>>Five years ago, with much fanfare, Disney started a program in which Anaheim sixth graders who fulfilled a community service project got free tickets to Disneyland.
A promotional video featuring Mickey himself at an Anaheim school captured the excitement: Two students smile and hold a sign bearing the program’s name, “Happiest Class on Earth,” as they say “I’m in sixth grade and I’m going to Disneyland!”
The giveaway, launched to kick off Disneyland’s 60th anniversary, was slated to last 10 years.
Now, one pandemic later, Disney is quietly ending the “Happiest Class” program.
The company also is ending a similar, much longer arrangement with Walt Disney Elementary in Anaheim – a school that Disney himself reportedly used to visit after it was renamed in his honor. A Disney official said the agreement with Walt Disney Elementary was folded into the “Happiest Class” program five years ago.
On Friday, news of the program’s end had yet to reach most Anaheim schools. Once students learn about it, they will be crestfallen, local educators said.
“It was something sixth graders look forward to all school year,” said Disney Elementary Principal Regina Ford.
With schools fully reopening, students “are hoping everything is back to normal, and they’re very excited,” Ford said. “It’s going to be heartbreaking to tell the kids.”
A Disneyland Resort official called it a business decision following the year-long COVID19-related closure of Disneyland and California Adventure theme parks. “As a result of the pandemic, we had to make many difficult decisions related to our business and unfortunately ending this program was one of them.”
The Disney official noted that the company has “a long history of supporting Anaheim schools and kids,” citing a bevy of programs and donations. She also said the company will be offering in the future new opportunities for schools and non-profits to earn tickets.<<
www.ocregister.com
A promotional video featuring Mickey himself at an Anaheim school captured the excitement: Two students smile and hold a sign bearing the program’s name, “Happiest Class on Earth,” as they say “I’m in sixth grade and I’m going to Disneyland!”
The giveaway, launched to kick off Disneyland’s 60th anniversary, was slated to last 10 years.
Now, one pandemic later, Disney is quietly ending the “Happiest Class” program.
The company also is ending a similar, much longer arrangement with Walt Disney Elementary in Anaheim – a school that Disney himself reportedly used to visit after it was renamed in his honor. A Disney official said the agreement with Walt Disney Elementary was folded into the “Happiest Class” program five years ago.
On Friday, news of the program’s end had yet to reach most Anaheim schools. Once students learn about it, they will be crestfallen, local educators said.
“It was something sixth graders look forward to all school year,” said Disney Elementary Principal Regina Ford.
With schools fully reopening, students “are hoping everything is back to normal, and they’re very excited,” Ford said. “It’s going to be heartbreaking to tell the kids.”
A Disneyland Resort official called it a business decision following the year-long COVID19-related closure of Disneyland and California Adventure theme parks. “As a result of the pandemic, we had to make many difficult decisions related to our business and unfortunately ending this program was one of them.”
The Disney official noted that the company has “a long history of supporting Anaheim schools and kids,” citing a bevy of programs and donations. She also said the company will be offering in the future new opportunities for schools and non-profits to earn tickets.<<
Disney cancels free tickets for Anaheim sixth-graders, cites pandemic
The move to end “Happiest Class on Earth” program five years ahead of schedule is described as “a business decision.”
www.ocregister.com
