ABC’s ’20/20′ to celebrate 70 Years of Disneyland on Sept. 21
Get ready to celebrate seven decades of magic as a new two-hour special, “The Happiest Story on Earth: 70 Years of Disneyland – Special Edition of 20/20,” airs on ABC this Sunday, Sept. 21, from 8:01-10:00 p.m. EDT. The special will also be available for streaming the next day on Disney+ and Hulu.
Announced by ABC News Studios, the program promises an enchanting look behind the curtain at Walt Disney’s original dream. Even the most devoted fans are likely to discover new stories and insights into the creation of the legendary park.
This special will feature reflections from some of its most famous fans. Viewers will hear from Hollywood stars like Neil Patrick Harris, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jon Favreau, Patrick Warburton, and Tiffany Haddish, all sharing memories of their childhood visits.
The show also features an exclusive message from Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, on what the park means to their family. The Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger will also offer his thoughts on the future of the resort.
The special pays tribute to the countless creators who brought Disneyland to life, including a rare interview with former Disney Imagineer Bob Gurr. Gurr, who was there on opening day, shares what it was like to work directly alongside Walt Disney himself.
The broadcast will take viewers on a journey through the park’s most iconic attractions, from the timeless Jungle Cruiseand Pirates of the Caribbean to the spooky secrets of the Haunted Mansion. The special also goes behind the scenes of Disneyland’s dazzling parades and nighttime spectaculars. For the first time, cameras were allowed into the “World of Color” control room, a space typically off-limits, offering an exclusive glimpse into how these technological wonders are created.
The show highlights groundbreaking innovations, including the new audio-animatronics figure of Walt Disney in “Walt Disney – A Magical Life.” Viewers will also hear from legendary actress Julie Andrews, who remembers visiting the park with Walt, and actor Josh Gad, who fulfilled a personal dream by “working” as a Jungle Cruise skipper.
While honoring the past, “The Happiest Story on Earth” also looks to the future. The special provides an exciting sneak peek at upcoming projects at Disney California Adventure Park, including an expansion to Avengers Campus, a Coco attraction, and the highly anticipated new Avatar destination. This forward-looking segment reveals how Disney continues to innovate and inspire new generations of parkgoers.
