Bob Hope Lights up Disneyland
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Dolores and Bob Hope with Mickey

Legendary entertainer Bob Hope, who has performed before audiences in every decade of the 20th Century and whose shows for American troops overseas were a holiday tradition from World War II through Desert Storm, made a personal appearance at Disneyland on Monday, November 22, at 5:45p.m. to inaugurate a new tradition:”The Official Lighting of Disneyland Park” for the holidays.

Bob Hope is no stranger to Disney celebrations. He was onhand at the Contemporary Resort for the Walt Disney World Grand Opening television special. From the steps leading up to the monorail platform Hope entertained hotel guests and television viewers with jokes about the hotel’s unique structure and state-of-the-art conveniences. Hope concluded his remarks with the reminder, "Walt Disney always believed in the beauty and natural wonders of the world but he felt, as we passed through, that we should try to add a little wonder and beauty to it. Maybe you’ll understand that Walt’s Dream was just a beginning. The dream doesn’t stop here, this is the start of it. I think you might want to tell your grandchildren you were there when it happened.” He was also part of the Disney-MGM Studios ribbon cutting ceremony in 1989 and has his handprints in the cement in front of their Great Movie Ride entrance.

In announcing Hope’s participation, Cynthia Harriss, Executive Vice President of The Disneyland Resort, noted, “For more than 50 years, Bob Hope spent his holidays on a hard-working, fast-moving, often dangerous mission to entertain men and women who, in a the service of their country, couldn’t be home for the holidays. We are happy and proud to be able to share our holidays and this very special holiday moment with him and his family here at Disneyland.”

The lights all along Main Street were dimmed in anticipation of the official Christmas lighting and instead of the usual Christmas music the sounds of Bob and Dolores Hope singing Silver Bells played. A small stage stood where Main Street forks around the Hub. It's base was decorated in a Christmas garland that had large silver golfballs on it. Also on the stage were two director's chairs marked Bob Hope and Dolores Hope. Hundreds of Disneyland guests gathered all around the area. Camera crews from local ABC and NBC news stations were seen as well as CNN.

The air of anticipation was invaded by the Disneyland Announcer, "Ladies and Gentlemen and children of all ages we welcome you to this very special occasion. And now please welcome your host for the ceremony, executive vice-president of the Disneyland Resort Cynthia Harriss and her pal Mickey Mouse."

The Disneyland Band accompanied their joyous walk with Jingle Bells . Mickey was wearing a dapper top hat with red and green band which matched his red and green plaid vest.  He escorted Ms. Harriss to the podium.

Ms. Harriss addresses the gathered crowd, "Good evening everyone and welcome. We are so glad that you could join us for the holidays. Tonight is especially wonderful, right Mickey? Because tonight we begin a brand new tradition, the official holiday lighting of Disneyland. This time of year is so special for children of all ages and our Cast Members have always cherished giving you, our guests, a magical visit to the merriest place on earth. So once again we’ve decked the halls with colorful wreaths, sparkling ornaments and a wonderful 60-foot Christmas tree. For the first time ever Mickey’s Toontown is alive with twinkling lights, colorful trees and wacky toon trimmings. New Orleans Square is all jazzed up with elaborate garlands, sizzling music, and glittering lights. And for the third season “it’s a small world holiday” is ready to celebrate with thousands of dazzling lights to brighten its smiling facade. And the crowning touch to our Magic Kingdom is the lights, hundreds and thousands of beautiful twinkling lights." While Ms. Harriss describes the new holiday decorations found in the Park Mickey pantomimes the various elements she is describing. He pretends to decorate as she discusses Toontown and plays air saxophone as she describes what's new in New Orleans Square.

Ms. Harriss continues, "And this evening we begin a new tradition. We have invited an outstanding individual to join us as our honored guest to officially light up Disneyland. I couldn’t be happier to introduce this gentleman. A show business legend who has brought joy and laughter to the world through eight decades of our past century. The most honored entertainer in history. His honors include the Presidential Medal of Freedom, an honorary knighthood conferred by Queen Elizabeth, four honorary Academy Awards plus the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, and a Congressional Medal of Honor. This year, in what he has called 'the greatest honor I have ever received,' he became the first individual in the history of our country to be named an honorary veteran of the Armed Forces by the United States Congress. We are very happy and proud to welcome a living legend, the one and only Ambassador of Christmas Cheer, ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Bob Hope and his lovely wife, Dolores."