On this day in 1955, the first Disney theme park opened to the public in Anaheim, California. It was called "Disneyland," and Walt Disney funded it in large part with the help of the American Broadcasting Company; in return, he gave them a share of the profits and the rights to produce a weekly Disney-themed television program.
The park was divided up into themed areas: Main Street, U.S.A., which evoked the American Midwest of the early 20th century; Fantasyland, which was based on some of Disney's animated features like Sleeping Beauty and Snow White; Adventureland, which had a jungle theme; Frontierland, celebrating life on America's frontier; and Tomorrowland, which contained all of the 1950s optimism, and none of the fears, about the future.
Walt Disney dedicated the park at the invitation-only international press preview on July 17, saying, "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." Unfortunately, the preview was a disaster: it was over 100 degrees that day, the drinking fountains didn't work, the asphalt melted, there was a gas leak, and the vendors ran out of food. There were 11,000 invitees, but more than 17,000 additional visitors showed up bearing counterfeit tickets. It was so bad that Disney later claimed that the next day, July 18, was the real "Opening Day."
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