Disneyland unveils golden castle at 50th anniversary

ANAHEIM, California - Disneyland turned 50 on Thursday and unveiled a golden Sleeping Beauty castle and new rides as singers and stars serenaded visitors at the iconic theme park.

Christina Aguilera crooned a pop version of the anthem "When You Wish Upon A Star" and Julie Andrews welcomed visitors to the park at the anniversary ceremony under an unusual overcast Southern Californian sky.

For the celebration, Walt Disney Co. trimmed the Sleeping Beauty castle in gold and added a gold vehicle to each original ride, including a golden boat on the Jungle Cruise and a golden flying Dumbo.

New fireworks at Disneyland, a parade and attractions like Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters are part of the 18-month-long anniversary celebration.

Disney aims to boost global attendance at its parks by stretching the anniversary to include all 11 resorts, including Hong Kong Disneyland, due to open on September 12.

Disneyland began as an experimental playland built in an orange grove outside Los Angeles, but the park is now solidly in the middle of the nation's metropolitan area.

Mickey Mouse and other characters were also on hand at the opening ceremony.

Founder Walt Disney was often quoted as saying of his company, "It was all started by a mouse."

- REUTERS