 For the first time ever, the 10 Disney theme parks around the world will join together for a global celebration to mark the 50th anniversary of Disneyland in Southern California. "The Happiest Celebration on Earth" pays tribute to the original park that launched an industry and sparked an empire of fun that now spans the globe and continues to offer the most visited attractions in the world, drawing 100 million visitors on every year. For 18 months (from May 2005 through 2006), the event will take place in all of the Disney theme parks around the world, with exciting new shows and attractions at Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, Tokyo Disney Resort and Disneyland Resort Paris and the opening of Hong Kong Disneyland.
“We’re going to Disneyland!” is an announcement guaranteed to make your kids’ faces light up with joy – and no wonder. For decades Disney theme parks have resounded to the delighted squeals of children as they are roller–coastered, twirled, taken on rides, dazzled by fireworks and, perhaps most of all, introduced to those familiar characters: Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy.
This year might be the best time yet to make dreams come true, because 5th May 2005 saw the launch of an 18 month long celebration marking 50 years since Disneyland opened its gates in California after Walt Disney dreamed of creating a park where his two daughters could have some fun. On that first day attendance was 28,154 and a ticket cost just US$1. Today two billion people have passed through Disney gates at theme parks on three continents, and there have been a lot more than two happy daughters, and some mighty cheerful sons too. To mark the occasion and the achievement, the ‘Happiest Celebration on Earth’ will last eighteen months.
Celebrations are already in full swing. Disney theme parks around the world have seen the inauguration of new shows and entertainment, and all will unveil exciting new rides. You’ll see brand new parades and more fireworks than ever before. To mark their international reach, the parks will also be ‘borrowing’ attractions and shows from each other. Biggest of all, a brand new Disney park will open in Hong Kong in September, bringing the Disney experience to a whole new group of youngsters. Disneyland in California, where it all began, has renovated its most famous icon: Sleeping Beauty’s Castle. Transformed and decorated in glittering style, its spires, topped by crowns and jewels everywhere, are more enchanting than ever. Also revamped: Space Mountain, with new effects, lighting and a brand new launch start that will thrill your kids’ pants right off. Also on the space missions theme is the brand new Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blaster which will send you off into orbit dodging the evil ruler of the universe. Other recent additions are the Twilight Zone of Terror (the name says it all!), and the more relaxing new musical Snow White, which will particularly enchant young girls.
The Parade of Dreams will feature more floats and characters than ever before, and ‘instant’ celebrations called Block Party Bashes might break out at any moment in a cascade of music and merriment. Kids will also be challenged as they hunt down the 50 Mickey–ear icons hidden around the park.
Not to be outdone, Walt Disney World in Florida has a Cindarellabration (imported from the theme park in Tokyo), a new simulator called Soarin’ that will take you up beyond the clouds, and later in the year Expedition Everest – a runaway train experience sure to give the vocal chords a workout. Kids will also be thrilled to encounter Lucky the Dinosaur, the world’s first free–roaming audio–animatronic figure.
Disneyland Paris will have more dramatic fireworks shows throughout July and August, accompanied by special arrangements of favourite Disney tunes, while Tokyo Disney Resort (the first to open outside America) goes for high drama with a brand new Lost River Delta Thrill Attraction. The high–speed ride takes you through fire and water with a vertical 360° loop – maybe a little too much of a thrill  for younger kids.
Of course, in spite of the new rides, Disney is also about celebrating the familiar rides and characters from the past, and the classic attractions will still be ready and waiting. The Teacups, Pirates of the Caribbean, It’s a Small World, the Jungle Cruise and the Mark Twain Steamboat are all still operating just like they did when you watched The Wonderful World of Disney as a kid. Mickey, Goofy and the gang are still roaming around; kids will also be thrilled to bump into Toy Story’s Woody and Buzz, and the cool family from The Incredibles.
Think Disney is only a kids’ experience? Not at all. “Adults are only kids grown up anyway,” Walt Disney once remarked, and the theme parks still transport us back to a time when we believed in pirates, fairies and magic. Bringing your kids to a Disney theme park is a way to rediscover that feeling as you watch their faces and enjoy their fun…and rediscover the kid in yourself. You will discover that this really is the “Happiest Place on Earth”.
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