I CAN'T GET EXCITED...about May 5, 2005

[Circarama]

:botox: I can't help it! I know that May 5 is supposed to be the kick-off of the big 50th celebration, but it all seems so fabricated and un-magical,(i.e. May 5, 2005=05-05-05 wow, what a coincidence ) I know what it is for me... I have become jaded to the whole "let's turn this into the biggest profit machine that the world has ever seen" mentality. Never mind that on May 5th, 1955 all of Disneyland was about 75% complete and in the middle of break neck construction. Nothing happened 50 years ago on May 5th to warrant this event!! It's all based in financially motivated B.S.!! For me, the only date that matters is July 17, 2005, and I WILL be there to celebrate it with all of you other Disneyland purist's!
I think the part that really bows me up is that the actual anniversary date has become shrouded to the point that ALOT of people actually believe that Disneylands anniversary is on May 5th.
What say you?

[lyd]

I am more upset that ALL THE OTHER PARKS are joining in on the celebration. Especially Disney World since they received alot of new stuff and the commercial for the Happiest Homecoming shown over there does not mention Disneyland AT ALL (this is what friends of mine who live in Florida have told me).

[pyrateslife4me84]

I don't think it's that big of a problem--they just want to include two summer seasons in the celebration, and it just so happens that 05-05-05 is 50-50-50 backwards, which sounds kewl. I don't really think the argument that this is just an attempt to make profits is all that meaningful. Of course they want to make a lot of money off of this celebration! Disney has always been designed to make money, even in Walt's days. It would simply be foolish of Disney to have the celebration start in the middle of the summer season, causing people to hold off their vacations longer due to construction taking place right into July. There is no need to hurt attendance with widespread construction any longer, and realizing that there are many guests who cannot get to Disneyland more than once every few years, Disney is trying to extend this celebration across as many peak seasons as possible so that the most people possible can enjoy the celebration. If they want to have Remember showing nightly starting May 5th, I'm happy with that.

[AnotherPixie]

I look at it like this:

Disneyland needs some time before the actual Anniversary of July 17th to get the parade, shows and new routines down, just like rides do when they are set to premiere. Disneyland always has a "soft opening" of their attractions. These shows and parade are totally brand new, they need this time before July. That is how I look at it. I love that they choose May 5th as the day that they start, I love the hidden meaning in the numbers

[Jspider]

Disney is just trying to streatch out the celebration so that everyone can have a chance to take part in it (since they can't fit all these people in on the 17th)

if you want something really special I'm sure they'll have an extra special event on Disneyland's actual birthday

as far as WDW getting attractions go I think Disneyland got the better deal on this

from what I hear the new parade and fireworks are amazing for Disneyland and Buzz is a good ride and Space Mountains new effects also sound awsome

in contrast I've heard WDW's Cinderellabration isn't nearly as good as the Tokyo version and Lights Motors Action sounds alright though slightly margional and Soarin is just a clone of a ride we already have at DCA (Lucky might not stay around that long and Expedition Everest isn't until next year)

Disneyland is getting plenty I think

[dramaqueen]

I think it is not something essential that you have to be excited about. Don't be if you don't want to! Everyone just wants to finally see what we have been talking about for so long, but its not a huge deal and I am pretty sure the majority of people don't really know or care when the actual official opening day really is. But we know and we care. All I know is that this board is going to be CRAZY that day..........

[Cousin Orville]

It's actually Cinco De Mayo, so they are obviously trying to cash in on the hispanic market!

[dramaqueen]

Aye! Dios Mio!

[Hector]

I doubt many people will actually know more then Disneyland is 50 this year. Some probably have no idea that July 17 is the actual anniversary. I bet some people won't even know why everything's gold until they hear an announcement.

The reason of starting it in may is to capitalize on the summer crowds as been mentioned earlier in this thread. It wouldn't be smart for a major theme park not too! Especially with the crowds Disneyland gets. With all the special merchandise, events, the new parades, and the new fireworks show, it just wouldn't make sense to not have them at the end of may at the latest.

[Wotan]

I know that if it wasn't the 50th, we probably wouldn't be going down in May. There's no way we would want to be part of the massive crowds that will inhabit the parks July-August, and again around the holidays.

Heck, just looking at the pictures of everything that's been painted since we were last there (right before Memorial Day last year) has me excited. I think I'm going to be shooting a lot of both digital pictures and film and video this year. If anyone's going to make a big profit off of this, it'll probably be Kodak...

[dshimel]

I don't know anyone that thinks the anniversary is 5-5.

Disneyland simply can't hold 2 million people showing up on July 17th.... Or even 200,000 or even 20,000 more that would be in the park on a normal summer weekend.

