Disneyland's 50th - Disneyland Resort 50th Anniversary Homecoming is a possible title for an animated promotional short featuring Mickey Mouse, Goofy, Donald Duck, Huey, Dewey, and Louie Duck, Dumbo, Genie, Iago, Stitch, Cinderella, Hyacinth Hippo and her ballet company, Ben Ali Gator and his dance troupe, Rutt and Tuke, and Herbie the Love Bug.
Descriptions[]
It's the 50th anniversary of Disneyland, and a varied assortment of characters are attempting to make it to the park in time for the celebration - but Mickey and Goofy are having trouble with the map, Donald's car is far too crowded, Rutt and Tuke are worried that they won't make it in time, Stitch has been pulled over for speeding, and Genie and Iago are caught at a toll booth without any money!
Production[]
Disneyland Resort 50th Anniversary Homecoming was produced in 2005 as part of The Happiest Celebration on Earth (HCOE), a global marketing campaign by Walt Disney Parks & Resorts to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Disneyland. The campaign was developed by Leo Burnett under the direction of Michael Mendenhall (Executive Vice President, Global Marketing), Marty Muller (Senior Vice President, Global Marketing), and Kim Philo (Vice President, Advertising & Creative, Disneyland Resort), with creative oversight by Ned Crowley, Jon Moore, and Patti Gregoline. The series of television and promotional spots featured classic Disney characters attempting to return “home” to Disneyland for the celebration.[1]
The computer-animated short was produced at Digital Domain in Venice, California, with animation direction by Eric Goldberg, which was after he was fired from the studio. Then-CEO Michael Eisner personally requested that the animation be executed to the highest quality possible. Goldberg later reflected that while some parts worked better than others, he was largely pleased with how well the characters translated into CGI—particularly praising another commercial made at the time with Goofy as his favorite. Film critic Leonard Maltin also complimented the spot, telling Goldberg that Goofy “was really Goofy,” which Goldberg saw as proof that staying true to a character’s personality makes it work in any medium.[2]
Awards and Recognition[]
The Disneyland’s 50th – The Happiest Celebration on Earth campaign received a Platinum Award from the HSMAI Adrian Awards, recognizing it as one of the most outstanding entries in its category for advertising, public relations, and web marketing within the travel and hospitality industry. While the top honor of Best of Show was awarded to the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority, Disney’s campaign was listed among the Platinum Winners.