As Disneyland marks its 70th year, the iconic California park celebrates with a new Walt Disney show and expansion plans — highlighting its journey from a rough opening day to a global theme park success.
1 / 6Disneyland Turns 70: Disneyland is celebrating its 70th anniversary this summer in Southern California. The highlight is a new show, *Walt Disney – A Magical Life*, featuring a lifelike animatronic of Walt Disney. The show debuts Thursday, the official anniversary date. The park opened on July 17, 1955, in Anaheim, on land once covered with orange groves outside Los Angeles. (AP photo)
2 / 6Visionary Creation: Walt Disney’s idea of a family getaway changed amusement parks forever. Disneyland introduced immersive attractions with robotic figures, holographs, and characters for children. The park’s focus on storytelling and attention to detail still shapes theme parks worldwide. From its early days, Disneyland became a model for blending entertainment, technology, and design. (AP photo)
3 / 6Crowds Keep Coming: Disneyland is now the world’s second-most visited theme park, behind Florida’s Magic Kingdom. In 2023, it welcomed over 17 million visitors, according to the Themed Entertainment Association. This marked a full recovery after its 13-month closure during the COVID-19 pandemic. Disneyland remains a global attraction, drawing guests from around the world. (AP photo)
4 / 6Opening Day Woes: Disneyland’s first day in 1955 was chaotic and aired live on TV. Rides broke down, restrooms were lacking, and food ran short. Traffic jammed for miles and guests’ shoes sank into fresh asphalt. Despite these problems, some original rides like Mad Tea Party, Peter Pan’s Flight, and Jungle Cruise still operate today. (AP photo)
5 / 6Prices and Fame: When Disneyland opened, tickets cost $1 for adults and 50 cents for kids, with extra fees for rides. Today, a single-day ticket starts at over $100 and can cost twice as much on peak days. Over the years, the park has welcomed presidents, royalty, celebrities — even launching careers for stars like Kevin Costner and Steve Martin. (AP photo)
6 / 6Park Keeps Growing: Disneyland is part of a global network of six Disney resorts with 12 theme parks. The Anaheim resort now includes Disney California Adventure and Downtown Disney. While the park still reflects Walt Disney’s vision, it constantly evolves with new technology and attractions. Disney recently got approval for expansion plans, starting with a parking structure and transit hub. (AP photo)
