Happy Birthday DISNEYLAND !
16|07|09 22:31 Filed in: Disneyland
Happy Birthday DISNEYLAND!
July 17, 1955: Grand opening of Disneyland. July 18 is the grand opening for the general public.
July 17, 1965: Disneyland presents the “Tencennial Re-Dedication Day” featuring the “Disneyland Tencennial Celebration Parade.”
July 17, 1970: 130 members of the original Disneyland Park staff, known as Club 55, are brought together for a special celebration. Combined, the total service of these very special Cast Members is more than 1,950 years.
July 17, 1975: On its 20th anniversary, the Park welcomes back Christine Vess Watkins and her cousin Michael Schwartner who, at ages five and seven, had been the first Guests to enter the gates on July 17, 1955.
July 17, 1980: The Park stays open for a 25-hour party from midnight July 16 to 1 a.m. July 18.
July 17, 1985: Disneyland celebrates with an all night 24-hour party. Other highlights include a daily 30th Anniversary Parade and the summertime return of The Main Street Electrical Parade.
July 17, 1989: Splash Mountain, the most elaborate flume attraction in the world opens to park guests. The attraction is located in the newest land, Critter Country, the towering 87-foot-tall Splash Mountain adventure culminates in a five-story drop at a 45-degree angle. Splash Mountain is based upon the animated sequences of Walt Disney’s classic 1946 film “Song of the South.”
July 17, 1995: A Time Castle is buried in the forecourt of Sleeping Beauty Castle in a ceremony presided over by Roy Disney and Michael Eisner. The time capsule contained mementos and articles reflecting Disneyland circa 1995. The time capsule will not be uncovered until July 17, 2035.
Also on July 17, more than 10,000 radio stations across the country carry a live broadcast of Park guests singing “Happy Birthday” to “The Happiest Place on Earth!” The singing is led by country music star Randy Travis, high above guests atop the Matterhorn Mountain.
1955: Opening day
Disneyland Park was opened to the public on Monday, July 18, 1955. However, a special "International Press Preview" event was held on Sunday, July 17, 1955, which was only open to invited guests and the media . The Special Sunday events, including the dedication, were televised nationwide and anchored by three of Walt Disney's friends from Hollywood: Art Linkletter, Bob Cummings, and Ronald Reagan. ABC broadcast the event live on its network; at the time, it was one of the largest and most complex live broadcasts ever.
The event did not go smoothly. The park was overcrowded as the by-invitation-only affair was plagued with counterfeit tickets. All major roads nearby were empty. The temperature was an unusually high 101 °F (38 °C), and a plumbers' strike left many of the park's drinking fountains dry. Disney was given a choice of having working fountains or running toilets and he chose the latter. This, however, generated negative publicity since Pepsi sponsored the park's opening; enraged guests believed the inoperable fountains were a cynical way to sell soda. The asphalt that had been poured just that morning was so soft that ladies' high-heeled shoes sank in. Vendors ran out of food. A gas leak in Fantasyland caused Adventureland, Frontierland, and Fantasyland to close for the afternoon. Parents were throwing their children over the shoulders of crowds to get them onto rides such as the King Arthur Carrousel.
The park got such bad press for the event day that Walt Disney invited members of the press back for a private "second day" to experience the true Disneyland, after which Walt held a party in the Disneyland Hotel for them. Walt and his 1955 executives forever referred to the day as "Black Sunday". On July 17 every year, cast members wear pin badges stating how many years it has been since July 17, 1955. For example, in 2004 they wore the slogan "The magic began 49 years ago today." But for the first twelve to fifteen years, Disney did officially state that opening day was on July 18, including in the park's own publications. Disneyland referred to July 17, 1955, as "Dedication Day" in one of its July, 1967, press releases.
On Monday July 18 crowds started to gather in line as early as 2 a.m., and the first person to buy a ticket and enter the park was David MacPherson with admission ticket number 2, as Roy O. Disney arranged to pre-purchase ticket number 1. Walt Disney had an official photo taken with two children instead, Christine Vess Watkins (age 5 in 1955) and Michael Schwartner (age 7 in 1955), and the photo of the two carries a deceptive caption along the lines of "Walt Disney with the first two guests of Disneyland." Vess Watkins and Schwartner both received lifetime passes to Disneyland that day, and MacPherson was awarded one shortly thereafter, which was later expanded to every single Disney-owned park in the world.
In September 1959, Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev spent 13 days in the United States. He had two requests: To visit Disneyland and to meet John Wayne, Hollywood's top box office draw. Security concerns prevented Khruschev's Disneyland visit; he responded by publicly wondering whether missiles were hidden there. Walt Disney was reportedly upset, having been denied showing Khrushchev his submarine fleet, which was among the largest in the world at the time.
