The Happiest Celebration on Earth
Artist rendering of the Disneyland Castle
Celebration Makeover
From Tokyo and Paris, from California and Hong
Kong, Walt Disney World Resort has importing a collection of incredible new
attractions and shows to commemorate 50 years of Disney theme parks.
During "The Happiest Celebration on Earth," which begins May 5, 2005, each
of the four Walt Disney World theme parks will feature a blockbuster
attraction imported from around the globe -- plus a unique new attraction
will be created just for the Florida resort.
"Disney parks are an international phenomenon -- the most popular in the
world," said Walt Disney World President Al Weiss. "During this golden
anniversary celebration, we're giving Walt Disney World guests a chance to
sample Disney magic from three continents and creating new reasons to
visit each of our Florida parks."
Magic Kingdom
At
Magic Kingdom, guests will see "Cinderellabration," an enchanting musical
spectacular direct from Tokyo Disneyland Park. Performed on the castle
stage, the show will continue the "happily-ever-after" story of Cinderella
with elaborate costumes and a host of favorite characters that bring to
life the coronation of this favorite Disney princess.
During
"The Happiest Celebration on Earth," Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom will
become a celebration of Disney magic around the world. Graceful gold
filigree will adorn its turrets. Banners, ribbons and tapestries will breeze
from balconies.
Incredible golden Disney icons will sparkle across the castle --
Cinderella's glass slipper, Beast's enchanted rose. Golden images of Peter
Pan and his friends will fly carefree in the sky high on the tallest spire.
There will be a delightful Disney surprise from every angle. And in the
middle of it all, a magical palate of ever-changing stained glass above the
castle's great archway will shine with a breathtaking view of the five
Disney castles from around the world.
Details & Photos of the Castle
Transformation
Artist Rending
Epcot
At
Epcot, Disney's California Adventure will provide a tribute to the West
Coast heritage of Disney theme parks. "Soarin' " -- one of the most
popular attractions at one of the newest Disney parks -- will send Epcot
guests on a thrilling hang-gliding journey over the Golden State. The
"flight" ends, appropriately enough, with an aerial view of Disneyland
itself.
Also at Epcot, guests will get a sneak peek at the beginning of the next
50 years of Disney theme parks at Hong Kong Disneyland Preview Center.
Scale models and never-before-seen renderings will showcase the park,
scheduled to open December 2005.
MGM Studios
At
Disney-MGM Studios, the "Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show" from
Walt Disney Studios Paris will feature the bombastic best of the movie
industry's stunt masters. Fast-paced and high-energy, the stunt show will
send cars, motorcycles and jet skis careening across the studios backlot,
giving the audience of 5,000 seated in a custom built grandstand a
behind-the-scenes look at movie mayhem.
Animal Kingdom
At
Disney's Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney Imagineering will introduce
Lucky the
dinosaur, the first-ever free-roaming Audio-Animatronics creation. After
successful play-testing at Disney's California Adventure,
Lucky will walk
the streets of DinoLand U.S.A., greeting guests and even signing
autographs. The startlingly lifelike creature -- which can laugh, sneeze,
bray and even get the hiccups -- was named one of the year's top
inventions by Time magazine and represents the next step forward in
Audio-Animatronics technology.
Later
in the celebration year, Walt Disney World Resort will present a new
adventure of its own with the opening of the enormous
Expedition EVEREST
thrill ride in the Asia area of Disney's Animal Kingdom. The legend of the
yeti comes to life in a dramatic high-speed train adventure that combines
coaster-style thrills with the excitement of a close encounter with the
abominable snowman.
The celebration will cap an incredible array of blockbuster attractions
and shows that have been added to Walt Disney World Resort over the past
two years: "Soarin' "; "Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show";
Expedition EVEREST; Stitch's Great Escape!; "Wishes" fireworks
spectacular; "Mickey's PhilharMagic" and Mission: SPACE.
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