On July 17, Disneyland celebrated its 60th anniversary and honored Cast Members who worked at Disneyland on Opening Day in 1955. A special pre-parade before Mickey’s Soundsational Parade recognized those Cast Members, as well as current Disneyland Resort Cast Members.
Riding in Walt’s car and leading off the pre-parade were Ron Dominguez and Bob Penfield. Ron Dominguez’s family lived in a house among the orange groves before Disneyland construction began. Daisy, Clarabelle Cow, and Horace Horsecollar followed them along with current Disneyland Resort Cast Members. Harold Christopher, another 1955 Original Cast Member, was also in the parade. The Seven Dwarfs also appeared and held balloons as they marched on the parade route.
Disney Legends Marty Sklar and Bob Gurr also joined the celebration while waving and having fun. Pinocchio, Geppetto, Jiminy Crickey, Gideon, and Foulfellow were right behind them. Tom Nabbe and Bill ‘Sully’ Sullivan followed. Riding in the fire engine were Dick Nunis and Jack Lindquist. Dick Nunis was having fun waving his Disneyland 60th flag and ringing the fire engine bell. Alice, Mad Hatter, Tweedle Dee, Tweedle Dum, and the Queen of Hearts also marched in the parade, and were carrying balloons as well.
The final unit in the pre-parade was the Omnibus filled with current Disneyland Resort Cast Members waving their Disneyland 60th flags. Chef Oscar from the Carnation Cafe was sitting in the front passenger seat. Chef Oscar is currently the longest tenured Cast Member at the Disneyland Resort, having been at Disneyland since 1956.
Guests were seen cheering and waving to the Disney Legends and current Disneyland Resort Cast Members. Overall, it was a fun tribute to the Cast Members who have been a part of the magic of Disneyland since 1955. These special moments remind us that the magic and memory makers are what help make the Disneyland experience special!