Disneyland's State of the Resort
Page 5 of 7
As Ouimet departed, the stage filled with familiar characters from the Disney-Pixar films. Vivid music filled the air as Buzz, Woody, Flik, Atta, Sully, the Incredibles and others energetically danced and played. Overhead, a projection of the Block Party Bash logo included the words “Disney presents the Pixar film pals.�? As the revelry came to an end, Matt Ouimet entered and noted, “They’re just like the rest of the cast… they don’t listen to me either.�?
Matt Ouimet joined the “Pixar
film pals�? on stage.
Back on topic again, Ouimet assured the audience that from May of 2005 to September of 2006 the spotlight would be shining brightly on the Disneyland Resort and the Anaheim area. He asked if anyone had yet seen a special film trailer, showing in local theaters. As the film unspoiled, fifty years worth of images of Disneyland and its guests filled the screen. The lights came back up, as Ouimet said, “All this has led to this moment.�? He described it as the “biggest celebration�? in the history of Disneyland, with an impact that was global in scope.
As the applause died down, Ouimet shifted gears, pointing out that the preparations have been visible for the past several months. The symbol of the Park, Sleeping Beauty Castle, would be the centerpiece. And lighting up the night skies above the castle would be a spectacular new fireworks show, which Ouimet called “an E Ticket in the sky.�? A brief audio clip of the opening narration was played. Julie Andrews, the Resort’s Honorary Ambassador was heard, welcoming all to “Remember.�? Included in the clip were snippets of actual dialogue from Disneyland attractions, including the Steam Trains, Pirates of the Caribbean, Star Tours, and the Haunted Mansion (“Welcome, foolish mortals!�?). The excerpt concluded with Julie Andrews asking, “Are you ready to wish upon a star?�?
Ouimet smiled and promised the crowd, “Coming soon… to a sky near you!�? He then went on to point out that the new show used all compressed air to launch the shells, with no black powder residue. The technology for this was developed for Disneyland, and used no where else. But, he added, it was available to share with others.
Tomorrowland’s newest attraction, Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters was the next order of business. Based on the Disney-Pixar film Toy Story, Ouimet emphasized the interactive aspects. Despite the fact that there had been tight security, he confided that some guests had “sneaked�? into the attraction the previous Monday. He than showed the “suspects�? that had been captured by security cameras. The crowd roared with laughter as each was shown on the screen, and then captured in black and white images for identification: Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle, County Superintendent of Schools Bill Habermehl, and Orange County Board of Supervisors Chairman Bill Campbell.
Orange Superintendent of Schools
Bill Habermehl is “caught�? by Buzz Lightyear’s security cameras.
Their respective scores were shown: Chairman Campbell at 19,000, Mayor Pringle at 68,000, and the “winner�? of the group, Superintendent Habermehl at 110,000. But, Ouimet pointed out to the crowd’s delight, the average six-year-old scored an average of 317,000 in the test phase!
The numbers tell the story…
The next subject was eagerly awaited news about Space Mountain. “It will be the attraction you have always loved, but even better,�? promised Ouimet. He confided that the number one question people asked him was, “Can you get me free theme park tickets?�? After that, he said, it was, “When does Space Mountain relaunch?�? He then announced the official date was July 15, 2005. Previously, all official announcements had stated it would reopen in November.