Carolers sing prior to the event
Click here for a much larger version of this picture
(1024 X 768, 66,490 bytes)

On November 25th the Disneyland Resort had a ceremony to officially illuminate the 2003 Holiday season. Below is a transcript of the event along with pictures and videos.

Videos
There are five videos which together cover the entire ceremony. Each video is available in RealVideo format for low bandwidth and high bandwidth connections. The videos are only linked here.

• Clip 1: Daina Baker (30 seconds)
  Low Bandwidth • High Bandwidth

• Clip 2: Matt Ouimet (2 minutes 7 seconds)
  Low Bandwidth • High Bandwidth

• Clip 3: Firefighter Introductions (2 minutes, 12 seconds)
  Low Bandwidth • High Bandwidth

• Clip 4: Matt Ouimet (2 minutes, 14 seconds)
  Low Bandwidth • High Bandwidth

• Clip 5: The Rucker Family and Finale (1 minute, 47 seconds)
  Low Bandwidth • High Bandwidth

Disneyland Resort Ambassador Daina Baker
Click here for a much larger version of this picture
(1024 X 768, 59,002 bytes)

Disneyland Resort Amabassador Daina Baker: Good evening everyone and happy holidays. Tonight we continue and annual tradition as well illuminate the holidays here at the DisneylandL Resort. We look forward to this special occasion all year long and we’re thrilled to be sharing it with you this evening. And now, to light the festivities, please welcome the President of the Disneyland Resort, Matt Ouimet, accompanied by our very good friends, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse.

Disneyland Resort President Matt Ouimet
Click here for a much larger version of this picture
(1024 X 768, 85,648 bytes)

Matt: Thank you Daina. And thank you all of you for being here tonight on this special evening. Our holiday lighting ceremony here is one of our favorite yuletide traditions here at the DL Resort. It signifies the start of the most magical season of all, when hopes and dreams shine. We celebrate with this 60 foot tall Christmas tree, sparking lights, resounding music, a joyful parade, wondrous snowfall and dazzling fireworks. But what makes the season truly bright is sharing these things with others.

You know, it’s a delight for us to welcome our guests home for the holidays with a much needed dose of warmth and family togetherness. Family and home are especially important to our South Californian friends and neighbors who were affected by the recent wildfires in several of our counties. But while fires may damage our landscape they cannot damage our spirit. A family who lost their dwelling, but not their dreams, was heard to say “this is still home sweet home.�?

Here at Disneyland dreams are what we believe in most. And this evening we want to salute some of the couragous men and women who strive to protect the dreams of Californians everywhere. As we come together during this important time of year I ask you to join me in opening your hearts and extending good wishes to those who have been affected by the wildfires. Your thoughts and prayers continue to be a blessing to them. I also ask you to join me in thanking California’s extraordinary fire and rescue personnel for their heroic efforts.

Tonight we are fortunate to have a few of these remarkable individuals with us. The brave men and women who represent the firefighters and rescue personnel of the great state of California.