Saturday, July 17, 2010

It All Started With a Mouse


“To all who come to this happy place … Welcome!”





Celebrating 55 Years of Magic

July 17, 1955 Walt Disney Welcomed the First Guests to Disneyland Park in California.  Today we Celebrate the Dream that Still Continues.

Celebrating Walt’s Dream 55 Years Later       (view this original podcast from 2005 - Walt Disney opening day)

Twenty-five years ago, my husband, toddler son, and I had the privilege of attending a Birthday Party like no other party you could imagine. At the stroke of midnight, the gates to Disneyland opened for those who had tickets to the event.   As you can see from the picture above, we entered the park around 1 AM.   The Disney cast members lit the sky with a rainbow of light and hosted a party which included the Main Street Electrical Parade and other special treats.   The park remained closed to the public until after breakfast.   Can you imagine having Disneyland to yourself?

The creator of Mickey Mouse and founder of the Disneyland® and Walt Disney World® Theme Parks was born in Chicago, Illinois, on December 5, 1901. His father, Elias Disney, was Irish-Canadian. His mother, Flora Call Disney, was of German-American descent. Walt was one of five children, four boys and a girl.

Walt was a pioneer, innovator, and the possessor of one of the most fertile imaginations the world has ever known.  His legacy continues today as the Disney Imagineering Staff take dreams and turn them into reality.  It is fitting that the next Disney Cruise Line ship is named Disney Dream.

There are many theme parks across the land, but the Disney Theme Parks continue to be the most well run, family-oriented, entertainment venues of all time.  In the cruise industry, we refer to the experience onboard a Disney ship as the "Disney Difference".  Mickey Mouse and all his friends and family are there to greet you as you step out of reality and into a dream come true.   If you like the water parks on land, you'll love the water parks onboard the ship.

I'm sure you've been to Disneyland or Disney World and rode on the Pirates in the Caribbean.   On the ship, you can actually be part of a party hosted by your favorite Pirates.   There's even fireworks that are shot from the deck of the ship.

The Disney crew members know how to keep children entertained for hours, both at the theme parks and also on the ship.   You'll not have to worry about your children being safe and having the time of their lives when you step aboard one of Disney Cruise Line's ships.

I could go on forever about the Disney Difference, but I don't want to spoil all the surprises when you set sail yourself.

Congratulations to the Walt Disney Company on achieving another milestone - the 55th Anniversary of bringing a little joy to all that "come to this happy place".





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