In addition to repeating the initial plans for "The Happiest Homecoming on Earth," [Jay] Rasulo and company updated their presentation [to the NFFC] with news of the "Happiest Faces on Earth" program, now going on inside the park and at Disney.com. They also detailed the latest editions to
Disneyland's portion of the worldwide celebration:
* Visitors arriving at LAX and John Wayne airports will be greeted by 50th Anniversary celebratory banners.
* Disneyland's Main Street and many of the park's walkways will be decorated with 50th Anniversary banners and bunting.
* No longer hidden, Golden Mickey's will spring up around the park on selected attractions.
* Ride vehicles on many of the park's original attractions will be painted gold and made available for magical memories photo opportunities.
WDI's Steve Davison joined Rasulo and Mendenhall in the lobby of the grand ballroom, following the presentation, for an informal Q&A and photo op session.
Both Jay Rasulo and Mike Mendenhall said that they were unaware of any plans to refurbish or put back into service either Tomorrowland's Submarine Lagoon attraction or the former People Mover/Rocket Rods ride.
When asked if Walt Disney's private office--which was once on display in the lobby of Disneyland's Main Street Opera House along side the display of his public office--would be returned to Disneyland as part of the 50 Years of Disneyland historical exhibit planned for the Opera House, Jay Rasulo said he did not know and referred the question to WDI.
When Steve Davison was asked if Walt's private office would return to Disneyland he said, "Probably not."
Disney archivist Dave Smith, who designed the original tandem office exhibit, also agreed. "They (WDW) won't give it up. They like it too much down in Florida."
Davison, a favorite among NFFC members, was peppered by a series of questions from the conventioneers. He was asked how the folks in WDI felt about the generally unfavorable reactions to Disneyland's new fireworks show.
Davison said several of his co-workers came running into his office the day after the show debuted shouting, "Have you seen the Internet. They hate it. He went on to say, "I told them I didn't need to look at the Internet. I told you guys they're gonna hate it. They loved "Believe" (the previous fireworks show) and we didn't give them a reason to love this show."
Davison went on to say that Disneyland's very popular "Believe In Holiday Magic" fireworks show should, "as far as I know," return to the park this holiday season.
He went on to reassure the crowd gathered around him that "Haunted Mansion Holiday" would be staying at Disneyland as long as the park wants it. "The guests love it. Tim (Burton) loves it. And, it generates a ton of business."
There will not, however, be a Walt Disney World version of the popular Haunted Mansion overlay. They (WDW) didn't want it." Davison said. "So Tokyo's getting it instead."
Contrary to remarks appearing elsewhere on the Internet, Davison said that while they had looked into several ways to fly a live or animatronic Tinkerbelle "down Main Street, in front of and around the castle," they just couldn't find one that worked. Instead Tink will follow the same flight path she has, but with some exciting new "movements."
