This year marks the 70th anniversary of “the happiest place on earth,” Disneyland! In celebration, ABC’s “20/20” is doing a special edition, “The Happiest Story on Earth: 70 Years of Disneyland.” Looking at how Walt Disney‘s dream has been enchanting guests from all over the world.
“The Happiest Story on Earth” will have some of Disney’s biggest fans reflect on their childhood visits to the park. Including interviews with Neil Patrick Harris, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jon Favreau, Patrick Warburton, Tiffany Haddish, Julie Andrews, Prince Harry, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. Along with comments from Bob Iger, Walt Disney Company’s Chief Executive Officer, about what the future holds. Bob Gurr, a former Disney Imagineer who was there on opening day, will also give his thoughts on how the park has evolved.
The special will dive into the park’s rich history and how several legendary rides came to be, like the Jungle Cruise, Pirates of the Caribbean, and the Haunted Mansion. Plus, a behind-the-scenes look at the “World of Color” control room, an area normally reserved for working cast members. Alongside a “look at the new, first-of-its-kind audio-animatronics figure of Walt Disney with the Imagineers who helped create “Walt Disney – A Magical Life.””
But this isn’t just about Disneyland’s iconic past, “The Happiest Story on Earth” looks to the future as well. There will be sneak peeks at future Disney California Adventure Park attractions, including the expansion to Avengers Campus, a “Coco” attraction, and the new “Avatar” destination.
“The Happiest Story on Earth: 70 Years of Disneyland” will premiere Sunday, September 21st, on ABC. It will hit Disney+ and Hulu the following day. You can check out the trailer below:
