5/5: Launching the 50th

[Al Lutz]

Part One - Disneyland Goes Into Full Media-Mode: Watching the Process, Art Linkletter, Steve Martin, Michael Eisner, Plus a Quick Photo Update. Discuss it all here!

[fjhuerta]

Amazing article, as always. Sadly, I agree with the person who e-mailed you - Disneyland has been neglected for far too long. I can only hope Matt Ouimet can return it to its former glory.

By the way, is it my imagination or did prices rise for the 50th? I was hoping to attend, but $1,000 for 3 days seems to be a bit too much...

[Athlonacon]

Finally a new family (Frank & Mike) adopted Disneyland and his siblings.

Hmmm...in San Francisco or Massachusetts?



But seriously, that was an excellent analogy for Disneyland's neglect. I was kind of hoping to see the new Jungle Cruise, but I guess the 50th has really overshadowed that. It's interesting though, on any other day the Jungle Cruise opening would be big news. Thanks for the article Al, as usual it is very interesting.

[Mr Snappy]

Nice job,
But I disagree with your comments about the AUTOPIA car. To re-create a one-off car would cost thousands and would not be appreciated by most. I would rather that money went toward something with a little more staying power.

The best present I could recieve for the 50th is a commitment to get the park back in top-notch shape and then start working on creating new attractions. The gold paint and glitter antenna toppers are cute, but a re-commitment to generating lasting magic for generations to come would be a true gift....

[NTSC Mickey]

Re: Launching the 50th

If they will only be having cupcakes and some other minor events on the actual day, will it pale compared to the events on May 4th & 5th? How much of the media will provide any sort of coverage on the actual birthday?

It does make good business sense, though. Not many people begin to make arrangements for a family Summer vacation on July 17.

Thanks as always for the great update and pics, Al! Maybe some more info on the Steve Martin presentation in the next update??? Always been a big fan.

[fjhuerta]

It does make good business sense, though. Not many people make arrangements for a family Summer vacation on July 17.

Thanks as always for the great update and pics, Al! Maybe some more info on the Steve Martin presentation in the next update??? Always been a big fan.

I actually was making plans for visiting the 17th, then thought the crowds would be overwhelming. Now I'm beginning to think that maybe that day will be just like any other at Disneyland.

[desertmommy]

Eisner was a bit casual for such a "formal" event...

[cellarhound]

Eisner was a bit casual for such a "formal" event...

I know, I guess he thought it was going to be a pajama party?

[Athlonacon]

What interests me is Disney's dodging of any kind of Nemo references for the Sub lagoon. Monsters Inc. and the new Crush interactive attraction have been announced for DCA, but no mention so far on Nemo. Considering no one seems to know what was in that covered box a few months ago and the signage on the lagoon's walls is very vague, could it be possible that the Nemo rumor is a ruse to fend off leaks? I would love nothing more than for that to be true and until Disney officially announces it, we gotta keep in mind that Nemo is still just a "rumor" and nothing more. I would be so happy if Nemo was just a ruse and they really had something much more elaborate and original planned.

[BigPigletFan]

Eisner was a bit casual for such a "formal" event...

Yes, he looked like he just got out of bed. During the BLAB presentation he was holding his hat in hand. The grey MMC shirt, black hat, black pants, and brown boots weren't working that well. At least he realized it enough to remove his hat?

I loved all of the pictures Al! Too bad it was only KTLA and not national, I would have loved to see that interview. They haven't covered much locally here yet. Just a couple of comments here and there. But when Mission Space opened in WDW one of our MN news teams was reporting from Epcot for a whole week! And that was just for an attraction. Nothing so far for DLand.

[Mouse princess]

Thanks for the article Al! And all the pictures for us who cannot get down there and see for ourselves.

[cbkonczak]

Mr. Eisner

Thank you for the great photos! I'm returning to Disneyland for the first time since 1982 this September. I'm quite excited to say the least-- As a former WDW Cast Member, I can honestly say that Eisner and cohorts have done a fabulous job with the Orlando Property-- Why do you suppose that Disneyland has been neglected? Is it the size and lack of potential growth compared to the 50 square miles in Orlando? Or (and please don't be offended) are the majority of fans here and on other disneyland forums and sites just a bit over-the-top critical? :confused:

Either way, the 50th seems to be a good effort thus far-- although i am concerned that the 17th of July (Which is also my birthday!!!) will be a bit flat.

[TinkPink]

I LOVED that analogy of Disneyland being a child. OMG was it sad though! And so true!

