"Frozen-Inspired" stage musical announced....

 Disney's blockbuster musical "Frozen" will come to life in an all-new theatrical production next summer at Disney California Adventure Park.

With the new show set to open in the Hyperion Theater, the award-winning "Disney's Aladdin-A Musical Spectacular" will take its final curtain call January 10, 2016, after nearly 14,000 performances since 2003.


my granddaughter, Averia, 5 yrs. old, loves frozen...Dr Lee

Disneyland clearning the way for 'Star Wars'....

 To make way for construction of a 14-acre "Star Wars" themed land, Disneyland resort officials announced Thursday several popular attractions will close for a year at Disneyland, including the railroad, Fantasmic! and most everything around Rivers of America.


 And Big Thunder Ranch, which houses a barbecue restaurant, petting zoo and the Jamboree stage, will close permanently January 10, 2016.


On the same day, all four train stations along the Disneyland Railroad, the nightly Fantasmic! show, the Mark Twain Riverboat, the Sailing Ship Columbia, the Davey Crockett Explorer Canoes and the Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island will close temporarily.


The river will be partially drained and diverted to the Orange County Water district's Groundwater Replenishment system, where it will be treated and stored. When the time comes to refill the rivers, Disney will replenish from the same system.


 Work will take about a year and no dates have been given on the re-opening of affected attractions.


Disneyland's expansion is part of a $1 billion investment agreement made with the city of Anaheim in July in exchange for a continued ban on a gate tax. Disneyland will also build a 5,000 spot parking structure nearby.


As part of the deal, construction must begin no later than 2017, and additions be completed by December 2024.


Disneyland officials have said the "Star wars" land at Disneyland will be built in the northern part of Frontierland and will encompass Big thunder Ranch, some backstage areas and the Circle D ranch, where horses used at the resort are stabled. The ranch and horses will be moved to a nearby off property site.


The "Star Wars" area will be the largest single-themed land expansion at Disneyland and will be the most "immersive." It will feature two signature attractions: One will put Guests at the controls of the Millennium Falcon spaceship, and the other will drop Guests into a battle between the First Order and the Resistance.


Guests will also be able to dine at a cantina similar to the Mos Eisley Cantina from the films.


Disneyland announced a new seasonal event, Seasons of the Force, which opens November 16th and features a "Star Wars" overlay of Tomorrowland.




can't wait....Dr Lee

1985 Disneyland thru 1994;

Now that the Disneyland Resort has successfully launched the Diamond Celebration and marked the 60th anniversary of Disneyland with a party to remember, it's time to continue our look back at the six decades that have made the Disneyland Resort what it is today.

So put on your leg warmers, pop your collar and tease your big hair as we take a look back at 1985-94!!!!!


1985..;.
Disneyland begins operating 365 days a year. Prior to this, the park was closed Mondays and Tuesdays during off-seasons.

Disneyland 30th anniversary celebration  includes the Gift-Giver Extraordinaire Machine, a gigantic contraption that awards a prize for each 30th Guest and a new car to every 30,000 Guest.

June...
Videopolis , a high-tech dance club, opens with a 5,000-square-foot dance floor, 70 TV monitors, a hi-fi sound system and waving flashing lights.

December...


To celebrate Walt Disney's birthday and the Disneyland 30th anniversary, the city of Anaheim releases 1 million colorful balloons in Skyfest .


1986...

January...
Circus Fantasy  debutes with daredevils, animal acts, clowns, stage shows and "The Circus on Parade."

February...
The Country Bear Vacation Hoedown, the second seasonal show produced for the Country Bear Theater, opens in Bear Country with new songs and dialogue built around hilarious vacation experiences.

June...
 Big Thunder Ranch  opens, recreating and 18802 working ranch, complete with draft horses and a barnyard petting zoo. Big Thunder Barbecue (later named Big Thunder Ranch Barbecue) starts serving Guests in December.

September...
Captain EO  debuts in the Magic Eye Theater, taking Guests on a 3-D intergalactic musical adventure starring Michael Jackson and featuring new in-theater special effects.


1987...

January...
A coloration with "Star Wars" creator George Lucas, Star Tours launches Guests into a galaxy far, far away on a flight-simulator journey to the Moon of Endor and beyond aborad a StarSpeeder 3000.

May...
Disney Dollars are introduced as currency within Disney parks, featuring Mickey Mouse on the $1 dollar bill and Goofy on the $5 bill.

July...
The Disney Gallery  opens above Pirates of the Caribbean, displaying original sketches and models used in the creation, development and expansion of Disneyland.

September...
 An all-new event, State Fair, features the best of the 50 state fairs with a balloon tour, parade, pig races, midway games , food booths and daredevil feats.


1988...

January...
Disney purchases the Wrather Co., owner of the Disneyland Hotel, providing a unique coordination of Guest activities and hospitality between the park and the hotel.

June...
 The six-month-long celebration of Mickey Mouse's 60th Birthday  kicks off with a visit to Disneyland by Ear Force one, a 100-foot hot air balloon. Summer welcomes "Mickey's 60th Birthday Parade" and "Mickey's 60th Birthday Bash Cavalcade" hub show.

August...
Disneyland hosts the 1988 U>S> Olympic Team as the athletes assemble in California for their trip to Seoul, Korea. The Olympians march down Main Street, U.S.A., and Disneyland donates $# from every admission ticket that day, raising nearly $900,000 for the Olympic Committee.

November..
.Bear Country's name changes to Citter Country in preparation for the opening of Splash Mountain and the arrival of its friendly new critters.


1989...

February...
 "Star Trek" star Leonard Nimoy hosts the Challenger Spirit Salute in Town Square, honoring the ChallengerCenter established by the families of the seven astronauts who lost their lives on the Space Shuttle Challenger in 1986.

Summer... "Hooray for Disney Stars Parade" debuts, starring Roger Rabbit, the Gummi Bears, and other recent additions to the Disney cartoon family.

