July 17, 2005 - Is it worth even trying?

[eclipseSD]

Will the Disneyland even be open to the public on this historic day? I'm sure there will be dignitaries, executives, and others flooding the park on the day celebrating exactly 50 years since its opening. I'm sure everyone from Art Linkletter to the CEO to some U.S. leader will be there in one form or another.

The question is: Do I even dare book a room at the Disneyland hotel for the week of the 17th? I'm sure the week before, during, and after the actual anniversary will be so nuts with so many people that I will probably be way towards the back of any celebrations, shut out of the park at least once, and ride about 2 rides (if that many).

I mean, if the celebration starts May 2005, then the celebration will probably last until October 2006. I went to WDW a year after its 25th, and I still saw all the parades, the Castle cake, and the rest of the festivities.

Basically, is it worth the airfare, hotel expense, and other costs to try to attend an event I might not even be allowed into, and could easily attend similar ones many months after?

 

[Disneyland_emily]

Ill be there Course do I expect to do much that day? nope but I just hope to be there

Would I go if I didnt go every year on that day? and it was a one time trip? prob not cause I think itll be rather crowded


-em

 

[iceskatejen]

I plan on being there, too, just to say I was. But I do expect it to be wall to wall people.

 

[Noelle]

It's going to be packed and most likely I'd say the park will fill to capacity really fast. So If you're really stuck on being there for the 50th anniversary, you might want to stay there because I'm sure traffic is going to be killer and they'll probably give resort guests priority for entering the park that day.

But if this is a few and far in between trip to DL, I'd say pass. If the crowds on New Year's Eve are crazy (which they are!)....I can not even imagine what it will be like on July 17th 2005.

 

[Grog]

Does anyone know when in May the 50th starts? We want to go in May next year and don't want to go too soon and miss everything.

 

[Firefly777]

May 5th

 

[Grog]

Thanks

 

[eclipseSD]

Thanks so much for the insight. I am thinking of a 2006 trip now, as I plan to be looking at colleges around that time (Claremont McKenna and Stanford in California) and would like to attend 50th anniversary festivities without intense crowds.

Of course, I WILL be at DLR sometime in the 12/18 month timeframe, after having read Jim Hill's report about the night time celebration (10 story Walt Disney?)

 

[exDS vet]

I attended the July 17, 1994 40th anniversary celebration. It was a great day and, yes it was crowded. They stretched the anniversary festivities over 4 days. There were lot's of Disney fans there, along witht the usual summer crowds. But overall, the park was quite managable.

Next year will probably be a lot bigger, but with so many people already talking about it, some might opt to stay away over the anniversary weekend.

But I will definately be there.

 

[disneychrista]

Nothing official has been announced. the official announcement is being made on May 5 with the opening of tower of terror.

I plan to be there july 17, 2005, just so I can say I was.

But I do agree if you do not make many trips to disneyland and what to be able to enjoy the parks at your lesuire, I would pick a different time during the celebrations.

 

[ivanova]

I wouldn't put it past Disney to have a "special admission" ticket for 7/17/2005 that even passholders need to purchase if they want in that historic day ... that way Disney can set the limit as to who gets in, and prevent the lines from forming 6 months in advance in the esplanade.

 

[ZPT1022]

We'll be there just because DD's birthday is July 17th and when we figured it out what day her birthday was on we said we'd take her to DL for the 50th. I'm guessing the actual day will be totally nuts but we're holding out some hope for the rest of the week as far as being able to still do stuff in the parks. I guess we'll find out more in May

 

[PatriciaH]

We are going to wait until August 2005 to celebrate the 50th so we can miss some of the first week crowds. We want to see the Pagent of the Masters too. Looking forward to next summer

 

[Larry]

What I am hoping for is what they did when "I WAS THERE TO CHANGE THE WORLD" at the Captain Eo party (in 1980 something), open 24 hours a day for three days. I dont think they will but I am hoping.
OH PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE.