This week on Up the Waterfall, we explore the many Disney Parks anniversary celebrations. Most of these moments were televised as specials featuring stars of the time, song and dance numbers, and even skits. Now that decades of time has passed, these specials provide loads of entertainment and a spotlight on how things used to be both in and out of the parks.
We discuss the major Disneyland and Walt Disney World anniversaries, recent EPCOT celebrations, and of course, the 100 Years of Magic Celebration. However, it is hard to fit all of that celebratin’ in one show! For instance, Scott remembered after we recorded that he’d forgotten to mention the 6 CD set that came out for Disneyland’s 50th, which is chock-full of amazing recordings. We’ve mentioned that one before in our History of Carousel of Progress episode. Similarly, while looking up photos, I realized I forgot to mention one of the promotions from the 100 Years of Magic – the collectible glasses from McDonald’s! I collected 2 sets, and have since sold them on eBay. So if you watch or listen and find we’ve missed some aspect that you remember or loved, be sure to let us know!
In addition, we promised we’d link to all the crazy anniversary specials that aired on TV back in the day. Thank goodness these are on YouTube, because I don’t think some of them will be showing up on Disney+ any time soon. If you watch them all, let us know your favorite! I think I love the ones where families travel by car and make a whole road trip out of their Disney destination vacation. Despite the cheesiness, they really did capture how things were at the time (maybe minus the breaking into spontaneous song) and what an EVENT it was to visit a Disney park.
All the YouTube TV specials of note:
- DL 25th: https://youtu.be/B0Md8BA2K_k
- DL 35th: https://youtu.be/v95fk-yYFmo
- DL 40th: https://youtu.be/6gUcKp20LQs
- DL 50th: https://youtu.be/kORw2MwVYQ0
- WDW 10th: https://youtu.be/Kjo1IQbN5-4
- WDW 15th: https://youtu.be/kqq_R-EVFvw
- WDW 20th: https://youtu.be/fKSETyseAHc
- WDW 25th: https://youtu.be/c4GQGymKB24
As we conclude the show, we discuss how things have shifted since the earlier Disney anniversary celebrations. A focus more on merchandise vs. special events in many cases. Let us know what you think of more recent celebrations!
Lastly, as always, we hope you enjoyed this week’s episode and the walk down memory lane with us. Tell a friend if you did, so we can get the word out about our still growing podcast!
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