Today in Disney History: Disneyland Opens, 1955
On this day, 65 years ago, a new form of entertainment came into the world. Successful movie producer and animation pioneer, Walt Disney, had long dreamt of a place where family members of all ages could have fun together. Drawing on his own vivid imagination, as well as those of his talented colleagues, Walt created a magical place that has been beloved since opening day.
A star-studded television special broadcasted the inaugural day to the world. 18 attractions were unveiled, many of which still thrill guests, including the Disneyland Railroad, Jungle Cruise and Fantasyland favorites King Arthur Carrousel, Peter Pan’s Flight and Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride. Disneyland quickly generated a loyal following with more guests arriving enthusiastically in the days that followed, as well as carrying word of this magical place to others. Soon it was the de rigueur place to be seen by celebrities, dignitaries and even heads of state. Over the years, the park has evolved, with the first major expansion in 1959, which included three new state-of-the-art attractions (including the world’s first tubular steel roller coaster). Other notable expansions included 1966 with New Orleans Square, Mickey’s Toontown in 1993, and most recently, the successful opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in 2019. Today, the Disneyland Resort encompasses two theme parks, three resort hotels and the Downtown Disney District.
But beyond the attractions, the sparkling façade of Sleeping Beauty Castle and the iconic snacks of corn dogs, popcorn and churros, or perhaps embedded in them, many guests find a treasured nostalgia, and this love of Disneyland is handed down from generation to generation as a beloved gift.
To commemorate the occasion, “A Pre-Opening Report from Disneyland” is now available on Disney+. Originally aired on July 13, 1955, Walt provides a final look at the many details necessary to ensure that the park will be ready. He begins by showing the audience a large map of the site, then introduces Winston Hibler, who provides a behind-the-scenes tour of how Studio technicians went about designing and building the unusual rides and shows about to open.
With the eternal optimism that is the heart of Disneyland, we look forward to welcoming your clients back and celebrating this milestone together soon.
This is me at California Adventure at Disneyland, 2015. They had just allowed alcohol to be sold and drunk only at California Adventure. I was so excited to have a glass of wine!
1. Main Street Cinema
On opening day in 1955, this theater played silent films; today, this vintage movie theater continues to show classic Disney shorts like “Steamboat Willie.”
2. Disneyland Railroad
Inspired by Walt Disney’s own backyard model train, the Disneyland Railroad still transports guests around the theme park, just as it did during opening day (although now it carries guests through dioramas depicting the Grand Canyon and Primeval World, too).
3. Autopia
This Tomorrowland attraction allows guests to get behind the wheel and steer a car along a track — at the time, it was a futuristic take on American highways (which were still in progress). Although this ride has been renovated during its 65-year history, it offers essentially the same experience guests had on opening day.
Disneyland’s ‘Autopia’ attraction, Anaheim, California.
PHOTO – LOOMIS DEAN/THE LIFE PICTURE COLLECTION VIA GETTY IMAGES
4. King Arthur Carrousel
This Fantasyland carousel is a classic attraction — it has been restored throughout its history, but it retains its timeless charm and beauty.
5. Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
Based on the 1949 film “The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad,” Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride is an original Fantasyland dark ride. Even though kids today might not recognize these Disney characters, this ride still attracts crowds who love the classic Disneyland attractions.
6. Peter Pan’s Flight
The notoriously long wait times for Peter Pan’s Flight signify it as one of the most popular Fantasyland rides. Guests climb aboard the vehicles and fly over scenes from the animated Disney movie. Like every ride on this list, it has been refurbished since it opened, but it’s still very similar to what it was like on opening day.
7. Mad Tea Party
This “Alice in Wonderland”-inspired spinning teacup ride was recreated at Disney parks around the globe after its success at Disneyland. It remains a popular ride today (although it’s best if you’re not prone to motion sickness).
8. Snow White’s Scary Adventures
This Fantasyland dark ride has been tweaked several times since it was unveiled on opening day in 1955 — it originally told the story of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” with the guests experiencing the attraction as the princess. It’s currently the only princess-themed ride-through attraction at Disneyland, but the “Princess and the Frog”-themed ride replacing Splash Mountain will soon join its ranks.
‘Circus Train’ ride, an exact replica of the ‘Casey Jr.’ train used in Disney’s movie ‘Dumbo’, Anaheim, California on July 17, 1955.
PHOTO=LOOMIS DEAN/THE LIFE PICTURE COLLECTION VIA GETTY IMAGES
9. Casey Jr. Circus Train
This kid-friendly train ride — inspired by “Dumbo” — takes guests through miniature scenes from Disney animated films like “Cinderella” and “Pinocchio” (many of these scenes are also seen from the Storybook Land Canal Boats). Fun fact: The sleigh-style cars were actually from the original carousel that later became the King Arthur Carrousel.
10. Mark Twain Riverboat
This 14-minute boat ride was originally called the Mark Twain Steamboat when the park opened in 1955. This Frontierland attraction takes guests on a journey around the Rivers of America aboard a 19th-century paddle boat.
11. Storybook Land Canal Boats
This attraction originally opened as Canal Boats of the World, and it featured beautiful landscapes from different countries. It was refurbished soon after opening day because of technical issues; today, the ride takes guests through the mouth of Monstro (the whale from “Pinocchio”) and on a journey past scenes from Disney movies.
12. Jungle Cruise
While this river boat ride is now known for its punny skippers, the original version of Jungle Cruise was a more serious ride through the rivers of the world, complete with animatronics.
13. Golden Horseshoe Saloon
This restaurant and attraction entertained countless guests with revue shows since opening day. Walt and Lillian Disney celebrated their 30th anniversary with the debut of the Golden Horseshoe Revue in 1955. Today, the restaurant serves lunch and dinner — and it’s worth checking out for its unique history when you visit the parks.
