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The Happiest Celebration on Earth
Disneyland Resort Paris, Tokyo Disneyland Resort, and Hong Kong Disneyland

By , About.com Guide

Wishes fireworks Disney World picture

The Wishes fireworks show uses Cinderella's Castle as its iconic backdrop.

Disney 2004. Used with permission.
The 50th anniversary, 18-month long Happiest Celebration on Earth that kicks off May 5, 2005 will focus, of course, on the original Disneyland in California, but all of the parks, including Florida's Walt Disney World, will be joining in the fun. Let's explore the highlights at the parks outside the U.S.

Disneyland Resort Paris to debut Wishes Fireworks Show and new Space Mountain

The Disney parks are known for many things, but fireworks shows have to be right up there with Mickey Mouse for signature icons. Imported from Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom, Wishes will mine the rich Disney catalog and tell the story of making wishes come true through familiar songs, the voices of animated characters, and, of course, pyrotechnics. For a preview of the show, see my overview of the wonderful Florida show. Wishes will run from July 9 until Aug. 28, 2005. Disneyland Paris will also launch a retooled version of its Space Mountain attraction, called Space Mountain Mission Two (or is that "Deux?").

Tokyo Disneyland Resort Paris to debut Lost River Delta

The Disney parks that have opened around the world have been, more or less, clones of the U.S. originals...with one exception: Tokyo DisneySea. The second park at the Tokyo resort is a wholly unique ode to all things nautical, and it's chockablock with original, innovative attractions. As part of the Happiest Celebration on Earth, it will get another E-ticket attraction called Lost River Delta. The highly themed coaster ride will immerse guests in fire and water effects and will include a vertical 360-degree loop. Lost River Delta is scheduled to open in May 2005.

Hong Kong Disneyland

Fifty years after Walt Disney brought his unique theme park vision to the world, a brand new park, modeled after the California prototype, will debut in China. The park will include the centerpiece Sleeping Beauty Castle, the Jungle River Cruise, Dumbo, and other classic Disneyland features. It is scheduled to open in late 2005.

The Happiest Celebration on Earth at California's Disneyland Resort
The Happiest Celebration on Earth at Walt Disney World, Florida
Overview of The Happiest Celebration on Earth, Disney Theme Parks 50th Anniversary

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