From the Archives: Downtown Disney Opening Event (January 11, 2001)

Celebrate 25 years of Downtown Disney with this blast from the past.

The following post originally appeared on Laughing Place on January 12, 2001. We're resharing it for the 25th anniversary of Downtown Disney at the Disneyland Resort.

On the night of January 11th, Downtown Disney at the Disneyland Resort was officially opened with a charity event for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. The event started with a Red Carpet for a few celebrities. Following that was the opening ceremony featuring speeches by Paul Pressler (Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts) Robert Iger (President and Chief Operating Officer of the Walt Disney Company), Sylvester Stallone and his wife Jennifer Flavin Stallone, Paul Glaser (actor and widower of Elizabeth Glaser) and Michael Eisner (Chief Executive Officer of the Walt Disney Company).

Next was a big party for the next few hours as each of the shops and restaurants at Downtown Disney had food samples, entertainment and other fun stuff.

ESPN's Chris Berman

Paul Glaser

Sylvester Stallone

Sylvester Stallone speaks

Robert Iger speaks while Paul Pressler looks on

Pyro

Entertainment

More party entertainment

A gospel choir on the steps of House of Blues

Pictures with the Fab 5

An Xtreme skateboarder on the half pipe
Doobie Moseley
Doobie is a co-owner of LaughingPlace.com having founded the website with his wife Rebekah in 1999. He became a "hardcore" Disney fan in 1995. His favorite Disney film is Snow White and his all-time favorite attraction is the PeopleMover. Having lived near both Disneyland and Walt Disney World, he's visited them literally thousands of times. He currently lives in Nothern California with his wife and teenage son, but looks forward to living in Florida again soon. His absolutely favorite activity is going on a Disney cruise (he's done 12 as of February 2023).
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Rebekah Moseley
Rebekah grew up frequently going to Disneyland and met her husband there as annual passholders. Together they co-founded LaughingPlace.com to share their love and fun experiencing all things Disney with other fans. Rebekah's favorite Disney princess is Cinderella and if she could snap her fingers and be anywhere within the created Disney worlds, it's Typhoon Lagoon's lazy river which she considers Imagineering perfection.
View all articles by Rebekah Moseley