July...
Splash Mountain opens, inviting Guests to find their laughing place with Brer Rabbit and his friends  as they plunge down a series of waterfalls and slides before rocketing down a 52-foot flume.


1990...

The 35th anniversary of  Disneyland  is celebrated with special parades and TV specials, including the "Party Gras Parade," featuring Latin music and 37-foot-high inflated balloons in the shape of giant Disney characters. Mickey's Mouserail , a converted Mark III Monorail train, travels across North America, visiting 25 cities.

August...
The Inaugural Disneyland Pigskin Classic premieres at Anaheim Stadium as the year's first pre-season football game, pitting the Colorado Buffaloes against the University of Tennessee Volunteers.


1991...

The Disneyland Hotel completes a multimillion-dollar interior renewal project, bringing a stronger Disney theme and identity to the hotel property with renovated Guest rooms, lobbies and key meeting spaces. Goofy's Kitchen  begins serving Guests the following year.

 March...
Disney Afternoon Avenue debuts in the promenade of "it's a small world," giving children a chance to meet their favorite cartoon stars from Disney animated TV shows.

April-May...
Thousands of military veterans of the Persian Gulf War and their families are hosted as part of the Disneyland Honors Our Men & Women of Desert Storm Cavalcade and the Great American Celebration.


1992...


May...
 "Fantasmic!" opens on the south end of tom Sawyer Island to rave reviews. The new nighttime spectacular features projections on mist screens, appearances from favorite Disney characters, and mickey mouse as the Sorcerer's Apprentice, pitted against witches, villains and a massive fire-breathing dragon.

April...
A live version of the animated film, "Beauty and the Beast stage Show" dances across the Videopolis Stage with elaborate costumes and all the beloved songs from the film. (It will later inspire the creation of a theatrical version for Broadway).


1993...


January...
Mickey's Toontown opens it's gates as the official home of Mickey Mouse and his pals. A land of bright colors and wacky fun, Guests are welcomed into a three-dimensional, interactive cartoon world. Attractions include:


Mickey's House and meet Mickey, where guests can explore Mickey's house before meeting Mickey Mouse himself in his soundstage barn.


Minnie's House, where guests can meet Minnie Mouse and enjoy a stroll through her house.


Donald's Boat, the "Miss Daisy," serves as a playground for young children and Donald Duck's home.


Goofy's Bounce House, where rubber walls and stretch flooring give children a chance to jump and have fun.


Gadget's Go Coaster, a junior rollercoaster for smaller Guests looking for adventure.


Jolly Trolley, an electrified playland  version of a 19th-century streetcar, twisting it way across the main boulevard of Mickey's Toontown.


Chip 'n Dale Tree House, a sub-compact playground with tunnels and slides for kids to enjoy.


November...


As part Mickey's Worldwide Kids Day, celebration honoring Mickey Mouse and his creator, the bronze statue, Partners, is unveiled in the central plaza in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle.


March...


 Aladdin's Royal Caravan celebrates the new animated film with a parade fit for a prince. Aladdin's Oasis provides magic and musical entertainment from Aladdin and his friends while Guests enjoy fine dining with a middle Eastern touch.




September...


The Disneyland Hotel hosts the first West Coast Disneyana Convention.




1994...


January...


Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin begins taking Guests through a whirling world of phosphorescent scenes from the film "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" as roger tries to rescue Jessica Rabbit from the weasels and cartoon pandemonium ensues.


June...


The Lion King Celebration roars across Disneyland as a new summer parade spectacular, featuring characters from the movie.








so many memories.....Dr Lee

60 years young.......July 17, 1955 to present day:

"""""HAPPY BIRTHDAY"""" to the Disneyland Resort. I was only 3 years old when Disneyland opened and my first time to Disneyland was in the early 60's.

Post any comments about your memories.......



totally very cool...Dr Lee

something funny...

If you are ever surrounded by a group of clowns, go for the juggler......Hahahahahah


cute...Dr Lee

p.s. my mom is doing better

Resort Ready.....

 A Millennium Falcon attraction? Going for a spin in an Iron Man suit? Disney executives have announced plans to spend $1 billion on new attractions in Disneyland and/or Disney California Adventure Park. Here are some options.

Mapping out possibilities....

 Disney's mum on what exactly it would do with a $1 billion investment at the Disneyland Resort, but Disney Chairman Bob Iger told shareholders earlier this year that the company's Imagineers already are working on new "Star Wars" attractions for it's theme parks. And Disney experts said it's a "slam dunk" that a new land based on a galaxy far, far away is coming to Anaheim. But where??? Here are some possibilities.

 Big Thunder Ranch- less likely...Mostly used for holiday events and private parties, the area includes a petting zoo and barbecue restaurant. The area is a money maker for the resort, mostly because of these private parties.

Mickey's Toontown- Less likely..."Star Wars" land has long been rumored to be going here, but because of the popularity of this area for families with children, and it's closure each night for the fireworks show, it's unlikely Disney would build a popular land here.

Tomorrowland- More likely...The area covered by Autopia and innoventions is a big footprint, making it prime real estate for any new land. It also includes the area covering the old Motorboat Cruise.

Hollywood Land- More likely...The area encompassing Muppet" vision 3D, Stage 17, Monsters, Inc. , Mad Tea Party and another structure is currently underutilized. There is a lot of room in this area for attractions based on any of Disney's intellectual properties, though more likely thet would be either "Frozen" or Pixar related.

Behind Cars Land-More likely...This used to be a parking lot for Guests, and still is for Cast Members-making it the easiest area to develop  into a new land. As to whether it is Pixar related, "Star Wars," Marvel or something else- who knows.

Behind California Screamin` rollercoaster- Less likely... There's enough land here to support an attraction as large as Pirates of the Caribbean and new Orleans Square. But there are key backstage support buildings for things like the daily parades. This would be good for something based on the "Toy Story" movies.



only the future will tell....Dr Lee

Vacation:

Hello everyone. Been on vacation the past few weeks, mostly Riverside,California helping with my mom. All is good now with her and shall return to this site to inform all of you with this blog.




