Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Apr 15: A New Kind of Magic

On this day in 1962, Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color aired episode 26 (of season 8) titled "Disneyland After Dark." Walt Disney himself presented a view of his Anaheim park at night with special musical guests.
The show began with a trip aboard the monorail from the Disneyland Hotel to Tomorrowland. Then Walt made his first appearance on Main Street, ordering popcorn from a vendor. His opening words included:
"Hi there! Y'know this is one of my favorite times of the day here ... just about sundown. I like to be around when the lights come on. It seems like a new kind of magic takes over in Disneyland After Dark."
In Tomorrowland, original Mouseketeer Annette Funicello performed "Dance Annette" and teen idol Bobby Rydell sang "Around the World." Viewers were then shown Frontierland to hear legendary jazz great Louis Armstrong. The Osmond Brothers performed (making their network debut) as well as Bobby Burgess, The Dapper Dans, and The Elliott Brothers Orchestra.
Disneyland looked quaint, homey ... and not as crowded in 1962.

Click HERE for more April 15 Disney history.

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