Jack Olsen key Disneyland merchandising executive dies at age 56
Lord and Lady Smedley of Great Britain Visits Disneyland
S. Elekdag, ambassador to the United States from Turkey Visits Disneyland
Joseph Clarke, prime minister of Canada Visits Disneyland
Francisco Azeredo de Silveira, ambassador to the United States from Brazil Visits Disneyland
Princess Margaretha of Sweden Visits Disneyland
Former King Michael and Queen Anne of Rumania Visits Disneyland
King Tamdoun of the Province of Ibajo, Nigeria Visits Disneyland
R. Premadosa, prime minister of Sri Lanka Visits Disneyland
25Th ANNIVERSARY:
Disneyland celebrated its 25th anniversary year with a number of special events, top-name entertainment and celebrations.
A new parade, the 25th Birthday Parade, made its debut in January and was presented daily through November. The procession featured more than 250 performers and took a nostalgic look at the Park's seven "themed" lands.
In April, a special Family Reunion Nite Celebration saluted the many people who had contributed to the Park's success over the past 25 years. Those in attendance included Fred MacMurray, Ernest Borgnine, Michael Jackson, Ray Bradbury, The Carpenters and Elliott Gould. One invitee who journeyed from Sweden especially for the event was Princess Margaretha.
The most spectacular event recognizing the July 17 anniversary was the 25-hour Birthday Party, which began at midnight July 16 and continued until 1 a.m. July 18. The Park's attractions and shops remained open around the clock and top-name performers appeared on stage through-out the Magic Kingdom. A festive afternoon ceremony in Town Square on the day of the anniversary was capped by the release of 25,000 silver, white and blue balloons.
ADDITIONS:
Disneyland's Main Gate underwent a major renovation during the year. New ticket booths, turnstiles and a landscaped mall were added to give the area an entirely different look.
INVESTMENT : Total to date: $212 million
ATTENDANCE: 11.5 million, the first time attendance surpassed the 11 million mark.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Disneyland Ambassador to the World Nancy Englert, the Park's 16th such emissary, toured New Zealand, Costa Rica, Mexico, Canada and the United States during her reign. Nancy also greeted and escorted numerous dignitaries who visited the Park during the year.
The Park's Community Service Awards program presented a total of $125,000 in awards to 57 charitable organizations. The Outstanding Award was won by The Children's Hospital of Orange County. A special 25th Birthday Recognition Award for 25 years of service to the community went to Bowers Museum.
The popular "Main Street Electrical Parade" appeared nightly during the summer season, this year adding a colorful replica of Sleeping Beauty Castle in honor of the Park's anniversary. Another summertime favorite, "Fantasy in the Sky" fireworks, was presented for the 24th year.
After a three-year hiatus, the Yuletide procession "Fantasy on Parade" returned, boasting more than 350 performers and a score of whimsical parade units.
More than 125,000 seniors and their dates from 775 high schools attended nine Grad Nite parties, bringing the total of participants since the program's inception in 1961 to over 1.75 million.
A number of special events took place during 1980, including Contempo ?, Disneyland and All That Jazz, the 25-Hour Birthday Party, Honor America weekend, Festival Canada, Nite of Joy, St. Patrick's Day weekend, Festival Japan, Make-Believe Ballroom, Country Jubilee, Senior Fun Days, Grad Nite, Cowboy Fever weekend, Mousekedays, Angels-Disneyland Fun Day, Bluegrass 'n' Folk Festival, Rock 'n' Roll Reunion, Top 40 night, Viva Mexico, Celebrate the Lands weekends and the New Year's Eve Party.
Among the outstanding musical talent who per-formed on Park stages during the year were: Spyro Gyra, Rose Royce, Les Elgart, Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers, The Kendalls, Earl Scruggs, Jan and Dean, Buddy Rich, Cab Calloway, Billy "Crash" Craddock, Paul Revere and The Raiders, Lynn Anderson, Woody Herman, K.C. and The Sunshine Band, Shalamar, Les Brown and His Band of Renown, Louie Bellson, Pure Prairie League, Lacy J. Dalton, Peaches and Herb, Freddy Martin, Orleans, Rupert Holmes, Lionel Hampton, The Dirt Band, Billy Preston and Syretta, the S.O.S. Band, The Kingston Trio, Count Basie, The Spinners, Donna Fargo, Johnny Paycheck, Frankie Avalon, Harry James, The Lennon Sisters, The Mouseketeers and The New Mouseketeers.
FAMOUS GUESTS
*Lord and Lady Smedley of Great Britain (January)
*S. Elekdag, ambassador to the United States from Turkey (January)
*Joseph Clarke, prime minister of Canada (March)
*Francisco Azeredo de Silveira, ambassador to the United States from Brazil (March)
*Princess Margaretha of Sweden (April)
*Former King Michael and Queen Anne of Rumania (May)
*King Tamdoun of the Province of Ibajo, Nigeria (August)
*R. Premadosa, prime minister of Sri Lanka (October)
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