Disney Kicks Off Massive 50th Anniversary Party
Take a look at this link at WESH.com... nice write up and be sure to watch video. The video shows them working at night on Cinderella Castle.
http://www.wesh.com/travelgetaways/4157687/detail.html
Disney Kicks Off Massive 50th Anniversary Party
Cinderella's Castle Slated For Facelift; 2 New Rides Will Open
POSTED: 6:09 pm EST February 2, 2005
UPDATED: 6:37 pm EST February 2, 2005
ORLANDO, Fla. -- The Walt Disney Co. has lit the fuse on an explosive year of entertainment that has its roots in the original Disney Land but will have Disney World taking center stage.
Disney Kicks Off 'Happiest Celebration On Earth'
The party starts on May 5, and promises to be the biggest bash Mickey Mouse has ever thrown, spanning 11 theme parks around the world.
The celebration will last 18 months, well past the anniversary of the opening of Disneyland on July 17, 1955, WESH NewsChannel 2 reported.
Work is already under way on what Disney is dubbing "the happiest celebration on Earth." Disney bosses promise new attractions at all five parks worldwide to honor the 50th anniversary of Disney Land.
At Disney World, Soarin', an Epcot ride based on one in California, will soon open. MGM Studios will feature a new stunt show, Lights, Motors, Action.
But Disney is also focusing strongly on its characters.
"I think part of it is teaching them about our heritage, teaching them about our traditions. Once you get that and understand it, I think it's very easy to love Disney, " said Disney World president Al Weiss.
With potentially 60 million people visiting Central Florida this year, Disney's celebration could rub off on other attractions.
"Some families may want to have that spare day to rent a car and see what else is out there," said Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty.
As part of the celebration, a Disney icon is under going a major transformation. The 34-year-old Cinderella Castle in the magic kingdom will get a facelift.
Disney is also launching a new TV ad blitz, aimed at making sure people don't miss new attractions and old classics. It'll stress the ease of planning vacations online, which seems to appeal to adventurous theme park types.
"It just had all the different packages available. So we got to look and pick and chose what we wanted," said one tourist.
Visitors will have to wait a year for Disney World's next big ride: Expedition Everest. The "runaway train" ride will open at Animal Kingdom.
Cinderella Castle will be ready for a new show that's a continuation of the classic 1950 film. It's called Cinderellabration and it will show the princess's coronation. The show begins May 5.
Disney plans to unveil three new attractions at their local parks this year:
Lights, Motors, Action!, which will be at Disney-MGM Studios, is a ride that will focus on car and motorcycle stunts.
Soarin' will lift riders 40 feet into the air simulating a hang gliding ride. It will debut at Epcot's Land Pavillion.
Cinderellabration at the Magic Kingdom will be a stage show about the coronation of Cinderella
All three new attractions are set to open in early May.
