Disneyland is celebrating a milestone today. The Happiest Place on Earth opened its doors 62 years ago today for the first time. About 28,000 people attended the opening overseen by Walt Disney himself.
Construction on the theme park took well over a year and cost around $17 million dollars. When it first opened in 1955, Disneyland had five themed "lands" and 20 attractions. The event was even telecast by ABC and anchored by Art Linkletter, Bob Cummings, and Ronald Reagan, three close friends of Disney.
At the start of the telecast, Walt Disney made his opening dedication speech.
"To all who come to this happy place: welcome. Disneyland is your land. Here age relives fond memories of the past, and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future. Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams, and the hard facts that have created America, with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world."
Many of the attractions that were there sixty years ago remain today, though renovated or with some slight tweaks.
MAIN STREET, U.S.A.
Disneyland Railroad
Main Street Station
Disneyland Band
Main Street Cinema
FANTASYLAND
King Arthur Carrousel
Mad Tea Party
Mr. Toad's Wild Ride
Peter Pan's Flight
Snow White's Adventures
Storybook Land Canal Boats
TOMORROWLAND
Autopia
FRONTIERLAND
Mark Twain Riverboat
Golden Horseshoe Revue
ADVENTURELAND
Jungle Cruise
Casey Jr. Circus Train and Dumbo the Flying Elephant both opened later in 1955, on July 31 and August 16, respectively.