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The Disneyland Report > Disney News > Disneyland celebrates 50th birthday on July 17, 2005 with ceremonies, cupcakes, and magical memories Disney NewsDisneyland celebrates 50th birthday on July 17, 2005 with ceremonies, cupcakes, and magical memoriesBy Annie Lin July 17 is a day known to all Disneyland fans as the happiest day in the “Happiest Place on Earth.” It is, of course, Disneyland’s birthday. On Disneyland’s first operating day, July 17, 1955, “Black Sunday” opened the park to many disasters, from soft asphalt to a shortage of water. 50 years later, Disneyland celebrates its 50th anniversary, the half-century milestone.
The high point of the “Happiest Homecoming on Earth” began early in the morning, prior to the opening of the gates. Similar to the many windows along Main Street, U.S.A. that were dedicated to major Disney employees and executives, a special window was unveiled as a tribute to Disneyland Resort Cast Members past, present, and future. Above: Fireworks and confetti are a thrilling finale to a touching ceremony in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle to commemmorate Disneyland's 50th anniversary on July 17, 2005. Bob Iger, Michael Eisner, Art Linkletter, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Diane Disney Miller were on hand for the ceremony. Photo by: Annie Lin While thousands of campers trickled into Disney’s California Adventure to be held for early entry into Disneyland between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m., on Sunday, July 17, 2005, the public celebration began at 10 a.m. with a special 50th anniversary ceremony. Everyday guests were restricted to the sides of the Hub to watch the ceremony in front of the Sleeping Beauty Castle. Giant screens were also set up around the park, so more guests could see the ceremony as it happened. Later in the day, these same screens rebroadcast the ceremony, in addition to a montage of scenes from 50 years of Disneyland history. “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, the ‘Happiest Homecoming on Earth,’ taps into the emotional connection we enjoy with our guests. We look forward to welcoming them with new attractions and innovative entertainment.” The ceremony did just that. The tribute to Disneyland began with an emotionally moving video from opening day in 1955 which introduced broadcast host Art Linkletter. Back again on Sunday, 2005, was Linkletter, who was incidentally celebrating his 93rd birthday. Linkletter, expressing his gratitude for not just being there that day, but “anywhere” at his old age, shared sentimental anecdotes. He shared memories of Walt Disney and Disneyland’s opening day to the audience. He also shared a special moment through a video recording on the 35th anniversary in 1990. Former president Ronald Reagan commemorated the park in a speech at Disneyland. The video ended as a fresh face graced the scene. Walt Disney Company CEO-elect Bob Iger was introduced. He spoke of the previous heads of the Disney Company — Walt Disney, Roy Disney, and Michael Eisner — who were an inspiration to him. He called upon CEO Eisner to share his wonderful world of Disney. Being only a child when Disneyland opened, Eisner was mystified by the idea, as most people were. Disneyland was the first theme park and its audacious attractions were wildly innovative. Eisner spoke with his complimentary Golden Ears in hand. The ceremony reached a celebrity highlight when California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger entered the stage through Sleeping Beauty Castle. Mickey Mouse, in his 50th anniversary attire, led the actor-turned-politician down the red carpet. The Disneyland Marching Band played “Go the Distance” from the Hercules soundtrack as Schwarzenegger approached the stage. Disneyland provides thousands of jobs in California and is a crucial economic asset to the state, Schwarzenegger said. He articulated the joy he always felt at Disneyland, along with his wife and children. Lastly, the Disneyland 50th anniversary ceremony brought out Diane Disney Miller, one of Walt Disney’s daughters. Walt Disney built the park as a place where all family members, and not just the children, could enjoy themselves. With Miller and her sister, Sharon, Walt created a world for just that purpose. Miller went on to share stories about her dad. The famous picture of Walt standing within Sleeping Beauty Castle was presented to Miller. It was a picture that Miller was yet to own, so the dedication had meaning. While Julie Andrews, honorary ambassador for Disneyland’s 50th anniversary celebration, was unable to attend the ceremony, her narration throughout Walt Disney’s “Parade of Dreams” and the fireworks spectacular “Remember… Dreams Come True” kept the celebration alive. “When Walt Disney declared on opening day 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.” On July 17, 2005, guests were given complimentary 50th Anniversary Golden Ears that had the date embroidered on the back. An aerial view of the park in the early morning would reveal a sea of golden ears on heartfelt fans. Celebrative cupcakes were also given out at most dining locations throughout the park. At exactly 4:45 in the afternoon, Walt Disney's Disneyland opening day dedication speech was shown on Jumbotrons around the park. Disneyland guests gathered at the giant screens to watch the dedication in a magical moment in Disneyland history. Remember When, the official theme song for Disneyland's 50th anniversary celebration sung by LeAnn Rimes, was then played, while images from various points in Disneyland history played on the screens. The 50th anniversary celebration continues until 2006, and Walt simply
reminds, “To all who come to this happy place, welcome!” Return to Disney News.
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