Working every day at The Happiest Place on Earth is a dream come true, particularly for somebody who grew up in Southern California and cherished coming to Disneyland Resort as a child with household and buddies. Having my very own desk backstage at Disneyland and having the ability to write about all issues Disney Parks as soon as appeared like a pipe dream, making it much more unbelievable to be residing that very same dream every day whereas having fun with each second of it (whereas additionally snacking on the occasional chocolate chip cookie from Harbour Galley).
Daily remains to be a “pinch-me” second, particularly when I’ve been lucky sufficient to have roles as a Jungle Cruise skipper, an intern for the Disneyland Resort Public Relations staff, and finally a author for the Disney Parks Weblog throughout my time in Anaheim.
Since I used to be employed as a skipper again in 2022, I’ve been capable of inform hundreds of pun-filled jokes, meet forged members and company from each nook of the world, and inform tales on the Disney Parks Weblog. There are such a lot of fond Disneyland reminiscences and moments that play on repeat in my head, but some days really stand out and remind me why I really love coming to work every day.
As we speak is a kind of further particular days, and also you’ll get to comply with together with me and different members from the Disney Parks Weblog editorial staff as we expertise a wide range of actions (some only for forged members!) throughout Disneyland park because it celebrates its seventieth anniversary right this moment, July 17.
Longtime Disneyland Lovers and Future Forged Members, Comply with Alongside
- Right here’s a have a look at our Morning of Reminiscences on the Disneyland Resort, celebrating 70 years of spectacular milestones, snacks, points of interest, and a lot extra for all who’ve come to this joyful place.
4:00 A.M. – Celebrating A Morning of Reminiscences with Disneyland Forged Members
Simply as Walt had dreamed on a park bench at Griffith Park, Disneyland has grow to be a spot the place adults and youngsters can get pleasure from a day collectively. However earlier than the world might step into the magic on opening day in 1955, Walt and Lillian Disney took a while for a particular celebration once they gathered their closest buddies and households for an unforgettable thirtieth wedding ceremony anniversary celebration.
This yr, the enjoyable for our forged members additionally kicked off earlier than the remainder of the world might step into the surprise of Disneyland for its seventieth anniversary. This morning, a really particular occasion was held as Anaheim-based forged members, workers, and Imagineers had been invited to be among the many first to expertise this milestone anniversary with particular choices and the possibility to be a part of a historic second.
I used to be capable of be a part of this unimaginable group of forged members, recognizing everybody from Disneyland Railroad conductors to Market Home baristas, as all of us ready for the remainder of the morning with loads of particular choices forward. Selecting up some complimentary commemorative objects was just the start of our fun-filled morning, with many extra issues to return as I equipped for the remainder of the day.
4:25 A.M. – Visiting a Sizzling Air Balloon on Essential Road, U.S.A.
First launching from ESPN’s Bristol Headquarters in Could earlier than heading to different areas throughout the nation like Seattle and San Francisco’s Presidio, a particular Disneyland Resort 70th Celebration scorching air balloon landed this morning on Essential Road, U.S.A., simply in time for the official anniversary of the park’s 1955 opening date.
Adorned with vibrant, pastel colours and Mickey Mouse’s face on the facet, forged members had been capable of snap footage subsequent to the balloon on show close to Astro Orbiter. Take a look at this photograph of some members of our Disney Parks Weblog editorial staff subsequent to this large balloon!
4:40 A.M. – “it’s a small world” Glows with “Tapestry of Happiness”
Projected on the traditional facade of “it’s a small world”, I swung by the ultimate morning efficiency of “Tapestry of Happiness”, bringing the outside of the long-lasting 1966 attraction to life with a spectacular array of sunshine, music, and projection results. This present takes place within the evenings as properly throughout the seventieth Celebration, however I used to be wanting to catch a particular viewing round fellow forged members this morning.
Impressed by the fashion and work of legendary artist Mary Blair, the present created an animated mosaic of Disneyland points of interest, moments, and reminiscences with nods to recognizable Disneyland tunes from throughout the a long time. “it’s a small world” was the right location for this present, and so many forged members round us had been overcome within the full nostalgia of all of it.
4:45 A.M. – Snapping a Memorable Picture at Sleeping Magnificence Fort
Even for me, snapping a photograph in entrance of the very first Disney fortress by no means will get previous, particularly since this was the one fortress seen by Walt. Daily at Disneyland feels such as you’re strolling within the footsteps of historical past, making this photograph location a must-stop throughout the occasion (particularly when forged members had been capable of get complimentary Disney PhotoPass digital downloads this morning!).
Do you bear in mind a few of your first household images in entrance of the fortress? Right here’s one in every of mine with my dad again in 2005, celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of Disneyland on the time. 20 years later, I’m fortunate sufficient to have the ability to have fun the seventieth anniversary of this iconic place with hundreds of different forged members who make the magic occur daily.
