Bob Hope Lights up Disneyland
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A steady drumroll keeps the anticipation mounting as the Hopes walk towards the large golf ball. Together they swing the golf club and all around the Kingdom the holiday lights are illuminated.
A small set of fireworks light up the sky behind Sleeping Beauty Castle. The castle itself is awash in beautiful blues and pinks. And the sounds of Jolly Old St. Nicholas and Deck the Halls fill the air courtesy of the Disneyland Band.
Slowly the strains of Christmas carols fade and Hope's Thanks for the Memories theme is played as he is escorted offstage to his golfcart and driven towards New Orleans Square
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After the ceremony we had the opportunity to speak with Cynthia Harriss and ask her a few questions:
LP: This was wonderful
Harris: Isn't it wonderful, this was a thrill for all of us here
LP: So this lighting is the first of an annual tradition?
Harris: Yes, we hope to be able to start this as an annual tradition because, as you've probably noticed, over the last several years we keep adding more lights to the park and so what a wonderful way to really kick off he season. And to do it someone special to help us really celebrate this. We couldn't be more thrilled than to have Mr. Hope join us this evening.
LP: How did Bob Hope come to be chosen for this and do you have a favorite Bob Hope Christmas memory?
Harris: I think that there's no one single person that - if you said Christmas - that wouldn't associate it with Bob Hope. And I think many of us had the chance to sit and watch the Christmas specials and when he entertained the troops, and as you saw we have many Cast Members here actually were in the audeince. I think his personal generosity at the Christmas season is unrivaled so consequently he was certainly our first and only choice to start this off and we were thrilled he would come and be a part of it.
LP: Do you have a personal favorite aspect of The Merriest Place on Earth?
Harriss: I actually think it's this right here, right at dusk, when we turn the lights on and it just becomes this magical twinkling place and there's so many wondeful things to do here. I think this looks like a fairyland, it truely does. There's a part of you that says we should do this all year around, but it may not mean as much at times other than at Christmas.
LP: And then there are some who think Christmas comes too soon to Disneyland.
Harriss: But how else would you get your Christmas pictures that you have to send all your friends?
Over the past few Christmas seasons Disneyland has added more and more holiday cheer transforming the "Happiest Place on Earth" into the "Merriest Place on Earth." In 1997 "it's a small world" underwent the transformation to "it’s a small world holiday". It's famous multi-colored spires were covered in thousands of colorful lights and throughout the ride the animated Children of the World sang Jingle Bells and Deck the Halls. It was an immediate hit with guests creating wait times of 60 - 90 minutes. This year the holiday cheer has spread to Toontown where the characters have decorated their home in wacky ways. And also to New Orleans Square where guests can enjoy Dixieland versions of Christmas tunes and holiday decorations hang on the wrought-iron balconies.
Related Links
- Disneyland Christmas Section (from LaughingPlace.com)
- Bob Hope official website
- DisneyGeek's Disneyland Holiday Photos (from Geeky's Gallery)
- Interview with Cynthia Harriss (from November 3rd Orange County Register)
-- Posted November 23rd, 1999
-- Story by Rebekah Moseley
-- Interview by Doobie Moseley
-- Pictures by Doobie Moseley