For the first time ever, the 10 Disney theme parks around the world will join together for a global celebration to mark the 50th anniversary of the Disneyland® Resort in Southern California.

“The Happiest Celebration on Earth” pays tribute to Walt Disney’s dream of Disneyland, the original park that introduced an entirely new genre of family entertainment that now spans the globe and continues to offer the most visited attractions in the world, drawing 100 million visitors on three continents every year - - and still growing.

Beginning May 5, 2005 and extending for 18 months through 2006, the event will take place in all of the Disney theme parks around the world, with the premiere of exciting new shows and attractions at Disneyland® Resort in California, Walt Disney World® Resort in Florida, Tokyo Disney Resort in Japan and Disneyland® Resort Paris in France and the opening of Hong Kong Disneyland.

Michael Eisner, Disney Chief Executive Officer, noted that Disneyland® has grown into a cultural phenomenon. “The dawn of the theme park industry rose from one man’s dream as he walked Anaheim orange groves more than 50 years ago, and today, the sun never sets on Disney’s global theme park landscape,” Eisner said. “Our Happiest Celebration on Earth is another example of our continued commitment to creating innovative entertainment experiences for the entire family, while saluting the nearly two billion guests who have made Disneyland a national treasure and make Disney the undisputed leader in family vacation destinations worldwide.”

“Since Disneyland opened its gates nearly 50 years ago, Walt Disney’s flagship park has been praised the world over for serving as the foundation for the modern theme park industry, and, moreover, for creating a unique place where the entire family can have fun and enjoy wholesome, quality entertainment together,” said Jay Rasulo, president of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “Disney parks are at the heart of a timeless tradition for millions of families that pass down their experiences from generation to generation. In honor of the park that started it all, every Disney resort will join in creating more great memories for our guests with this unprecedented global celebration, which promises to be the biggest event in Disney theme park history.”