Thank you for understanding...Dr Lee

Top 5 fun facts about Guest Research:

 Did you Know:

1...The Guest Research team conducts between 2,000 and 4,000 interviews a day.

2...Knowledge of world geography is essential for Guest Research Cast Members (so they can talk knowledgeably with Guests about where they are from.)

3...For new offerings, such as Frozen Fun or the upcoming Diamond Celebration, Guest Research is brought in to get feedback from Guests.  


4...When you are visiting the Resort as a Guest, if you are approached by Guest Research team, take a moment and answer their questions. They want to hear what you think.

5...The feedback these Cast Members get from Guests influences major decisions that affect resort development.


cool...Dr Lee

History and Heritage:

" A vista into a world of wondrous ideas, signifying man's achievements... a step into the future, with predictions of constructive things to come. Tomorrow offers new frontiers in science, adventure and ideals: the Atomic Age...the challenge of outer space ...and the hope for a peaceful and unified world."

                                -Walt Disney, July 17,1955




 With these words, Walt dedicated Tomorrowland-one of the original five themed lands of Disneyland. Inspired by his vision of the future, the original Tomorrowland represented the year 1986 and included such attractions as the Monsanto Hall of Chemistry, Autopia, the clock of the world and Rocket to the Moon-years before the first manned space flight. Several attractions would soon follow, including Submarine Voyage, Disneyland Monorail and Matterhorn Bobsleds (which would later become part of Fantasyland).

 The 1967 version of the land, dubbed New Tomorrowland, introduced The Carousel of Progress, Adventure Thru Inner Space, Flight to the Moon and the PeopleMover. Later, America Sings, Mission to Mars and Space Mountain would help refresh the land and emphasize the theme of progress. 


The third iteration, Tomorrowland: Imagination and Beyond, debuted in 1998 and included (the recently closed) Innoventions, the new Autopia, Rocket Rods and the relocated Astro Blasters opened and in 2011, Star Tours -The Adventures Continue refreshed the nearly 25-year-old attraction.



Nearly 60 years after it debuted, Tomorrowland continues to evolve, fueled by dreams of a better tomorrow.


60 years old,wow...Dr Lee

Celebrating the Decades:

 !975-1984......


1975...

March... Six years after the first man walked on the moon, Flight to the Moon in Tomorrowland becomes Mission to Mars, sending Guests on a trilling expedition to the next frontiuer.

June..."America on Parade," part of a 15-month salute to the United States Bicentennial and the 20th anniversary of Disneyland, premiers with 50 floats and 150 performers. "Fantasy in the Sky" lights up the sky with red, white and blue fireworks.

 "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln" returns the Main Street Opera House, becoming a featured element in The Walt Disney Story.

1976...

January...The Mickey Mouse Club Reunion brings together the original Mouseketeers to celebrate the club's 20th anniversary with a parade and TV show in Fantasyland Theater.

December...The Jungle Cruise adds seven new scenes and 31 new Audio-Animatronics figures.

1977...

May... Four Mercury Program astronauts take part in the official opening ceremonies of Space Mountain, a high-speed race through spave in Tomorrowland.

The SuperSpeed Tunnel is added to the PeopleMover, while Starcade provides fyturistic arcade fun. New entertainment and dining options include the Space Stage and The Space Place restayrant.

December...The new "Very Merry Christmas Parade" brings holiday cheer, featuring traditional Christmas themes and Disney characters.

1978...

June...Updates to the Matterhorn Bobsleds add more show scenes, including and ice cavern, glowing ice crystals and the Abominable Snowman, along with a new ride system featuring tandem bobsleds.

July... The Disneyland Hotel unveils the 13-story Bonita Tower, Anaheim's tallest structure and the first hotel in the U.S. with solar heating system.

November...Disneyland is the focal point for Mickey Mouse's 50th Birthday Celebration with special shows, parades and a party with Mouseketeers from the original Mickey mouse Club TV show.


1979...

September...The wildest ride in the wilderness Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, debuts, sending Guests aboard a runaway mine train through exhilarating scenes of dark caverns, a spooky abandoned mine shaft, and so many twists and turns that Guests are advised to "hold on to your hats and glasses."


1980...

January...Disneyland begins a yearlong Silver Anniversary celebration with a pre-parade show at the Pasadena Tournament of Roses on New Year's Day, followed by a 25-hour party at Disneyland from midnight July 17 to 1a.m. July 18. New entertainment offerings include "Disneyland is Your Land," a show featuring Disney characters, and the "Disneyland 25th Birthday Parade" with more than 250 performers.

 Other special events this year include; Contempo `80, Honor America Weekend, Festival Canada, Nite of Joy, Make believe Ballroom, Country Jubilee, Senior Fun Days, Cowboy Fever Weekend, Mouseedays, Bluegrass & Folk Festival, Top 40 Night and Celebrate the Lands weekends.


1981...


June...Updates are made to the Storybook Land Canal Boats; many of the original 1956 miniature buildings and scenery details are replaced with more durable replicas.

12-12-81 was my first day as a new Cast member, Mark Twain was my first attraction.


1982...


April...Children  are invited to follow clues to find Easter Eggs with hidden prizes during the inaugural Thumper's Easter Egg Hunt.


June...A  single passport allowing admission to all attractions and performances replaces the A, B, C, D, and E attraction coupons.


November...Mickey's Month introduced as an annual celebration of Micky Mouse's birthday, complete with free gifts for Guests and special events like a Mouseketeer Reunion and "Micky's Birthday Parade."

1983...

May...After 20 months of renovations, a new version of Fantasyland debuts with attraction facades themed to the locale and era of the films represented in the area, instead of previous medieval tournament tents. Classics like Snow White's Scary Adventures and Peter Pan's Flight remain, and a new adventure, Pinocchio's Daring  Journey, is added. Village Inn Restaurant, themed after, "Pinocchio," opens and is later renamed Village Haus Restaurant.