5:00 A.M. – Posing at Picture Areas Round City Sq.
Three extra photograph areas had been arrange inside City Sq. on Essential Road, U.S.A., together with in entrance of the Disneyland Railroad Station, the City Sq. Hearth Station, and the colourful seventieth Medallion.
A number of forged members had been smiling from ear to ear on this space, the place we spoke with Abigail Clay, a core lead on the Disneyland Railroad. Right here’s what she needed to say about engaged on the Disneyland Railroad, a gap day attraction that has taken company round Disneyland since 1955:
It’s so superb working with this iconic attraction and it simply makes daily further particular!
Abigail Clay, Disneyland Railroad Core Lead
This space was additionally at all times a memorable spot for me, as I used to work in Essential Road Visitor Present Operations and would assist excited company discover viewing areas to catch the most recent parade or nighttime spectacular in City Sq.. Many company are used to recognizing forged members wearing black ties and crimson vests on this space – these forged members are a part of the present and assist make the magic occur for all company throughout each efficiency.
5:55 A.M. – Settling in for the Flag Elevating Ceremony
As daylight began to seem within the heat summer time sky, forged members flocked towards City Sq. to catch the Flag Elevating ceremony, that includes appearances from the Disneyland Band and the Dapper Dans. This ceremony — a practice from the opening day of Disneyland 70 years in the past — was a tremendous reminder of how the spirit of service lives on on the Disneyland Resort, honoring those that have served in each department of the U.S. navy.
This ceremony additionally featured unimaginable performances of “America the Lovely” and “The Star-Spangled Banner”.
6:35 A.M. – Forged Members Get Collectively for a Forged Picture
After a fantastic morning crammed with photograph alternatives, music and loads of pleasure, hundreds of forged members throughout Disneyland Resort gathered on Essential Road, U.S.A., for a large forged photograph.
After inspiring remarks from CEO and Chairman of The Walt Disney Firm, Bob Iger, and Disney Experiences Chairman, Josh D’Amaro, forged members from each nook of the resort grinned from right here to Fantasyland to mark this milestone second in Disneyland historical past!
7:30 A.M. – Rope Dropping with Visitors at Disneyland
As soon as the forged member festivities began to wind down for the day, the company started to roll in for rope drop! Rope dropping is among the most well-known morning actions at Disneyland, the place company will line up behind devoted ropes on the entrances to a number of lands till forged members within the park take down the ropes and permit company to enter all areas of the park when it formally opens for the day!
Whereas my staff and I needed to head again to the workplace, we had been capable of spot so many excited company heading towards their favourite attraction. Whether or not they had their sights set on a traditional attraction like House Mountain or a brand new favourite like Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, it’s a fantastic feeling to know that so many company are wanting to board their favourite rides within the early components of the morning earlier than setting off for an adventurous day throughout the resort.
1:30 P.M. – Leaping with Pleasure for the seventieth Anniversary Cavalcade
By the afternoon, it was nearly time for a singular, one-day-only presentation of “The Have fun Completely satisfied Cavalcade” alongside the parade route, the place I used to be capable of safe some viewing close to the City Sq. Hearth Station with my digital camera in a single hand and a traditional Disneyland churro within the different.
This location is an particularly particular spot for Disneyland forged members, since Walt had an house constructed above the City Sq. Hearth Station to make sure that he might spend extra time at Disneyland and might be part of each step of the artistic course of. It’s a sentimental house, and one which has impressed so many dreamers through the years.
As soon as the cavalcade made its approach down Essential Road, U.S.A., we had been capable of spot Duffy and ShellieMay main the best way whereas “Have fun Completely satisfied” by the Jonas Brothers performed all through the realm. With a large celebration cake float and lots of iconic Disney characters following carefully behind, this cavalcade was the right finish to our deliberate itinerary for this celebratory day.
What’s On Deck for the Remainder of the Day?
As soon as I’m off work for the day, I’ll be heading again contained in the park with my staff to seize a DOLE Whip Peach and possibly even hop in line for a gap day attraction just like the Disneyland Railroad or Mr. Toad’s Wild Experience. There’s additionally a ton of superior seventieth merchandise within the parks proper now (the Vault Assortment is perhaps my favourite selection, particularly for followers of classic Disneyland), and I’m planning to finish the evening with a sensational exhibiting of “Paint the Night time” underneath the glowing moonlight.
Trailblazing forged members from the previous 70 years have paved the best way for present forged members like me to take part in these unimaginable experiences, and it’s an honor to have the ability to cross the baton to future generations on the Disneyland Resort. Even 70 years later, it nonetheless appears like just the start of many extra thrilling issues to return at Disneyland, and it’s a privilege to be only a small piece of the puzzle serving to to show desires into actuality.
