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Disneyland celebrates the country's 250th birthday in 2026

Phroobar

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Are there any plans for Disneyland celebrating the country's 250th birthday. For it's 200th they had a special parade and America Sings. Think we will get a special popcorn bucket?

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TP2000

Well-Known Member
I dunno, is ANYONE, or any company, planning on doing anything big to celebrate America's 250th birthday?

This just seems like pre-emptively inventing new things to be mad at.

I imagine it's going to be a big deal two years from now. Not as big as the Bicentennial, obviously, but it will be a thing.

I just had this conversation myself a few days ago, when someone at a barbecue did the math and came to the same conclusion that we're almost to 250. I hadn't thought of it, but it's approaching! o_O

America Sings opened in the summer of 1974 and was marketed as part of the Bicentennial prep. I'd bet we start hearing about plans for 250th celebrations/events sometime next year, and not just from Disneyland or Disney World.

amsingsopen2.jpg
 

PiratesMansion

Well-Known Member
I imagine it's going to be a big deal two years from now. Not as big as the Bicentennial, obviously, but it will be a thing.

I just had this conversation myself a few days ago, when someone at a barbecue did the math and came to the same conclusion that we're almost to 250. I hadn't thought of it, but it's approaching! o_O

America Sings opened in the summer of 1974 and was marketed as part of the Bicentennial prep. I'd bet we start hearing about plans for 250th celebrations/events sometime next year, and not just from Disneyland or Disney World.

amsingsopen2.jpg
But here's my question...were there big celebrations for the 150th? If so, what sorts of things were done across the country?

I do feel like, in many instances, the bigger these numbers go, the less meaningful they become, outside of true banner milestones (as the tricentennial will undoubtedly be).

Are there scores of people and companies that will make 250 a big milestone? For me, it's too early to say. Perhaps it will be a bang, but I could just as well see it become a shrug (other than perhaps slightly elevated Independence Day celebrations in 2026). And not just a shrug from Disney specifically, but from the people and companies of this country at large.
 

TP2000

Well-Known Member
But here's my question...were there big celebrations for the 150th? If so, what sorts of things were done across the country?

In 1926? I may be old, but I'm not that old. 🧐

But let me Google, because it's a good question....

Apparently there was a Sesquicentennial World's Fair in Philadelphia (naturally). World's Fairs are something I wish this country would start hosting again, as they are fun and upbeat and very of their time. I was invited to go to the 2020 World's Fair in Dubai from some friends, but declined because I didn't want to give that jerky nation my money, and then it all got cancelled because of Covid and delayed unilt '21 in a scaled down format and my friends ended up not going, so I felt good about that. I'm going to the '25 World's Fair in Osaka next year, and I can't wait! But it's too late in the game to get a World's Fair going in the USA for '26.

Also in 1926, the US Mint issued some commerative coins, President Coolidge made lots of important speeches about the 150th, and there were some jazz records and a dance craze and some commercial products all produced to celebrate the Sesquicentennial. I imagine a lot of towns and cities had "150" emblazoned on their decorations that July 4th.

I'd imagine there will be a hyped up sense of it in '26, especially in the summer. Again, not anything as big as the Bicentennial (which was mostly fabulous, and I still remember some of the parties I went to!), but bigger than your average July 4th. I wasn't quite the type to go the full Liberace In Sequined Hotpants thing, but my heart was in the right place during the Bicentennial!

liberace1.+flopped+correctlyjpg.jpg


I'm going to start thinking about my home decor and host outfit ideas for that summer right now, while it's top of mind! Don't worry, I won't do hotpants, but I'm gonna do something! 🥳🇺🇸
 
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TP2000

Well-Known Member

Thank you!

As I suspected, there are plans afoot and almost exclusively on the East Coast where this history actually happened. But come on West Coasters, get with the game! There's still time.

I imagine we'll hear more about this next year, and into 2026. It would be neat for Disneyland to do something for it, and not just plastic popcorn buckets made in Communist China. :rolleyes:
 

Phroobar

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I think Disneyland has been losing a lot of it's patriotism in the last few years. We no longer see bunting on main street. There is no "to honor America" float. This is what summer time use to feel like. Now we see the latest festival invading areas that should be time locked. I'm surprised there is still a flag retreat ceremony instead of a couple of cast members taking down the flag like it was a load of laundry. It's this pride in America that is the soul of the park.

Disneyland-Main-Street-Electrical-Parade-and-Patriotic-Bunting-micechat.jpg
 

SuddenStorm

Well-Known Member
I think Disneyland has been losing a lot of it's patriotism in the last few years. We no longer see bunting on main street. There is no "to honor America" float. This is what summer time use to feel like. Now we see the latest festival invading areas that should be time locked. I'm surprised there is still a flag retreat ceremony instead of a couple of cast members taking down the flag like it was a load of laundry. It's this pride in America that is the soul of the park.

Disneyland-Main-Street-Electrical-Parade-and-Patriotic-Bunting-micechat.jpg

There was some drama a year or two ago when they changed the flag ceremony to a recording and let go the veteran who had been doing it for forever.
 

Phroobar

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
There was some drama a year or two ago when they changed the flag ceremony to a recording and let go the veteran who had been doing it for forever.
I didn't know that. How is it done now? Just a couple of cast members and no saluting the flag? Too bad they couldn't find a local scout troop.

iu
 
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