Fans are put center stage - OC Register 7/18/05

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Article from The OC Register available at ocregister.com (free registration required) - 7/18/05
Fans are put center stage

ANAHEIM – From the 100,000 cupcakes to the nostalgic sound of Walt Disney's voice, Sunday was for Disneyland's die-hard fans.

Disneyland celebrated its 50th birthday with Walt's daughter, Diane Miller; Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger; and thousands of fans determined to be in the park for the occasion.

They came from Colorado, Arizona and Australia. They stood in line overnight and wore the "golden ears" they received as gifts at the gate. Some are here for 16 days; some are here every year for the anniversary day.

Disney doesn't release attendance figures, but the park was comfortably busy by midday.

The crowd sang "Happy Birthday" to Disneyland during a 10 a.m. ceremony that included a fanfare of trumpets, the requisite Disney fireworks and a salute from the woman who grew up hearing her father talk about a fantasy park.

"All of you who love this place so much enable it to go on with your hopes and expectations," Miller said.