Timeline: DisneyLand "The Happiest Place on Earth" By: Elise

Jul 17, 1955

1955

After years of planning, Walt Disney's very first theme park Disneyland opened its gates at 2:30PM on Sunday July 17, 1955 in Anaheim, California. It is 85 acres wide. Later, DisneyWorld opened on October 1, 1971. DisneyLand first opened with only 18 attractions, at a cost of 17.5. The five original lands are Adventureland, Frontierland, Fantasyland, Tomorrowland and Main Street USA. Even with DisneyLand opening in July, by September, Disneyland welcomes its 1,000,000 g.

Oct 5, 1956

1956

By October, 5 million people have visited Disneyland. Edison Square, International Street and Liberty Street were to be located in the backstage area between Main Street USA and Tomorrowland, however they were never completed. Ideas would pop up, sometimes even announced to the visiting public with signage, between late 1955 and the early 1960s

Dec 16, 1957

1957

By December, 10 million people have visited Disneyland. Sleeping Beauty Castle’s interior walkways open. Construction starts on the first park to attempt the Disney “theme” concept. Financial backers get scared, and Magic Mountain in Denver (no association with Magic Mountain outside of Los Angeles), was never completed, although the site of the old park is now Heritage Square in Denver.

Oct 1, 1971

1971

The Swiss Family Treehouse opens on October 1, 1971

Nov 1, 1976

1976

150 million people have visited Disneyland. The Jungle Cruise, one of the park's original attractions, is given seven new scenes.

May 27, 1977

1977

Space Mountain opens in a new Tomorrowland on May 27, 1977

Jan 23, 1978

1978

Disneyland celebrates Mickey Mouse’s 50th birthday on Jan 23.

Sep 2, 1980

1979

Disneyland turns 25. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad opens in the Magic Kingdom

Jan 9, 1987

1987

Star Tours opens for the 10th anniversary of Star Wars, and is the first time a major Disneyland movie-based attraction is based on a non-Disney movie.