A Magical Trip to Disneyland

Anaheim, California
Posted: 
Wednesday, July 22, 2015 - 11:30

The first theme park of its kind, Disneyland opened sixty years ago this month in Anaheim, California. The ambitious undertaking was a dream project for Walt Disney, a record-breaking Academy Award winner and animation pioneer, and ever since it has entertained millions of visitors and multiple generations of families from around the globe. Now let's take a look back at the early days of Disneyland, which opened with great fanfare in 1955 complete with enthusiastic media coverage.

the opening of Disneyland
Walt Disney's inter-office memo about the grand opening of Disneyland

Parking pass

Preview ticket

Parking pass
Disneyland parking pass, preview ticket and receipt from the Leo Rosenthal material at the Margaret Herrick Library.

regarding her trip to Disneyland
Famous Hollywood columnist Hedda Hopper (seen below) wrote this letter to Lillian and Walt Disney about her first trip to Disneyland on June 15, 1959. From the Hedda Hopper papers at the Academy's Margaret Herrick Library.

at Disneyland

Colleen Moore's letter
A transcript of a Colleen Moore phone call praising Disneyland, from July 24, 1964. From the Hedda Hopper papers.


Walt Disney and Giulietta Masina
Walt Disney and actress Giulietta Masina (wife of Federico Fellini) with nominees for the 29th Academy Awards Foreign Language Film Award at Disneyland in 1957
Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Kate Burton and Liza Todd
Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Kate Burton and Liza Todd visit Disneyland in 1965

Tarita
"Mutiny on the Bounty" star Tartia visits Disneyland in 1962

Br'er Bear and Br'er Fox outside the Haunted Mansion
Br'er Bear and Br'er Fox outside the Haunted Mansion

Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse
Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse at Disneyland in 1955