Wonderful World of Disney: Disneyland 60!

Jondee here at the Happiest Place on Earth,

It opens with a retro black & white opening of the gate and dancing and transforms to today’s Main Street at night. Pentatonix gave a parade dance on the street singing “Be Our Guest” with characters and fireworks. Jessie J gives a performance of “When You Wish Upon a Star” at the Dolby Theater at Hollywood and Highland. The list of appearances is rolled before Dame Helen Mirren came on stage with Mickey ears. She introduced Walt Disney and his dream of Disneyland. A number of Disney stars talk about the park with scenes around the park and at Disney’s California Adventure. Derek Hough then came out in a tuxedo as emcee. Back to the stage, Hillary Duff, from Younger (formerly Disney Channel’s Lizzy McGuire) came out to talk about the Disneyland railroad and the Lily Belle, named after Walt’s wife, Lillian. Josh Gad then appears in a segment with the voices of Disneyland. Josh then goes to get a Frozen Dole Whip. We called it the TJB. Next, he walked through the Disney Dream Suite and showed the Hidden Mickey in the stars. Then, a Hidden Josh Gad. Finally, Walt Disney’s apartment above the firehouse.

Derek Hough said that he will dance at every executive’s birthday party to stay at the suite. He introduced John Stamos, who came out to applause, introducing Fall Out Boy who sang “I Wanna Be Like You” from Jungle Book. It’s a fun rendition. I wonder if it will be on the soundtrack to the Jon Favreau film. Then, Bryce Dallas Howard came on stage, reminds me of D23. She introduced her film, Pete’s Dragon, out on August 12th. The trailer shows a forest, running, a wild boy (Oakes Fegley) climbing a tree. Grace’s father (Robert Redford) talks to Bryce Dallas Howard’s ranger, Grace, about the boy living out in the forest for six years. Then, we see the boy’s face and growling. The boy is in a hospital gown chased through a city. He jumps off a cliff and a dragon leaps down to fly him up! Howard then ran a clip on Mickey that she narrated. See Walt Before Mickey to get details. Jimmy Kimmel walked out with Dumbo ears and a lightsaber. He introduced Sir Elton John and joked that he is reason they built so many Sunglass Huts. Sir Elton performed “Circle of Life” from Lion King in front of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle. The audience was full of light up golden Mickey Ears. Sir Elton looked like he had fun singing the song.

Next, Neil Patrick Harris (NPH) walked out to talk about a boy named Luke who wanted to go to Car’s Land. He spoke about the Make a Wish campaign. Kelsea Ballerini was next to talk about Disney duets. Tori Kelly sang, “Rainbow Connection”, on a log next to Kermit the Frog. Nolan Gould and Eric Stonestreet from Modern Family were on stage to talk about first visits to Disneyland. The cast gave tips about first trips. Kerry Washington from Scandal, told everyone, “Girls rule, right?” The clips were of Disney princesses with Kristen Bell, Robin Roberts, and Viola Davis and other actresses talking about them. Sabrina Carptenter and Sofia Carson from the tv movie Adventures in Babysitting introduced Idina Menzel singing “Let it Go” in the World of Color at DCA. She was ringed by Mickey ears glowing green and blue and it looked the audience all sung along. Idina still has it. Alfonso Riberio (America’s Funniest Home Videos) and Witney Carson (Dancing with the Stars) came out to talk about dance numbers in Disney films. Kelsea Ballerini sang “Part of Your World” and Ne-Yo sang, “Friend Like Me”, with Derek Hough singing and dancing to “Step in Time.” The surprise was Derek opening a door for Dick Van Dyke who can still dance! He was still grooving after the music was over.  This is the first part of the special.