Disneyland’s Dedication exactly 50 years later - July 17, 2005, 4:45pm - Town Square, Disneyland

Описание: I always thought it would be cool to be at Disneyland on opening day, but when you read stories about everything that went wrong, I’m not so sure. July 17, 1955 is referred to as “Black Sunday” in Disney history after the dreadful opening day of Disneyland. Cast Member training coordinator Van Arsdale France said they planned for 11,000 and the record showed 28,154 guests attended. A large number of the “invite-only” tickets were counterfeited and some people brought in more guests than allowed. The live broadcast of the park’s opening was called “Dateline: Disneyland” which aired on ABC-TV at 4:30pm, PST. Art Linkletter, Bob Cummings, and Ronald Regan hosted the 90-minute event. It used 29 cameras, 13 hydraulic forklifts, 85,000 feet of cable, 5 control rooms, and 40 monitors. Over ninety million people watched from home. Fresh asphalt was laid on Main Street that morning and women's heels sunk into it causing them to step out of their shoes.

At 4:45 Ronald Regan introduced Walt, who was standing in Town Square. “And now Walt Disney will step forward to read the dedication of Disneyland.” Walt Disney stepped up to a microphone and read the dedication. “To all who come to this happy place: Welcome. Disneyland is your land. Here, age relives fond memories of the past, and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future. Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams, and the hard facts that have created America, with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world. Thank you.” Today the dedication could be found on a plaque at the base of the flagpole on Main Street. It was written by Winston Hibler, who wrote and narrated the True-Life Adventure films. Reverend Glenn Darrel Puder gave the invocation after Walt, but Disneyland only showed Walt’s dedication on the 50th anniversary. After that, in 1955, California Governor Goodwin Knight gave a short speech and then the flag was raised in Town Square as the Disneyland Band played the “Star Spangled Banner.” The National Guard did a flyover and there was a parade down Main Street with costumed characters borrowed from the Ice Capades.

In this 2005 home video you will see…
A crowd of Disneyland lovers fill Main Street’s Town Square wearing their 50th anniversary gold mouse ears, which were free when you entered Disneyland. Large screens were set up around the park that day to show special events like the 50th anniversary ceremony and Walt’s dedication speech. Throughout the day these screens replayed the 10am 50th anniversary ceremony, so guests heard the same jokes and stories several times if they stayed all day. The screens were located at: Sleeping Beauty Castle, Tomorrowland, Festival Arena, “it’s a small world,” Town Square, and Sunshine Plaza in Disney’s California Adventure.
On the screen there is an introduction about Disneyland with video clips of the park throughout the years.
Next, the screen shows Town Square and the narrator tells us to pause and listen to Walt’s dedication speech delivered on this day, July 17, exactly 50 years later.
The screen shows the clip from “Dateline: Disneyland” of Walt Disney stepping up to the microphone and reading the dedication.
Right after the speech, a montage of Disneyland memories played on the screen to the tune of “Remember When,” performed by LeAnn Rimes and written by Richard Marx. This song was all over Disneyland and Walt Disney World during “The Happiest Homecoming on Earth.” It was on the 50th anniversary Disneyland park soundtrack. Near the end of the song birds flew out over the sea of gold ears. Being there at that moment, in the spot where Walt stood, made me teary eyed. I could have watched this from many locations around the park, but I wanted to be where Walt was, 50 years later. That moment was one of the best memories of my life, and it was such a privilege to be at Walt’s original park on the 50th anniversary, surrounded by fellow Disneyland lovers. I will never forget it.