The grand opening of Disneyland on July 17, 1955, was a national event orchestrated by founder Walt Disney. The invite-only "Dedication Day" for Disney's first theme park was broadcast live on ABC, which was an investor in the park.
The grand opening of Disneyland on July 17, 1955, was a national event orchestrated by founder Walt Disney. The invite-only "Dedication Day" for Disney's first theme park was broadcast live on ABC, which was an investor in the park.
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Future U.S. President Ronald Reagan, shown here, was an actor when he co-hosted ABC's live 90-minute broadcast announcing Disneyland's opening. ABC television personality Art Linkletter and actor Bob Cummings were also co-hosts of the broadcast, which was viewed by more than 70 million people.
Future U.S. President Ronald Reagan, shown here, was an actor when he co-hosted ABC's live 90-minute broadcast announcing Disneyland's opening. ABC television personality Art Linkletter and actor Bob Cummings were also co-hosts of the broadcast, which was viewed by more than 70 million people.
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The 160-acre theme park, shown here during the July 17 preview day, opened to the public on July 18, 1955. That first year, adult tickets cost $1 and children's tickets cost 50 cents. Books of tickets for rides and attractions were sold separately.
The 160-acre theme park, shown here during the July 17 preview day, opened to the public on July 18, 1955. That first year, adult tickets cost $1 and children's tickets cost 50 cents. Books of tickets for rides and attractions were sold separately.
Associated Press
After a $17 million investment and a year of construction on the 160-acre former orange grove, Walt Disney's biggest gamble was scheduled to open. Actress Adelle August is shown here stepping into the Autopia ride, which was working that day. But little else was in order. Some street asphalt was still soft, paint was still drying and workers were still planting trees. And park officials had underestimated demand: Some 15,000 invitations had been printed for the special day, according to one account, but counterfeiters were at work and crowd estimates went as high as 28,000 visitors.
After a $17 million investment and a year of construction on the 160-acre former orange grove, Walt Disney's biggest gamble was scheduled to open. Actress Adelle August is shown here stepping into the Autopia ride, which was working that day. But little else was in order. Some street asphalt was still soft, paint was still drying and workers were still planting trees. And park officials had underestimated demand: Some 15,000 invitations had been printed for the special day, according to one account, but counterfeiters were at work and crowd estimates went as high as 28,000 visitors.
Earl Leaf/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Walt Disney, seen here posing with the park's first two official visitors, Michael Schwartner, 7, and Christine Vess, 5, didn't let that first day stop him. He rallied his staff and spent days and nights addressing problems with rides, capacity, food service and merchandise. After only seven weeks, the park had recorded 1 million guests -- and 3.8 million by the end of the first fiscal year.
Walt Disney, seen here posing with the park's first two official visitors, Michael Schwartner, 7, and Christine Vess, 5, didn't let that first day stop him. He rallied his staff and spent days and nights addressing problems with rides, capacity, food service and merchandise. After only seven weeks, the park had recorded 1 million guests -- and 3.8 million by the end of the first fiscal year.
Disneyland/file/AP
Sleeping Beauty's Castle, which leads guests into Fantasyland, is still open today. On opening day, a gas leak at Fantasyland resulted in that area, Adventureland and Frontierland being shut down while repairs were made.
Sleeping Beauty's Castle, which leads guests into Fantasyland, is still open today. On opening day, a gas leak at Fantasyland resulted in that area, Adventureland and Frontierland being shut down while repairs were made.
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Actors Steve Rowland and Kathleen Case posed as they viewed arcade movies on opening day. Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher were among the other big name guests at the park.
Actors Steve Rowland and Kathleen Case posed as they viewed arcade movies on opening day. Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher were among the other big name guests at the park.
Earl Leaf/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
The Mark Twain Riverboat, which still exists today, was one of 18 rides and attractions that opened on July 17, 1955. The Mad Tea Party, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride and Jungle Cruise (modified later for Indiana Jones-Adventure) all opened that first day. It's a Small World didn't open until 1966, and the pre-movie Pirates of the Caribbean opened in 1967.
The Mark Twain Riverboat, which still exists today, was one of 18 rides and attractions that opened on July 17, 1955. The Mad Tea Party, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride and Jungle Cruise (modified later for Indiana Jones-Adventure) all opened that first day. It's a Small World didn't open until 1966, and the pre-movie Pirates of the Caribbean opened in 1967.
Earl Leaf/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Disney, left, was a devoted fan of model railroads and trains. Here he's shown with California Gov. Goodwin J. Knight, center, and Fred G. Gurley, president of Santa Fe Railroad, right, on board the cab of an old-time railroad engine getting ready to take a ride around the park. The Santa Fe Railroad was an investor in the park.
Disney, left, was a devoted fan of model railroads and trains. Here he's shown with California Gov. Goodwin J. Knight, center, and Fred G. Gurley, president of Santa Fe Railroad, right, on board the cab of an old-time railroad engine getting ready to take a ride around the park. The Santa Fe Railroad was an investor in the park.
Associated Press
While Disney movie and cartoon characters didn't wander the park all the time back in the early days, Mickey Mouse was spotted riding in the locomotive cab of a circus train July 18, 1955. The animated version of this train was featured in the Disney film, "Dumbo."
While Disney movie and cartoon characters didn't wander the park all the time back in the early days, Mickey Mouse was spotted riding in the locomotive cab of a circus train July 18, 1955. The animated version of this train was featured in the Disney film, "Dumbo."
Allan Grant/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images