The Happiest Place on Earth has come a long way since its chaotic debut in 1955. The Anaheim park prepares to celebrate its 70th birthday in 2025, with far less drama and far more magic!
Walt Disney nicknamed the grand opening of his $17 million amusement park “Black Sunday” — here’s why.
On July 17, 1955, entrance into Disneyland was meant to be exclusive — by invitation only. But all of California had long been anticipating the park’s reveal and thousands, with or without a ticket, decided to head for the “Happiest Place on Earth.”
Families camped outside the park’s gates hoping to get to experience the festivities for themselves. L.A. traffic gridlocked for 7 miles straight onto the Santa Ana Freeway.
Over 10,000 people created counterfeit tickets to try and ensure their access to the park, and many seemingly succeeded as it was packed to the brim.
Vendors couldn’t keep up with demand and several of the park’s restrooms stopped working.
The first ever voyage of the Mark Twain Steamboat, was a memorable experience for riders after the vessel almost capsized in the heart of Frontierland.
The bumpy start, highlighted areas for improvement for Disney, who dedicated himself to working out the opening day kinks. By September of that year, the park was already celebrating its millionth guest with each paying just $1 for an adult ticket.
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Disney had been dreaming of opening Disneyland since the 1930s. “I don’t want the public to see the world they live in while they’re in the park,” he said. “I want them to feel they’re in another world.”
The original Imagineer purchased 160 acres of citrus groves that would become Adventureland, Old West Frontierland, Tomorrowland and Fantasyland.
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In 2025, Disneyland is preparing to celebrate it’s 70th anniversary, with festivities kicking off May 16.
Today, Disneyland welcomes some 17 million visitors from around the world through its gates annually. The park has grown to include over 50 attractions, the most recent being Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, inspired by The Princess and the Frog.
Even its expansion is following its founder’s vision. “Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world,” he famously said.
With parks now open in Florida, Paris, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Shanghai, Disney’s original bumpy opening day is a distant memory.
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This story is adapted from a feature in PEOPLE’s latest special edition, the 96-page Reasons to Love California issue, which also includes features on how the Golden State inspires musical masterminds like Taylor Swift and offers a curated playlist of California-inspired songs as well as a list of the “Top 10 Essential Movies” set in California
PEOPLE’s Reasons to Love California issue is now available on newsstands and Amazon.
