Wild Ride in Premiere Land

The scene: Premiere of Downtown Disney, a new dining, entertainment and shopping district that is part of Walt Disney Co.’s $1.4-billon expansion of the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim.

With an admission fee of $250, Thursday night’s benefit extravaganza raised more than $300,000 for the Santa Monica-based Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. Event co-chairs: Disney Chairman Michael Eisner, Disney President Robert A. Iger, Sly and Jennifer Flavin Stallone and Paul Glaser.

Guest list: With Mickey and Minnie eschewing the spotlight, it shone on the corporate bigwigs whose businesses are represented at Downtown Disney, including the Patina Group’s Joachim Splichal, owner of Catal Restaurant; ESPN Zone President George Bodenheimer; House of Blues President and CEO Greg Trojan; Rainforest Cafe President and CEO Tilman Fertitta; AMC Theatres President Philip Singleton; Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen President Ralph Brennan; and Y Arriba Y Arriba CEO Jose Cachaldora.

Uptown welcome: As searchlights pierced a cloudy sky, thousands of warmly dressed guests--forget glam, most sported sensible coats to ward off a rain that never came--swept down a red carpet to swizzle hurricanes at Brennan’s, swamp-waters (a blend of Sprite, vodka and apple liqueur) at the House of Blues and champagne-sorbet slushes at ESPN Zone.

Strolling the 30-acre district that features dozens of shops and eateries, guests ogled jewelry at Something Silver, watched a candy sculptor at Marcelines and put their own twist on the dough whipped up at Wetzel’s Pretzels. In the air, the sounds veered between band Fastball on a stage elevated above the grounds to the Voices of Judah gospel choir outside the House of Blues. And guests dined on everything from juicy whole roast pig with Southern Comfort sauce (Brennan’s) to oysters served up with corn bread and maple butter (House of Blues.)

“I can’t believe this [party] is happening in Anaheim,” said Stan Pawlowski, who has been a banker in the area for 50 years. “The whole evening feels like a Hollywood premiere.”

Quote: “Walt Disney once said the greatest moments in life are not concerned with selfish achievements,” Eisner told the crowd during the benefit for the Glaser foundation.

Ultra-private reception: Donors to the Glaser foundation of $25,000 and up attended a private reception with Eisner, Glaser and the Stallones--Jennifer sporting spangled black lace pants and a fur-trimmed coat--at Catal, a rustic, Mediterranean-style restaurant.

Reclining on cushy, brown leather banquettes, guests tossed back Mumm’s Cordon Rouge, sampled Maine lobster and duck confit served on silver spoons and basked in a minimalist ambience featuring mustard and mint-toned walls, hand-painted murals and glossy wood flooring.

The family-style restaurant is a departure for Splichal, whose upscale L.A.-area eateries, including Patina and Cafe Pinot, are frequented by celebs who include Brad Pitt, Madonna and Sharon Stone. “This is a fun and casual restaurant with reasonable prices,” he said.

Disney security at Catal was so tight, bouncers were on standby and guests had to display pink badges to gain admittance. Oh, please. Pass the pa^te.