Plans for DL's 50th?

[NICU rn]

Anyone heard of any special things planned for DL's 50th Birthday next year? I figure if Oprah had such a big to-do about hers, DL's gotta be even bigger and better! We were thinking of heading out there next year if there is anything special going on. Just wondering........Kathy 8)

[Stinkerbelle]

This is from last Monday's park update at Mouseplanet. Looks cool to me!

Projections for the 50th
Forget inflatable cakes, giant top hats or gold paint—Disney has landed on a new way to enhance Sleeping Beauty Castle for the upcoming 50th anniversary celebration.

The company is working with the Austrian special effects firm Pani to decorate the castle with projected images. Using projected images lets Disney present a unique nighttime show, while leaving the Castle intact during the day.

These effects are far more advanced than the simple single-image “gobos” used at Walt Disney World. Pani's projectors are capable of “painting” an entire building with still or moving images. The portfolio of images on the Pani Web site (link) are stunning, and the roster of clients impressive.

While the display planned for Disneyland is still top secret, people who have seen a computer rendering are enthusiastic about the design, which is said to tell a story about the castle itself.

[LisaG]

And don't forget the totally redone Space Mountain is reopening for 2005!

[MikeS]

I've been lucky enough to see some photographs of the special lighting effects for the castle....pretty cool. Imagine a ribbon-wrapped castle and a multicolored castle...all done with lights.

I think sometime in the next month or so we will begin to see the marketing push for the 50th anniversary. You will also see, maybe as soon as next week, some of those photos of Sleeping Beauty castle.

MikeS

[BetsyAnn]

Sounds very cool, MikeS - Thanks for sharing!

[WDWDen]

Yo Mike, why are you holding out on us man?????? Where did you get to see the pics at?? I wanna see too dude!!

Looks like I may be planning a stop at Disneyland in 2005. Probably around Thanksgiving.

[Stinkerbelle]

Dennis -
Here are some pics of what they are proposing to do. Check out the Park updates each Monday on Mouseplanet. They mention something (be it speculative or not) about the 50th almost every week.

http://www.mpimages.net/dlr/compressed/Disneyland/Special_Events/PaniCastle50th1-500.jpg

http://www.mpimages.net/dlr/compressed/Disneyland/Special_Events/PaniCastle50th2-500.jpg

http://www.mpimages.net/dlr/compressed/Disneyland/Special_Events/PaniCastle50th3-500.jpg

[WDWDen]

WoooooooooW!!!!!!:-) That is awesome!! Thanks so much for the great pics Stinks;-)
There must be a lot of projectors to get all of those different colors in just the right places. I hope that they go through with it. I am sure its REALLY cool to see in person. I will keep my eyes peeled for updates! Thanks girl:-)

[BetsyAnn]

Wow - wonder if I can just stay there all year long! Thanks for all the updates everyone!

Here is a link to MousePlant (http://www.mouseplanet.com/parkupdates/dlr/dlr040224.htm)