The Disneyland Resort has called Anaheim, Calif., and the surrounding community home for more than 60 years. To celebrate and thank local residents, here are the top five ways the Disneyland Resort positively impacted the community in honor of its Diamond Celebration.
- Through Million Dollar Dazzle, 17 local nonprofits were surprised with $60,000 each, amounting to more than $1 million and enriching thousands of lives. The Million Dollar Dazzle Crew traveled to 12 cities to make the donations each month of the celebration.
- Sixty Orange County high school students were honored as “Shining Stars” as part of the inaugural Dreamers & Doers program, in recognition of their contributions to their communities. Each student received $1,000 for his or her high school.
- To honor the 100,000th Disney wish granted globally, Disney Parks doubled its original donation to Make-A-Wish Foundation from $1 million to $2 million, thanks to the overwhelming support of guests who shared images of themselves wearing Mickey Mouse ears using the hashtag #ShareYourEars.
- All summer long, Anaheim residents have enjoyed eight free Disney movie nights in local parks and surprise appearances by the “Celebrates Summer Squad” at community events. The Disneyland Resort also is hosting five Endless Summer Celebrations in Anaheim parks, which are gaining two new skate parks, a pickleball court and the refurbishment of a field for softball and soccer though a $500,000 donation from Disney.
- Just in time for its 61st anniversary, the Disneyland Resort announced the Happiest Class on Earth. For the next 10 years, every sixth-grade student in Anaheim elementary schools – approximately 5,000 students each year – will have the opportunity to receive a Disneyland Resort ticket and visit the Resort with their class after completing a service project.