1990s transition: Park becomes Resort
Disney's California Adventure
In the late 1990s, work began to expand on the one-park, one-hotel property. Disneyland Park, the Disneyland Hotel and the site of the original parking lot as well as acquired surrounding properties were earmarked to become part of a greater vacation resort development. The new components of this resort were to be another theme park, Disney's California Adventure Park; a shopping, dining and entertainment complex, Downtown Disney; a remodeled Disneyland Hotel; Disney's Grand Californian Hotel; and the acquisition of the Pan Pacific Hotel (later to be remodeled and renamed Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel). Because the existing parking lot (south of Disneyland) was built upon by these projects, the six-level 10,250 space "Mickey and Friends" parking structure was constructed in the northwest corner of the property, at the time of its completion in 2000, it was the largest parking structure in the United States.
Downtown Disney
The park's management team during the mid-1990s was a source of controversy among Disneyland fans and employees. In an effort to boost profits, various changes began by then-executives Cynthia Harriss and Paul Pressler. While their actions provided a short-term increase in shareholder returns, they drew widespread criticism from employees and guests alike for the lack of foresight. With the retail background of Harriss and Pressler, Disneyland's focus gradually shifted from attractions to merchandising. Outside consultants McKinsey & Co were also brought in to help streamline operations, which resulted in many changes and cutbacks. After nearly a decade of deferred maintenance, Walt Disney's original theme park was showing visible signs of neglect. Fans of the park decried the perceived decline in customer value and park quality and rallied for the dismissal of the management team.[citation needed
Disneyland in the 21st Century
Matt Ouimet, formerly the president of the Disney Cruise Line, was promoted to assume leadership of the Disneyland Resort in late 2003. Shortly afterward, he selected Greg Emmer as Senior Vice President of Operations. Emmer is a long-time Disney cast member who had worked at Disneyland in his youth prior to moving to Florida and holding multiple executive leadership positions at the Walt Disney World Resort. Ouimet quickly set about reversing certain trends, especially with regards to cosmetic maintenance and a return to the original infrastructure maintenance schedule, in hopes of restoring the safety record of the past. Much like Walt Disney himself, Ouimet and Emmer could often be seen walking the park during business hours with members of their respective staff. They wore cast member name badges, stood in line for attractions and welcomed comments from guests.
In July 2006, Matt Ouimet announced that he would be leaving The Walt Disney Company to become president of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. Soon after this announcement, Ed Grier, executive managing director of Walt Disney Attractions Japan, was named president of the Disneyland Resort. Greg Emmer retired from his job on February 8, 2008.
July 17, 1965: Disneyland presents the “Tencennial Re-Dedication Day” featuring the “Disneyland Tencennial Celebration Parade.”
July 17, 1970: 130 members of the original Disneyland Park staff, known as Club 55, are brought together for a special celebration. Combined, the total service of these very special Cast Members is more than 1,950 years.
July 17, 1975: On its 20th anniversary, the Park welcomes back Christine Vess Watkins and her cousin Michael Schwartner who, at ages five and seven, had been the first Guests to enter the gates on July 17, 1955.
July 17, 1980: The Park stays open for a 25-hour party from midnight July 16 to 1 a.m. July 18.
July 17, 1985: Disneyland celebrates with an all night 24-hour party. Other highlights include a daily 30th Anniversary Parade and the summertime return of The Main Street Electrical Parade.
July 17, 1989: Splash Mountain, the most elaborate flume attraction in the world opens to park guests. The attraction is located in the newest land, Critter Country, the towering 87-foot-tall Splash Mountain adventure culminates in a five-story drop at a 45-degree angle. Splash Mountain is based upon the animated sequences of Walt Disney’s classic 1946 film “Song of the South.”
July 17, 1995: A Time Castle is buried in the forecourt of Sleeping Beauty Castle in a ceremony presided over by Roy Disney and Michael Eisner. The time capsule contained mementos and articles reflecting Disneyland circa 1995. The time capsule will not be uncovered until July 17, 2035.
Also on July 17, more than 10,000 radio stations across the country carry a live broadcast of Park guests singing “Happy Birthday” to “The Happiest Place on Earth!” The singing is led by country music star Randy Travis, high above guests atop the Matterhorn Mountain.
1955: Opening day
Disneyland Park was opened to the public on Monday, July 18, 1955. However, a special "International Press Preview" event was held on Sunday, July 17, 1955, which was only open to invited guests and the media . The Special Sunday events, including the dedication, were televised nationwide and anchored by three of Walt Disney's friends from Hollywood: Art Linkletter, Bob Cummings, and Ronald Reagan. ABC broadcast the event live on its network; at the time, it was one of the largest and most complex live broadcasts ever.
