"To all who come to this happy place: Welcome.
Disneyland is your land.
Here age relives fond memories of the past,
And here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future.
Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals,
The dreams, and the hard facts that have created America,
With the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration
To all the world."
The "Happiest Homecoming on Earth" was an eighteen-month-long celebration (held through 2005 and 2006) of the 50th anniversary of the Disneyland theme park, which opened on July 18, 1955. The Happiest Celebration on Earth commemorated fifty years of Disney theme parks, and celebrated Disneyland's milestone throughout Disney parks all over the globe. In 2004, the park undertook a number of major renovation projects in preparation for its fiftieth anniversary celebration.
Many classic attractions were restored, notably Space Mountain, Jungle Cruise, the Haunted Manson, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room. Attractions that had been in the park on opening day in 1955 had one ride vehicle painted gold, and the park was decorated with 50 Golden Mickey Ears. The 50th Anniversary celebration started on May 5, 2005 and ended on September 30, 2006.
In March, 2006 our family began the annual Spring Break Disneyland Family Vacation. Our friends Rose and Steven went every year during this time. Rose introduced us to the Best Western Park Place Inn and Suites, directly across from the entrance to Disneyland. Everything was golden in the park, from the Mickey ears to the castle. It was something amazing to see all the decorations they had placed around the park for this most special anniversary. I purchased many treasures during this trip. What I wanted the most was a Thomas Kinkade painting of the Castle decorated for the 50th Anniversary. I was able to get a paper copy in a frame of this most beautiful painting. But I have treasured my small piece of the 50th celebration to this day.
Jenn, Sherry, Steven, Wendy, Heather, Rose and Bill-2006
Paper framed copy of the 50th anniversary painting
During this trip Heather wanted to get photos will all the princesses. She made friends with Bob the princess scheduler.We waited and hunted for Cinderella, Belle and Aurora. At the time it seemed very irritating to us who had to wait. We could not ride the rides or leave the area. Bill was her official photographer. Heather also found the center point of Disneyland and bought her first princess tiara from the Bibbity Boppity Boo Boutique. She also bought a gold pair of Minnie Mouse ears. Looking back I didn't mind waiting and I love all the photos we have of Heather with the princesses. I wish I could do it again.
Golden Mickey Ears
Heather's Golden Minnie Mouse ears
In 2004, Thomas Kinkade was selected by Disney to commemorate Disneyland's 50th Anniversary. For his inspiration, Kinkade traveled to Disneyland to capture Disneyland's most recognized symbol, Sleeping Beauty Castle. He spent 10 hours at the park drawing sketches and painting a Plien Air study of the Castle. He then returned to his studio and used those sketches and drafts to create an immense painting that commemorates the Castle on Disneyland's 50th anniversary.
Many classic attractions were restored, notably Space Mountain, Jungle Cruise, the Haunted Manson, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room. Attractions that had been in the park on opening day in 1955 had one ride vehicle painted gold, and the park was decorated with 50 Golden Mickey Ears. The 50th Anniversary celebration started on May 5, 2005 and ended on September 30, 2006.
In March, 2006 our family began the annual Spring Break Disneyland Family Vacation. Our friends Rose and Steven went every year during this time. Rose introduced us to the Best Western Park Place Inn and Suites, directly across from the entrance to Disneyland. Everything was golden in the park, from the Mickey ears to the castle. It was something amazing to see all the decorations they had placed around the park for this most special anniversary. I purchased many treasures during this trip. What I wanted the most was a Thomas Kinkade painting of the Castle decorated for the 50th Anniversary. I was able to get a paper copy in a frame of this most beautiful painting. But I have treasured my small piece of the 50th celebration to this day.
Jenn, Sherry, Steven, Wendy, Heather, Rose and Bill-2006
Paper framed copy of the 50th anniversary painting
During this trip Heather wanted to get photos will all the princesses. She made friends with Bob the princess scheduler.We waited and hunted for Cinderella, Belle and Aurora. At the time it seemed very irritating to us who had to wait. We could not ride the rides or leave the area. Bill was her official photographer. Heather also found the center point of Disneyland and bought her first princess tiara from the Bibbity Boppity Boo Boutique. She also bought a gold pair of Minnie Mouse ears. Looking back I didn't mind waiting and I love all the photos we have of Heather with the princesses. I wish I could do it again.
