I am excited about Disneyland's 50th birthday celebration. As it understand it, there will be either a 15 or 18 month long celebration for the event. Of course the actual birthday is on July 17, and that will draw a huge crowd.
I attended the July 17 celebration for the 40th anniversary back in 1995. There was free birthday cake for all guests, all day long as well as party favors and exclusive merchandise that sold out very early. Roy Disney and Michael Eisner were on hand for the presentation and burial of the "time Castle" in front of Sleeping Beauty's Castle. And Randy Travis sang happy birthday from atop Matterhorn Mountain.
The fireworks that night were incredible and they had these searchlights that shot beams of light across the park from all directions. It was quite memorable.
You can expect a great new parade and possibly a new fireworks show, or at least an update to "Believe". I'm not sure about any new attractions though. Looking forward to more info.
An updated version of Buzz Lightyear: Space Ranger Spin is supposed to open sometime in July 2005 and Space Mountain is supposed to reopen sometime between July and November 2005. So we are getting some new attractions for the 50th.
We all will find out as previously mentioned on May 5th.
Some rumors are a cool "painted" effect for the castle. Buzz Lighyear attraction in Tomorrowland. New "resort wide" Fireworks show. New Parades (or new to us) for both parks (rumors are/were that we are getting the snow globes from WDW-MK).
Originally posted by RweTHEREyet so if someone that has never visited will be doing their first trip, do you guys have any opinions as when we would be the best time to go?
There's no doubt the biggest celebration will be on July 17, but i'm not so sure the biggest crowds will be there. Lot's of fans old and new will be there, but there's a chance that it could also keep people away. I will be there just to take everything in and enjoy the celebration. I wouldn't want to waste that day standing in long lines.
Another poster said there was a rumor that the snowglobes from the WDW 100 Years of Magic parade will be coming to DL for the 50th. I certainly hope that this will not be the case. Disneyland is the original and it needs something original to celebrate this major milestone. Handing down a parade from WDW would be an insult to everyone.
I have a feeling it will be a new Parade, and it will be at DL (obviously) so I bet they keep the old one at DCA (or hope).
They took out 1000 leagues, which begs the question- What will they use that space for.
Some spaces stay empty for a long time. The Submarine Voyage was retired in the mid-90's, and there's still no telling what will go there. Big Thunder Ranch has been a dissapointment for years. The short-lived "Hunchback of Notre Dame" show was the only decent thing there.
The circle vision theatre/Rocket Rods que is wasted space and there's more space on Main St. in Fantasyland, in and around Space Mountain and more. There is definately room for new projects throughout Disneyland. Question is, when will they develop all of the space, or will they?