DISNEY PARKS WORLDWIDE CELEBRATE
AS DISNEYLAND® HITS MILESTONE 50th ANNIVERSARY

ANAHEIM , Calif. , May 5, 2004 – For the first time ever, the 10 Disney theme parks around the world will join together for a global celebration to mark the 50th anniversary of 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 a ceremony this morning in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland announcing details of “The Happiest Celebration on Earth.”

“The Happiest Celebration on Earth” pays tribute to Walt Disney's dream of Disneyland, the original park that introduced an entirely new genre of family entertainment that now spans the globe and continues to offer the most visited attractions in the world, drawing 100 million visitors on three continents every year - - and still growing.

Beginning May 5, 2005 and extending for 18 months through 2006, the event will take place in all of the Disney theme parks around the world, with the premiere of exciting new shows and attractions at Disneyland Resort in California, Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, Tokyo Disney Resort in Japan and Disneyland Resort Paris in France and the opening of Hong Kong Disneyland.

Eisner noted that Disneyland has grown into a cultural phenomenon. “The dawn of the theme park industry rose from one man's dream as he walked Anaheim orange groves more than 50 years ago, and today, the sun never sets on Disney's global theme park landscape,” Eisner said. “Our Happiest Celebration on Earth is another example of our continued commitment to creating innovative entertainment experiences for the entire family, while saluting the nearly two billion guests who have made Disneyland a national treasure and make Disney the undisputed leader in family vacation destinations worldwide.”

“Since Disneyland opened its gates nearly 50 years ago, Walt Disney's flagship park has been praised the world over for serving as the foundation for the modern theme park industry, and, moreover, for creating a unique place where the entire family can have fun and enjoy wholesome, quality entertainment together,” said Rasulo. “Disney parks are at the heart of a timeless tradition for millions of families that pass down their experiences from generation to generation. In honor of the park that started it all, every Disney resort will join in creating more great memories for our guests with this unprecedented global celebration, which promises to be the biggest event in Disney theme park history.”

At Disneyland , the global celebration becomes a unique chance for the generations of guests who have been touched by the magic of Disneyland to return to where the magic began and relive their fondest memories of park visits past and create new memories with family and friends.

In addition to the recent opening of The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror ® and Snow White – an Enchanting New Musical, the Resort will be premiering new and exciting shows throughout the 18-month celebration. “We are celebrating all those guests and Cast Members who have come to make Disneyland a cherished experience, inviting them to relive memories and create new ones with family and friends,” said president, Disneyland Resort, Matt Ouimet. The celebration will be the biggest event in the history of the park and will take different forms throughout the Disneyland Resort - - even extending out to sea:

• Sleeping Beauty Castle will be transformed into a breathtaking focal-point for “The Happiest Homecoming on Earth” and will glow with Disney enchantment as never before.

• Audiences will be overwhelmed by the fun and spectacle of the new “ Walt Disney's Parade of Dreams,” featuring one of the largest casts of Disney Characters ever assembled.

• An all-new fireworks spectacular entitled “Remember . . . Dreams Come True” represents the most elaborate and extravagant in the history of Disneyland .

• In the all-new attraction “Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters,” guests pilot their very own Star Cruiser through a comical interactive space mission where they will help to protect outer space from the forces of the evil Emperor Zurg!

“Space Mountain” will be re-”Imagineered” for the 21st century, featuring all-new “out of this world” effects and surprises.

• Guests will experience “Disneyland - - The First 50 Years,” a remarkable new exhibit showcasing 50 years of Disneyland and highlighting the amazing evolution of the park from concept to reality.

• “Block Party Bash” - - At Disney's California Adventure guests will suddenly find themselves surrounded by the rollicking music, excitement and fun of one of five instant celebrations.
 

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