Join the Happiest Homecoming on Earth

as Disneyland Celebrates its 50th Anniversary

Musical celebrities Christina Aguillera, Julie Andrews, and Leanne Rimes were joined by Disney executives and Mickey and friends as they kicked off Disneyland’s 50th Anniversary festivities on May 5.

Mickey welcomes ASIMO, a Humanoid Robot, to its new “home” inside Disneyland Park.


On May 5, 2005, the Disneyland Resort launched the “Happiest Homecoming On Earth,” an 18-month commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the very first Disney theme park - Disneyland. The highly anticipated event was the cornerstone of a global celebration so big that all 11 Disney theme parks around the world have joined together for the first time for the landmark occasion.

At Disneyland Resort, the “Happiest Homecoming On Earth” 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. The celebration is a tribute to the rich legacy of innovation, creativity and storytelling that has made Disneyland a national treasure.

Legendary Broadway and film star Julie Andrews is the Honorary Ambassador of the Disneyland 50th anniversary celebration. “When Walt Disney declared on opening day in 1955 that ‘Disneyland is your land,’ I’m not sure if he truly realized how people everywhere would embrace the park as their own,” said Andrews. “No other form of entertainment is as universally beloved and cherished as Disneyland by people of all ages.”

Mickey Mouse joined the festivities by welcoming ASIMO, the world’s most advanced humanoid robot, to its new home in the Honda ASIMO Theater, inside Disneyland park. Guests visiting the popular Innoventions attraction at the park can see ASIMO (Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility) in an all-new live science show, Say ‘Hello’ to Honda’s ASIMO, as part of the theme park’s 50th Anniversary celebration.

Park guests will see ASIMO interact with a live host and operate in a modern home environment by using all of its unique technological capabilities, such as walking forward and backward, climbing and descending a flight of stairs and taking direction from a person. The 15-minute high-tech demonstration is designed to offer visitors a glimpse into a not-too-distant future when humanoid robots, like ASIMO, will assist humans in their homes.

The “Happiest Homecoming on Earth” celebration takes different forms throughout the Disneyland Resort. The following are just

a few of the many surprises in store:

DISNEYLAND PARK

• Sleeping Beauty Castle - The focal point of the celebration is 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.

• 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 all-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 a 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 - Opening July 15, this Disneyland favorite has been re-”Imagineered,” for the 21st century featuring an all-new queue and Space Port, redesigned rockets, an all-new exhilarating on-board audio soundtrack and “out of this world” new effects. New cutting-edge technology - coupled with great storytelling - makes this attraction even more compelling.

DISNEY’S CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE PARK

• 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 will entertain 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. To learn more about the Happiest Homecoming on Earth at the Disneyland Resort, visit www.disneyland.com. For general Disneyland Resort information, call 714.781.4565. WSC