Disneyland: The 1955 Experience

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Gail Junion-Metz -- School Library Journal, 7/9/2008 2:52:00 PM

On July 17, 1955, Walt Disney opened his first theme park—Disneyland. On that first day there were only 20 attractions open (including the perennial favorite the spinning tea cups). Even though the grand opening was by “invitation only,” many tickets were counterfeited and over 28,000 folks showed up to take in the sights. There were numerous opening-day snafus (including a shortage of food and bathrooms), but hardly anyone seemed to mind. 

For those of you old enough and lucky enough to have visited Disneyland in the 50s, this super series of Web pages will bring back tons of wonderful memories. Kids who have visited either Disneyland or Disney World in the last few years will find this a quaint but fascinating look at not only the park’s past but their parents' and grandparents' pasts as well.