In honor of the major milestone of Disneyland's 70th anniversary today, Disney CEO Bob Iger rang in the NYSE Opening Bell from Disneyland this morning before he greeted guests at park opening.
We were lucky enough to be invited to the special cast member party that preceded the ceremony, which started at 3:30 AM. We were front row for this special moment in a historic business event.
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Disney CEO Bob Iger Rings NYSE Opening Bell
Disney CEO Bob Iger was joined by Lynn Martin, President of the NYSE Group, and Josh D'Amaro, Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, and Thomas Mazloum, President of Disneyland.
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Disney Executives Take Time to Honor Cast Members
Cast members were also a part of this special ceremony. You can see them all lining Main Street in the background wearing their special Disneyland 70th anniversary ear hats. The event was focused on cast member appreciation, and opening day cast members from 1955 were honored during a special flag raising ceremony prior to the bell ringing.
Special guest, Disney Legend Tom Nabbe, was also part of the flag-raising ceremony. Tom Nabbe was Disneyland's youngest cast member and began working for the company in July 1955 as a “newsie” on Main Street before being selected by Walt Disney himself to portray Tom Sawyer on Tom Sawyer Island in 1956. He worked for the company until 2003 and was named a Disney Legend in 2005. They mentioned him specifically by name in this ceremony for his service to Disneyland.
Bob Iger and Josh D'Amaro also specifically called out the work cast members do to make Disneyland magical, stating “this place is because of you” in a speech they gave from a parade float prior to the ceremony.
Historic Milestone Made with Ringing of NYSE Bell on Main Street, U.S.A.
The NYSE Bell signals the opening or closing of the day's trading is a tradition that dates back to the late 1800s. It was originally a gavel, then a gong, and eventually the brass bell we see used today.
Bob Iger and Josh D'Amaro look good together, and it's pretty notable that they are together in this moment.
As discussed in this article earlier this year on shifting Disney leadership, this is something to consider as we think about Disney CEO succession.
Disney has been listed on the New York Stock Exchange since November 12, 1957. It is very rare for the bell to be rung anywhere besides New York City at the Stock Exchange.
When the bell has been rung in other parts of the world in the past, it's usually to signify major pubic milestones.
First Look at New Disneyland 70th Anniversary Map
Today is also the day that a few new anniversary additions debut, including the opening of the first-ever Walt Disney animatronic to the public and a new verse added to “its a small world.”
Plus a new Zootopia themed window is now live on Main Street!
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You can watch our footage of this historic moment below:
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