“WALT DISNEY’S PARADE OF DREAMS” BRINGS GROUNDBREAKING MAGIC TO THE “HAPPIEST HOMECOMING ON EARTH” CELEBRATION

New Parade Features One of The Largest Gatherings of Disney Characters Ever

ANAHEIM, Calif. (April 26, 2005) – “Walt Disney’s Parade of Dreams,” an all-new, breathtaking musical spectacle filled with classic songs, humor, and unforgettable visuals, premieres on May 5, 2005, as part of the launch of the Disneyland 50th anniversary “Happiest Homecoming On Earth” celebration. The innovative new daytime parade will highlight many of the classic Disney stories and characters that have contributed to the magic of Disneyland Park over the past five decades. Planned for daily performances during the 18-month long celebration, “Walt Disney’s Parade of Dreams” is sure to delight audiences of all ages.

Combining heart-warming Disney moments and beloved characters with visually stunning floats, timeless tunes and energetic performers, the parade will be unlike any previous Disneyland parade spectacular, in scope and presentation. The parade will be a grand procession and performance that will thrill, engage and amaze audiences, including one of the largest gatherings of Disney Characters ever assembled.

Four performance stops along the parade route will dazzle audiences with unbelievable musical production numbers presented by over 100 performers. The parade floats will act as rolling stages, featuring not only distinctive design but such fanciful elements as jumping fountains, confetti blasts, wafting bubbles and elaborate puppetry. Some of the float units reach heights of nearly 20 feet.

Acclaimed production designer Michael Curry, known for his innovative designs and mechanisms showcased in Disney’s Tony Award-winning stage production of “The Lion King,” lends his considerable talents to the production of “Walt Disney’s Parade of Dreams.” Most notable are the oversized, completely fluid and articulated puppets depicting Ursula the Sea Witch from Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” and the kindly woodcarver Geppetto from Walt Disney’s “Pinocchio.”

The unifying musical bridge for the parade is its signature tune “Welcome” by Academy Award® winning composer Phil Collins (from the Disney animated film “Brother Bear”). In addition to its main theme, the parade features a host of beloved Disney songs and music that perfectly captures the spirit of each parade unit.

The seven elaborate parade units that comprise “Walt Disney’s Parade of Dreams” are:

• Gateway to Dreams – Julie Andrews provides the perfect vocal introduction to this wondrous new parade while everyone’s favorite pixie, Tinker Bell welcomes everyone and leads off the procession with a generous sprinkling of pixie dust.

• Dream of Enchantment -- The enchanted characters from Disney’s animated feature “Beauty and the Beast” invite everyone to “Be our Guest,” as dancing silverware, salt and pepper shakers and a flirtatious feather duster join Lumiere, Cogsworth and Mrs. Potts in a show-stopping musical spectacle.

• Dream of Laughter – Geppetto’s workshop comes to life in a fantastical display of toys and life-sized marionettes that astonish the audience with their breathtaking antics utilizing elasticized “shock” chords, choreographed to the appropriate refrain of “I’ve Got No Strings” featuring “marionettes” leaping 20 feet into the air!

• Dream of Another World – The audience is transported to the charming ocean kingdom of “The Little Mermaid” where Sebastian the Crab (brought to life utilizing Disney’s incredible Audio-Animatronics technology) contributes his famous Caribbean flair to the aquatic-themed proceedings.

• Dream of Imagination – Mr. White Rabbit (on skates), the Queen of Hearts and all of the whimsical and wonderful characters from Walt Disney’s “Alice in Wonderland” happily celebrate “A Very Merry Unbirthday” at the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party.

• Dream of Adventure – This gathering atop Pride Rock utilizes amazing puppetry to portray the regal couple of Simba and Nala (brought to life through amazing puppetry), while all the creatures from the Pride Lands (assorted gazelles, zebras, giraffes and exotic birds represented by live performers, puppets and kites) join Rafiki in a “Circle of Life” celebration.

• Dreams Come True – The finale depicts Sleeping Beauty Castle as an incredible backdrop for Disney Princesses and their Princes, along with a regally-attired Mickey and Minnie and an array of favorite Disney characters that bring the parade to a “happily ever after” conclusion.

“Walt Disney’s Parade of Dreams” joins an incredible array of new innovative adventures and astonishing entertainment premiering at Disneyland during its 50th anniversary “Happiest Homecoming On Earth” celebration, launching May 5, 2005. Other highlights include the fun-filled and interactive “Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters” inspired by a Walt Disney Pictures presentation of a Pixar Animation Studios film, “Toy Story 2,” in Tomorrowland, the re-launch of “Space Mountain,” “Remember . . . Dreams Come True,” (the biggest fireworks spectacular in Disneyland history), the engaging retrospective “Disneyland: The First 50 Magical Years” and the energetic “Block Party Bash” where Disney presents the Pixar Film Pals at Disney’s California Adventure.

The 50th anniversary will also be celebrated globally via the “Happiest Celebration On Earth” (Disney’s first-ever global celebration), and will be highlighted by the introduction of spectacular new shows and attractions at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida; Tokyo Disney Resort in Japan; and Disneyland Resort Paris in France, plus the first west coast itinerary for the Disney Cruise Line and the opening of Hong Kong Disneyland (September 12, 2005).