Abominable Snowman added to the Matterhorn
Mary Blair creator the color and style for it's a small world dies at age 66 in Soquel, California
A delegation from the Russian Parliament Visits Disneyland
King Yahya and Queen Zainab of Malaysia Visits Disneyland
Hugo Margian, ambassador to the United States from Mexico Visits Disneyland
David A. Lowe, premier of Tasmania Visits Disneyland
Putteho M. Ngonda, ambassador to the United States from Zambia Visits Disneyland
Adulaziz Abdul Ghani, prime minister of Yemen Visits Disneyland
Ching-chung Hsu, vice premier of the Republic of China--Taiwan Visits Disneyland
Nicos Dimitriou, ambassador to the United States from Cyprus Visits Disneyland
Sunao Sonoda, minister of foreign affairs for Japan Visits Disneyland
Ian Smith, prime minister of Rhodesia Visits Disneyland
Mickey Mouse turns 50 with a celebration attended by 91,762 guests.
Samerenda N. Kundu, minister of state of India Visits Disneyland
ADDITIONS:
After a nine-month renovation period, $4 million of additions to the MATTERHORN BOBSLEDS attraction were unveiled in May. The new snow-themed interior included enclosed ice caverns, glowing ice crystals and the Abominable Snowman. A new ride control system, featuring tandem bobsleds, increased ride capacity significantly.
INVESTMENT: Total to date: $197 million
ATTENDANCE: A record 10.8 million
HIGHLIGHTS :
Throughout the year Disneyland saluted Mickey Mouse's golden anniversary with the "Mickey Mouse 50th Birthday Parade," which for Mickey's birthday week-end included special appearances by the original and new Mouseketeers. A total of 91,762 admiring fans joined Mickey for the Nov. 18-19 celebration. Disneyland Ambassador Raellen Lescault, the Park's 14th emissary of goodwill, traveled approximately 50,000 miles on behalf of the Magic Kingdom, including, visits to Canada, New Zealand and many of the United States.
Disneyland's Community Service Awards program honored charitable organizations in Orange County for the 21st year by awarding $100,000 for 57 awards. The Outstanding Award was shared by the Children's Hospital of Orange County and the Orange County Sponsoring Committee.
Foreign guest attendance for the year increased 14.8% over 1977, due in part to the devaluation of the dollar overseas.
Out-of-state attendance rose 10.5%, due mostly to the lower air fares offered by the nation's major airlines. These major increases were achieved despite California's rainiest season in 88 years.
Summer activities again featured the popular "Main Street Electrical Parade," and for the 22nd year, Fantasy in the Sky fireworks. For Christmas, Disneyland featured the second year of the "Very Merry Christmas Parade," spiced with the addition of the "Dumbo Circus" unit, showcasing live seal and tiger acts, jugglers, Dumbo himself and 65 other performers.
Eight Grad Nite parties were attended by seniors and their dates from 821 high schools, totaling a record 137,905 participants.
The year was highlighted by a variety of special events, including: Pop 'n' Country Weekend, Festival Japan, Festival Mexico, Angels-Disneyland Fun Day, Kids' Days, Senior Fun Days, Disneyland and All That Jazz, Disco Disneyland, Night of Joy, Mickey Mouse's 50th Birthday Weekend, and the New Year's Eve Party.
Top names in the music world that performed at Disneyland in 1978 included: Crystal Gayle, Ronnie Milsap, Anson Williams, Peter Marshall, the Sylvers, Rose Royce, Trammps, Les Elgart, Tex Beneke and the Hudson Brothers.
FAMOUS GUESTS
*A delegation from the Russian Parliament (January)
*King Yahya and Queen Zainab of Malaysia (April)
*Hugo Margian, ambassador to the United States from Mexico (April)
*David A. Lowe, premier of Tasmania (May)
*Putteho M. Ngonda, ambassador to the United States from Zambia (May)
*Adulaziz Abdul Ghani, prime minister of Yemen (August)
*Ching-chung Hsu, vice premier of the Republic of China--Taiwan (August)
*Nicos Dimitriou, ambassador to the United States from Cyprus (August)
*Sunao Sonoda, minister of foreign affairs for Japan (September)
*Ian Smith, prime minister of Rhodesia (October)
*Samerenda N. Kundu, minister of state of India (November)
