here on the east coast.

[HydroGuy]

Agree that the celebration in WDW is being touted differently -- but I'm surprised to hear that it wasn't very visible. We were there a year ago and reminders of "Happiest Celebration on Earth" was EVERYWHERE. Maybe it was because the new/borrowed attractions for the celebration had just opened then? I'd imagine they're not going to focus so heavily on it now and will want to start to promote the new theme more heavily as the 50th winds down.

BTW, we've been to WDW each of the last 3 years and attendance has been way up each time, from our observations. There's been a steady climb since people have gotten over post 9-11 fears about travel -- and since WDW has been offering promotions like free dining. Disney has pumped a LOT of money into marketing the Florida parks, we see it constantly here on the east coast.Have you been to DL since the celebration started? There are "Mickey 50" signs everywhere - the park was cleaned up and is immaculate - the Remember Dreams Come True fireworks show was specially designed for the 50th and is incredible - and all over Southern California I saw advertisements for the DL 50th (I made 4 trips to SoCal there over the last year). I do not remember seeing much of this in Florida.

After having experienced the 50th celebration at DLR, the celebration at WDW just seemed like an afterthought.

[snowy76]

Have you been to DL since the celebration started? There are "Mickey 50" signs everywhere - the park was cleaned up and is immaculate - the Remember Dreams Come True fireworks show was specially designed for the 50th and is incredible - and all over Southern California I saw advertisements for the DL 50th (I made 4 trips to SoCal there over the last year). I do not remember seeing much of this in Florida.

After having experienced the 50th celebration at DLR, the celebration at WDW just seemed like an afterthought.Honestly, I haven't been to DL so can't compare the two. I was just basing my comment on my observations in FL -- for example, they brought in at least a half dozen "new" attractions all at once down there, which just doesn't happen there. And, as a NY'er who doesn't often see WDW advertised up here... there has been an ad blitz throughout the celebration up here, much more visible than previously.

To me it makes sense though that the WDW version of things would be less visible -- after all, it is DL's 50th, not WDW's. That being said, the whole thing has made us more interested in going out to DL where we weren't as intertested before the celebration.

[HydroGuy]

To me it makes sense though that the WDW version of things would be less visible -- after all, it is DL's 50th, not WDW's. That being said, the whole thing has made us more interested in going out to DL where we weren't as intertested before the celebration.Oh, I agree 100%. The level of "50th" celebration at WDW was along the lines of what I would have expected - actually maybe a little more.

This was our first trip to WDW (10 days in mid-June, just got back last week). We do DLR regularly. I think it is natural for a veteran of one park to make comparisons during their first visit to the other. The big question is whether they do this with "an agenda" or are just making casual observations.

I thought WDW was a great place. And while there I was aware that many (or at least some) WDW vets think of WDW as superior to DLR without having given DLR a try. So when I was walking around WDW and had some time to reflect I tried to come up with a way to explain DLR to WDW vets. And what I came up with was this: Yes, DLR is smaller. But do not let that make you think that DLR only has 50% of the magic. Rather DLR has 100% of the magic as WDW. It so happens that the DLR magic can be experienced in fewer days.

There are a lot of similarities between WDW and DLR, but also some key differences. I would advise WDW vets to try not to make DLR into "WDW lite". Understand the differences and work with them, even enjoy them.

I am working on a long topic I will post here in the next week on "DLR for WDW vets" where I will try to make some of these distinctions. Keep an eye out if you are interested.

[Alex2kMommy]

I am working on a long topic I will post here in the next week on "DLR for WDW vets" where I will try to make some of these distinctions. Keep an eye out if you are interested.
Looking forward to that. :)