Disneyland, Walt Disney's original Happiest Place On Earth, is turning 50 years young on July 17th, 2005!
50TH

This is a worldwide 18-month celebration that will spark new attractions, shows, and parades in Disney parks around the globe- even a brand new park, Disneyland Hong Kong, will be introduced in China later this year!

The festivities officially begin on May 5th. But the festivities are already beginning. Disneyland park here in Anaheim is really sprucing up with preparations for the "Happiest Homecoming On Earth," as fresh coats of paint, brand new attractions, and a whole lot of sparkling gold trim are being unveiled one by one.

Huge murals will showcase literally thousands of photos of park guests in photomosaics, called the Happiest Faces On Earth. Here is one I spotted in Adventureland that you might find interesting...

Sleeping Beauty Castle will look superb, with ornate crowns and jewels to decorate her turrets and towers!


A new innovative firework spectacular is already being tested after park hours! The show is more elaborate and longer than any Disneyland firework presentation ever, with a new flight by Tinker Bell and special shells to re-enact favorite attractions, such as laser effects for Star Tours and bomb fireworks fired between the castle and the Matterhorn for Pirates of the Caribbean.

New attractions are coming on the way for Disneyland, too. Already open is Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters, an interactive dark ride in space where young and old space cadets alike can shoot laser guns at targets to defeat the Evil Emperor Zurg. The effects are amazing- you feel like you are submersed in a video game.


Lastly, a new parade is being introduced at Disneyland called Walt Disney's Parade of Dreams. Just yesterday some filming was being done of a few of the floats- here is a sneak peek of my particular favorite!