Who is planning on being in Disneyland 7/17/2015?

[PinkBudgie]

We will arrive the next day on the 18th. Which is also a blockout day but since we are first activating our APs that day, maybe we'll get in. We'll see. If the 17th is going to be nuts, I don't mind waiting a day. Especially since I didn't hear of anything special they are doing anyway.

 

[elaine amj]

I switched and got a 4:20 ressie, I like the idea of having the parade going down Main Street while we're there

LOL - It does sound cool, doesn't it? I made mine for 3:50pm so I have time to wait for an outside table. I think I am going to go ahead and stick to 4pm. i'm a bit worried we won't be hungry enough...but if we're not, fried pickles and desserts will be the way to go.

 

[basketballmom]

Those of you who have been on the 17th... what time is the Dedication Speech? I've also seen videos of past years with a character flash mob type thing.

 

[LoriLovesDisneyland]

Those of you who have been on the 17th... what time is the Dedication Speech? I've also seen videos of past years with a character flash mob type thing.

It is usually at opening time those speeches are made, but maybe someone else has a more specific time? I am interested as well.

 

[mikana876]

We will be there. It's my 30th birthday. We have ressies at Blue Bayou for lunch.

 

[DLmama]

We'll be there the 15th - 19th! My birthday is the 16th, so we figured it was a fun time to go. We have lunch reservations at Carnation Cafe and dinner reservations at Big Thunder.

 

[AddictedtoDoleWhip]

Does anyone know what happens at the Dedication Speech? [I'm assuming obviously a speech, but does anything else happen? and where does it take place?]

 

[WebmasterKathy]

Val & I are going to be there as part of an ABD Back Stage Magic tour then.

Me, too!!

 

[CateinPhoenix]

We will be there, moved our trip to July 11-18!

 

[Fantaluminishes]

Those of you who have been on the 17th... what time is the Dedication Speech? I've also seen videos of past years with a character flash mob type thing.

In 1995 the celebration was at around noon. In 2005 I believe it was at 10am. Also in 2005, there was a broadcast of Walt's opening speech at 4:45pm, the exact time he gave the speech. The speech was shown on giant screens throughout the park.

Does anyone know what happens at the Dedication Speech? [I'm assuming obviously a speech, but does anything else happen? and where does it take place?]

The event takes place on a stage in front of SB Castle. The 50th featured several Disney Execs, including (I believe) Eisner and Iger. Diane Disney Miller spoke, as well as Gov. Schwarzenegger. Art Linkletter was the emcee. The 40th event was similar, except they unveiled the "Time Castle" that would be buried in front of the castle. Singer Randy Travis also sang "Happy Birthday" from atop the Matterhorn. Of course the characters were on hand, and there were some daytime fireworks.

This year I'm sure the castle celebration will be similar.

 

[AddictedtoDoleWhip]

In 1995 the celebration was at around noon. In 2005 I believe it was at 10am. Also in 2005, there was a broadcast of Walt's opening speech at 4:45pm, the exact time he gave the speech. The speech was shown on giant screens throughout the park.


The event takes place on a stage in front of SB Castle. The 50th featured several Disney Execs, including (I believe) Eisner and Iger. Diane Disney Miller spoke, as well as Gov. Schwarzenegger. Art Linkletter was the emcee. The 40th event was similar, except they unveiled the "Time Castle" that would be buried in front of the castle. Singer Randy Travis also sang "Happy Birthday" from atop the Matterhorn. Of course the characters were on hand, and there were some daytime fireworks.

This year I'm sure the castle celebration will be similar.

That sounds fun, I am going to make sure that I am there to see that then.

 

[LoriLovesDisneyland]

We will be there, moved our trip to July 11-18!

Almost the exact dates I will be there with my family. We are there July 12-18.

 

[LoriLovesDisneyland]

Anyone else staying at GC?

 

[frazzywig]

Can someone that had attended the 50th on 7/17 please help me out a bit with my planing. This is the first time that we are going to be attending a 7/17th (for the 60th) and I've been trying for a couple of days to find as much details as I can in order to plan properly. My goal is to get the best view possible of the opening ceremony (or whatever it's called), the 4:45 playing of Walt's dedication speech, and/or the likely singing afterwards (as I understand Leann Rimes sang afterwards for the 50th). Of course I know that Walt's dedication speech can be watched from any of the screens that will most likely be around the park, but I can't seem to figure out where Leann Rimes sang from. I know there's no guarantee that if someone else sings, it will be in the same location, just trying to gather as much info as I can.

