On July 17, 1955, Disneyland opened. Walt Disney thought of building an amusement park after taking his daughters to various parks and wanted to build a true place for the family. He purchased 160 acres of land near Anaheim in 1953, much of it orange groves.
Disney had difficulty gaining funding for the project. In the original prospectus, Disney promised a "new experience in entertainment." He could not get any banks to help pay for the project so he worked on a new strategy, creating a television show and getting sponsors to help for parts of the park.
Construction began in 1954 and the park was unveiled on July 17, 1955.
Here are 10 photos showing the making of Disneyland:
Disney had difficulty gaining funding for the project. In the original prospectus, Disney promised a "new experience in entertainment." He could not get any banks to help pay for the project so he worked on a new strategy, creating a television show and getting sponsors to help for parts of the park.
Construction began in 1954 and the park was unveiled on July 17, 1955.
Here are 10 photos showing the making of Disneyland:
1. This is the future location of Disneyland. Originally owned by 17 different people, these 160 acres were filled with orange groves.
2. The original drawing of Disneyland, used by Walt Disney to gain funding.
3. Walt Disney working with imagineers at the Walt Disney Company.
4. Walt Disney working with imagineers on the construction of Disneyland.
5. Walt Disney prepares to board a helicopter bound for Disneyland while under construction.
6. Walt Disney uses a baton to point to sketches of Disneyland under construction.
7. Walt Disney shows Disneyland plans to Orange County officials in December 1954. The men in the front row (left to right) are Anaheim Mayor Charles Pearson, Orange County Supervisor Willis Warner, Walt Disney, Supervisor Willard Smith, and Orange County Planning Commission Chairman Dr. W. L. Bigham. The photo was taken at Disney Studios in Burbank.
8. Workers prepare to pour cement where the northern edge of Town Square meets Main Street USA.
9. Only days before opening day, a crane lifts the "Rocket to the Moon" during construction of Tomorrowland.
10. 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.
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Walt Disney Company |
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4. Walt Disney working with imagineers on the construction of Disneyland.
5. Walt Disney prepares to board a helicopter bound for Disneyland while under construction.
6. Walt Disney uses a baton to point to sketches of Disneyland under construction.
7. Walt Disney shows Disneyland plans to Orange County officials in December 1954. The men in the front row (left to right) are Anaheim Mayor Charles Pearson, Orange County Supervisor Willis Warner, Walt Disney, Supervisor Willard Smith, and Orange County Planning Commission Chairman Dr. W. L. Bigham. The photo was taken at Disney Studios in Burbank.
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| Wikimedia |
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| Walt Disney Company |
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| The Walt Disney Company |
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| The Walt Disney Company |
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