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| By Matthew Buch |
Lucille Ball, best known as the star of I Love Lucy, was a frequent visitor to Disneyland over the years. Lucky for us, one of these trips was captured on home video during a visit to "the happiest place on earth" back in 1956, just one year after the Park opened. Join us in today's new article as we travel back to 1956 and visit Lucille Ball and her family during a trip to Disneyland...
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| Lucille Ball in Disneyland's Town Square, 1956 |
You are about to see some amazing home movie footage that was filmed on one of Lucy's trips to Disneyland in 1956. The footage shows her two kids, Desi Arnaz Jr., along with her daughter, Lucie Arnaz. In the same home movie (though not shown here) Desi Arnaz Sr. can be seen riding The Astro Jets in Tomorrowland.
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| Lucille Ball with her son Desi Arnaz Jr. and her daughter Lucie Arnaz on a trip to Disneyland, 1956 |
Although Lucille Ball didn't have a direct connection with Disney, having never done any work for the studio, she did know Walt Disney. Walt and Lucy were both guest stars on The Ed Sullivan Show on the same night in 1956. It also should be noted that Lucille Ball enjoyed Disney's work. It is said that she particularly enjoyed "The Parent Trap" (1961). Lucy even made trips to Disneyland through the years. On January 28th 1982, she made a special trip to the park to see comic genius Wally Boag's last performance at The Golden Horseshoe.
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| Lucille Ball made a point of being in the audience on January 28, 1982 to catch Wally Boag's last performance at Disneyland's Golden Horseshoe. |
And now, the moment you all have been waiting for. It's time to travel back to Disneyland in 1956 and revisit Lucille Ball and her family on a trip to Walt's brand new Magic Kingdom. Enjoy...
(For your viewing pleasure, please be sure to pause the Disney Avenue Music Player at the top of the page prior to playing the video below if you are on a desktop computer.)
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Matthew Buch has been fascinated with Disneyland history since childhood. Being a Southern California native, he has spent a lot of time at Disneyland since childhood. A few years ago, he decided to devote an Instagram page completely dedicated to Disney history (@houseofthemouse). In that four years, his account has grown to almost 25K Followers, and continues to grow at a rapid pace.
He currently works for The Walt Disney Company, working in various departments at Disneyland. Being involved with Disney was a dream from a young age. His favorite attraction at Disneyland has always been The Haunted Mansion as the history of the mansion has always intrigued him. In his spare time he enjoys reading books, and going to museums.
You can find all of Matthew's articles here.
Great job, Matt! You are carrying on the life of Disneyland through many generations.
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