June...In the summertime "Flights of Fantasy Parade," colorful air-filled figures bring to life scenes from beloved animated films above rolling stages, dancers and Disney characters.

1984... January  25...My first Daughter, Kimberly is born. Would later go on to be an attraction hostess for "it's a small world" (trainer), Matterhorn Bobsleds and parades.

February / March...Olympic Night at Disneyland raises $600,000 for U.S. Olympic Team for Summer Olympics in Los Angeles , and includes a patriotic parade and an enormous Olympic logo-with fireworks-suspended from a helicopter. During the games, the park hosts thousands of athletes, dignitaries and news media from 140 nations.

April...The final addition to an updated Fantasyland, a newly remodeled Alice in Wonderland pulls Guests down the rabbit hole once again. Kathryn Beaumont, who provided the voice of Alice in the 1951 film, narrates tracks for the attraction.

June...Magic Journeys makes its West Coast premiere at the Space Stage in Tomorrowland.  The popular film showcases a fanciful 3-D adventure through a child's imagination, including a moonscape and a high-flying circus act.

Disneyland celebrates Donald Duck's 50th birthday with a parade, bands, singers and dancers in Town Square, the grand culmination of a 15-city tour across the country.


November...Country Bear Christmas Special debuts in Bear Country at Disneyland. The new show features the original cast of the Country Bear Jamboree in a holiday romp of favorite Yuletide songs. This is the first time an Audio-Animatronics attraction is reprogrammed to create a completely new experience.


so cool...Dr Lee

To my Two amazing daughters,Kimberly and Tiffany:

I smile because you are my daughters!!!! And I laugh because there is nothing you can do about it!!!


I Love you both...Dr Lee

An electric farewell:

 It's been five years since the final dazzling performance of Disney's Electrical Parade at Disney California Adventure Park on April 18, 2010.

 The following June, the parade-which originated as the Main Street Electrical Parade in 1972-began appearing at Walt Disney World Resort, were it continues today.

 The original parade, which ran at Disneyland Park through 1996, is Disney's longest-running and most traveled parade. Although it was first sent to the Walt Disney World Resort in 1996, it also made a one-night-only appearance in New York City in 1997 to herald the opening of "Hercules." It returned to California in 2001, when it began its nightly run at Disney California Adventure Park until 2010.

 The spirit of the parade- with its floats and live performers covered in thousands of lights synchronized to the catchy "Baroque Hoedown"-will live on in the new "Paint the Night" parade debuting May 22 for the launch of the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration.


Love this parade....Dr Lee

Property Control works towards goal of zero waste:

 From the 19,000 pairs of shoes donated to Goodwill to the original "Fantasmic!" dragon sent to the Walt Disney Archives, the Property Control team is leading the change towards our goal of zero waste at the Disneyland Resort.

 Property Control repurposes items in a variety of ways; reissuing supplies to other departments, sending historical items to be archived, donating items to nonprofits, hosting merchandise sales, auctions and more. cast Members can visit the Property Control cage at Company D for sales on Disney theatrical costumes, furniture and other unique merchandise, or snag one-of-a-kind items through CastAuction.com, through which a portion of the proceeds are donated to local charities.

also....


For years, Guests staying at our Disneyland Resort Hotels were greeted by a newspaper each morning. While this practice provided the world-class service our guests expected, many unread newspapers were discarded and recycled daily as a result. And while recycling newspapers is great, it's even better not to waste the paper in the first place. Today, instead of delivering a newspaper to every Guest room, small stacks of  newspapers are placed in each elevator area for Guests to take as they please, translating into 250,000 fewer newspapers being printed- and then wasted-over the course of a year.

one more item...

saving used once crayons, about 4 pounds weekly are saved and donated to Goodwill of Orange County...

very cool...Dr Lee

Charging forward with new electric vehicle charging stations:

 In January 2014, 30 electric vehicle charging ports were introduced to Guests in the Mickey and friends parking structure and to Cast Members in the TDA parking structure. The response has been overwhelming positive., with Guests and Cast alike requesting additional locations around the resort to charge their vehicles. By next fall, the number of Cast electric vehicle charging ports will double to more than 25 spread across three different Cast parking lots (Simba, the new Harbor lot,and the existing ports in the TDA parking structure). Additional work to expand Guest charging stations will grow the program to more than 100 ports (all in the ChargePoint network) across property in the coming years.

very cool, not using fossil fuels , a greener future...Dr Lee

Jungle Cruise facts:

 5 fun facts about  the Jungle Cruise;

1...The original script in 1955 was purely educational, based on "True-Life Adventures," a collection of documentary films produced by Walt Disney Productions. Thanks to Imagineer Marc Davis, jokes were incorporated in the early 1960's.

2...Jungle Cruise Skippers can submit jokes annually to WDI for approval into the official script. This means the script has been compiled over time by the skippers.

3...In 1955, the "jungle' wasn't fully grown, so to make it look more lush, orange trees were planted upside down with the roots sticking out.

4...The Jungle Cruise waterway originally reached all the way to Rivers of America. It was shortened first for the building of New Orleans Square and then for the Indiana Jones Adventure.

5...The guns on board the boats are real!!! They are licensed to the Disneyland Resort, making it the only Disney site with real guns.

5 1/2...As a new Cast Member , one of the attractions I was trained on was Jungle Cruise. I do believe after all these years I still can say most of my spiel...

very cool...Dr Lee

Celebrating the Decades:

As we approach the launch of the Diamond Celebration on May 22, let's continue our six-part series remembering each of the past six decades of the Disneyland Resort. Here, we take a look back at the magical years of 1965-74, the second decade of Disneyland.


1965... The yearlong "Tencennial" celebrates the 10th anniversary of Disneyland, complete with special de`cor,events and a new parade.


 Julie Reihm is selected as Miss Disneyland Tencennial, beginning the Disneyland Ambassador Program- a tradition that continues today.


July...


 "Great moments with Mr. Lincoln" opens at the Opera House at Town Square , Main Street, U.S.A., after debuting at the 1964-65 New York World's Fair. The attraction  features an Audio-Animatronics figure of Abraham Lincoln that's so life-like, "National Geographic " magazine called it "alarming" in its realism.


