If you are planning on going, or thinking about going to Disneyland on Sunday July 17th, 2005 for the actual 50th Anniversary of Disneyland Park, we have some information for you.
The Pumba parking lot will be open (or never close) at Midnight on July 16th for those that need to park. Ticket booths will open at 2:00 in the morning on July 17th. While there is to be no 'camping out', Disney's California Adventure will be open at 2:00 in the morning as well. As you enter the park, you will get a wristband. Restrooms and select eateries will be open for those waiting in line. No entertainment, no attractions are scheduled to be open; as this is a line, not a party according to Disneyland sources.
At this time, Disney is saying that everyone who is in California Adventure by 6:00 on the morning of the 17th will be allowed into Disneyland. They will begin taking those folks across the Esplanade at 7:00 in the morning, and they do expect large enough crowds that the transfer from one park to the other will take approximately one hour. After all of these people are in Disneyland, then those that were not in California Adventure will be allowed to line up to enter Disneyland.
To guarantee entry into Disneyland on July 17th 2005, it would be a good idea to arrive early enough to get into California Adventure before this opportunity closes. They do expect people to be able to go in until 6:00, in which time the gates will close and no more people will be allowed to line up here.
Each person who arrives at Disneyland on the morning of July 17th 2005 will receive a set of Golden Ears. These Mickey Mouse Ears are not the same ones available for purchase, and cannot be embroidered with your name. Along with the Ears you will get a hand stamp to show that you did get the Ears. One set per person. Every entrance into Disneyland and the Grand Californian's entrance into California Adventure will be handing out these ears.
There will be two limited edition pins being sold on the 17th at the Festival Arena. Other limited edition, dated merchandise will be available at the following locations: Emporium and the Disney Showcase both on Main Street. Bonanza Outfitters the Gag Factory and Star Trader in other Disneyland locations will be selling special 50th Anniversary merchandise. Many items are very limited editions; so if you want it, do not wait as it probably won't be available later in the day.
There are other important items to note about changes to daily operations that will take place on the 17th of July 2005 at Disneyland Park. On this day, none of the Main Street Vehicles will be operating because the crowds are expected to be to heavy for wheeled traffic, and even horses to navigate. In addition, many attractions will be closed in the morning, including but not limited to the Astro Orbitor in Tomorrowland, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Frontierland as well as the Mark Twain. In Fantasyland you will find King Arthur Carousel, Snow White's Scary Adventures, Peter Pan's Flight, Pinocchio's Daring Journey, and the Matterhorn closed until approximately 10:30.
Each person will get a complimentary birthday cupcake with the purchase of lunch at both Disneyland and California Adventure restaurants while supplies last.
Finally, there will be many large monitors set up throughout Disneyland and California Adventure where you can view the current happenings in the 50th Anniversary Celebration. Locations for these monitors will be on the It's a Small World Mall, one in Tomorrowland, the Hub (Central Plaza), the Festival Arena (behind Big Thunder Mountain Railroad) and Town Square in Disneyland. A monitor will be set up in California Adventure in Sunshine Plaza.
As more information is given, we will update here. Also, keep in mind that the above information is subject to change at Disney's discretion.