Disneyland Resort – Historical Pictures & Current Offerings

July 16, 2021 Jason @disneygeek.com

Disneyland Resort Celebrates its 66th Anniversary July 17, 2021, as it Continues to Welcome Guests Back to the Magic

Magic is here with new Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure Park and innovative experiences at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, plus reimagined opening day attractions in Disneyland Park
Nighttime festivities at Disneyland Park feature “Mickey’s Mix Magic” with fireworks on select nights, plus state-of-the-art projections, dazzling lights and a high energy, family-fun dance party
Mickey’s PhilharMagic adds a new scene based on Disney and Pixar’s “Coco” featuring the catchy “Un Poco Loco” song starting July 17
California residents can be part of the summer excitement, using a 3-day promotional ticket on any three separate days through Sept. 30, 2021

ANAHEIM, Calif. (July 16, 2021) – “To all who come to this happy place, welcome! Disneyland is your land.” When Walt Disney opened the gates to Disneyland Park on July 17, 1955, those were the words he chose to dedicate it as a source of joy and inspiration for all the world. Continuing as that happy place more than six decades later, the Disneyland Resort is celebrating 66 years as it welcomes guests back to the magic once again. Nearly all attractions and restaurants plus all three Disneyland Resort hotels are now open, and Disneyland park will present performances of Mickey’s Mix Magic with fireworks.*

On the July 17 anniversary, Disneyland park guests will be treated to a brief celebratory cavalcade featuring the Disneyland Band, characters, Disneyland Resort Ambassador and more! Guests can also purchase limited-time anniversary-themed caramel apples at Pooh Corner and Candy Palace and celebratory cupcakes at Jolly Holiday Bakery Café in Disneyland.

What began as Walt Disney’s dream when Disneyland opened in Anaheim in 1955 has continued to evolve with imagination and innovation, expanding from the original Disney theme park to become the Disneyland Resort with Disney California Adventure Park, three hotels and Downtown Disney District.

Celebrating 66 Years of Magic at Disneyland Resort parks

With the recent reopening of the parks, guests are returning to join the summertime excitement and create new magical memories.

New this summer, Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure is bringing together Earth’s Mightiest Heroes for the common good, and they are calling all recruits to join the action. Guests can team up with the Avengers and their allies, sling webs with Spider-Man, taste-test inventive food and drinks and become part of a bigger universe.

In Disneyland, three opening-day attractions were recently reimagined: Jungle Cruise, Snow White’s Enchanted Wish, and King Arthur Carrousel. These popular attractions received thoughtful updates from Walt Disney Imagineering that include revised décor and artfully enhanced storylines. Over at the Jungle Cruise, guests are now discovering brand new scenes with new characters as they explore remote rivers across the globe. While the world-famous skippers continue their unique presentations with witty interactions that guests expect, a trapped safari party finds itself up a tree and chimpanzees have overtaken their boat. “Gnu” humor makes it clear that the jungle and the animals get the last laugh on this classic attraction.

This summer, guests are invited to enjoy the return of the “Mickey’s Mix Magic” spectacular that will light up the nights with state-of-the-art projections and lasers turning Main Street, U.S.A., Sleeping Beauty Castle and the façade of “it’s a small world” into a dazzling display of sights, upbeat music and a kaleidoscope of colors. And if that wasn’t magical enough, fireworks will add a pinch more pixie dust to the occasion.*

Fans of “Mickey’s PhilharMagic” will be tapping to a new song with the debut of an animated scene based on Disney and Pixar’s “Coco.” The musical number “Un Poco Loco” will anchor the new scene when it opens to guests at Disney California Adventure park on July 17. The film’s fun, upbeat music and characters combined with the humor of Donald Duck marks the first time Disney and Pixar animators have worked on a creative endeavor where characters from both animation studios will be seen together on screen.

A place where dreams come true

The popularity of Disneyland through the past 66 years celebrates Walt Disney’s dream of a place where family members of all ages can have fun together in an atmosphere that emphasizes imagination and extraordinary guest service. Since 1955, Disneyland has welcomed millions of families, friends, dignitaries, heads of state and celebrities from all over the world who have continued to find it a special place to visit.

DISNEYLAND UNVEILED (1954) -Ð In front of an early rendering by Disney legend Peter Ellenshaw, Walt Disney unveils his plans for Disneyland to a national television audience during the premiere of ÒDisneylandÓ the television show, October 27, 1954.

FUTURE SITE OF DISNEYLAND Ð- Originally covered with orange groves and made up of parcels of land owned by 17 different people, Walt Disney purchased 160 acres in Anaheim to build his dream of a place where parents and children could have fun Ð together.

