July 17, 2005 - Were you there?

[dare2dream]

I enjoyed a fabulous trip to DL last July and loved MaryJo my DU travel consultant. Because of my great experience I am doing a 7-10 minute informative speech in my speech class about the DisneyLand Resort. One topic I would like to cover is the special 50th birthday celebration held on July 17, 2005. I have a couple questions I would like to pose to you experts out there. Any help would be much appreciated.

1. Tell me about tickets for that day. Was it a special ticket for that day only? Could guests with multiday passes get in on that day? Was any special consideration given to guests at Disney Hotels? Could AP holders get in that day (I would think this would have been a black out day for them)? If there was a special ticket what did it cost?

2. I am looking for info on "Golden Rides". My DU travel guide lists several but I was wondering if anyone had a list of all of them.

3. I have a copy of the thread from this forum about the 17th and several DISers were very moved as Diane Disney read her father's welcoming speech. Does anyone know where I could find the text of this speech or at least the first line? I think the first line was the really memorable part.

4. Any other thoughts from you veterans would be welcome. Why was the 17th special for you? What can I say to convince the youngsters in my class that Disney can be fun for everyone. I've been noticing Universal's new ad campaign targeting those who don't want to vacation at a kiddie park with princesses. I think that is crazyness. DH did not want to go to DL because we don't have little ones at home anymore but I put my foot down and said we are going and I am charging everything to your Credit Card. We had a great time and will be definately be going again someday.

Thanks for all your help. I love the DIS.

Brenda

 

[Simba's Mom]

I wasn't there, but DS was a CM working on stage Entertainment that day. Don't forget that they presented Arnold with a gold motorcycle that day, which he said he was going to auction off and present the proceeds to charity (I forget which one). Art Linkletter was there and apparently gave a rather moving speech also.

 

[Luv2Scrap Disney]

I was there - I'm not sure how much I can help. We are premium AP and had no difficultites getting in that day (we have no blackout dates). I don't know if there was a special ticket for the day (that was really the regular ticket - does this make sense), but I'm pretty sure there was a limited one that was available at the merchandise opportunity.

We left out hotel room at 5:30 in the morning - we wanted to make sure we were in the park that day! They security checked us, gave us our ears and special program for the day and escorted us into California Adventure. Disney will never release real numbers, but there were estimates that there were 10 to 20K people there in line. Our wrist bracelet said 22k (don't know if they had them running from #1). "Rumor" had it that the 1st person to get in lin got there at 2pm or so the day before. At 6am they stopped letting people into DCA and they started queing up outside Disneyland and into DD.

The official park opening was at 8am. They started letting people into DL from DCA at 7am. They had a special walkway blocked off from DCA to DL. It was lined with castmembers - partly I'm sure for security and partly for "fun" (they were welcoming everyone home and cheering). It was really cool to have the castmembers cheering. We walked into the park at just after 8am (yes - it took an hour to move the line!). The castmembers also lined Main Street and were cheering "welcome home". Definitely brought tears to my eyes - this was my favorite part of the day.

Many people went from the line that they waited in to get into the park to a merchandise line were they could buy special merchandise for the day. Many people waited 5 more hours here - all the "good stuff" was gone within the 1st few hours. We decided to actually hit some rides (which we did not think we would be able to do that day). We did most of Fantasyland. We did not try to join the miele on Main Street to see the presentation. We found a spot by It's a Small World with a good view of the video screens.

They were passing out cupcakes all morning. They were white cake with white frosting and some sprinkles and gold dust.

From there, we took it pretty easy. We had made reservations at the Blue Bayou for lunch and that was great, as usual. We spent most of the afternoon in the pavillion on Main Street where they have bands and dancers perform. We just wanted to make it to 4 or so in the afternoon when they replayed Walt giving his Opening Day speech. They played it on speakers all throughout the Park. I thought people would stop and listen, but it ended up being quite a non-event.

Hope you get a few interesting points about the day from here.
Cheers!

 

[iceskatejen]

I was also there. I have a PAP so no blockout days for me. Others could buy blockout day tix just like they could on any other blockout day. I believe regular ticket worked.

We got there at about 1:45 am and were in DCA by 4:30. We were in DL by around 7:15. We grabbed spots in the hub to see the ceremony.

 

[sammatt]

My hubby and I drove down from San Jose, CA to be there. My highlight of the day was when everyone put on their golden ears at the end of the ceremony and sang "Happy Birthday" to Disneyland. It was so awe-inspiring to look around and see all of the hats, knowing that everyone there just LOVES Disney and are thankful for Walt's dream. Then, when the whole crowd sang, I burst into tears. It was SO moving...seems silly, as we were singing to a place, but priceless because we were celebrating the Disney spirit. I especially enjoyed seeing many older people there, who you knew came as little kids and people in their 20's/30's.

 

[caitlin]

1. Tell me about tickets for that day. Was it a special ticket for that day only?

-I think so, but don't quote me on that.

Could guests with multiday passes get in on that day?

-Do believe so

Was any special consideration given to guests at Disney Hotels?

-Not sure about this one.

Could AP holders get in that day (I would think this would have been a black out day for them)?

-I have a Premium AP and got in, but I think the other types of AP's might have had it as a blackout date.

If there was a special ticket what did it cost?
-I think it was the same price as usual?

3. I have a copy of the thread from this forum about the 17th and several DISers were very moved as Diane Disney read her father's welcoming speech. Does anyone know where I could find the text of this speech or at least the first line? I think the first line was the really memorable part.

"To all who come to this happy place-Welcome" <-Is that the first line you are referring to?

4. Any other thoughts from you veterans would be welcome. Why was the 17th special for you? What can I say to convince the youngsters in my class that Disney can be fun for everyone. I've been noticing Universal's new ad campaign targeting those who don't want to vacation at a kiddie park with princesses. I think that is crazyness. DH did not want to go to DL because we don't have little ones at home anymore but I put my foot down and said we are going and I am charging everything to your Credit Card. We had a great time and will be definately be going again someday.

I HATE those ads! lol, if it were possible to punch ad's I just might. Anyways, there's lots of kids at Disneyland. I am 16 myself and always have a great time there I've been going since I was 5. It's my favorite place.