Plaza Inn opens along Main street, U.S.A., replacing the Red Wagon Inn and bringing Victorian-style surroundings to Guests looking for a memorable dining experience.


December...


 The new Christmas spectacular "Fantasy on Parade" includes extraordinary new floats and more than 350 performers.




1966...


May...


After debuting at the 1964-65 New York World's Fair, "it's a small world" opens at Disneyland. Waters from all seven continents are poured into its Rivers of the World at the attraction, with its almost 300 Audio-Animatronics children, represents over 100 regions of the world. And then there's that unforgettable song written by the Sherman Brothers.


June...


The Disneyland Hotel adds the Sierra  Tower Annex with 150 additional rooms. The Plaza Building shopping center is completed a few months later, and the Marina Tower is added in 1970 with the popular "Dancing Waters" show amphitheater.


July...


 Primeval World Diorama brings the world of the dinosaurs to life for Guests riding the Santa Fe and Disneyland Railroad. The giant dinosaurs, including a colossal Tyrannosaurus Rex, were first displayed at the Ford Magic Skyway in the 1964-65 New York World's Fair.


 Walt Disney and New Orleans Mayor Victor Schiro preside over the dedication of New Orleans Square, a new area along the banks of the Rivers  of America that would go on to house several popular shops, eateries and attractions.


1967...


March...


One of the most elaborate uses of Audio-Animatronics in Disney history, Pirates of the Caribbean takes guests by boat through scenes of vast treasures , cursed skeletons and plundering pirates.  The Blue Bayou Restaurant gives Guests a themed dining experience by seating them inside the building that houses the attraction.


June-August...


 After being closes for a year, Tomorrowland reopens with seven new attractions,including:


PeopleMover, which takes Guests on a tour of Tomorrowland from above in a perpetual-motion transportation system.


General Electric Carousel of Progress, highlighting electricity's significance to the past and the future on multiple sets, which the audience rotates around.


Adventure Thru Inner Space, where Guests travel on an "Atomoblie" through a massive microscope to see atoms from the inside.


Flight to the Moon, a simulation of a flight into space, including a view of Mission Control.


America the Beautiful, an update to the film journey across the U.S., this time in Circle-Vision 360.


Rocket Jets, where Guests control the height of their rocket as it flies through the air above Tomorrowland.


Tomorrowland Terrace, a new quick service restaurant and performance stage.


Club 33, a private membership dining establishment, opens in New Orleans Square.
(side note, Dr Lee was 15 years old....future Bartender,Club 33)




1968


March-May...


The inaugural St. Patrick's Day Parade and Cinco de Mayo Fiesta events celebrate the seasons at Disneyland.


1969


March...


On Love Bug Day at Disneyland, 101 decorated Volkswagen Beetles form a parade down Main street, U.S.A., to celebrate the release of the film "The Love Bug."


August...
 After more than a decade of development, the Haunted Mansion opens its doors (and its crypts) to Guests and ghosts alike. Originally conceived as walk-through attraction, the mansion was built in 1962-63 but sat vacant for six years as Guests speculated about what lurked inside.


1970


January...


 The Legacy of Walt Disney opens on Main Street, U.S.A., highlighting Walt's achievements with a display of his awards and memorabilia and an exhibit about the California Institute of the Arts.


June...


 Show Me America, a humorous musical revue with more than 120 costumes and highly detailed sets, premieres at Tomorrowland Stage.


Dr Lee graduation from Riverside Poly High School, Riverside, California and turns 18 on the 20th.


1971


March...


The inaugural Cinderella Festival includes fashion shows, garden tours and special dining options.


May
...
 The Indian War Canoes become Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes, giving Guests a unique view of the Rivers of America as they paddle around Tom Sawyer Island.


June...


 Disneyland greets its 100 millionth Guest, kicking off a summer celebration called "Year of 100 Million Smiles."
 The All-American Collegiate Marching Band (now the All-American College Band) Program debuts, inviting top musicians from colleges across the U.S. to perform at Disneyland during the summer.


1972


March...


 A seventh land called Bear Country opens as a home for the Country Bear Jamboree, a country music show with 18 Audio-Animatronics bears. The land also features Teddi Barra's Swingin1 Arcade, named after one of the stars of the Jamboree, and the Hungry Bear Restaurant.


June...
 The Main Street Electrical Parade debuts, lighting up Main street, U.S.A., with half a million dazzling lights twinkling to an electronic version of "Baroque Hoedown," interwoven with themes from Disney songs.


October...


 Winnie the Pooh gets "pooh-litical" during Winnie the Pooh for Persident Days at Disneyland, which includes a daily tickertape parade, posters and campaign buttons.


1973
April...


 Celebrating the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney Productions, The Walt Disney Story opens in the Opera house as a tribute to the legacy of the Walt Disney Company and the Disney family. Lillian Disney attends the ceremony.


1974


June...


America Sings opens in the bottom level of the Carousel Theater with a comical cast of over 100 Audio-Animatronics animals singing the history of America music, all coordinated by their leader, Sam the Eagle.


to be continued.....

History and Heritage:

 Disneyland Roundhouse right on track:


   When Disneyland opened July 17, 1955, it had two steam locomotives- thr E.P. Ripley and the C.K. Holliday- which were serviced in a dual-track roundhouse facility on the west side of the park, just north of Splash Mountain.


 With the addition of two more steam engines and two trains in the late 1950's and 60's, the railroad outgrew the facility and a new roundhouse was built on the east side of Disneyland to service both the railroad and the "highway in the sky"- the monorails. Today, the roundhouse houses five steam engines, four trains and three monorails. (The original building sits across from the backstage service garage and is now used as a ride vehicle refurbishment facility.)


 Did you know????


 Although the Disneyland Roundhouse is a rectangular-shaped building, its traditional name dates back to the glory days of railroading. At the time, circular buildings were built to house giant turntables on them, where steam engines-which could operate in only one direction- could be rotated.