MAIN SREET UNDER CONSTRUCTION (1955) Ð- Workers prepare to pour cement where the northern edge of Town Square meets Main Street USA.

SLEEPING BEAUTY CASTLE UNDER CONSTRUCTION (1955) – Two months before she "awoke" to opening day visitors, this Disneyland landmark was getting a few final touches from construction workers. Walt Disney wanted this castle to be a friendly and welcoming presence in his park so it was built on a smaller scale than its European counterparts. — SLEEPING BEAUTY CASTLE UNDER CONSTRUCTION (1955) – Two months before she “awoke” to opening day visitors, this Disneyland landmark was getting a few final touches from construction workers. Walt Disney wanted this castle to be a friendly and welcoming presence in his park so it was built on a smaller scale than its European counterparts.

TOMORROWLAND UNDER CONSTRUCTION (1955) -Ð Only days before opening day, a crane lifts the ÒRocket to the MoonÓ during construction of Tomorrowland.

OPENING DAY DEDICATION (1955) -Ð Walt Disney reads the Disneyland dedication plaque before a national television audience; ÒTo all who come to this happy place - welcomeÉÓ — OPENING DAY DEDICATION (1955) -Ð Walt Disney reads the Disneyland dedication plaque before a national television audience; ÒTo all who come to this happy place – welcomeÉÓ

OPENING DAY, FANTASYLAND (1955) -Ð Hundreds of children run through Sleeping Beauty Castle after the long-awaited lowering of the drawbridge into Fantasyland.

OPENING DAY (1955) -Ð This is a rare color image of opening day taken outside the Main Entrance of Disneyland.

Sleeping Beauty Castle Diorama Opening — AMERICAÕS PRINCESS — Former child star and future diplomat Shirley Temple joins Walt Disney at the opening of the Sleeping Beauty Castle walkthrough at Disneyland on April 29, 1957. The walkthrough, located inside the iconic castle, featured the story of Disney’s ‘Sleeping Beauty’ told through a series of dioramas. A new walkthrough will open in Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland in time for the December holidays.

MATTERHORN MODEL (1958) -- Walt Disney reviews a model for the Matterhorn Bobsleds which opened in 1959 at a height of 147 feet. — MATTERHORN MODEL (1958) — Walt Disney reviews a model for the Matterhorn Bobsleds which opened in 1959 at a height of 147 feet.

DISNEYLAND HOTEL (1961) -- The Disneyland Hotel opened across the street from Disneyland in 1955, but was built and owned by WaltÕs friend, Jack Wrather until purchased from The Wrather Corporation in 1988. The Disneyland Monorail track was expanded in 1961 to transport guests to and from the hotel, making it the only monorail in the country to cross a public street. — DISNEYLAND HOTEL (1961) — The Disneyland Hotel opened across the street from Disneyland in 1955, but was built and owned by WaltÕs friend, Jack Wrather until purchased from The Wrather Corporation in 1988. The Disneyland Monorail track was expanded in 1961 to transport guests to and from the hotel, making it the only monorail in the country to cross a public street.

WALT DISNEY AT THE ENCHANTED TIKI ROOM (1963) -– The first attraction to feature sophisticated Audio-Animatronics figures opened June 23, 1963. The show features more than 200 birds, tikis and flowers. (Disneyland Resort)

DISNEYLAND RAILROAD (1966) -- One of Disneyland's original attractions from opening day and arguably Walt Disney's personal favorite, the trains of the Disneyland Railroad have Òcovered enough trackÓ in 50 years to circle the earth more than 200 times. The trains provide guests an overall view of the park as well as the Grand Canyon and Primeval World dioramas. — DISNEYLAND RAILROAD (1966) — One of Disneyland’s original attractions from opening day and arguably Walt Disney’s personal favorite, the trains of the Disneyland Railroad have Òcovered enough trackÓ in 50 years to circle the earth more than 200 times. The trains provide guests an overall view of the park as well as the Grand Canyon and Primeval World dioramas.

MAD TEA PARTY (1966) -- This opening day attraction, based on a scene in "Alice in Wonderland," spins Disneyland guests in giant teacups. Pictured here at its original location, it was moved near the Matterhorn in 1983 during the construction of the new Fantasyland. — MAD TEA PARTY (1966) — This opening day attraction, based on a scene in “Alice in Wonderland,” spins Disneyland guests in giant teacups. Pictured here at its original location, it was moved near the Matterhorn in 1983 during the construction of the new Fantasyland.

