There are currently five Disney theme parks spread all across the world, with a sixth, Shanghai Disneyland, on its way very soon. But it all started sixty years ago with the original Disneyland in Anaheim, California. This was a project that most pundits at the time thought would be a giant money loser for Walt Disney, similar to the way they all thought that Walt’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the first full-length animated movie, was going to be “Walt’s folly.” In both cases, Walt Disney had the last laugh.
Now the original Disneyland is in the midst of celebrating its diamond anniversary, and to highlight the occasion, ABC is set to air The Wonderful World of Disney: Disneyland 60 prime-time special on Sunday, February 21. Dancing with the Stars’ Derek Hough will be the show’s host, an extravaganza that will feature Fall Out Boy performing âI Wanna Be Like Youâ from The Jungle Book, Ne-Yo singing âFriend Like Meâ from Aladdin, and a cappella group Pentatonix singing âBe Our Guestâ from Beauty and the Beast, among other performances. There will be appearances from other celebs as well, like Josh Gad from Frozen and Sir Elton John.
But for us nerds, the coolest part of the upcoming special will be a special sneak peak at the upcoming Star Wars-themed expansion at Disneyland, hosted by none other than Harrison Ford himself. This will be the first real look for most of us at what promises to be the park’s largest expansion in decades, and what will no doubt be the destination point for Star Wars fans all over the world. This part alone is worth setting your DVR for this special right now. Now ABC has released a new promo for the special, which you can watch below.
The Wonderful World of Disney: Disneyland 60Â will air on ABC on Feb. 21 from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET.
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Are you a hardcore Disney parks fan? Excited about Star Wars Land? Let us know in the comments!
IMAGE: Walt Disney Company