We know our readers are looking for ways to commemorate the 65th anniversary of Disneyland, so we have 10 great ways to help you celebrate “The Happiest Place on Earth.”
Here is Micechat’s top 10 suggestions on how to commemorate the 65th anniversary of Disneyland. Although the granddaddy of theme parks is currently closed, that doesn’t mean the celebration can’t happen!
1. Look back at the making of Disneyland park (with time-lapse video!)
As the Disneyland Resort celebrates its 65th birthday, let’s go back to a time and place when Disneyland was about to jump onto the world stage with a new experience that would revolutionize family entertainment.
When Disneyland opened in 1955, the park featured five themed areas: Frontierland, Tomorrowland, Adventureland, Fantasyland, and Main Street, U.S.A. To commemorate the original Magic Kingdom, let’s watch amazing time-lapse footage of Disneyland under construction. Blink and you might miss some amazing moments!
2. Something to chew on: explore Disneyland’s desserts and delicacies!
Who’s up for something sweet? How about salty?…or perhaps something crunchy? Disneyland has a wide variety of tasty treats and delights for those in the snacking mood. With so many food options to choose from, how do guests decide what to eat? It’s one of the most popular questions we receive on our forums.
Thanks to our fans in the MiceChat Facebook Group, we compiled our top 10 favorite treats at the Disneyland Resort. Grab some napkins – this might get a bit messy, but it’s Disneyland’s birthday so we’re sure you’ll smile during our countdown!
3. Look back at Disneyland during the holidays
Disneyland is a pure original. The park Walt Disney designed and built so parents and kids could have a place they could both enjoy has gone on to spawn five additional Magic Kingdoms around the world.
During the winter season, Disneyland becomes even more magical when the spirit of the holidays adds something a little extra special! Let’s look back at Disneyland when it becomes the merriest place on Earth:
4. Take an insider look at the Disneyland Railroad
The first attraction guests see when entering the park is the Disneyland Railroad. One of Walt Disney’s personal favorites, the opening day iconic attraction takes guests around the park, giving them a grand circle tour of adventures that await them.
Micechat took a trip through history with Don Rake, a railroad engineer with worked for Roger Brogie back in 1954. Broggie was responsible for making Walt Disney’s railroad dreams come true at Disneyland – and he did. Let’s take a closer look!
5. Listen to the Dapper Dans harmonize to “Grim Grinning Ghosts”
“Goblins and ghoulies from last Halloween,” listen up! The pandemic hasn’t slowed the Dapper Dans down!
Earlier this year, the Disneyland park Dapper Dans materialized from their homes with their rendition of the iconic song, “Grim Grinning Ghosts.” Of all the Disney Parks attractions with catchy theme songs, this Haunted Mansion anthem is surely a fan favorite.
We hope you enjoy this haunting performance:
6. Join The Walt Disney Family Museum for a Disneyland-centric day of virtual programming, Disneyland trivia and more
The Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco recently announced a day of special events to help Disneyland fans all around the world celebrate their favorite theme park’s birthday!
The special virtual event takes place today from 12pm to 5pm Pacific Standard Time on the 17th and will be available to anyone online with no prior registration required.
7. Look back at fireworks shows from past years
One of the most exciting things that makes Disneyland a destination is its nighttime spectaculars.
Disneyland premiered its first fireworks presentation in 1956. The show was initiated by backstage cast members igniting the fuses by hand with a flare! Eventually, technology allowed for the show to synchronize to music and launch the pyrotechnics electronically. As technology evolved, the shows became more sophisticated, which began to include projection mapping and aerial pyrotechnics taking on the shape of Mickey Mouse himself.
Let’s go back in time and watch 2018’s Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectular:
And for amazing fireworks photos and more memories of PixarFest, check out this blast from the past:
8. Browse online at shopDisney.com for new merchandise honoring Disneyland’s 65th anniversary
What would a birthday for the granddaddy of theme parks be without special merchandise? At shopDisney.com, you can find exclusive items commemorating Disneyland’s anniversary.
Disney lovers recently flocked to the public opening of Disneyland’s Downtown Disney District. MiceChat was there to cover the event, and made a special trip to World of Disney to view some of the new offerings.
9. Stream the virtual viewing of the awe-inspiring “Magic Happens” parade
Through the magic of technology, the Disneyland Resort crested a special virtual viewing of the new “Magic Happens” parade, which made its debut at Disneyland park not long before the shutdown.
This daytime spectacular celebrates some of the awe-inspiring moments from your favorite Disney stories. Let’s watch some of the highlights from this stunning parade:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rR-KP8KH1Ng&feature=emb_logo
10. What Does Disneyland Mean to You?
Last week, we asked our readers to share the images and thoughts that come to mind when they think of Disneyland. They came up with lots of heart-felt responses. You can see the hundreds of images and responses on our Facebook Group (HERE) and also at the end of Monday’s Disneyland Update:
What does Disneyland mean to you?
Let Us Help
Theme parks are reopening, and whether you are ready to travel yet or not, there’s no better time to lock in low rates on future travel. But waiting on hold and not knowing what questions to ask isn’t the magical part of a vacation. That’s why MiceChat has partnered with Get Away Today to handle all the difficult stuff for you . . . all for no extra cost. That’s right, they do all the work and it doesn’t cost you extra.
Our travel partners at Get Away Today are here to help you with your theme park booking and rescheduling plans. We know you’re as uncertain about the future as we are. That’s why Get Away Today is offering the most flexible Disney travel options available. Ask about:
Price Protection – If a better special comes out after you have booked, you’ll get the better deal.
Peace of Mind – Make hotel changes, reschedule dates, drop nights, change ticket vouchers and more, as many times as you’d like for a small, one-time fee.
Layaway Plan – Lock in your 2020 or 2021 Walt Disney World Resort vacation for just $175 down. By booking early, you secure your availability and have the flexibility to pay as you go. Make as many interest-free payments as you’d like, whenever you’d like, with final payment due just seven days prior to travel.
Give your family something to look forward to:
- Visit Get Away Today HERE
- We are expecting high call volume as Disney resumes hotel bookings and tickets sales. So, please fill out our request form and a vacation advisor will call you back: Vacation Information Request Form HERE
Let’s Hear From You
Here’s a bonus 11th item for you. Our video director put together an empty Disneyland video for you. While these shots were actually all recorded during regular operations, they were cut to reflect current times:
It’s a challenging time to celebrate, and our beloved Disneyland is closed for its big anniversary. But we’ve shared 10 great ways for you to celebrate from home. What additional ways will you mark the occasion? And what does Disneyland mean to you? Let’s leave our thoughts and birthday wishes below.