Earth month fact:


 In 2009,the roundhouse converted the steam engines to operate on biodiesel made from used cooking oil from resort kitchens. This saves as much as 150,000 gallons of diesel fuel each year, while potentially reducing carbon dioxide emissions by up to 80 percent.




Love those trains and monorails...Dr Lee

Grizzly Peak to expand:

 Grizzly Peak Airfield is preparing for takeoff.


 The first phase of the expansion of Grizzly Peak into the former Condor Flats area in Disney California Adventure Park will be unveiled March 20, when the new Smokejumpers Grill opens. This quick-service dining location, which will be in the former Taste Pilots` grill location, takes inspiration from the brave men and women who fight wildfires in our California forests. In addition to a whole new look, the location will feature an updated menu with burgers and sandwiches.


 The Grizzly Peak expansion will also bring new building exteriors and landscape features, including pine trees that will bring more shade and make Guests feel like they've been transported to California High Sierras.


 When the rest of the area opens later this spring, Soarin` Over California will also reopen with updates to its screen and projection system, bringing a visually enhanced experience.




Like Soarin`....Dr Lee

24-hour party coming May 22,2015:

 The Disneyland Resort will kick off its Diamond Celebration with a 24-hour party May 22-23 as three new nighttime spectaculars premiere: the glittering "Paint the Night" parade and the groundbreaking "Disneyland Forever" fireworks show at Disneyland Park, plus the new "World of Color-Celebrate! The Wonderful World of Walt Disney" at Disney California Adventure Park.


The 24-hour party, which will run from 6 a.m. May 22 to 6 a.m. May 23, will include dancing and special character encounters in both parks.


 In Florida, Magic Kingdom Park will also have a 24-hour event on the same dates as the Walt Disney World Resort launches its "Coolest Summer Ever."






Get ready to have fun on no sleep....Dr Lee

Something to think about:

"Yawning is your body's way of saying 20% battery remaining????


interesting...Dr Lee

Disneyland through the Decades, 1955-1964:

 As we "prepare to dazzle" for the upcoming Diamond Celebration, let's take a look back at some of the milestones during each of the last six decades that have made the  Disneyland Resort the magical place it is today. Over the next several months, we'll celebrate each decade leading up to our 60th anniversary on July 17, 2015.


 July 17, 1955...


 Disneyland opens...


 Walt Disney opened Disneyland on July 17,1955, with these now-famous words, "To all who come to this happy place, welcome." Since then, more than 700 million Guests-including world leaders and celebrities- have passed through the gates that Walt imagined as "a source of joy and inspiration to the world."


 Although 14,000 Guests were invited to visit on opening day, the number of Guests swelled to more than 28,000 due to a counterfeit ticket scheme (one entrepreneur even set up a ladder on the north end of the park, charging patrons to climb over). A plumber's  strike forced Walt to decide whether to finish the drinking fountains or bathrooms-so Guests went thirsty even in temperatures of over 100 degrees. In fact , it was so hot , women's high heels sunk into the newly laid asphalt on Main Street U.S.A.




On opening day, there were 20 major attractions-many of them still here today:


Autopia


Canal Boats of the World


Circarama, U.S.A. (360-degree movie theater)


Fire Wagon


Golden Horseshoe Revue


Horse-drawn Streetcars


Jungle Cruise


King Arthur Carrousel


Mad Tea Party


Main Street Cinema


Mark Twain Riverboat


Mr. Toad's Wild Ride


Mule Pack


Penny Arcade


Peter Pan's Flight


Santa Fe  and Disneyland Railroad


Snow White's Adventures


Space Station X-1


Stage Coach


Surreys




Opened later in 1955 (in chronological order)


TWA Rocket to the Moon


Main Street Shooting Gallery


Phantom Boats


Casey Jr. Circus Train


Indian Village


20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Exhibit


Dumbo Flying Elephants


Conestoga Wagons


Mickey mouse Club Theater


Mike Fink Keel Boats




1956...


March...Astro-Jets (later known as Tomorrowland Jets and then Rocket Jets) opens in Tomorrowland. these individually controlled vehicles give Guests a bird's-eye view of Disneyland. as the attraction rotates.


June...Tom Sawyer Island Rafts begin operation in Frontierland.


Skyway to Tomorrowland and Fantasyland opens with 44 four-passenger gondolas suspended from a 2,400-foot-long cable, taking Guests between the two lands.


Storybook Land Canals Boats opens, changing the landscape of Canal Boats of the World from miniature cities and landmarks to iconic scenes from Disney fairy tales.


July...Rainbow Caverns Mine train begins operation in Frontierland. The caverns showcase pools and small waterfalls amid stalagmites and stalactites.


Indian War Canoes begin operation in Frontierland (later moved to Bear Country to become Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes).


1957...


April...Walt Disney and Shirley Temple dedicate the Sleeping Beauty Castle interior walk-through, featuring dioramas telling the "Sleeping Beauty" story.


June...Monsanto House of the Future opens in Tomorrowland. Built of plastics, this modernistic house features the latest in furniture, appliances and gadgets of the future.


Motor Boat Cruise opens in Fantasyland. Children enjoy piloting theirs crafts around the waterways under the Autopia bridges and Monorail beams.


The modernistic Viewliner train begins operation in Tomorrowland.


December...The first New Year's Eve Party is held in Disneyland, with 7,500 attending.




1958...


 March...Grand Canyon Diorama opens in Disneyland, part of the Santa Fe and Disneyland Railroad. At 306 feet long, it is the world's longest seamless hand-woven canvas.


June...Sailing ship Columbia opens. It is a full-scale replica of the original Columbia, the first ship to circumnavigate the globe in 1778.


Alice in Wonderland attraction opens in Fantasyland.


August...The Fire truck begins transportation services on Main Street, U.S.A.




1959...


January...Fantasyland Autopia opens due to the immense popularity of the original attraction.


