January 3--One Day Adult Ticket Prices increase from $56 to $59
January 25--The Walt Disney Co. pays $7.4 billion in stock to acquire Pixar Animation Studios
February 17--Martin Sklar, the creative force behind most of Walt Disney Co.'s theme parks, will step down as head of the company's famed Imagineering division.
May 2--The happiest place on earth was extra special today for the 2-billionth visitor.
Emmalee Mason of Colorado was surprised by all the excitement as she arrived at Disneyland Park with her family. She got the golden key to the Magic Kingdom and a lifetime pass to all eleven Disney Parks.
She served as the Grand Marshal in Disneyland's 50th Anniversay Parade.
June 9--Daniel Joseph of Wilmington, who recently graduated from the University of the Arts, was awarded first place in Walt Disney Imagineering's Imagi-Nations competition. His People Mover Version 2 ride, based on a now-closed ride at Disneyland, would take people on a journey into the future. He received a $2,000 scholarship.
A two-person team from Drexel University - Kristy Pron, a junior from Sewell, and Matthew Fonda, a senior from Souderton - took one of two third-place awards. Their ride, called the EAC Express, was based on the movie Finding Nemo. Guests would ride the east Australian current, as in the movie. They each received a $1,000 scholarship.
July 11--Disneyland introduces first Video Podcast
July 24--Disneyland Resort officials were presented with a formal recognition letter and StormReady signs from NOAA.
July 25 --Ed Grier is named president of the Disneyland Resort. Matt Ouimet leaves Disney for Starwood Hotels and Resorts.
July 31--Walt Disney named as inductee into the California Hall of Fame.