Celebrate Disneyland’s 69th Anniversary With These Opening Day Photos
On this day 69 years ago, Walt Disney welcomed guests to Disneyland with a dedication that would echo through the ages:
“To All Who Come to This Happy Place
— Welcome —
Disneyland is your land.
Here age relives fond memories of the past … and here you 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.
July 17, 1955”
![Disneyland Dedication Plaque](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Disneyland-Anniversary69-Historical-Photos-10.jpg)
![Disneyland Dedication Plaque](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Disneyland-Anniversary69-Historical-Photos-10.jpg)
Photo: Disney Parks Blog
With crowds of guests ready to explore the park and 90 million people watching on ABC from the comforts of their own homes, Walt Disney introduced a new kind of theme park, one that would change the course of history.
Making Memories
To celebrate the anniversary of Disneyland’s dedication and the airing of the television special Dateline Disneyland, the Disney Parks Blog has opened the vault and shared some behind-the-scenes photos from both the live broadcast and the rehearsals for the telecast.
This photo, for example, shows Walt Disney during rehearsals, standing on Main Street, U.S.A.
![Walt Disney Disneyland opening Day](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/2024-Disney-Parks-Blog-Disneyland-69th-Anniversary-Photos-879x1024.jpeg)
![Walt Disney Disneyland opening Day](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/2024-Disney-Parks-Blog-Disneyland-69th-Anniversary-Photos-879x1024.jpeg)
Photo: Disney Parks Blog
Next, we have a really cool shot of Walt with California Governor Goodwin Knight parading down Main Street.
![Photo: Disney Parks Blog](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/2024-Disney-Parks-Blog-Disneyland-69th-Anniversary-Photos-2-832x1024.jpeg)
![Photo: Disney Parks Blog](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/2024-Disney-Parks-Blog-Disneyland-69th-Anniversary-Photos-2-832x1024.jpeg)
Photo: Disney Parks Blog
This candid photo shows Walt practicing his dedication of Fantasyland in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle. I love this picture.
![Photo: Disney Parks Blog](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/2024-Disney-Parks-Blog-Disneyland-69th-Anniversary-Photos-3-708x1024.jpeg)
![Photo: Disney Parks Blog](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/2024-Disney-Parks-Blog-Disneyland-69th-Anniversary-Photos-3-708x1024.jpeg)
Photo: Disney Parks Blog
It wasn’t just Walt who had to practice before the big day. Here are fellow Dateline Disneyland stars Art Linkletter, Fess Parker, and Buddy Ebsen rehearsing as well.
![Photo: Disney Parks Blog](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/2024-Disney-Parks-Blog-Disneyland-69th-Anniversary-Photos-4.jpeg)
![Photo: Disney Parks Blog](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/2024-Disney-Parks-Blog-Disneyland-69th-Anniversary-Photos-4.jpeg)
Photo: Disney Parks Blog
Ronald Reagan was also present for the festivities. Here, he is rehearsing for his part in the TV special.
![Photo: Disney Parks Blog](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Disneyland-Anniversary69-Historical-Photos-3-767x1024.jpg)
![Photo: Disney Parks Blog](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Disneyland-Anniversary69-Historical-Photos-3-767x1024.jpg)
Photo: Disney Parks Blog
An Iconic Moment
If you are a Disneyland fan, you have likely seen the image of children running through Sleeping Beauty Castle and entering Fantasyland. Current Disney CEO Bob Iger even shared it in his Instagram post today commemorating Disney’s anniversary.
View this post on Instagram
Here is that same group on the other side of the castle, waiting for their big moment.
![Photo: Disney Parks Blog](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Disneyland-Anniversary69-Historical-Photos-9.jpg)
![Photo: Disney Parks Blog](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Disneyland-Anniversary69-Historical-Photos-9.jpg)
Photo: Disney Parks Blog
Over the last 69 years, innumerable memories have been made at Disneyland. It truly is The Happiest Place on Earth.
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