Disneyland Celebrates Its 59th Anniversary
ANAHEIM, CA (CBS SF) – Take a stroll on Main Street USA inside Disneyland in Anaheim and you will find a plaque in middle of the main square with Walt Disney's famous July 17th 1955 opening day speech.
"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." – July 17, 1955
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Since that day in 1955, over 700 million guests passed through the famous gates of the "Happiest Place on Earth." Year to year, the park has expanded, renovated and innovated into a world-class resort destination.
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The park opened with only 18 major attractions including the Jungle Cruise, Autopia and Mad Tea Party. It featured just five themed lands, Main Street USA, Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, Adventureland and Frontierland.
The theme park grew into a resort with the addition of the three hotels (Disneyland Hotel, Paradise Pier and Disney's Grand Californian), a dining and shopping district, Downtown Disney and a second theme park, Disney's California in 2001. Walt Disney once said "Disneyland will never be completed…as long as there is imagination left in the world."
As it approaches its 60th year, diamond anniversary, the Disneyland Resort will kick off its yearlong celebration, saluting 60 years of magic in the spring of 2015.
"It's an incredible time at the Disneyland Resort as we prepare for next year's Diamond Celebration," said Michael Colglazier, president, Disneyland Resort. "We're excited to honor our rich history, to celebrate the incredible magic that fills our resort today, and to create unforgettable memories with our guests for many years to come."
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