22 May 2006
DISNEYLAND’S 50TH ANNIVERSARY CONTINUES WITH MONSTERS-SIZE FUN AND PIRATE ADVENTURE
Milestone Celebration Continues with Spectacular Entertainment and Debut of New Adventures Before Final Bow
Anaheim, Calif. (May 18, 2006) - - The once-in-a-lifetime event that is Disneyland’s 50th anniversary celebration continues this summer with spectacular entertainment and the debut of new adventures before its final bow. The celebration is a unique opportunity for new and returning guests to be part of an unforgettable once-in-a-lifetime milestone anniversary and the park’s biggest event ever. It’s also a fun-filled tribute to the rich legacy of innovation, creativity and storytelling that has made Disneyland a national treasure.
“Disneyland was built on a simple premise: Walt Disney wanted to create a place where family members of all ages could share experiences together,” said Matt Ouimet, president of Disneyland Resort. “Our 50th anniversary taps into the emotional connection we enjoy with our guests. We look forward to welcoming them with new attractions and innovative entertainment.”
Adding to the fun of the 50th anniversary celebration will be an all-new chapter in the legacy of one of Walt Disney’s most beloved adventures – Pirates of the Caribbean. The classic Disney Park adventure brought to the big screen in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, is adding new characters and features from the blockbuster entertainment franchise and debuting when the next adventure begins in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest.
The popular attraction at both the Disneyland Resort in California and Walt Disney World Resort in Florida closed in March to complete the updates in time for the opening of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest on July 7. The attraction will re-open at Disneyland on June 26.
The attraction will feature the addition of two of Hollywood’s most infamous buccaneers, Captain Jack Sparrow and his nemesis Barbossa. Joining the wildest crew that ever sacked the Spanish Main, Captain Jack and Barbossa add an exciting new twist to the attraction’s original storyline as they race to be the first to claim a cache of plundered treasure.
Woven into some of the attraction’s most memorable scenes, the rival swashbucklers will be seen interacting with some of the more familiar Audio-Animatronics buccaneers found inside the ride-thru adventure. Also making a guest appearance is the ghostly Davy Jones from the second movie in the series, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest. But new characters are only the beginning. New special effects will also be added to enhance the Pirates of the Caribbean theme park experience.
The 50th Anniversary fun also continues with the recently opened, all-new attraction “Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!” Inspired by the 2001 blockbuster Walt Disney Pictures presentation of the Pixar Animation Studios film Monsters, Inc., the attraction is located in the Hollywood Pictures Backlot of Disney’s California Adventure park at the Disneyland Resort.
The popular film has been transformed into a fun-filled, immersive, three-dimensional attraction where guests climb aboard waiting taxis and hit the streets of Monstropolis to follow the film’s stars Mike and Sulley on their mission of safely returning a little girl who has inadvertently entered their world. As guests witness the chaos of a child-on-the loose in Monstropolis they encounter the super-sneaky Randall Boggs, the yellow-suited agents of the CDA (Child Detection Agency) and other characters from the film. Guests will even get to see the apparently endless Monsters, Inc. door vault and receive a seemingly personalized farewell from the slug-like, ever watchful factory dispatcher Roz!
Other highlights of the celebration can be found throughout Disneyland Resort:
Disneyland Park Walt Disney’s Parade of Dreams - - Audiences are immersed in the musical grandeur and visual spectacle of this innovative new parade, featuring one of the largest casts of Disney Characters and performers ever assembled.
Remember . . . Dreams Come True - - The acclaimed new fireworks spectacular, the most elaborate in Disneyland history, is a truly immersive, uniquely Disney entertainment experience highlighted by an incredible musical score, dramatic close proximity pyrotechnics, never-before-seen firework designs and an incredible new flight path for Tinker Bell.
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters - - This all-new Tomorrowland adventure is inspired by the Walt Disney Pictures presentation of a Pixar Animation Studios film, Toy Story 2, and takes guests on a comical interactive space mission featuring cutting-edge online technology that allows fans at-home to join in the excitement - - a first for any Disney theme park attraction in the world.
Space Mountain - - This classic Disneyland adventure (voted the most popular Disney theme park attraction in a 2005 nationwide poll) has been re-“Imagineered” for the 21st century and features an all-new queue and Space Port, redesigned rockets, an all-new exhilarating on-board audio soundtrack and “out of this world” new effects.
Disneyland: The First 50 Magical Years - - Created exclusively for the 50th anniversary, this new attraction features a funny and heartwarming film hosted by famed Hollywood stars Steve Martin and Donald Duck and showcases the rich Disneyland heritage of laughter, innovation, imagination and storytelling.
Sleeping Beauty Castle - - The focal point of the celebration has been transformed into an elegant “Crown Jewel,” gowned in richly colored finery, royal banners, adorned with custom-made jewel-like stones, decorated in gold, topped by five regal turret “crowns,” and glowing with enchantment as never before.
Disney’s California Adventure Park Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! - - Inspired by the 2001 hit Walt Disney Pictures presentation of the Pixar Animation Studios film Monsters, Inc., the newest addition to the park is located in the Hollywood Pictures Backlot and features a fun-filled ride through Monstropolis.
Turtle Talk With Crush - - An all-new experience inside the “Disney Animation” attraction in the Hollywood Pictures Backlot where guests can have an unbelievable encounter with Crush the sea turtle from the Walt Disney Pictures presentation of a Pixar Animation Studios film, Finding Nemo.
Block Party Bash - - The music and excitement are cranked to the max for this high-energy street extravaganza as Disney presents the Pixar Film Pals, who invite you to dance and play as they party their way through Disney's California Adventure! The wildest block party in Disney history entertains guests with a non-stop musical parade that doubles as a fun-filled interactive street spectacular – a truly engrossing and engaging, uniquely Disney entertainment experience.
The 50th anniversary of Disneyland is highlighted by the premiere of new entertainment spectaculars and innovative attractions at Disneyland Resort, California; Walt Disney World Resort, Florida; Tokyo Disney Resort, Japan; Disneyland Resort Paris in France, and the recently opened Hong Kong Disneyland. The celebration marks the largest worldwide debut of new Disney theme park attractions and entertainment ever unveiled.