LPWire: CHOC / Disneyland® Resort Community Walk In Disneyland Resort Theme Parks

CHOC / Disneyland® Resort Community Walk To Place In Disneyland Resort Theme Parks For First Time In Resort's History

For the first time in its 47-year history, the DISNEYLAND Resort will provide the unique setting for a major fundraising walk that will see thousands of participants wending their way through the fanciful atmosphere of its theme parks. The 12th annual CHOC/DISNEYLAND Resort Community Walk, set for 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, October 20, 2002, will feature thousands of organizations, businesses, schools, churches, volunteers and families in the biggest fundraiser of the year for Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) and CHOC at Mission.

Walkers will follow a colorful, scenic route through the magical theme lands of DISNEYLAND® park and DISNEY'S CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE™ park, and cross the finish line in DOWNTOWN DISNEY® District, all before regular operating hours. The 5K walk, featuring live entertainment and Disney character appearances along the way, is expected to draw as many as 15,000 walkers and volunteers.

"DISNEYLAND Resort has enjoyed working with CHOC as the title sponsor of this annual event for the past 12 years," said Cynthia Harriss, president of the DISNEYLAND Resort. "This year is extra-special, as it marks the first time that this or any fundraising walk will make its way through our theme parks in Anaheim. We're very excited about being the host site for this worthy cause, and hope that everyone enjoys the new setting for this year's event."

A sea of participants will line up for a rousing start on Main Street, U.S.A. in DISNEYLAND that will be signaled by the burst of fireworks from Sleeping Beauty Castle. Walkers will follow a route taking them through the famous park's lands, cross the esplanade between the two parks, and then continue through the Golden State setting of DISNEY'S CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE. Along the way, participants will encounter a host of Disney surprises to encourage and cheer them on. The walkers will finally head for the home stretch through DOWNTOWN DISNEY, where a colorful balloon arch will mark the finish and post-walk festivities.

Due to the great number of participants anticipated for the Walk at this year's new venue, guests are encouraged to arrive early and allow ample time for parking and getting to the starting line. Parking for the event will be complimentary until 8:00 a.m. in the "Mickey & Friends" parking structure located on Disneyland Drive at the DISNEYLAND Resort.

Walk participants interested in staying overnight at the DISNEYLAND Resort can receive a special CHOC Walk rate at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel by calling (714) 520-5005. Participants will also be able to enjoy special prices at DISNEYLAND Resort shops and restaurants on the day of the event. And for those participants who would like to stay and play at the Disney parks, a special Park Hopper ticket entitling admission to DISNEYLAND and DISNEY'S CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE will be available for just $30 per person.

Prospective participants may call the CHOC Walk event line at (714) 289-4000 or visit www.choc.org for registration and general information. Advance registration is recommended.

The first CHOC/DISNEYLAND Resort Community Walk took place in 1991 and featured 800 participants. Since then, the annual event has raised a cumulative total of over $3.8 million.

--Posted October 1, 2002
Source: Disneyland Resort Press Release