WALT DISNEY -- Walt Disney "meets" some residents of the 'it’s a small world' attraction at Disneyland in California, during construction in May, 1966. One of the most popular Disney attractions of all time, the show is a fun-filled and whimsical salute to the children of the world that conveys its message of peace and harmony through the international language of music. — WALT DISNEY — Walt Disney “meets” some residents of the ‘it’s a small world’ attraction at Disneyland in California, during construction in May, 1966. One of the most popular Disney attractions of all time, the show is a fun-filled and whimsical salute to the children of the world that conveys its message of peace and harmony through the international language of music.

Limited-time ticket offer for California residents

For a limited time, California residents can visit the Disneyland Resort theme parks for as low as $83 per person, per day with a special 3-day ticket offer. These 3-day, 1-park per day tickets start at $249 and eligible guests may also purchase a park hopper option for an additional $55. The limited-time promotional tickets are available for purchase now, and California residents may redeem their tickets on any three separate days through September 30, 2021, subject to park reservation availability.** These special tickets may be purchased at Disneyland.com, through a travel agent, or by calling call (866) 572-7321. Valid admission and park reservation for the same park on same date are required for park entry, and park reservations are limited and not guaranteed.**

Disneyland Resort fun facts:

Opening day attractions which are still enjoyed today are the Jungle Cruise, Autopia, Disneyland Railroad, King Arthur Carrousel, Mad Tea Party, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, Peter Pan’s Flight, Casey Jr. Circus Train, Main Street Cinema, Penny Arcade, Mark Twain Riverboat, Storybook Land Canal Boats and Snow White’s Enchanted Wish.
The Disneyland Hotel is also celebrating its 66th anniversary, having opened October 5, 1955, as the first hotel to officially bear the Disney name. Since then, the Disneyland Resort has expanded to include Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel.
Mickey and friends’ “ears” are the most popular Disneyland Resort souvenirs of all time, with more than 90 million “ears” sold since 1955.
More than 3,000 species of plants that are native to more than 40 different countries from around the world are grown at the Disneyland Resort.
At WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure, the new attraction in Avengers Campus, Super Hero guests of all heights can team up with Spidey to help capture the out-of-control Spider-Bots and experience what it’s like to have super powers, a feat accomplished with innovative technology created specifically for this attraction.*
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opened at Disneyland May 31, 2019, as the largest single-themed land expansion ever at a Disney theme park.
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, which opened in early 2020 at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, is one of the most ambitious, advanced and immersive experiences ever undertaken by Walt Disney Imagineering. The innovative attraction takes guests aboard a full-size transport shuttle before they are captured by a Star Destroyer and find themselves in the middle of a climactic battle between the dark side of the First Order. The harrowing adventure blurs the lines between fantasy and reality on a scale never seen before in a Disney attraction.
In Disney California Adventure, the Cars Land rockwork spans nearly 300,000 square feet, making it the largest rockwork construction in a domestic Disney theme
The Downtown Disney District is a 20-acre, 300,000 square-foot avenue featuring approximately 35 distinct venues including Marceline’s Confectionery, an old-fashioned candy shop where guests can watch nostalgic sweets and novel treats being made by hand. The shop is named for Marceline, Missouri where Walt Disney lived as a boy.
Cast members work in many fascinating jobs at the Disneyland Resort, including candy makers, scuba divers who maintain the water-related attractions, and resort enhancement specialists who work year-round to prepare for the seasonal transformations for Halloween and Holidays.
Approximately 32 different languages are spoken among Disneyland Resort cast members.

For additional details on the many ways to celebrate this summer at Disneyland Resort, guests may visit DisneyParksBlog.com or Disneyland.com.

Disneyland Resort theme park updates

To visit a theme park, guests (ages 3 and older) must purchase a valid ticket and make a theme park reservation for the same day and same park they want to visit. Park reservations are limited and subject to availability, and a hotel reservation does not guarantee theme park access. Other important details are at Disneyland.com/update. As of June 15, 2021, the State of California recommends that all guests be fully vaccinated or receive a negative COVID-19 test prior to entering the Disneyland Resort.

* Performances are subject to change or cancellation, including due to weather.

** Offer valid only for California residents within ZIP codes 90000-96199 and Northern Baja California residents within ZIP codes 21000-22999; proof of eligible residency, including valid government-issued photo ID, is required for purchase and admission. Tickets expire 9/30/2021 and are limited in availability. Each day of use constitutes one full day of use. May purchase up to five tickets per eligible person per day with valid ID. Tickets are nonrefundable, may not be sold or transferred for commercial use and exclude activities/events separately priced. Offer may not be combined with other ticket discounts or promotions. Ticket may not be upgraded. Offer subject to restrictions, change and cancellation without notice.

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