The event did not go smoothly. The park was overcrowded as the by-invitation-only affair was plagued with counterfeit tickets. All major roads nearby were empty. The temperature was an unusually high 101 °F (38 °C), and a plumbers' strike left many of the park's drinking fountains dry. Disney was given a choice of having working fountains or running toilets and he chose the latter. This, however, generated negative publicity since Pepsi sponsored the park's opening; enraged guests believed the inoperable fountains were a cynical way to sell soda. The asphalt that had been poured just that morning was so soft that ladies' high-heeled shoes sank in. Vendors ran out of food. A gas leak in Fantasyland caused Adventureland, Frontierland, and Fantasyland to close for the afternoon. Parents were throwing their children over the shoulders of crowds to get them onto rides such as the King Arthur Carrousel.
The park got such bad press for the event day that Walt Disney invited members of the press back for a private "second day" to experience the true Disneyland, after which Walt held a party in the Disneyland Hotel for them. Walt and his 1955 executives forever referred to the day as "Black Sunday". On July 17 every year, cast members wear pin badges stating how many years it has been since July 17, 1955. For example, in 2004 they wore the slogan "The magic began 49 years ago today." But for the first twelve to fifteen years, Disney did officially state that opening day was on July 18, including in the park's own publications. Disneyland referred to July 17, 1955, as "Dedication Day" in one of its July, 1967, press releases.
On Monday July 18 crowds started to gather in line as early as 2 a.m., and the first person to buy a ticket and enter the park was David MacPherson with admission ticket number 2, as Roy O. Disney arranged to pre-purchase ticket number 1. Walt Disney had an official photo taken with two children instead, Christine Vess Watkins (age 5 in 1955) and Michael Schwartner (age 7 in 1955), and the photo of the two carries a deceptive caption along the lines of "Walt Disney with the first two guests of Disneyland." Vess Watkins and Schwartner both received lifetime passes to Disneyland that day, and MacPherson was awarded one shortly thereafter, which was later expanded to every single Disney-owned park in the world.
In September 1959, Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev spent 13 days in the United States. He had two requests: To visit Disneyland and to meet John Wayne, Hollywood's top box office draw. Security concerns prevented Khruschev's Disneyland visit; he responded by publicly wondering whether missiles were hidden there. Walt Disney was reportedly upset, having been denied showing Khrushchev his submarine fleet, which was among the largest in the world at the time.
1990s transition: Park becomes Resort
Disney's California Adventure
In the late 1990s, work began to expand on the one-park, one-hotel property. Disneyland Park, the Disneyland Hotel and the site of the original parking lot as well as acquired surrounding properties were earmarked to become part of a greater vacation resort development. The new components of this resort were to be another theme park, Disney's California Adventure Park; a shopping, dining and entertainment complex, Downtown Disney; a remodeled Disneyland Hotel; Disney's Grand Californian Hotel; and the acquisition of the Pan Pacific Hotel (later to be remodeled and renamed Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel). Because the existing parking lot (south of Disneyland) was built upon by these projects, the six-level 10,250 space "Mickey and Friends" parking structure was constructed in the northwest corner of the property, at the time of its completion in 2000, it was the largest parking structure in the United States.
Downtown Disney
The park's management team during the mid-1990s was a source of controversy among Disneyland fans and employees. In an effort to boost profits, various changes began by then-executives Cynthia Harriss and Paul Pressler. While their actions provided a short-term increase in shareholder returns, they drew widespread criticism from employees and guests alike for the lack of foresight. With the retail background of Harriss and Pressler, Disneyland's focus gradually shifted from attractions to merchandising. Outside consultants McKinsey & Co were also brought in to help streamline operations, which resulted in many changes and cutbacks. After nearly a decade of deferred maintenance, Walt Disney's original theme park was showing visible signs of neglect. Fans of the park decried the perceived decline in customer value and park quality and rallied for the dismissal of the management team.[citation needed
Disneyland in the 21st Century
Matt Ouimet, formerly the president of the Disney Cruise Line, was promoted to assume leadership of the Disneyland Resort in late 2003. Shortly afterward, he selected Greg Emmer as Senior Vice President of Operations. Emmer is a long-time Disney cast member who had worked at Disneyland in his youth prior to moving to Florida and holding multiple executive leadership positions at the Walt Disney World Resort. Ouimet quickly set about reversing certain trends, especially with regards to cosmetic maintenance and a return to the original infrastructure maintenance schedule, in hopes of restoring the safety record of the past. Much like Walt Disney himself, Ouimet and Emmer could often be seen walking the park during business hours with members of their respective staff. They wore cast member name badges, stood in line for attractions and welcomed comments from guests.
In July 2006, Matt Ouimet announced that he would be leaving The Walt Disney Company to become president of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. Soon after this announcement, Ed Grier, executive managing director of Walt Disney Attractions Japan, was named president of the Disneyland Resort. Greg Emmer retired from his job on February 8, 2008.
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