Photographs: Disney’s “Happiest Place on Earth” celebrates 70 years

Walt Disney stands by a mannequin of Disneyland circa 1954. In line with the Los Angeles Instances, ABC chairman Leonard Goldenson lent Walt Disney the cash he wanted to construct Disneyland in return for a weekly tv present produced by Disney and aired on ABC.

Earl Theisen—Getty Photographs

On July 17, 1955, Disneyland opened its gates for the primary time to tens of hundreds of individuals. The California park’s opening-day gala drew a crowd of 11,000 invited friends, in addition to a number of thousand extra who tried to get in with counterfeit tickets.

Seventy years later, the “happiest place on Earth” nonetheless attracts followers of all ages, from younger kids to self-proclaimed “Disney adults.” About 17.3 million individuals walked by way of the turnstiles in 2023, in comparison with the estimated 4 million individuals who attended throughout Disneyland’s first full 12 months.

These in attendance on opening day have been charged a whopping $1 entry charge, plus an extra 10 to 30 cents per experience. Even accounting for inflation, the $50 ticket in as we speak’s {dollars} (which incorporates the entry charge plus round 10 rides) is only a portion of as we speak’s value of attendance, which ranges from $104 to $206 per particular person relying on the time of 12 months.

An aerial view of Disneyland in Anaheim, California, circa 1955. Initially, the theme park occupied 160 acres and consisted of 4 lands: Adventureland, Fantasyland, Frontierland, and Tomorrowland.

Gene Lester—Archive Photographs/Getty Photographs

Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck stroll in entrance of Disneyland’s principal fort on opening day on July 17, 1955. The costumes worn by the actors, in addition to the land itself, went by way of a collection of modifications and updates over the course of Disneyland’s 70-year historical past.

Los Angeles Examiner—USC Libraries/Corbis/Getty Photographs

Particular decorations for the theme park’s seventieth anniversary adorn Sleeping Magnificence Citadel within the heart of Disneyland. The theme of this 12 months’s anniversary is “Have fun Completely happy,” full with a brand new theme track of the identical title carried out by the Jonas Brothers.

AaronP—Bauer-Griffin/GC Photographs/Getty Photographs

However Disneyland has expanded quite a bit since its grand opening: The 160 acres consisting of 4 lands (Adventureland, Fantasyland, Frontierland, and Tomorrowland) has since was about 550 acres made up of 9 lands, the California Journey theme park, a buying strip, parking tons, and extra. And one other growth is on its means.

In Might of final 12 months, the Anaheim Metropolis Council accredited DisneylandForward, a proposal that enables Disney to develop the theme park onto Disney-owned land, which was beforehand solely allowed for use for parking tons and motels. California Journey will add two sights to the Avengers Campus, a “Coco”-themed experience, and an Avatar vacation spot, building of which can start subsequent fall.

In celebration of the park’s seventieth anniversary, Disneyland will even be unveiling an animatronic model of Walt Disney as a part of the brand new present Walt Disney—A Magical Life. Moreover, the quintessential Disneyland experience It’s a Small World will add a remaining verse to its catchy tune, which was launched to Disneyland in 1966.

A pair of nuns experience the “Tomorrowland” rocket at Disneyland within the 60s. Tomorrowland is without doubt one of the 4 authentic lands throughout the Disneyland theme park.

Bettmann—Getty Photographs

The Rose Bowl groups, Washington College and Wisconsin College, experience on Disneyland’s spinning tea cups in 1959.

Los Angeles Examiner—USC Libraries/Corbis/Getty Photographs

A sea of vehicles fills the parking zone for opening day at Disneyland in 1955. Disneyland lately acquired permission to increase the theme park onto land that was beforehand allowed for use just for parking tons and motels.

Los Angeles Examiner—USC Libraries/Corbis/Getty Photographs

Disneyland Marching Band performs whereas strolling on Predominant Avenue in 1981. Disneyland’s Predominant Avenue was impressed by Walt Disney’s hometown of Marceline, Missouri.

Bob Riha, Jr.—Getty Photographs

A younger boy in a Mickey Mouse hat stands amongst colourful balloons at Disneyland in 1962.

Tom Nebbia—Corbis/Getty Photographs

A costumed Mickey Mouse performer poses with a customer as a girl takes their photograph at Disneyland’s entrance entrance the summer time of 1960.

Thomas J O’Halloran—U S Information and World Report Journal {Photograph} Assortment/PhotoQuest/Getty Photographs

Walt Disney and California Gov. Goodwin Knight wave to passersby whereas using on the Disneyland practice on the park’s opening day. In line with Walt Disney, “Disneyland won’t ever be accomplished. It’s going to proceed to develop so long as there may be creativeness left on this planet.”

USC Libraries—Corbis/Getty Photographs

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