Guide to Disneyland’s Diamond Anniversary

Last week we posted a short history of Disneyland’s first 60 years.  With the start of the anniversary celebration just under a month away, today we’re going to provide you with all the information you need to celebrate the diamond anniversary at the park, or at least everything we know about so far.

All Night Celebration and New Shows

The celebration kicks off on May 22 with a 24-hour long day at the park, and as part of that kick-off three new night time shows will debut.

The “Disneyland Forever” fireworks spectacular is a new fireworks show that will introduce elements using new special effects technologies.  The entire park is being covered in projection mapping effects so that while the fireworks light the sky, the streets of Disneyland will be turned into scenes from classic Disney movies.  Additionally, the show will move beyond just the area around Main Street, and the projection mapping will be used around Small World, the Matterhorn, and Rivers of America, adding different experiences for people in different parts of the park and increasing the area of the park from which people can enjoy the show.  The clip below shows a preview released by Disneyland (and uploaded by Screamscape) of the new projection mapping for the show.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BEOOzF7fkQ

The second new show is a version of the “Paint the Night” Parade from Hong Kong Disneyland.  The parade is the modern imagining of the beloved Main Street Electrical parade that ended at Disneyland in 1996.  1.5 million LEDs will illuminate floats and performers representing favorite Disney characters.  It’s great to see the bright lights coming back to Disneyland, and it’s expected to include a few little homages to the original electrical parade.

Mack and performers will light up the Paint the Night parades.

Mack and performers will light up the Paint the Night parades.

The final new show is an updated version of the popular World of Color at Disney California Adventure titled “World of Color – Celebrate! The Wonderful World of Walt Disney.”  The new show, which is hosted by Neil Patrick Harris, is a celebration of Walt Disney and Walt’s dream of Disneyland.  According to the Disney parks blog, “Mickey Mouse will take guests on a fun-filled and inspirational journey through the unparalleled imagination of Walt Disney, exploring his decades-long legacy of memorable animated moments and the dream of Disneyland park.”  Sounds like it will be very fitting for the diamond anniversary of the park.

World-of-Color-1_15_DLR_9502-640x420

 

Ride Refrubishments and Park Decorations

Along with the series of new shows, multiple rides are being refurbished in the lead up to the diamond anniversary, and a lots of the buildings are getting diamond-y overlays.  The most obvious change will be the decorations for Sleeping Beauty’s castle, which is getting decked out in glistening diamonds (not real diamonds, don’t try to steal anything off the castle).  The video below shows some of the behind-the-scenes work that went (and is still going) into the transformation of the castle.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSnLbZ6-1-Y

The update I’m personally most excited about is the to the Matterhorn bobselds, which is getting a major overhaul of special effects.  The Disney parks blog specifically teased a new abominable snowman when the ride reopens.  Currently the bobsleds are expected to re-open a week before the diamond anniversary kick-off party, on May 15.

Rendering of the new snowman, quite a bit more menacing than the previous animatornic (which still terrified me as a kid).

Rendering of the new snowman, quite a bit more menacing than the previous animatornic (which still terrified me as a kid).

Peter Pan’s Flight is also getting new effects, which the blog says “will make this classic and beloved attraction come to life in new ways.”  Our first guess is that it will include updated animatronics and digital projection effects similar to those on the updated Alice in Wonderland ride that opened last year, which look fantastic.  The Disneyland park schedule suggests that Peter Pan should be completed by May 21, just in time for the celebration.  Edit:  Looks like the latest Disneyland calendar shows Peter Pan won’t be opening until July 1, so that will mean two trips to Disneyland are needed!

The final ride update that has been teased is the nostalgic return of the “Hatbox Ghost” to the Haunted Mansion.  The ghostly figure was a short-lived part of the original Haunted Mansion that developed a bit of a cult following, and he’s finally returning after 40 some odd years of mysteriously vanishing (mostly due to the fact the original effect didn’t work very well).  The Haunted Mansion should re-open on May 9.

Triumphant return of the Hatbox Ghost!

Triumphant return of the Hatbox Ghost!

In addition to these ride updates, Disney characters throughout the park will be decked out in sparkling, diamond covered duds.   No doubt there will be tons more “diamond” related decorations throughout the park as well when the celebration kicks off, and across the entrance in California Adventure which is joining the party.

Celebratory Food and Souvenirs

Not surprisingly, the celebration will include lots of special treats and toys.  Some of the new treats that have been revealed include Disneyland Diamond Cupcakes, which will be available in different flavors at Disneyland and California Adventure.  Specialty drinks will also be available throughout the parks to celebrate the anniversary, and special souvenir cups for those who are into that kind of thing.

Mmm...fancy cupcakes...

Mmm…fancy cupcakes…

Speaking of souvenirs, according to Disney there will be more than a staggering 500 specialty diamond anniversary souvenirs available.  The items will range from 60th anniversary plates to cell phone cases that light up when the phone gets a call to sparkly rhinestone covered shirts and headbands.  Basically, if you want buy something to remember the anniversary you’ll have plenty to choose from, and if you want to buy a whole bunch of stuff to celebrate the anniversary you should be covered.  These souvenirs should be available all over the resort, including throughout Disneyland, California Adventure, and Downtown Disney.

Lots and lots of stuff to buy.

Lots and lots of stuff to buy.

Daily Sweepstakes

Finally, the park is going to be celebrating with more than just stuff for you to buy, they’ll also be giving away free things!  And some pretty sweet things, at that.  Beginning on May 22, Disneyland will be giving away both daily and weekly prizes to fans.  The daily prizes will be VIP experiences for the winners, including private tours, priority access to certain rides and attractions, and preferred viewing spots for shows.  The weekly prizes step it up a notch, with chances to win items like a crystal Cinderella slipper that includes a diamond and topaz pendant, a private party in Fantasyland, or, and this is probably the most exciting, an actual custom engraved Disney one or two carat diamond.  Winners of one carat diamonds will also get an overnight stay in the Disneyland Dream Suite, a lavish apartment above Pirates of the Caribbean.  That’s basically a once in a lifetime kind of thing, which I guess makes up for not getting that second carat.  The official rules and details about how to enter won’t be released until May 22, but buying admission to the park will not be a requirement.  When they’re released the details should show up at Disneyland.com/DiamondDays.

One of many amazing prizes that could be one during the Diamond Days sweepstakes to celebrate the Disneyland diamond anniversary.

One of many amazing prizes that could be one during the Diamond Days sweepstakes to celebrate the Disneyland diamond anniversary.

So that pretty much covers everything we know so far about the Disneyland 60th celebration.  As we get closer to the start of the celebration and learn more, we’ll keep you updated.  Basically it all sounds pretty awesome, and should make a trip to Disneyland sometime this year a high priority.  Anyone started planning their trip yet?

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