Disneyland 1956 Home Movies With Walt!

Jeff found these amazing videos amongst his grandfather's home movies, they're truly incredible.
Please take a moment to enjoy them, I truly think you'll simply overwhelmed as how much the park has changed. His grandfather was quite a brilliant cinematographer!
Honestly, the videos brought brought a tear to my eye, they're really touching and truly bring value to the phrase 'Carpe Diem!'. Seize the day.

Home Movies At DisneyLand - 1956 **Part Two** from Jeff Altman on Vimeo.

1 Year and 1 Day!

Did you know that Disneyland was actually constructed in one year and one day? Wow!
That's incredibly fast for so much highly detailed work!
When the gates flew open there were five themed lands and 20 attractions! I'd have to say it's grown quite a bit since then.
Walt also said that as Disneyland grew older, it would also grow more beautiful as the foliage grew and matured.
Gosh, even after working here 28 years, I'm still here whenever I'm in the OC and I've never grown tired of the ol' place.

55 years of milestones:

July 17, 1955, Disneyland opens!

1960
Just five years after opening its gates, Disneyland continued to add new experiences to bring back Guests. Nature's Wonderland, based on Walt Disney's True-Life Adventures, opened in Frontierland allowing passengers to travel by mine train or pack mule through Beaver Valley and the Living Dessert. And a new production in Circarama debuted called America the Beautiful.

1965
Disneyland marked its first decade with a yearlong "Tencennial." Celebration elements included parkwide decorations, a grand parade and numerous special events throughout the year. To help represent the park during the busy year, the role of Disneyland Ambassador to the World was created.

1970
The Wrather Company introduced the 319-room Marina Tower, the Water Wonderland Marina, the "Dancing Waters Shows," and a new registration lobby at the Disneyland Hotel. Disneyland Park celebrated its 15th anniversary and more than 130 original members of the 1955 Disneyland Cast joined in a special ceremony on July 17 of that year.

1975
Disneyland celebrated its 20th anniversary and began a 15-month salute to the U.S.A. Bicentennial with the most elaborate parade in the park's history-"America on Parade" which featured 50 floats and 150 giant performers at least eight feet tall, in addition to an all-new red,white and blue Fireworks Spectacular "Fantasy in the Sky."

1980
Disneyland kicked off a year-long Silver Anniversary celebration with a pre-parade show at the Tournament of Roses on New Years's Day in Pasadena. Several special parades and shows followed for the rest of the year, but it was a special event in March,featuring Michael Jackson and Danny Kaye, that brought national attention to the celebration.

SIDE NOTE????
December 12,1981, Dr Lee "future" Bartnder of Club 33,works his first day as an attraction host on the Mark Twain.

1985
Disneyland's 30th anniversary was celebrated in spectacular style: A gigantic machine called the Gift Giver Extraordinaire doled out thousands of prizes to Guests as they entered the gates, including brand new GM cars to every thirty-thousandth Guest; Disneyland stayed open for a full 24-hours to mark the actual date(July 17); and the City of Anahiem marked the occasion with Skyfest on December 5(Walt's birthday), which released more than a million balloons into the air.

1990
For the 35th anniversary of Disneyland, Party Gras, the 35th anniversary parade, made its way down Main Street,U.S.A. a parade float that measured 37 feet. The Dream Machine, located in Central Plaza, gave some fortunate Guests an opportunity to try their luck to win one of many prizes that included Disney videos, a Mickey Mouse plush or even a new car.

1995
The 40th anniversary of Disneyland Park was highlighted by the opening of the Indiana Jones Adventure, a thrilling off-road journey through an ancient temple from the creative forces of Disney and George Lucas. The dance club Videopolis, was transformed onto the Fantasyland Theatre,featuring the all- new stage show "The Spirit of Pocahontas." Disney also acquired the Disneyland Hotel's next-door neighbor, the Pan Pacific Hotel, which was transformed into the Disneyland Pacific Hotel (and later the Paradise Pier Hotel.)

2000
Disneyland Park celebrated its anniversary by day with the classically inspired "45 Years of Magic" parade and by night with dazzling new Fireworks Spectacular "Believe...There's Magic in the Stars." In consideration of Guests young and old, a new park-wide smoking policy was introduced, and the only original Tomorrowland attraction left from opening day, Autopia, is remodeled.

