Surprise Guests Help Disney Debut Happiest Celebration
POSTED: Thursday, May 5, 2005
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Gray skies cleared up just a little for Walt Disney World to put on its happiest face for the kickoff of The Happiest Celebration On Earth.
Video: New Parade Celebrates Disneyland's 50th
Slideshow: Disney's Happiest Celebration On Earth
While the weather was on again, off again in central Florida, Thursday's festivities remained on as Walt Disney World held an afternoon celebration to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first Disney theme park, Disneyland in California. Disneyland opened July 17, 1955.The 18-month Happiest Celebration will be a theme throughout all of Disney's 10 parks across the globe and will continue at the 11th theme park, Hong Kong Disneyland, set to open in September.Make no mistake, Disney is creating its spectacular celebration to create excitement for some new attractions debuting at Walt Disney World that are "imported" from its other parks.On Wednesday, Walt Disney World officials unveiled its new stunt show at Disney-MGM studios. "Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show" is "inspired" by a show at Disneyland Resorts Paris. The show features cars and motorcycles, plus other vehicles performing outrageous stunts.On Thursday, guests were introduced to the new "Cinderellabration" at the famous landmark Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom. The show is an import from Tokyo Disneyland.Also scheduled for unveilings are "Soarin'," a hang-gliding journey over California at Epcot, and Lucky the Dinosaur at Animal Kingdom. Expedition Everest, a high-speed train-roller coaster attraction, will open next year.
Performances by rock group Smashmouth and singer Ashanti helped get the Happiest party started Wednesday night. An unannounced appearance by Orlando resident Joey Fatone of N'Sync brought screams from excited preteen girls at the free show at Disney-MGM Studios. Fatone gave an impromptu performance on a few Smashmouth hits with the band's lead singer, Steve Harwell.Appearing a bit more rehearsed were Broadway talents Andrea McArdle, Jennifer Holiday and Eden Espinoza, who performed Thursday during the official Happiest Celebration On Earth festivities. Former Disney cast member Wayne Brady acted as emcee. Also spotted at the theme park Thursday was Gloria Estefan, with her husband, Emilio, and daughter, Emily. Singer and former American Idol contestant Diana DeGarmo was at the Disney-MGM Studios.Canadian group The Barenaked Ladies was scheduled to perform a private media party Thursday night.
Video: New Parade Celebrates Disneyland's 50th Slideshow: Disney's Happiest Celebration On Earth While the weather was on again, off again in central Florida, Thursday's festivities remained on as Walt Disney World held an afternoon celebration to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first Disney theme park, Disneyland in California. Disneyland opened July 17, 1955.The 18-month Happiest Celebration will be a theme throughout all of Disney's 10 parks across the globe and will continue at the 11th theme park, Hong Kong Disneyland, set to open in September.Make no mistake, Disney is creating its spectacular celebration to create excitement for some new attractions debuting at Walt Disney World that are "imported" from its other parks.On Wednesday, Walt Disney World officials unveiled its new stunt show at Disney-MGM studios. "Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show" is "inspired" by a show at Disneyland Resorts Paris. The show features cars and motorcycles, plus other vehicles performing outrageous stunts.On Thursday, guests were introduced to the new "Cinderellabration" at the famous landmark Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom. The show is an import from Tokyo Disneyland.Also scheduled for unveilings are "Soarin'," a hang-gliding journey over California at Epcot, and Lucky the Dinosaur at Animal Kingdom. Expedition Everest, a high-speed train-roller coaster attraction, will open next year.
Star Celebration
Performances by rock group Smashmouth and singer Ashanti helped get the Happiest party started Wednesday night. An unannounced appearance by Orlando resident Joey Fatone of N'Sync brought screams from excited preteen girls at the free show at Disney-MGM Studios. Fatone gave an impromptu performance on a few Smashmouth hits with the band's lead singer, Steve Harwell.Appearing a bit more rehearsed were Broadway talents Andrea McArdle, Jennifer Holiday and Eden Espinoza, who performed Thursday during the official Happiest Celebration On Earth festivities. Former Disney cast member Wayne Brady acted as emcee. Also spotted at the theme park Thursday was Gloria Estefan, with her husband, Emilio, and daughter, Emily. Singer and former American Idol contestant Diana DeGarmo was at the Disney-MGM Studios.Canadian group The Barenaked Ladies was scheduled to perform a private media party Thursday night.Distributed by Internet Broadcasting. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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