June...Submarine Voyage attraction opens in Tomorrowland , billed as a voyage through "liquid space." The original eight subs hold 38 Guests, each with a porthole for viewing the underwater wonders-from mermaids to a giant sea serpent.


Disneyland -Alweg Monorail System opens in Tomorrowland. It represents the first ever urban monorail system in the U.S.- and what is viewed as the transportation of the future. In 1961,the beam expands to reach the Disneyland Hotel.


The Matterhorn Mountain with its Matterhorn Bobsleds opens in Fantasyland as the first thrill ride at Disneyland. The mountain is 147 feet high, 1/100th the height of the real Matterhorn and uses 2,175 steel girders.


1960...

May... Mine Train Through Nature's Wonderland opens in Frontierland, taking Guests through a wilderness area populated with more than 200 lifelike bears, beavers and other critters. Pack mules are added two weeks later.

Art of Animation opens in Tomorrowland, showing the history and development of the animation process.

1961...

March... Marble figures of Snow White and the seven Dwarfs-straight from Italy- are brought in to create the Snow White Wishing Well and Grotto in Fantasyland. Walt invites Guests to make a wish and drop a coin into the well to benefit children's charities, a tradition that continues today.

June... Tinker Bell takes to the sky, flying from the peak of the Matterhorn to Sleeping Beauty Castle each night to begin the "Fantasy in the Sky" fireworks extravaganza.

The first Grad Nite brings 8,500 graduating seniors to Disneyland, making it the largest high school graduation party ever held in the U.S. at the time.


August...Flying Saucers-individually controlled, rubber-bumper circular ride vehicles propelled by air-open to rave reviews in Tomorrowland.

December...Sets from the movie make up the "Babes in Toyland" Exhibit in the Main Street Opera House-and, two years later, become the headquarters for the Mickey Mouse Club.

Sarfari Shooting Gallery (also known as Big Game Safari Shooting Gallery and Big Game Shooting Gallery) opens in Adventureland and provides target practice for "big game hunters." The guns even use real pellets.

November...Swiss Family Tree house opens in Adventureland. Modeled after the shipwrecked tree house in "Swiss Family Robinson," the entirely man-made tree is 150 tons, has 450 branches and towers 70 feet above Adventureland.


1963...

June...Featuring a new Audio-Animatronics system designed by WED Enterprises, Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room brings to life more than 200 colorful singing birds, flowers and powerful tiki gods to perform in a tropical musical review.

1964...

Although the New York World's Fair didn't occur at Disneyland, many of Walt Disney's exhibits-including "it's a small world" and "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln"-found their permanent homes in Disneyland after debuting to enthusiastic fair audiences.

Jungle Cruise gets a new African Veldt region,, introducing Audio-Animatronics lions, giraffes, zebras, jackals, wildebeests, hyenas, antelope-and a new scene with frightened hunters trying to escape up a tree to avoid the sharp horn of an angry rhino




to be continued...Dr Lee

Words of wisdom, "Singing in the shower"....

Singing in the shower, causes you to start dancing,

 And if you dance in the shower , you will slip in the shower,

 And when you slip,the par-medic's will see you in the  shower?

 are you sure you want that!


Just saying....Dr Lee

Mad T Party:

 News from the rabbit hole: Mad T Party will be returning to Disney California Adventure Park as a new, dazzling experience on May 22.

 The return of the popular dance party of the nighttime entertainment coming for the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration, including "Paint the Night" parade, "Disneyland Forever" fireworks and "World of Color-Celebrate!".




Luigi's Flying Tires closes: new experience to open early next year.

 As we all know, Cars Land has been a huge success since it opened in 2012, and guests have told us that the cars themselves are the one of the things they love about Radiator Springs. So, on Feb.16, Luigi's Flying Tires closed as our favorite Fiat left to visit family in Italy, and when he returns early next year his Casa della Tires will reopen as an all-new attraction with a new ride system and new ride vehicles.


can't wait....Dr Lee

More stuff:

 Disneyland....

1. What year did the Tiki Room open?

2. When did Flight to the Moon change to Mission to Mars?

3. What was Dr Lee's First attraction as a new Cast Member?





answers...

1. 1963

2. 1975 

3. Mark Twain



Cool...Dr Lee

Test your knowledge:

Disneyland:

1... What were the original plans for the Pirates of the Caribbean?


2...What was the famous restaurant which was located where the entrance of Pirates is now located?

3...What was the name of and the type of food served in the restaurant which was located in Frontierland and sponsored by the actor Don Deford?

4...Where was the first Mexican food restaurant located at Disneyland?

5...Who did the Frito Kid call to when asking for another bag of Fritos from the vending machine?

6...What was the name of the Navy-clad group who played in Tomorrowland in th 1950s?

7...What was the name of the rock band that Sonny Anderson played the drummer with at Disneyland?

8...What was the name of the motor airplane that were flown and displayed in Tomorrowland in front of Rocket to the Moon?

9...What was the name of the bakery that was first located on Main Street, U.S.A.?

10...What was the name of the swimsuit company that had a ship located on Main Street, U.S.A.?

11...What was the location of Mineral Hall?

12...What was the name of the parrot on the Pirate Ship?

13...What day , month and  year did Dr Lee start working at Disneyland?






answers>>>>>

1.Walk through attraction

2. The Chicken Plantation

3. BBQ food/ Don DeFord's Silver Banjo

4. At the entrance to Pirates (prior to Don DeFord's restaurant)

5.Klondike

6. The Yachtsman

7. The Spacemen

8. Cox model airplanes

9.Puffins

10.Cole

11. The space now occupied by Custodial next to Casa Mexicana

12. Paco

13. 12/12/81







Having fun...Dr Lee

Disneyland Trivia:

 The Emerald of Anaheim Hotel opened next to the Disneyland Hotel property in 1984.

 Owned by a Japanese company, it was renamed the Pan Pacific Hotel before being purchased by The Walt Disney Company in 1995 and renamed the Disneyland Pacific Hotel. Today it is Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel.