Lastly, and this is a big one, in an effort to try and determine the line battle plan (i.e. how much ahead of time we are going to want to start waiting), I stumbled across this long video on youtube,

. I feel like I was able to get some good info from it... for example, if you want to be the FIRST people in line, start to wait at 3pm the day before, and if you want to still get a pretty good spot towards the front, start waiting at 8pm the night before. The thing that really confused me was that these guys that made the video seemed to get to the line at about 12am and as a result they seemed to have a pretty good place in line (relatively speaking) but when they opened the park it appeared that they were ushered well past the castle and ended up having to watch the ceremony from a screen pretty far away. I would think that the first group of people in line would have gotten an opportunity to stand and wait for the the ceremony in the best places that they could find (as close to in front of the castle as possible) instead of being led so far that they had to watch it on a screen. I was thinking that they possibly chose to take this route to get some merchandise instead of choosing to stop and steak out a good spot for the ceremony possibly? Could anyone that was there please fill me in. I would happily take my son and wait overnight from 8pm the night before to guarantee a good spot in front of the castle, but I would hate to have done that only to be forced to walk far away and end up having to watch from a screen. Thanks

 

[calilou]

We have a trip planned with reservations and everything but I'm still not certain we'll go. We'll need to recruit a family member/friend to go with us most likely because it's too hard fitting in potty breaks, etc while navigating long lines and waits when it's just my daughters (9 and 7.5) and me. I won't leave them unattended.

Looking forward to what the experts have to say regarding PP's questions above. I don't know that we'll realistically be able to line up sooner than 6am but I'd still love to get in to see the opening ceremonies at the castle. Is that totally unrealistic?

Does anyone know when the Mickey structure will open that morning and when trams start running? Suggestions on where I can find that info out? If we do go we will be switching from GNH Hotel Indigo (where we get to stay free thanks to hubby's travel points) to PPH on Friday. We can either park in the structure if it's open early enough or maybe we go straight to PPH and valet and leave our bags with bell service. Will they take us that early? 5/6am? Anyone have experience with arriving this early?

 

[Nonsuch]

...The thing that really confused me was that these guys that made the video seemed to get to the line at about 12am and as a result they seemed to have a pretty good place in line (relatively speaking) but when they opened the park it appeared that they were ushered well past the castle and ended up having to watch the ceremony from a screen pretty far away....

They went past the castle to buy merchandise at the Big Thunder Ranch picnic area. I also waited to buy merchandise (something which will not be repeated), but had friends waiting near the castle (so we were able to watch the ceremonies).

 

[CateinPhoenix]

Anyone else staying at GC?

We'll be staying right next door at PPH!

 

[frazzywig]

Thanks a lot for clarifying that Nonsuch. Were you guys able to get a good spot in front of the castle? Also, just curious as to what time you guys started waiting in line.

Do you know if the merchandise tends to be something that is in fairly limited supply so that it would essentially result in a choice between steaking out a good spot for the ceremony vs being able to get that merchandise at all... or do you anticipate that it would still be available for purchase after the ceremony?

 

[lizabu]

We'll be staying right next door at PPH!

Us too

 

[Nonsuch]

Thanks a lot for clarifying that Nonsuch. Were you guys able to get a good spot in front of the castle? Also, just curious as to what time you guys started waiting in line.

I joined the line at 4AM, but most likely was in front of the people who shot the video. Staying at GCH, there was no one entering the Esplanade from the DTD side. I just joined the masses which were already streaming into DCA (the statute of limitations has expired on this infraction). A friend joined me in line and went directly to the castle, getting a decent spot on the Tomorrowland side of the hub.

This year, I'll just sleep in and enter at official park opening...

Do you know if the merchandise tends to be something that is in fairly limited supply so that it would essentially result in a choice between steaking out a good spot for the ceremony vs being able to get that merchandise at all... or do you anticipate that it would still be available for purchase after the ceremony?

Disney has already had a 60th Anniversary merchandise event (was there one for the 50th?), so it's unknown if there will be items specifically for July 17. The items sold on the 50th were likely sold out that morning, so for most guests it was either merchandise or ceremony.