‘CELEBRATING PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN’ AT DISNEYLAND FEATURES ORIGINAL ART WORK, APPEARANCES BY ‘PIRATES’ CREATORS
"Pirates of the Caribbean," arguably the most popular theme park attraction in the world, will be celebrated with a special event Saturday, May 20, at its birthplace in Disneyland.
"Celebrating Pirates of the Caribbean," requires a special advance ticket (available beginning April 10; information: 1-800-362-4533) and will feature a live panel discussion by some of the original creators of the attraction, a special after-hours ride on "Pirates of the Caribbean," a commemorative gift for all attendees and an exclusive opportunity to view and purchase limited edition "Pirates of the Caribbean" merchandise created especially for the event.
Among the more unusual collectibles featured in the Celebration will be a one-of-a-kind Pirate Ship in a Bottle recreating the "attack" scene from the attraction. Other highlights include original recreations of key attraction scenes by sculptor Terri Hardin, a reproduction of the skull-and-crossbones "Dead Men Tell No Tales" plaque from the attraction, and a lithograph (signed by all the panel participants) of original "Pirates of the Caribbean" concept art created by the late Marc Davis.
Sure to be prized by Disneyana collectors will be a special "CD on Demand" disc of music and sounds from the attraction, packaged with a signed reproduction of the original "Pirates of the Caribbean" map created in the mid-‘60s by Disney artist Sam McKim. A few of the more singular merchandise items at the Celebration, including the Ship in a Bottle, will be sold via silent auction.
Along with Disneyland Park admission and a first look at unique collectibles, the special event ticket will entitle guests to attend a beverage reception and panel discussion featuring artists and Imagineers who played a role in the creation of "Pirates" or in one of its subsequent design and engineering upgrades. Tentatively scheduled to participate are Alice Davis (widow of Marc Davis), costume designer; X Atencio, composer of the famous "Yo Ho, Yo Ho, A Pirate’s Life for Me" song; Sam McKim, artist; Harriet Burns, Walt Disney Imagineer; Kim Irvine-Alison, Walt Disney Imagineer and Art Director at Disney Design Studio; and Bob Baranick, former Art Director of Disneyland.
Viewing and purchasing of exclusive "Pirates of the Caribbean" merchandise and bidding for silent auction items will take place in the Main Street Opera House at Disneyland from 8:30 a.m. to Park closing on Saturday, May 20. (Silent auction bidding will end at 5 p.m.)
Other main events are set for the evening: reception at 7 p.m. in the Fantasyland Theatre, panel discussion at 7:45 p.m. in the Fantasyland Theatre, special "Pirates of the Caribbean" ride in New Orleans Square beginning at 11 p.m. The last Disneyland attraction personally supervised by Walt Disney, "Pirates of the Caribbean" has, since its opening in 1967, carried more guests than any other Disney theme park attraction in the world. It has inspired "Pirates" attractions in Disney theme parks in Florida, Japan and Paris. It continues to thrill new generations of would-be swashbucklers with its inventive blend of adventure, music and humor.
Disneyland is currently in the midst of its yearlong 45th Anniversary celebration, "45 Years of Magic." Additional highlights of the Anniversary include a new daily parade and a spectacular nighttime fireworks extravaganza. For Disneyland Park information call (714) 781-4565 or visit our Web site at www.disneyland.com. As noted, "Celebrating Pirates of the Caribbean" requires a special ticket, available beginning April 10. (Ticket information: 1-800-362-4533.)
Source: Company Press Release