Golden Mickey Ears
Heather's Golden Minnie Mouse ears
In 2004, Thomas Kinkade was selected by Disney to commemorate Disneyland's 50th Anniversary. For his inspiration, Kinkade traveled to Disneyland to capture Disneyland's most recognized symbol, Sleeping Beauty Castle. He spent 10 hours at the park drawing sketches and painting a Plien Air study of the Castle. He then returned to his studio and used those sketches and drafts to create an immense painting that commemorates the Castle on Disneyland's 50th anniversary.
The painting memorializes Sleeping Beauty Castle at dusk in all of its full anniversary regalia, and depicts excitement and nostalgia of family trips to Disneyland.
Thousands of people came on Saturday, September 10, 2005 to The Disney Gallery in New Orleans Square at Disneyland to see Thomas Kinkade's newest release, "Disneyland 50th Anniversary." The original was on display at The Disney Gallery in New Orleans Square in Disneyland during the event.
Kinkade incorporated 12 hidden "N"s in honor of Nanette Kinkade, Tom's wife.
There are 50 hidden Mickeys in the painting.
Close up detail features Tom and his 4 daughter's at the bottom right of the painting.
The top of the Castle-2006
Lamplight all decorated as well-2006
I remember at the time so longing to have the actual Thomas Kinkade painting of this breath taking event in history. Heather and I posed several times in front of the castle decorated for the 50th. Sleeping Beauty Castle is a stunning site to behold on any normal day. But add all the gold, crystal, flags and draping and it becomes breath takingly beautiful.
Jenn, Heather & Wendy-1st trip-1996
Jenn, Heather and Wendy-3rd trip-2006
On many of our trips to Disneyland, Heather stated that she would love to live in Sleeping Beauty Castle. She related to Aurora due to the long blond hair and the pink dress. Heather's desire was to be married at Disneyland. She wanted the Disney Princess Fairy Tale Wedding. She looked and dreamed at the website many times. I know some day she would have made this dream come true.
Momy and Heather in front of the Castle
Sherry, Wendy, Bill, Heather and Jenn-at 1:20am-2006
The top of the Castle-2006
Lamplight all decorated as well-2006
I remember at the time so longing to have the actual Thomas Kinkade painting of this breath taking event in history. Heather and I posed several times in front of the castle decorated for the 50th. Sleeping Beauty Castle is a stunning site to behold on any normal day. But add all the gold, crystal, flags and draping and it becomes breath takingly beautiful.
Jenn, Heather & Wendy-1st trip-1996
Jenn, Heather and Wendy-3rd trip-2006
On many of our trips to Disneyland, Heather stated that she would love to live in Sleeping Beauty Castle. She related to Aurora due to the long blond hair and the pink dress. Heather's desire was to be married at Disneyland. She wanted the Disney Princess Fairy Tale Wedding. She looked and dreamed at the website many times. I know some day she would have made this dream come true.
Momy and Heather in front of the Castle
Sherry, Wendy, Bill, Heather and Jenn-at 1:20am-2006
Friday night I spent a good deal of the evening at the Thomas Kinkade Gallery. We had some good friends here that were purchasing the Pinocchio painting. It was a limited edition with a pencil remarque done by the artist on the back of the canvas. I came home and began doing research on the different limited edition Thomas Kinkade paintings. I remembered seeing a large Disneyland 50th Anniversary painting in the gallery. Today I went to look at it. It is an Artist Proof-A/P number 357 out of 390. It has a pencil remarque from the artist on the back along with his signature. It has a date that is unusual and another signature and the initials PK. The gallery manager is trying to see what this remarque means. I will also be getting this painting Master Highlighted in November. This will add more value to this already valuable painting to me. The release date-September 10, 2005-was Bill and my's 22nd wedding anniversary. The date of 2007 is the last year our family was whole before cancer entered our world in 2008.
Pencil remarque-Aladdin genie lamp
Disneyland's 50th Anniversary
This painting will be a true joy to add to my home. I will look at this and the memories will flood back to the happy times we spent at Disneyland. I am so thankful to my loving husband for seeing how much this means to my heart. He is very understanding to all my purchases. In a strange way when I see this painting I see Heather. This is her place and she loved it dearly.
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