may 05 events

[goofy & sleepy]

I read that all the parks, including WDW, would be doing special events for the Disneyland 50th anniversary. Anybody know where/when I can get info?

 

[CarolMN]

The only thing I've seen is the press release - here's the portion that relates to WDW:

Walt Disney World Unwraps Summer of Fun,
Reveals Plans for Biggest Celebration Yet


LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (May 5, 2004) -- From Tokyo and Paris, from California and Hong Kong, Walt Disney World Resort is importing a collection of incredible new attractions and shows to commemorate 50 years of Disney theme parks.

As Disneyland prepares to mark its 50th anniversary, Walt Disney World officials today announced plans to join in "The Happiest Celebration on Earth" beginning next May and they showcased events and new features in store for the current summer season in the Florida Vacation Kingdom.

During "The Happiest Celebration on Earth," which begins May 5, 2005, each of the four Walt Disney World theme parks will feature a blockbuster attraction imported from around the globe -- plus a unique new attraction will be created just for the Florida resort.

"Disney parks are an international phenomenon -- the most popular in the world," said Walt Disney World President Al Weiss. "During this golden anniversary celebration, we're giving Walt Disney World guests a chance to sample Disney magic from three continents and creating new reasons to visit each of our Florida parks."

* At Magic Kingdom, guests will see "Cinderellabration," an enchanting musical spectacular direct from Tokyo Disneyland Park. Performed on the castle stage, the show will continue the "happily-ever-after" story of Cinderella with elaborate costumes and a host of favorite characters that bring to life the coronation of this favorite Disney princess.

* At Epcot, Disney's California Adventure will provide a tribute to the West Coast heritage of Disney theme parks. "Soarin' " -- one of the most popular attractions at one of the newest Disney parks -- will send Epcot guests on a thrilling hang-gliding journey over the Golden State. The "flight" ends, appropriately enough, with an aerial view of Disneyland itself.

Also at Epcot, guests will get a sneak peek at the beginning of the next 50 years of Disney theme parks at Hong Kong Disneyland Preview Center. An enormous and intricate scale model and never-before-seen renderings will showcase the park, scheduled to open December 2005.

* At Disney-MGM Studios, the "Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show" from Walt Disney Studios Paris will feature the bombastic best of the movie industry's stunt masters. Fast-paced and high-energy, the stunt show will send cars, motorcycles and jet skis careening across the studios backlot, giving the audience of 5,000 seated in a custom built grandstand a behind-the-scenes look at movie mayhem.

* At Disney's Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney Imagineering will introduce Lucky the dinosaur, the first-ever free-roaming Audio-Animatronics creation. After successful play-testing at Disney's California Adventure, Lucky will walk the streets of DinoLand U.S.A., greeting guests and even signing autographs. The startlingly lifelike creature -- which can laugh, sneeze, bray and even get the hiccups -- was named one of the year's top inventions by Time magazine and represents the next step forward in Audio-Animatronics technology.

* Later in the celebration year, Walt Disney World Resort will present a new adventure of its own with the opening of the enormous Expedition EVEREST thrill ride in the Asia area of Disney's Animal Kingdom. The legend of the yeti comes to life in a dramatic high-speed train adventure that combines coaster-style thrills with the excitement of a close encounter with the abominable snowman.

The celebration will cap an incredible array of blockbuster attractions and shows that have been added to Walt Disney World Resort over the past two years: "Soarin' "; "Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show"; Expedition EVEREST; Stitch's Great Escape!; "Wishes" fireworks spectacular; "Mickey's PhilharMagic" and Mission: SPACE.