On July 17, 2015, Disneyland Park celebrated its 60th birthday with a big party, a moving ceremony, some fun photo-ops and a free gift or two. Here are some highlights…
The great news about the day was that lines to get into the Park were very bearable, unlike the recent 24-hour event, which had horrible lines and Park closures. Part of this was due to the Resort releasing merchandise a day or two early, so there were only a few hundred die-hards that spent the night in line. Gates to the Park opened an hour early, so when I arrived a half hour before the Park was scheduled to open, I was able to walk right in.
In the Esplanade, the Red Car Trolley News Boys were handing out special copies of the Orange County Register.
If you didn’t get a copy, the OC Register will gladly send you one….for $6.95.
As guests entered the park, another free gift awaited…a fabulous “I was there” button. There were plenty of buttons to go around and they were available throughout the day.
The button was also recreated as a photo-op, along with several other props placed throughout both Parks. Our friend Louella spent much of the day hunting down some of these opportunities.
Ok….one of those wasn’t an “official” photo-op.
Disney also borrowed an idea from Dapper Day and asked guests to dress like folks did on opening day in 1955. Unfortunately, the participation wasn’t as widespread as it was on Dapper Day. I couldn’t resist wearing my vintage (60s or 70s) tie.
At 10:00am, Disneyland President Michael Colglazier led a ceremony in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle. In attendance were several Disney Legends and some Imagineers and Cast Members that helped build and open the Park.
The ceremony was streamed to points around the Disneyland Resort, including at California Adventure, Downtown Disney and the resort hotels.
The highlight of the ceremony was Richard Sherman and Ashley Brown performing Walt Disney’s favorite song, “Feed The Birds.”
After the ceremony, we headed to an impromptu DIS Meet and met up with several friends and fans at the Fantasia Gardens. That was my favorite part of the day.
The fun continued throughout the day with a celebration for Cast Members before Mickey’s Soundsational Parade, swing dancing in both Parks in the evening and a midnight performance of Paint The Night.
Oh…and free cupcakes…did I mention cupcakes??
All in all, I think that the Disneyland Park (to use their current favorite word) dazzled guests on its 60th birthday and I’m looking forward to the 65th? 70th? 75th?
Hope to see you there!
Photos courtesy: Tom Bell, Mary Jo Mellado Willey, Kelly Willey, Michael Bowling & Louella Laureola
