DISNEYLAND® CELEBRATES 50th
ANNIVERSARY WITH
"THE HAPPIEST HOMECOMING ON EARTH"

For immediate release


DISNEYLAND CELEBRATES 50th ANNIVERSARY WITH
‘THE HAPPIEST HOMECOMING ON EARTH’

Julie Andrews to be Honorary Ambassador of Celebration Begins 05-05-05

ANAHEIM, Calif., May 5, 2004 - In a grand ceremony this morning in front of Sleeping
Beauty Castle at Disneyland in Southern California, Disney Chief Executive Officer
Michael Eisner joined Walt Disney Company President and Chief Operating Officer Bob
Iger, and Walt Disney Parks & Resorts President Jay Rasulo in announcing details of “The
Happiest Homecoming on Earth,” the cornerstone of the overall “Happiest Celebration on
Earth,” an incredible global salute to the 50th anniversary of Disneyland.

Beginning May 5, 2005 the 18-month long “The Happiest Celebration on Earth” pays tribute
to Walt Disney’s original dream of Disneyland, the park that launched an entirely different
genre of family entertainment that now spans the globe, attracting 100 million visitors on
three continents every year-and still growing.

For the first time ever, the ten Disney theme parks around the world will join together for
one celebration, each premiering news shows and attractions in honor of this landmark
event.

At Disneyland, “The Happiest Celebration on Earth” becomes “The Happiest Homecoming
on Earth,” a unique opportunity for new and returning guests to be part of an unforgettable
once-in-a-lifetime milestone event and the Park’s biggest party ever.  It’s also a chance for
the generations of guests who have been touched by the magic of Disneyland to return and
relive and share their fondest memories of past visits with family and friends.

“All of us at Disneyland are delighted to be saluted around the world by our sister parks
with the ‘The Happiest Celebration on Earth,” said Ouimet.  “In turn, every one of our
Disneyland Cast Members looks forward to welcoming our valued guests to our exclusive
‘Happiest Homecoming on Earth,’ an extraordinary event which promises to be filled with
great nostalgia, heart-warming moments, grand occasions and topped by the debut of
elaborate new attractions, shows and events.”

In addition to announcing the plans for “The Happiest Homecoming on Earth,” Eisner also
introduced the Honorary Ambassador of the Disneyland 50th anniversary celebration,
legendary Broadway and film star Julie Andrews.  “I’m delighted to be associated with this
momentous occasion,” said Andrews.  “One memory I’ll cherish forever is the thrill of
seeing Disneyland for the first time with Walt Disney himself.  I have been here many
times since with my children but nothing will ever top that moment.  Disneyland was Walt’s
gift to people the world over and I look forward to celebrating this unique national treasure
with everyone who has ever been touched by its magic.

Beloved by families around the world, Disneyland has welcomed over 500 million guests
since its introduction.  Guests hail from all 50 states and virtually every country on the
globe. The Disneyland guest roster over the past five decades includes a host of dignitaries
and celebrities-from seven US Presidents, countless heads of state, major athletes and stars
of film, television, stage and music.

Art Linkletter, renowned TV personality and host of the live Disneyland opening day TV
broadcast on July 17, 1955, joined in the announcement today and recalled his first
impression of Disneyland.  “Walt brought me down here to Anaheim when Disneyland was
under construction and it was nothing but dirt roads and orange groves, the Santa Ana
Freeway wasn’t even completed,’ said Linkletter.  “I didn’t want to spoil Walt’s enthusiasm
but I thought ‘Geez! Who’s gonna come down here? Shows you how much I know!”

Disneyland is synonymous with Disney quality, creativity and magic and its incredible
success through the years has led to the creation of Walt Disney World Resort in Florida
(the number one vacation destination in the world), Tokyo Disney Resort (Tokyo
Disneyland is the most attended Disney theme park in the world), Disneyland Resort Paris
(Disneyland Paris is the most popular tourist attraction in Europe) and soon Hong Kong.

Premiering on May 5, 2005 “The Happiest Homecoming on Earth,” an extraordinary
celebration of the 50th anniversary of Disneyland, will pay tribute to the millions of guests
and cast members who have contributed to the rich legacy of “The Happiest Place on Earth”
over the past five decades.  The 18-month long occasion represents the biggest event in the
history of The Walt Disney Company and is the first truly global Disney celebration (with
commemorative events planned at each of the Disney theme parks around the world in
salute to Disneyland).

For general Disneyland information, call (714) 781-4565.

A SPOONFUL OF SUGAR --
Julie Andrews, legendary
Broadway and film star and title
character of the 1964 Disney
classic “Mary Poppins,”
delighted Disneyland guests
this morning during a grand
ceremony announcing plans for
“The Happiest Celebration on
Earth.”
Photographer: Scott Brinegar

Click here for
details on some of
the celebrations at
Disneyland Resorts
during 2005

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