45th Anniversary Ceremony
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Disneyland Resort President Cynthia Harriss
The simple music of M-I-C-K-E-Y- M-O-U-S-E accompanied Ms. Harriss as she walked to the podium. She spoke:
Thank you Jennifer, thank you Mickey. Good afternoon everyone. I'd like to welcome you all to sunny southern California. Glancing around the children all dressed in Mickey Mouse ponchos many in the audience have to chuckle. This is an exciting day for all of us here at the Disneyland Resort because today we officially start our year long celebration of 45 Years of Magic. Mickey and I welcome all of you, our guests and our Cast Members to this very special family celebration. I'm also delighted to give a very special welcome to our school children who've joined us from Orange and Los Angeles counties. In the smiling faces of these exuberant young people you can see the fantastic future and many dreams right before you. So boys and girls, Mickey and I want to thank you very much for joining us today in this special celebration. Thank you!
As the applause died down Cynthia Harriss continued her remarks:
Well it was 45 years ago when Walt created a place where families could come and enjoy a day together. Where people could laugh and play and take home those life-long memories. Walt's inspiration showed us how dreams really do come true. His vision transformed an orange grove into this spectacular Magic Kingdom. From the towering majesty of the Sleeping Beauty castle to the gentle grace of the Rivers of America, Disneyland is our living storybook. But you know many of us believe that the most wonderful thing about Disneyland isn't just something that you see, it something that you feel. It's that magic that comes from every child who gazes in amazement at the very first time they meet Mickey Mouse, every grown-up who discovers the laughter and thrill of riding that bobsled on the Matterhorn. It's the magical memory that lives long after that visit and that's what we are celebrating, the honor and privilege of keeping Walt's dream alive. And just as Walt had envisioned, we continue to do so by adding new touches along the way. Just like today we are premiering our brand new spectacular fireworks display Believe...There’s Magic In the Stars and our 45th year celebration parade and later this summer we'll premiere the new Autopia attraction.
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Ms. Harriss moved away from behind the podium and continued. "Throughout these 45 years there've been thousands and thousands of dedicated and talented Cast Members who've kept this dream alive. Without them this day wouldn't be possible because it is our Cast Members who truly are the heart and soul of our Magic Kingdom." Mickey Mouse and other characters then appeared escorting various cast members. The children began to cheer and chant "Mickey", briefly interrupting Cynthia's comments. "Our Cast Members they are the heart and the soul of our kingdom," she repeated, "along with Mickey Mouse," she added with a bit of chuckle.
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Mickey Mouse's entrance is greeted by cheers from the schoolchildren leading Cynthia to quickly add Mickey Mouse to the list of magic makers. |
"You know I hold for our Cast Members the highest respect and admiration for what they do each and every day to share the magic as they have over the past 45 years. Now the individual Cast Members that are assembled here represent some of the few of the many unique and personal stories and dreams that have unfold here at Disneyland." Strains of When You Wish Upon A Star could be heard quietly under Ms. Harriss' comments.
Ysias Reyna
Cynthia Harriss introduced the audience to one of the cast members Mickey had escorted onto the stage, "Just like Ysias Reyna, Ray as he is known, creates fabulous dishes as our chef at the Disneyland Pacific Hotel. Ray is our oldest working Cast Member at 89 years young. Ray, thank you for joining us." Ms. Harriss' attention then turned to the cast members on her left who were flanked by Chip and Dale, "And some of our stories, just like our fairy tales are very romantic."
Members of the Bojorquez and Thiess familes
"Many couples have met here while working. They've fallen in love, they've married and they've started their families like the Bojorquez and Thiess families. These two families combined, a brother and a sister, a husband and wife, in-laws and children who represent seven Disneyland Cast Members spanning 2 generations. How wonderful to have their family as a part of our family!"