Is there going to be anything special planned for DL’s 50th Anniversary?

[Planecrazy4dis]

My DW and I went to DL for the first time in 2000, it so happened to be the 45th anniversary. We didn’t notice any special celebration, although we loved DL just because of the magical nostalgia. So if anyone knows of a special 50th anniversary celebration in 2005, please let us know, and we will make a special effort to be there.

 

[wdwguide]

The latest I've heard is that Disneyland's 50th will be celebrated pretty much anywhere except Disneyland itself... They'll probably have some limited edition pins and snowglobes though!

 

[exDS vet]

I think you can rest assured that there will be a huge celebration for Disneyland's 50th Anniversary. Don't know if it will be the typical year-long thing. Disneyland started the year-long birthday parties back in 1980 with their 25th anniversary celebration. I got to go to the park on several occasions. It was pretty cool. I still remember the silver and blue logo. Back then, they also kept the park open for 25 hours on the actual birthday (July 17).

The did the same thing for the 30th and (I believe) the 35th anniversaries. 1995 saw the "40 Years Of Adventure" year long theme, which also ushered in the Indiana Jones ride. I was in attendence on July 17, but there was no 40-hour party. All guests got free birthday hats, party favors and cake! That was also the year when they buried the Disneyland "time castle" in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle. Pre-weasel Ei$ner emcee'd the event with a fairly respected Roy Disney and many other VIP's in attendence. Country singer Randy Travis also sang happy birthday from on top of the Matterhorn.

You were right about 2000. Nothing big happened. They were too busy getting ready for DCA to open. That was the year that the "Believe...There's Magic In The Stars" fireworks premiered, and also the debut of the LAME "Parade of Stars." Which I can't believe is still running to this day.

It would be a very sad thing if Disney did not throw a huge bash for "the original". You can bet that it will be merchandised and promoted all over the place. We'll just have to wait and see.

Hope you didn't mind the history lesson. Sometimes I just tend to ramble on the things I am passionate about.

 

[DisneyFanGuy]

Unfortunately, as of this moment, the DL 50th anniversary celebration includes two new parades (one at each park), a new fireworks show, and some pretty decor. They are updating Space Mountain, and installing Buzz Lightyear too, but they may be open only very late in the celebration unless their construction time tables are accelerated.

What happened? DL has been going through some very difficult times with their management team. People have come and gone, and budgets have either been chopped severly, or spent on things recently that don't seem to be delighting the guests much. The 50th anniversary kind of got buried in all of that chaos.

There is a new team in place, and everyone is very hopeful that positive change is occuring. Buzz was added into the mix by this new leadership, and some older managers have returned either as consultants or in full time roles. Already people are talking about extra maintainence and more guest friendly operations. I cannot comment about that directly because I haven't been back their this year, but there are lots of stories that things are really getting better quickly.

There is still time to "plus out" the 50th anniversary too.