Russian Ballet Stars Valery and Galina Panov Visits Disneyland
The People's Republic of China Women's Basketball Team Visits Disneyland
Prime Minister Dzemal Bijedic of Yugoslavia Visits Disneyland
Prime Minister Hedi Nouira of Tunisia Visits Disneyland
Admiral Tsu Hsing Chou of the People's Republic of China Visits Disneyland
July 17--Disneyland celebrates it's 20th birthday
Ambassador Cheng Huang of the People's Republic of China Visits Disneyland
Vice Premier Angelo Micuculescu of Romania Visits Disneyland
President Alfredo Stroessner of Paraguay Visits Disneyland
Their Majesties Emperor Hirohito and Empress Nagako of Japan Visits Disneyland
ADDITIONS:
*MISSION TO MARS (An updated version of McDonnell-Douglas "Flight to the Moon" attraction, opened to guests March 22 -- Tomorrowland
*GREAT MOMENTS WITH MR. LINCOLN (returned to the Main Street Opera House in June as a featured part of The Walt Disney Story) -- Main Street, U.S.A.
INVESTMENT: Total to date: $157 million
ATTENDANCE: 10.06 million
HIGHLIGHTS:
"America on Parade," the Park's 15-month salute to our nation's bicentennial, premiered June 14. Highlighting 200 years of American history, culture and achievements, the larger-than-life pageant included 50 moving stages and 150 eight-foot-tall "People of America." Led by Mickey, Donald and Goof as the "Spirit of ྈ," the procession treats guests to a whimsical view of our country's past.
Disneyland Ambassador Kathy Smith, along with the Walt Disney World Ambassador, toured the U.S. and 10 foreign countries promoting tourism during the bicentennial year as official U.S. Travel Emissaries.
Summer brought twice daily performances of Disneyland's own bicentennial program "America on Parade," and an all-new red, white and blue "Fantasy in the Sky" fireworks spectacular.
The Park hosted 79,680 visitors on July 4, a new record for Independence Day attendance. This also marked the second largest daily attendance in the Park's history.
Celebrating its 20th birthday, Disneyland welcomed Kristine Vess Watkins and her cousin Michael Schwartner who, at ages 5 and 7, had been the Park's first visitors on July 18, 1955: On Dec. 25 Disneyland welcomed 41,840 visitors setting a new record for Christmas Day attendance. Seven Grad Nite celebrations were attended by a record 117,000 seniors and their dates, representing 720 schools. The record attendance helped achieve another milestone as total Grad Nite attendance exceeded 1 million since inception in 1961.
Disneyland's Community Service Awards program honored charitable organizations in Orange County for the 18th year by awarding $60,000 to 43 local organizations. The Outstanding Award was won by Orange County Teen Challenge-People Challenge.
Monsanto's "Adventure Through Inner Space" welcomed its 40 millionth visitor on December 7, Robert Spondone from West Los Angeles.
The year was highlighted by a variety of special events including the Country Music Spectacular, Spring Fling, Valentine's Party, Angels-Disneyland Fun Day, Viva Mexico, Senior Citizens Days, Disneyland and All That Jazz, New Year's Eve Celebration, Star-Spangled Holidays and the Jingle Bell Rock.
Top names in pop and big band music entertained Disneyland guests throughout 1975. Jose Feliciano, The Four Tops, Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods, Wilson Pickett, Ray Stevens and the Pointer Sisters headed the list of popular performers, along with Freddy Fender, Tom T. Hall and Tanya Tucker from the country music charts. Big band shows were headlined by such stars as Doc Severinsen, Sarah Vaughn, Louie Bellson, Stan Kenton, Woody Herman and Lionel Hampton.
A new program at Disneyland combined education and fun as 1,000 school children and their teachers turned the Park into a classroom each weekday. The Bicentennial School Program, planned through May 1976, had a total of 32,688 participants in 1975. Children experienced six educational attractions and enjoyed a complimentary lunch provided by Disneyland participants Carnation, Frito-Lay, Oscar Mayer and Wonder Bread.
FAMOUS GUESTS:
*Russian Ballet Stars Valery and Galina Panov (February)
*The People's Republic of China Women's Basketball Team (February)
*Prime Minister Dzemal Bijedic of Yugoslavia (March)
*Prime Minister Hedi Nouira of Tunisia (May)
*Admiral Tsu Hsing Chou of the People's Republic of China (June)
*Ambassador Cheng Huang of the People's Republic of China (August)
*Vice Premier Angelo Micuculescu of Romania (September)
*President Alfredo Stroessner of Paraguay (September)
*Their Majesties Emperor Hirohito and Empress Nagako of Japan (October)
*Olga Korbut another teammates on the Russian Gymnastics Team (December)
