Disneyland's 50th anniversary, July 17th 2005, is quickly approaching. Disneyland will be closed on May 4th 2005 to prepare for the more than yearlong celebration set to begin the next day. This celebration is titled the "Happiest Celebration on Earth", and will not only encompass Disneyland, but all facets of Disney, essentially celebrating 50 years of Disney. Starting on May 5th 2005, things will be bright, shiny, and new again at Disneyland.
Transcript of May 5th Celebration Ceremony
The most well known landmark of Disneyland, Sleeping Beauty Castle, is currently being refurbished for the "Happiest Celebration on Earth". The end result promises to transform the beloved Castle into a thing of incredible beauty and wonder.
Also starting May 5, 2005 is a brand new parade, called Walt Disney's Parade of Dreams. The floats will be like miniature stages, each one representing a different Disney movie. Even Tinker Bell will be seen in the Parade of Dreams. And of course, no Disney Parade would be complete without Mickey and Minnie, the most famous mice in the world. In addition to the all-new Parade of Dreams, Disney will unveil an all-new pyrotechnic extravaganza, Remember… Dreams Come True; a fireworks show of grand proportions. California Adventure is also joining the Happiest Celebration on Earth with its own form of entertainment. Here, there will be the Block Party Bash, which is said to be completely spontaneous parties throughout the park.
May 6, 2005 update on the Parade of Dreams. This parade has eight floats. Just eight floats. Now, that may seem like it will be horribly short, and not worth waiting for at all. That is not the case. This parade is absolutely beautiful. It will have three 'show stops' in which the parade will stop, and each float will do a predetermined 'show'. Tinker Bell is on the first float; with others being floats (in no particular order) from the Lion King, the Little Mermaid, Pinocchio, Alice in Wonderland, Beauty and the Beast, and the final float is the Princesses with their Prince. And don't get up before you see the back of the last float!
May 6, 2005 update on Block Party Bash. This is not a spontaneous party, as it was originally supposed to be, but it is a lot of fun. The Disneyland website has it schedule for one show daily, at 5:15pm. This is very similar to a parade, as it will follow much of the parade route, but will make several stops for 'parties'. The stops are full of very high-energy music, and will get the crowd up and dancing. Much of the music is from Disney/Pixar films, and many of the characters from those films will appear during Block Party Bash.
Keep and eye out for the Green Army Men from Toy Story, and Jessie from Toy Story Two. Watch in amazement as the lead float opens up to one float with 5 stages! Once this stage opens up, the real party begins. Four of the 5 stages are miniature trampolines, allowing for some highflying acrobatics. The second float holds the Green Army Men on alphabet blocks. Signs on this float say Jump and Spin. Next you will see a float that looks like a highway roadwork cone. Following the cone is the Toy Story II float, with Jessie and Woody. Right behind them is another cone, with none other than Mr. Potato Head walking next to the cone. Only at the Disneyland Resort will you see something like that, let me tell you! The Block Party Bash continues in this manner, using cones or the Green Army Men floats to separate the party floats. Why? Because each party float has an action, unlike a normal parade where they simply drive by as you watch. As the first float in the Block Party Bash stops and opens into its stage, the other floats also stop for performances. Depending on where you are sitting around the parade route then, you may see the acrobatics, or the Toy Story II characters, or the Monster's Inc characters, or even A Bug's Life characters. Pixar rules in the Block Party Bash. Anyplace on the route should be exciting and full of fun.
There will be three new attractions opening at Disneyland in 2005. Where you can currently find Great Moments with Mister Lincoln is going to be an area with 50 years of Disney memories. Included in this attraction will be the attractions dreamed about, yet never added to Disneyland Park
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters is an attraction where the guest becomes a Junior Ranger and will battle Emperor Zurg. Each guest will earn points during the battle, and the higher the point total, the better chance of becoming a Galactic Hero. Obviously, this attraction will take practice for the guests who don't spend the average day as a Junior Ranger! Buzz Lightyear Astro Blaster definitely sounds different, and quite intriguing.
May 6, 2005 update on Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters. In late June this will also become an interactive game so that you can play from home and compete with those on the ride. After being open for a month this is an attraction that is loved by both young and old alike. Part ride, part video game, it promises fun and adventure, and you can challenge yourself to get a better score each time you ride Buzz Lightyear.
The third 'new' attraction is the much-anticipated return of the all-new Space Mountain. This attraction is set to return late fall, 2005 after a complete makeover
Finally, Disneyland's Golden Anniversary will also include something from the guests. For months now, Disney has been asking for our photos, which will be made into photo mosaics, interspersed throughout Disneyland.
With new entertainment and new attractions, Disneyland plans on beginning the Happiest Celebration on Earth with much pomp and circumstance, and this should be an extraordinary year at the Disneyland Resort.
March 2005 update
Space Mountain is now officially scheduled to open on July 15th, 2005 and be ready for the large crowds expected on Disneyland's 50th birthday, July 17th.
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters is in a 'soft opening' right now. What this means is that the attraction is not open all the time, but various periods during the day. If you check in Tomorrowland on occasion, you just may see a line for Buzz. Hop in line and prepare to check out Disneyland's newest attraction.
Now that people have been able to ride Buzz, we have more information on what the ride is, and whom it is for. Each attraction vehicle has 2 ray guns to shoot the evil Emperor. Buzz is bright and colorful, and loud and exciting. It is not scary and is a perfect attraction for the whole family. Some will enjoy the shooting gallery part of the attraction, while others will just watch, especially very young children.
During the ride, which takes place on a track similar to that of Haunted Mansion, people will accumulate a score based on their shooting skills. This will provide families with an incentive to ride again and better their own score, and also provide a harmless competition between family members for who can score higher. Near the end of the attraction, like so many rides now, your picture will be taken. Included in the picture is each rider's score. When the ride is complete, you can email this picture to yourself, or someone else. You will then receive an email with a code, which is needed to access your picture. Once you have this code, follow the link, which will take you to a special page on Disneyland's website. Be sure to send out your email pictures. This is a great way to preserve your memories. It is also a great way to see how you improve with each ride!
So, enjoy Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters for what it is: a fun, colorful attraction based on Disney/Pixar's collaboration of the Toy Story Movies.
Disneyland 50th Anniversary Merchandise
Disneyland's 50th Birthday Party - July 17th 2005