Friday, March 27, 2015

Disney Documentary Hour: Disneyland's 25th Anniversary

By Keith Mahne



Welcome back to Disney Avenue's Disney Documentary Hour segment! This time we'll travel back to 1980 and celebrate Disneyland's 25th Anniversary. Filmed throughout the Park, this made-for-TV special hosted by Danny Kaye follows the story of a young boy (Adam Rich) on his first ever trip to The Happiest Place on Earth. While there, he encounters many interesting characters (all played by Danny Kaye) who tell him various tidbits on the park's history. We'll see musical numbers by Donny Osmond and Michael Jackson, as well as group sing alongs that include many actual Disneyland cast members and guests! Continue after the page break as we watch Kraft Salutes Disneyland's 25th Anniversary...






Since the 60th anniversary of Disneyland is around the corner, I thought it would be fun and entertaining to look back on this past television special for Disneyland's birthday. Kraft Salutes Disneyland's 25th Anniversary is a television special commemorating the 25th anniversary of Disneyland. It originally aired on CBS on March 6, 1980. We'll head back to the original Magic Kingdom for this one, as Danny Kaye hosts the show (and is many of the characters you'll see) celebrating the silver anniversary of Disneyland. While Kaye is the most present celebrity, he's far from the only one.






Others seen include the Osmonds, whose segment features a flashback of their original appearance the four oldest brothers made on the "Disneyland After Dark" special from 1962, as well as Michael Jackson, Patrick Wayne, the son of the legendary John Wayne, Ruth Buzzi, John Schneider from the "Dukes of Hazzard", and many other Disney favorites, such as Annette Funicello, Fess Parker, and several others.






During most of the program, you'll see a young boy (Adam Rich) being bored and wanting to go home, but after dreaming about a fantastic world opened to him by an "F" ticket (Disneyland attractions had tickets going from "A"-"E" in those days that you had to purchase separately), after which he wanted to stay, but is convinced to go home. It's a real Disney classic and a fun way to look forward to Disneyland's 60th! Enjoy the show:







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Keith Michael Mahne is the owner and editor of Disney Avenue and the host of the Disney Avenue Podcast. He has made countless trips to the Walt Disney World resort since his first trip in 1989 at the age of four. Keith has a strong passion and respect for Walt Disney, the parks and resorts, and the men and women who help create them. He started Disney Avenue as a way to inform and entertain readers and to repay all those who make dreams come true every day.






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