10
of the original Mouseketeers are returning home to
Disneyland in the US today 3 October 2005 to celebrate
their golden milestone
where they first made their initial public appearance.
The reunion will salute the debut of the classic 1950s
television series. The show kicked off in 1955 with
Walt Disney doing the voice of Mickey Mouse.
In
a nostalgic ceremony in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle,
the Mouseketeers will reflect on 50 years of Mouske-Memories
in story and song before unveiling the world's largest
pair of Mouseketeer Ears comprised of nearly 1,000
"Honourary" Mouseketeers filling the expansive
forecourt of the castle. Seen from above, and to the
strains of the familiar "Mickey Mouse Club Alma
Mater," the iconic black ears with the "Mickey
Mouse Club" logo will come alive and be transformed
to mark the milestone occasion.
Disneyland
Resort president Matt Ouimet said, "The Mousketeer
hats that The Mickey Mouse Club made so popular
50 years ago continue to be popular with Disneyland
Guests today. The Mickey Mouse Club made its
national television premiere on 3 October 1955, on
the ABC television network. The Mouseketeers were
a talented cast of youngsters who starred in the variety
series that included cartoons, music and live-action
adventures. The show began with the famous Mickey
Mouse Club March a tune still familiar with today's
generation and ended with another popular song The
Mickey Mouse Club Alma Mater which expressed a
heartfelt goodbye."
The
special salute honouring the original cast of Mouseketeers
and The Mickey Mouse Club is just one of many
moments taking place during the 18-month Disneyland
Happiest Homecoming on Earth 50th anniversary
celebration as it kicks into high gear and continues
throughout 2006. Additional upcoming milestones and
celebrations include "Golden" holidays at
Disneyland, the January 2006 opening of the all-new
attraction Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to
the Rescue at Disney's California Adventure and
the 40th anniversary of it's a small world.