An Arizona child got an unforgettable birthday surprise at the “Happiest Place on Earth” after being recognized as the one billionth guest to visit the California theme park.
Andres Robles, 8, arrived at Disneyland Resort on Friday morning with his parents to mark his eighth birthday, only to be greeted with the milestone honor, according to DisneyParksBlog.
Andres and his parents, Alejandra and Jose, took part in a ceremony on the Main Street, U.S.A. train station platform, where the smiling birthday boy helped reveal a sign announcing the park’s newly updated guest count.
The sign read: “Population 1,000,000,000.”
Mickey and Minnie Mouse were on hand for the celebratory moment, joined by Daisy and Donald Duck for the special occasion.
The festivities did not end there for Andres, who was also given a VIP tour guide for the day — a premium experience that can begin at about $3,500.
The family’s day included a visit to Walt Disney’s private apartment inside the park, along with a preview of the new Soarin’ Across America attraction created to mark the nation’s 250th birthday.
“The Robles family visit is just one of the many lifelong memories that have been created here at Disneyland Resort,” the blog wrote.
“From vacations and reunions to birthdays and more, generations of families and friends have come to Disneyland Resort to have fun together.”
Disneyland Resort — which encompasses Disneyland and Disney California Adventure — celebrated its 70th anniversary last year.
Known as the Happiest Place on Earth, Disneyland “has served as the inspiration behind the creation of more Disney theme parks and experiences across the globe,” according to DisneyParksBlog.
“Today, Disneyland continues its legacy as a worldwide icon and industry leader in entertainment and theme park experiences.”
“The resort continues to invest in creativity, technology and innovation to bring storytelling to new heights, while fulfilling Walt Disney’s vision that ‘Disneyland will never be complete as long as there is imagination left in the world,’” the blog added.