2005
Memorable moments of the 50th anniversary included United States Astronaut Neil Armstrong re-dedicating Space Mountain and Disneyland becoming the first theme park to be honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame;the 50th anniversary anthem "Remember When" being recorded and performed by LeAnn Rimes; hidden "50" icons throughout Disneyland Park; and a $1 million donation to the Boys and Girls Club of Anahiem.

Another Side Note???
June 20,2007 on my 55th birthday, Dr Lee retires and moves to Pleasant Hill,(San Francisco area)Ca.

2010
It was a second act like no other-Captain EO returned as the Michael Jackson/Francis Ford Coppola/George Lucas film returned to Disneyland Park almost two decades after it first debuted. And the Disneyland Resort saw a major expansion plan unfurl with the addition of nighttime spectacular World of Color along with Silly Symphony Swings.


Enjoy......Dr Lee A.K.A. The Good Doctor

The Flags of the Disneyland Resort:

When the nation mourns or a tragedy strikes, the Disneyland Resort recognizes those historical days with ceremonies of honor and remembrance. The American flag located in Town Square, Main Street,U.S.A. has flown half-mass for these occasions. Additionally, a Flag Retreat Ceremony is observed daily and on Veteran's Day,a special ceremony is held honoring Cast who are current, reserve or prior service men and women to march down Main Street in their military uniforms.


Hidden Treasures in the Magic Kingdom:

The excitement of entering the Disneyland Resort can be overwhelming, it's easy to overlook small details. But if Guests look closely, they would discover hidden treasures in plain sight. Did you know Disneyland Park has it's very own flags?
The first flag flies high above the railroad tracks of the Main Street Train Station. The orange-hued flag proudly displays a Mickey Mouse face, welcoming all who leave today and enter the world of yesterday,tomorrow and fantasy.
A more elaborate flag with the silhouette of Sleeping Beauty Castle flies above the patio of Walt Disney's apartment next to City Hall. Both flags are still flown in the park.

DR LEE

Strike up the band:

On July 17, 2010, current and former Disneyland Resort All-American College Band members will march down Main Street, U.S.A. to celebrate their 40th anniversary. What began at Disneyland Park in 1971 has become a beloved summer tradition.
Each year, the band consists of 21 of the top performing college musicians playing everything from a trombone to a mellophone to a piccdolo. Once students are accepted onto the program they are given 15 pieces of music to memorize before their first day. Throughout their time in Anaheim, students will attend workshops, perform and even "cut a record" at Capital Records in Hollywood.
This year's musical director, Dr. Ron McCurdy, a USC professor, was a student in the 1974 program at the Walt Disney World Resort.
Each year, one lucky band member is given the opportunity to return for a second summer to help the new students acclimate to their new roles. Scott Sidway has the honor of being the 2010 teaching assistant.
For Sidway the most important lesson he learned about success in the music industry wasn't about choreography or musical talent, it was that "no matter what aspect of life you are dealing with, you will truly be the successful and happiest if you treat everyone with respect. After working for Disney for 11 weeks, it became clear to me-and everyone in the band for that matter-that treating all people with respect is a key to success."



DR LEE

Disneyland History:

Disney enthusiasts know that Walt Disney pioneered the use of animation in motion pictures. However, Walt also utilized television programming to promote Disneyland Park before it opened in conjunction with his feature animation and live action projects when many producers thought television would cut into their profits. "Disneyland" the weekly television series ran from Oct.27, 1954 through Sept.3, 1958 continued for 25 more years with different titles.
The first episode was entitled "The Disneyland Story" and Walt gave viewers a tour of the Walt Disney Studios and a model of the under-construction Disneyland Park. The series was tied into the same realms that could be found at Disneyland that included Fantasyland episodes featuring Dumbo and Alice in Wonderland and in Frontierland, Walt show-cased live-action episodes of Davy Crockett.
Additionally, there were previews of Disneyland. Viewers were brimming with anticipation by the time Disneyland opened in July 1955 due to the TV program. The public was eager to enter a magical land where they could meet their childhood heroes, favorite characters and experience adventures they had only seen on television and on the silver screen.
Much like today, many people across the globe get excited to hear about what new and exciting experiences will be available when they visit the Disneyland Resort. If there is one constant in Disneyland history, it's that we will continue to grow and change as time goes on.


DR LEE