60 years

May 22, 2015 4:09 PM

In honor of its 60th anniversary, Disneyland presents "Disneyland Forever", the new "World of Color" and the Paint the Night Nighttime Electrical Parade.

Disneyland, opening day 1955 (Complete ABC Broadcast)

posted by roomthreeseventeen (22 comments total)

I exist quite literally because Disneyland exists. My parents had their first date there, fell in love immediately, and then had me a decade later. We spent every weekend we could at the parks when I was growing up and this is the first year I haven't been able to go to an anniversary celebration on opening day. All I could think about while at work was I NEED TO BE SINGING ALONG TO THE ELECTRICAL LIGHT PARADE RIGHT NOW. Eventually I had to treat my coworkers to a very special performance of the main theme in order to get it out of my system. They're all a little unnerved by how accurately I can do some of the polyphonic stuff.

So what I'm saying is, is that this post is a good post. <3
posted by Hermione Granger at 4:25 PM on May 22, 2015 [16 favorites]

I too have a long history at the Park. After WWII, my dad worked for a little company started by some of his servicemen buddies that provided helicopter service from LAX to the Park. One of the pilots, Jack Dupies, was one of my dad's best friends. On this day, 47 years ago, Jack was piloting a helicopter that crashed, in one of the worst helicopter crashes in US history. 23 people died, including Jack. My father never really got over his death.

However, that didn't stop us from going to Disneyland. A lot. My dad then went to work for a Southern California defense corporation that had a standing party night at Disneyland about the second or third Friday of May every year. Unlike current party nights, this night was actually closed to every person or group not affiliated with my dad's employer. I grew up never having to stand in line for any ride at Disneyland. Of course, I never went to Tom Sawyer's Island, which was only open during daylight hours.

Then, after I graduated from high school, I worked at Disneyland during summer, winter, and spring breaks for a couple of years. I worked at Tomorrowland Terrace, selling Spaceburgers and Moonburgers. I've always been able to count in increments of 65 cents, because that was the cost of a Spaceburger when I worked there. How's that for a reality check? I was working there during the 25th anniversary year. So yuck that means I was working there 35 years ago. Wait a minute, I can't be older than 37 or 38, can I? oh man talk about a reality check.
posted by janey47 at 4:47 PM on May 22, 2015 [12 favorites]

People can say what they wish about the 'evil' Disney empire, but in the end, Disney sure as hell deliver the goods! Great post!
posted by Quasimike at 4:48 PM on May 22, 2015 [1 favorite]

Thanks for making this post! I stumbled upon this comparison between the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland and Disneyworld and found it pretty interesting. (My own interest are the ride tracks and how Disney manages the loading/unloading zones.)
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 4:49 PM on May 22, 2015 [3 favorites]

Oo- the opening day broadcast looks amazing! What a window into a particular period in American history! Sure, it's scripted, but I'm really interested to see how they frame what was not only a new project by an already beloved entertainment company, but a relatively new concept- the theme park. I only wish it was in color!

*Ronald Reagan appears*

OH GOD DAMMIT
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 5:08 PM on May 22, 2015 [10 favorites]

I'm just about ready to head out of the office and jump onto the tail-end of the 24-hour Disneyland extravaganza they've got going on right now, and I'm really looking forward to the Paint The Night parade. So cool!
posted by erratic meatsack at 5:10 PM on May 22, 2015 [3 favorites]

Also, Tomorrowland was originally supposed to be 1986?
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 5:12 PM on May 22, 2015 [2 favorites]

I still can't remember which is which between Disneyland and Disneyworld!
posted by mantecol at 5:26 PM on May 22, 2015

Disneyland is in California, Disney World is the large resort in Florida, the park most like Disneyland there is the Magic Kingdom.
posted by eriko at 5:33 PM on May 22, 2015 [2 favorites]

Having worked for the family, sadly, my own nostalgia has completely destroyed and I can never, ever support anything they are attached to again (and which takes some research).

That said, he hired amazing artists and visionaries. I truly wish I could retain the joy and wonder I used to have because experiencing Disneyland as a child with my family created some of the most perfect memories of my life.
posted by knitted sock puppet at 5:34 PM on May 22, 2015 [1 favorite]

"This once in a lifetime event is going to look great through the camera in my phone."
posted by Brocktoon at 6:59 PM on May 22, 2015 [4 favorites]

We were Disney World people growing up, and I got the chance three years ago, as an adult to visit Disneyland for the first time. Aside from jokingly mocking the teeny tiny castle, I was enthralled. It's such a special place.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 7:03 PM on May 22, 2015

I recommend not watching the Paint the Night video until someone gets footage of the parade without problems. Apparently there were tons of audio glitches during the whole parade and it's probably better to wait until more footage from a different night surfaces.
posted by Hermione Granger at 7:03 PM on May 22, 2015

The real 60th news: Hatbox Ghost Reappears in Haunted Mansion
posted by anazgnos at 9:45 PM on May 22, 2015 [3 favorites]

Aside from jokingly mocking the teeny tiny castle, I was enthralled. It's such a special place.

SERIOUSLY.

If you're a WDW person, that castle in Disneyland is hilarious.
posted by eriko at 3:35 AM on May 23, 2015

Oh sweet jebus am I old: I remember being in Disneyland for their 10th anniversary.....
posted by easily confused at 4:35 AM on May 23, 2015

If you're a WDW person, that castle in Disneyland is hilarious.

And if you're a European person, I can assure you they are both hysterical! ;)

(no beef, I adore and have been fascinated by the Disney parks since I visited Disneyland in its 35th anniversary. cherished memories.)
posted by ominous_paws at 4:54 AM on May 23, 2015

I sort of liked Disney when I was a six your old.

But my true passion was Daffy Duck.
posted by bukvich at 6:22 AM on May 23, 2015

I grew up in Montana, so going to Disneyland was akin to going to the moon. I imagine that kids in other remote places probably felt the same, but I wonder if that's still true for kids now? Im desensitized now that I've lived less than an hour away for the better part of 20 years, and my kids have never straight up asked to go (we go to Knotts; you don't need a loan from the World Bank to get in).
posted by Brocktoon at 6:32 AM on May 23, 2015 [1 favorite]

Not in video: 7 year old spectators absolutely losing their minds.
posted by PenDevil at 10:54 AM on May 23, 2015

This is probably a good place to put this: Abandoned: The Rise, Fall and Decay of Disney's River Country.
posted by box at 2:35 PM on May 23, 2015

Hah, I'm going to Disneyland in a few weeks. Take that, y'all.
posted by jenfullmoon at 6:38 PM on May 23, 2015 [1 favorite]