[figment1986]

Time to review my KTLA tape.. (I love dish Network)

Now i do remember KTLA mentioning the fact the real Birthday/anniversary was in july.. (At least they did that for those in LA and who have disney network..)

It looked great that afternoon when i got home and viewed the tape...

Nice photos like usual....

[Cousin Orville]

I like the articles very much, so informative and fun, except for the editorializing "creative critiques" like the Autopia car.. amazing disney journalist yes, imagineer not quite yet.

[stampinshauna]

Thanks for the info. This is a great site. I can't wait until my Disneyland Trip in September.

[Ride Warrior]

Congratulations, Al, for becoming a part of the Disneyland hub-bub at KTLA's Morning News Show special. The tickets were extremely fortuitous! Good things really do happen to deserving people of merit. The day may have started out overcast, but emotionally it became sunny and warm.

Awesome is a man called Linkletter! A few years back, Art also appeared at the opening ceremony for DCA, along with Roy Disney, the late Buddy Ebsen, and Goofy - Whoops! I mean Michael Eisner. Having attended the event myself, I agree that the perineal Linkletter is spry and ever-engaging. What's more, he remains a magical link to opening day, 1955. Wow!

Regarding the ceremony at the Main Street Opera House, I enjoyed the photos of the "three amigos", Steve Martin, Donald Duck and Goofy - errr, Eisner. If I were Martin and the Donald, I wouldn't trust that cheesy guy (with his eyes closed) for a second. He's probably plotting a way to gain back the chairman's thrown.

The parade units are breathtaking, and any other positive adjetive one can dream up. The water effects on a couple of the floats are a gorgeous new element that I've never seen before. The finale unit is still impressive, Al-beit, your point is valid that they should have designed the float in a way that viewers could see the characters better.

Matt Oimet is to be credited for continuing his refurbishment of the park, down to the smallest details (literally) at the Storybookland rehab. I love the bright, bubbly imagery on the Sub Lagoon walls. Perhaps the subs were announced at one of the media events today, or maybe they will be announced on Disneyland's actual birthday, July 17th.

[Neon Cactus]

Nice update. I have a hard time believing on such a huge day of media exposure that Eisner would show up looking that way. From the pictures I've seen, Steve Martin and Julie Andrews both looked far more professional.

I'm sure they'll do something special on July 17, maybe a huge media event, maybe not, but I'm sure they'll have a ceremony of some sort. From a company perspective, why not get two days of huge press instead of one. And since I'm going next week, I'm glad they're not waiting until then to launch the celebration.

I did think the email was a little over the top. And please, Bob Iger is a totally different person than Eisner and is likely a totally different leader. Let the guy have a chance before lumping him in with Eisner.

[Ride Warrior]

And please, Bob Iger is a totally different person than Eisner and is likely a totally different leader. Let the guy have a chance before lumping him in with Eisner.

Yeah! Iger, as I recall, was among the entourage that boarded the subs and reviewed some of the new ride elments (including the show boxes) back when Matt Oimet was trying to gain approval for the ride, along with increased financing. This followed after Eisner had snubbed the project. Iger evidently gave his blessing.

Also, I met Bob Iger at the Disneyland Resort once, when he was casually walking about on the premises. He said hello to me first, otherwise I would not have known who he was. Along with being affable, he seems to enjoy being at the parks. Give him the benefit of the doubt, Al. He just might turn out to be everything in a leader that Eisner is not.

[TheDisneyInquisitor]

Wow al, only one page of snide Michael Eisner remarks...that's a record low for you.

Or are the majority of fans here and on other disneyland forums and sites just a bit over-the-top critical?

The park's neglect can be mostly contributed to Paul Pressler and Cynthia Harris (aka the Dynamic Duo). They focused on entertainment & sales more than maintanence and attractions. Michael Eisner brang Rasulo & Ouimet, a team that cares more for the parks. But imo, it's true that Disneyland people are a bit over-the-top (in both being critical and refusing to acknowledge some things are better at other resorts, like WDW). Just my opinion though.

I have a hard time believing on such a huge day of media exposure that Eisner would show up looking that way. From the pictures I've seen, Steve Martin and Julie Andrews both looked far more professional.

I think his attire is more symbolic than any other reason. There is a transition of power now from him to Bob Iger (who was wearing a suit). I'm guessing that Michael Eisner did not want to take the attention off of Iger, and at the same time wanted to appear more 'retired' and casual, like the park guests.

-Michael