July 17, 2005

At some point in the mid-80s, relatively early in my Disney fandom, I had the realization that the 50th Anniversary of Disneyland was something that would occur during my lifetime. It was at that moment that I vowed to do whatever it took to be in Walt's original park for that milestone event.

On the morning of July 17, 2005, my wife and I left our room at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel at 5 a.m. and headed over to get in line to enter the park. On the way, we ran into a friend from Florida, Greg Emmer, who was then Senior Vice President of Operations for the Disneyland Resort. We caught up on old times, and then he headed into the park to check on preparations while we entered Disney's California Adventure to join the throng of excited fans.

Every Guest that morning received a commemorative guide map and complimentary golden Mouse Ears, along with a color-coded wristband to designate a spot in the line that wrapped around the entire California Adventure park. Eventually, we were all led into Disneyland to cheers of "Welcome home!" from the Cast Members.

In no time, Main Street and the Central Plaza were teeming with people in golden ear hats. For those who couldn't quite see the staging area in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle, large screens were placed around the park to broadcast the morning's events.

Michael Eisner and Bob Iger spoke, followed by remarks from invited Guests Art Linkletter (who had hosted the opening of Disneyland 50 years earlier) and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. One of the most touching moments of the morning came when Walt's daughter, Diane Disney Miller, stepped up to reread the park's dedication. She made it just past, "To all who come to this happy place, Welcome," before becoming overwhelmed with emotion, as the video transitioned seamlessly to her father saying those same words.

Later in the day, there were complimentary birthday cupcakes and a recreation of the park's dedication in Town Square. One of my personal favorite moments, though, happened near the Jungle Cruise.

We were approaching the attraction when we noticed Matt Ouimet, then President of the Disneyland Resort. While one might have expected Matt to be schmoozing the media, he was instead walking around the park, shaking hands with the Cast and congratulating them on the anniversary. When we stopped him for a quick photo, he was incredibly cordial and welcoming, the perfect ambassador for the park (in the picture are our friends Amy and Rebecca on the left and me and my wife, Laurel - expecting our twin boys at the time - on the right).

It was an unbelievable day, and I'm so glad I was able to be a part of it. I wouldn't have missed it for the world!