How long is the 50th anniversary celebration?

[LoveMyLAP-BAND]

Hi! I have a convention to go to in Southern California in May 2006. Wondering if the 50th anniversary celebration will still be going on. Thanks!

 

[iceskatejen]

Sure is. It started May 5, 2005 and will last for 18 months.

 

[Magix]

Official end date is September 30, 2006.

 

[LucyKate]

Until the 60th, the way it's going....

 

[Another^Dimension]

Hi! I have a convention to go to in Southern California in May 2006. Wondering if the 50th anniversary celebration will still be going on. Thanks!

The 50th Celebration will last until November 2006, with May 2006 being the start of the '2nd Big Summer Push' of the 51st (errr, 50th!)

The Disneyland Resort is fueling that '2nd summer 50th Push' with a some exciting upcoming changes/additions to the parks I think.

- Rock-it Mountain (Night-time Space Mountain with new FX and more rockin' music) will debut in May 2006, first for Grad Night Guests and then soon after for the General Public.

- The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at DCA will debut a new drop profile and possibly a slightly altered 'show' (audio & FX) to the drop profile that opened on May 5th 2004. (relatively)

- Pirates of the Caribbean will be back from an extensive 10 week refurbishment, with a brand new state of the art audio system, updated/remastered audio mix and rumored attraction storyline changes, Audio Animatronic additions and some PotC: Black Pearl (and sequels) movie influences, references, plotlines.

My guess is, Disneyland has even more up it's '2nd Summer of Disneyland's 50th!' sleeve.. and as time goes by, more will leak out I'm sure and but I'm sure there will still be much more to be surprised by, that Disneyland will do to adequately spark the 2nd biggest summer in Disneyland's Golden history.

 

[LoveMyLAP-BAND]

Thanks everyone! How can I miss the 50th anniversary! Looks like I am going to stay a few extra days and enjoy the festivities.

 

[lark]

Thanks everyone! How can I miss the 50th anniversary! Looks like I am going to stay a few extra days and enjoy the festivities.

I'm a little concerned this is going to make some people mad, but what on earth is the big deal with the 50 anniversary? Other than some very modest changes, is it
anything other than marketing? Don't get me wrong -- it's great marketing. People apparently are attending the parks in droves. But I went last summer and again this summer, and I just couldn't tell any difference.

Anyway, people here seem really excited about the 50th and I'm just wondering what I'm missing. Don't mean this to be inflamatory -- I'm really just asking is all.

 

[Dale-n-Chip]

I'm a little concerned this is going to make some people mad, but what on earth is the big deal with the 50 anniversary?

If I look at it from one perspective, you are totally right. They are always trying to outdo themselves when they design new fireworks, new parades, new souveniers. Slap a gold 50 on there and people will come! Marketing genius! But you've got to hand it to them--they (mostly!) get it right. In this instance, there's a little "gilding the lily" action going on, but there are a LOT of people (me included!) that eat that stuff up--knowlingly, willingly and even ravenously.

For me, personally, the 50th has a lot to do with celebrating a milestone in history. I'm no historian and I can count my visits to DL on one hand, but Walt changed the world opening DL in 1955. The introduction of "theme" to the known concept of "amusement" parks was pretty significant. Changed not only the park experience, but the concept of an American vacation, too. My folks (70+) tell me repeatedly that the concept of "vacation" I grew up with is significantly different than the one they grew up with. (Of course, I like mine better! )

I had an epiphany about two months ago that we could take time I had already allocated for a Disney vacation (WDW), move the vacation across the country to DL, take the grandparents, AND see DL's 50th celebration. It was a major head-smack situation. It was a chorus of angels. For me (and DH, DS and DParents just play along in amusement) it was all about sharing the celebration of 50 years of the icon of DL with the two generations most precious to me.

I'm sentimental and Disney is smiling all the way to the bank. I'm OK with that.

My two cents. . .

D-n-C

 

[LoveMyLAP-BAND]

I agree with Dale-N-Chip......but I'll be able to say "I am going to celebrate Disneyland's 50th anniversary" Not making a special trip- just happen to be in the area. It is a big marketing thing and I too am eating it up.

 

[DizneyDogs]

when is POC going to be refurbished?

 

[FWDisFan]

Thank you SO much for this info. I came here specifically for this after searching in vain on the disney website!

 

[minivan3]

So, which one is it? Ending in Sept.'06, or in Nov. '06?

 

[Jaina]

I went in March, but totally enjoyed going again (for one day) last week, because it was the 50th. One of my personal favorites (since I didn't get to see the fireworks... ) were the golden versions of "cars" on all the Fantasyland rides. I got to ride on the golden carousel horse and was in heaven - I took like 10 pictures during that short ride! (Yes, I'm 23...) It's just fun to be there, especially if you're a Disneyland fanatic and make the 8-hours-in-a-car-usually-with-the-whole-family pilgrimage every 2 years of your life. I am so excitd the celebration is going that long, because I have a chance to get back to see the fireworks, and to take DH! (recent trip was with old college roommies who hadn't been in 10 years - it was fun to play Ms. Tour-Guide-no,-I-DON'T-need-to-see-your-map,-this-is-a-short-cut! ) The whole park just looks so fresh and shiny, and during the week, the crowds are extremely workable. I think we got to do everything we wanted in that one day!

 

[sunkissed212]

bummer we're checking in 10/4/06....oh well, I guess I'll just have to wait 'til the 100th anniversary

 

[lark]

For me, personally, the 50th has a lot to do with celebrating a milestone in history. I'm no historian and I can count my visits to DL on one hand, but Walt changed the world opening DL in 1955. The introduction of "theme" to the known concept of "amusement" parks was pretty significant. Changed not only the park experience, but the concept of an American vacation, too. My folks (70+) tell me repeatedly that the concept of "vacation" I grew up with is significantly different than the one they grew up with. (Of course, I like mine better! )

I think that's totally legitimate and makes sense. In many ways disney is about nostalgia, so I guess I should be surprised that the 50th Anniversary is generating so much interest. I mean, it's all part of the thing that makes us all love the parks so much in the first place, so I guess I understand now.

I suppose I was mostly just reacting to the fact that the parks themselves aren't really that different at all, and the parade (while outstanding) wasn't a huge difference.