I remember when this was built.....Dr Lee

Happiness is.... sharing the dream of Disneyland:

 Van France, Founder, Disney University


  What does a brand new Cast Member have in common with a Cast Member celebrating his or her 40th service anniversary????

 Simple: They both have a passion for creating happiness.

 Van Arsdale France introduced the uniquely Disney philosophy of "creating happiness" back in 1955, before Disneyland opened its gates. Walt Disney understood that his new concept in family entertainment would require training curriculum that was just as unique as his park, so he personally hired Van to establish an unparalleled employee orientation program. Van had a background in creating employee training programs for, among others, the U.S.Army and airline industry. But Disneyland presented a unique challenge.

 "Disneyland at that time was still very much Walt's dream," Van said in an interview before he passed away in 1999, recalling the challenge of communicating the concept to the park's first hosts and hostesses. "There weren't too many people that understood what he had in mind." Yet Van identified a common thread between Disneyland and all the other organizations he worked with prior: a team needs to work together towards a goal. And at Disneyland, what better goal could there be than creating happiness for others???

With that in mind, Van emphasized Cast Members' responsibility to understand and cater to Guests while never losing their enthusiasm. In 1962, he proposed the University of Disneyland, designed to instill in Cast Members the philosophies, resources ands skills required to deliver a level of guest Service unsurpassed by any other organization. The Disney University concept would eventually become a model for other companies, and it wasn't long before it expanded to Disney operations across the globe.

 Van France's legendary career of promoting Walt Disney's philosophies has provided an invaluable foundation for our orientation program-known today as Traditions-as well as the DU growth and development opportunities that provide continued inspiration to our Cast. France was named a Disney Legend in 1994.


remember talking with him during my career .... Dr Lee

Get ready for a sparkling Celebration:

 The Disneyland Resort is getting ready to dazzle.

 When the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration kicks off in May to mark our 60th anniversary, we'll welcome a nighttime parade that sparkles with more than 1.5 million lights, a moving, new version of "World of Color" that celebrates Walt Disney's dream for Disneyland and a street-to-sky fireworks spectacular that uses innovative technology to make every Guest feel immersed in the stories we all love.

Here's a sneak peek of what's in store beginning May 22nd:

 'Disneyland Forever' fireworks spectacular....

 Imagine flying over the streets of London with Tinker Bell. With a sprinkle of pixie dust, you're dancing through the jungle with King Louie from "The Jungle Book." An instant later, you're diving under the sea with Sebastian from "The Little Mermaid." And that's just the beginning of "Disneyland Forever," a fireworks spectacular beyond anything seen before at Disneyland Park.

 Thanks to the largest installation of projection mapping technology in a Disney park, the fireworks "stage" will extend to Main Street, U.S.A., "it's a small world," the Rivers of America and the Matterhorn as projections transform familiar park icons into stunning story scenes from beloved Disney and Disney-Pixar films.


Two original songs also will be featured, the theme "Live the Magic," and the inspiring closing song "Kiss Goodnight," written by Disney Legend Richard Sherman.


'Paint the Night' parade....

 We'll see Disneyland Park in a whole new light during "Paint the Night" parade, the fist all-LED parade at the resort. More than 1.5 million individually controlled lights will flash and glow as they bring Disney stories to life, illuminating spectacular floats and gracing characters' and dancers' costumes.

In addition to Mickey Mouse and his pals, beloved characters from "Monsters,Inc.," "Cars," "The Little Mermaid," "Beauty and the Beast," "Toy Story" and "Frozen" will delight Guests.


'World of Color-Celebrate! The Wonderful World of Walt Disney'....

 Testing has already began for an all-new "World of Color," a moving tribute to Walt Disney and the storytelling that has brought happiness to millions all over the world.

 Guests will go on a light-hearted but inspirational journey through the unparalleled imagination of Walt Disney, exploring his legacy of memorable animated moments and the dream of Disneyland Park.


All dressed up....

 Of course, many areas of the resort will be dressed for the occasion!!!

The iconic jewels of each park- Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Park and Carthay Circle Theatre at Disney California Adventure Park-will glisten with diamond overlays. A "Diamond D" logo and shades of Disneyland blue will grace banners, bunting and overlays around the theme parks, hotels, Downtown Disney and around the city of Anaheim. While the preparations for this massive resort enhancement has already began, most of the work will be done between February and April with the finishing touches applied in May.


"60 years ago, Walt Disney welcomed the first Guests to Disneyland. Nearly 3 billion Guests visits later, it's amazing to contemplate all that Disney Parks and Resorts represents to so many Guests around the world. We've conceived the Disneyland Diamond Anniversary as a celebration of this special place that started it all. Disneyland was envisioned as a place that encourages all of us to be 'forever young,' in part by being forever young itself...so we're celebrating not just the last 60 years, but all that is yet to come.

Tom Staggs, Chairman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts


I was approx. 2 years old when Disneyland opened....Dr Lee

Circle D achieves groundbreaking zero waste certification:

 There's something missing at the Circle D Corral-trash cans.

 The Circle D Corral Team's commitment to conservation made history this month when the facility earned a zero waste gold level certification from the U.S. Zero Waste Business Council for diverting 99 percent of its trash, making it the first facility within The Walt Disney Company- or at any theme park- to achieve this goal.

 The journey to zero waste began four years ago, when stable attendant Andrea Raney recognized that most of the backstage ranch's waste was compostable. Andrea partnered with the Disneyland Resort's environmental teams to transition the area's 30-yard garbage bin to a compost bin.

With her team's support (after a bit of convincing), Andrea removed almost all of Circle D's waste bins-including her own leader's trash can. She found ways to reduce office paper and disposable paper cups. The team expanded its recycling of cardboard, plastics, metals, cans, bottles, paper and more. They compost all animal waste and hand towels, and, through partnerships with other areas, now also compost the resort's coffee grounds and laundry lint.

very cool....Dr Lee

Wisdom:

 There are 7 days in a week! However, "someday" isn't one of them!


Dr Lee