It CAN'T be a 1-day event or 90% of the people that want to celebrate simply won't be able to. As is, I still fear a riot on July 17th when 100,000 people are at the gates at park opening and 1/2 of them are turned away.

Is it marketing? sure.

Am I excited about May 5? Not really. I may make it out for a couple days in June. I may not make a trip out until August.

But, what is the better date to kick off new parades and fireworks? Spring break is packed without them. Summer will be packed out without them. Kick them off ON the anniversary? No need to attract extra people then....

No, May is a great time to kick off the new parade and fireworks... Keep crowds from dropping too much in the 6-8 weeks between spring break's end and summer crowds showing up.

[innerSpaceman]

Prior big birthdays have been kicked off in January. There's nothing wrong with a May start. No need to get excited if you don't want to. But new fireworks and new parade never start in July - so if May 5 is the kickoff date for the new summer entertainment, I don't see anything unusual in that at all.

[100th Dalmation]

I think the part that really bows me up is that the actual anniversary date has become shrouded to the point that ALOT of people actually believe that Disneylands anniversary is on May 5th.

It's funny you mentioned this because in this mornings newspaper there was a little article. And it reads like this.....

Disneyland...50 Years Ago

As Disneyland gears up to celebrate its 50th anniversary, Showcase seeks readers who remeber the theme park "once upon a time."
If you can recall "E" tickets, the House of the Future and the original grey vessels of the Submarine Voyage, we want to hear from you.
If you visited Disneyland on or around May 5th, 1955, opening or at anytime over the parks few decades and would like to share your memories with us call.......etc...etc....

So obviously people are out there not doing there homework as to whats really going on at Disneyland and when the park actually opened.

[JangoFett]

I am more upset that ALL THE OTHER PARKS are joining in on the celebration. Especially Disney World since they received alot of new stuff and the commercial for the Happiest Homecoming shown over there does not mention Disneyland AT ALL (this is what friends of mine who live in Florida have told me).

I live in Reno and the WDW comercials have been running on our local TV stations. Hello... people on this coast are more likely to head for DL for this event since it IS DL's big birthday.

We are going to DLR next month and we are not all upset (other than Space Mtn and JC are closed) that we are missing the big 05-05-05 kick off. We will still be able to buy related merchandise (like the Golden Ears) and we can say we went the year of the celebration. It's just a date for marketing purposes.

[LeeLi]

I for one am quite happy that they are starting May 5 because it means I get to see the 50th stuff when I wouldn't otherwise. I probably won't go on the 5th, because I just don't care that much about all the media crap. I will probably go the week after because I want to see the park in all its golden glory and see the new entertainment.

I do kinna agree about marketing the other parks so extensivly. I live less than an hour from DLR, and cannot remember seeing a DLR specfic 50th commercial, even though I watch plenty of local TV. I have seen a WDW specific commercial, how crazy is that?

But, we live in a capitalist society, it's always about money...

[Disneymike]

Jspider said:

in contrast I've heard WDW's Cinderellabration isn't nearly as good as the Tokyo version and Lights Motors Action sounds alright though slightly margional and Soarin is just a clone of a ride we already have at DCA (Lucky might not stay around that long and Expedition Everest isn't until next year)

You are absolutly right in that WDW's stuff isn't very good. I just got back from WDW and Cinderellabration was a joke and the Wishes fireworks show pales in comparison to even Disneylands Believe fireworks show.

[Cousin Orville]

I'm getting burned out on Disneyland right now anyway.

[Circarama]

I guess you guys are right... I don't have to get excited about May 5, although I have to admit I didn't know about the 50-50-50 thing, that is kinda "kewl" . In some ways I am glad that it is starting early, cuz I know that means only the party faithful will even attempt to show up on 07-17. Thanks for helping me out with this guys, it's good to know that I have friends who can help pull me out of a (Disney) slump when I'm feeling down

[WDW1974]

The only folks who should be excited about May 5th are the 'lucky' media members and celebs who have been invited to kickoff the 50th.

But, by the same token, would you rather Buzz have not opened until 7/17? How about no parade or fireworks until then? Or no Space Moun...nevermind.

[pyrateslife4me84]

The only folks who should be excited about May 5th are the 'lucky' media members and celebs who have been invited to kickoff the 50th.

But, by the same token, would you rather Buzz have not opened until 7/17? How about no parade or fireworks until then? Or no Space Moun...nevermind.

well, we are getting Space back a full 2 DAYS early lol...no fireworks till July 17th would've sucked though...and could you imagine...Parade of the Stars would have likely continued till the end of Spring Break season...ick!