Looking Back at 40

Walking into Disneyland, the 40th anniversary logo sets the tone of the
décor for the special celebration. Photo by Frank Anzalone.

Monday, July 17, 1995

This morning started for me at 5:30 a.m. The weather was perfect for
the festivities. Just the morning before, there were thunderstorms in
the early morning and then it constantly rained until about noon. This
40th birthday Monday morning weather was by special order: Warm, clear,
and not a cloud in the sky—absolutely beautiful! We had heard earlier
on the news that the morning traffic around Disneyland was absolutely
terrible. The traffic turned out to be from all the cast members, past
and present, trying to get to the park before the photo shoot.

Disneyland castmembers and alumni gather and prepare to say “cheese”
for Mickey and this Disneyland memory photo. Photo by Frank Anzalone.

Disneyland Cast and Alumni anniversary photo

As you entered into the park down Main Street, you could see multi-colored
balloon arches lining the building tops and huge Mickey–shaped balloons
suspended in the center of the street. Loud music filled the entire Main
Street area. People we singing, dancing, and just having a great time
as they made their way down the street. There was pixie dust in the air!
The street was set for a cast member photo that filled Main Street, U.S.A.,
to be snapped at 7 a.m. There was an estimated 3000–plus former cast
members in attendance along with current Disneyland cast members. The
crowd was as wide as the width of the street starting from the Penny Arcade
(midway down Main Street) all the way to the Castle forecourt. A wall
of people, a sea of cast members!

A sea of happy faces pose for the photographers at this historic photo
opportunity. Photo by Frank Anzalone.

“Oh Mickey, you’re so fine. You’re so fine, you blow our mind.
Go Mickey!…” An energetic Disney DJ led this huge crowd
in song and chants between the photo shooting events. Cast members, Disney
characters and, of course, Mickey and Minnie, were joined by Walt Disney
Attractions President Judson Greenand and Disneyland Resort President
Paul Pressler to complete this historical photo opportunity.

An energetic 3000-plus cast members smile for the camera at 6:55 a.m..
Photo by Frank Anzalone.

The photograph was taken to record and commemorate the event of the day.
Later that morning, a special enlargement of this gathering was printed
and placed in the “Time Castle,” a time capsule in the shape
of Sleeping Beauty Castle. It was wonderful to see that many people were
there just because they wanted to be there and involved. Similar to the
famed swallows that return to the mission at San Juan Capistrano every
year, these people felt the internal, instinctive call to return to Disneyland.
The excitement and energy of these cast members was intoxicating.

Russell Means (voice of Pocahontas’ Chief Powatan) and Irene Bedard (voice
of Pocahontas) were among the honored Disneyland guests. Photo by Frank
Anzalone.

The Time Castle ceremony was scheduled for 11 a.m. Among the invited
guests observing the ceremony were David Smith from the Disney Archives,
Russell Means (voice of Pocahontas’ Chief Powhatan), Irene Bedard (voice
of Pocahontas), John Hench (the Time Castle designer) and Fess Parker
(Davy Crockett).

Imagineer John Hench stands next to the “Time Castle,” which
he designed and crafted for the anniversary memories. Photo by Frank
Anzalone.

The ceremony began with the Disney characters appearing from Sleeping
Beauty Castle dancing and singing the Disneyland 40th anniversary theme
song. Michael Eisner, Roy E. Disney, Marty Sklar, Judson Green, Dick Nunis,
and Paul Pressler (all assisted by Mickey Mouse), put special items into
the capsule… safe for the next 40 years and not to be opened until
July 17, 2035.

Roy E. Disney places a hand-painted cel of Disney’s “Fab Five”
characters (Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Plulto) into the Time Castle.
Photo by Frank Anzalone.

Among the items placed inside the capsule were photos of the early Disneyland
years and many items of 1995 logo-themed merchandise. The capsule also
has a document (a scroll of thoughts and quotes) that was signed by each
of the executives who placed items for future discovery.

Also included in the Time Castle were photographs and information from
the new Indiana Jones Adventure attraction dedication in February 1995,
a 1995 Disneyland publicity press kit and a copy of the Disney Magazine
(an issue that has one of my pictures published in it, too!).

The Time Castle is lowered into its 40 year resting place. Mickey helps
the workers guide the process as Roy Disney and Michael Eisner observes
the moment. Photo by Frank Anzalone.

After sealing the capsule, a crane guided the “Time Castle”
into a hole located in the forecourt of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle. An aggregate
walkway pad was placed over the hole to seal the Time Castle. Mounted
on this cement pad is a dedication plaque, which reads:

Judson Green, Michael Eisner, Mickey Mouse, Roy Disney, and Richard Nunis
celebrate the Time Castle’s successful placement in the Sleeping Beauty
Castle forecourt. Photo by Frank Anzalone.

Michael Eisner and Roy Disney mark the occasion with a “Do not open
until July 17, 2035” sign… when the Time Castle will be opened
on Disneyland’s 80th birthday. Photo by Frank Anzalone.

At noon, shortly after the Time Castle ceremony, the festivities continued
with a “Song heard ’round the Park.” Special musical guest Randy
Travis led the entire Disneyland population of park guests and cast members
in song. The Matterhorn, dressed with an extremely large “Happy 40th
Birthday—Disneyland” banner, was the focal point, and Randy’s
podium was at the top of the mountain! You could hear from all points
a cheerful rendition of “Happy Birthday” to Disneyland!

Atop the Matterhorn, Randy Travis leads the park population in a special
version of “Happy Birthday” for Disneyland as Mickey performs
the duties of conductor in the foreground. Photo by Frank Anzalone.

Disneyland… 1995… 40 years of magic and pixie dust. Disneyland
marked this day with all the energy it could gather. Park guests were
many, but not packed to capacity—a very comfortable crowd. Everyone
was in a joyous mood and it was felt as you made each step through the
lands. I spent the entire day wandering the park after the press events
enjoying the atmosphere. With all the special dedications, singing, and
even birthday cake, there was no mistaking—at that moment, Disneyland
was truly the Happiest Place on Earth.

The Time Castle… a beautiful work of art and design by Imagineer
John Hench. Photo by Frank Anzalone.

Today, if you go to the front area of Sleeping Beauty Castle and look
down, you, too, can find the plaque dedicated to the Time Castle. Photo
by Frank Anzalone.