Happy Anniversary Disneyland! Celebrating 57 Years of Happiness

Today is a very special day in Disneyland history. It marks the 57th anniversary of the Disneyland Park. Although I wasn't there in person I think I remember watching it on the Dateline: Disneyland TV show. News of this magical place where all your favorite characters lived and played was everywhere and stories of the opening spread like wildfire among my friends. We listened and studied everything that Walt Disney shared with us on TV each Sunday night. I would have been 5 going on 6 so my memory of the actual events of the day are very hazy. I do remember wanting desperately to be right there in Disneyland experiencing it first hand with all the other Honorary Mousketeers but living very far away on Long Island in New York it would be a dream.

Did you get to be there on opening day or do you know someone who was?

Our Disneyland InsidEARS Community Manager, Kelly shared this wonderful post and rare photos with us today. It's very moving and I'd like to share it here with you in Kelly's words:

July 17, 2012 1:16pm Disneyland InsidEARS News

Fifty-seven years ago today, Walt Disney read the inspiring words on this plaque during the official dedication of Disneyland park. Across the country, an estimated 90 million television viewers were watching an unprecedented live broadcast of the day’s festivities on ABC.

Disney Parks Blog Author, George Savvas, brings us this great look at the opening of Disneyland park.

Around the time of our anniversary each year, I see a photo of Walt which is often erroneously described as a photo taken during the opening ceremony. Perhaps you have seen this photo too.

Have you ever noticed that Walt is not wearing his necktie in this picture? That’s because this is actually a photo taken during a rehearsal for the telecast. The photos we have that were taken during the official dedication were taken from the side.

Now, it’s been said that practice makes perfect, but if you’ve ever had the pleasure of watching our opening day television special, “Dateline Disneyland,” you know this isn’t always true. The live broadcast was the largest of its kind ever attempted and included 24 separate cameras. Naturally, in such a huge undertaking, there had to be some rehearsal to ensure things would run as smoothly as possible, and we have some more fun photos from the earlier “run-through” of the day’s festivities to share.

These next pictures show Walt with California Governor Goodwin Knight, parading down Main Street, U.S.A. Can you guess which one was taken during the rehearsal?

In this rare photo, Walt practices the dedication of Fantasyland in the area just southwest of Sleeping Beauty Castle. I think his pride is so obvious in this photo. Don’t you just love the smile on his face?

Among others rehearsing for their part in the the big show were television host Art Linkletter, and “Davy Crockett” stars Fess Parker and Buddy Ebsen, shown here in Frontierland before the broadcast.

Meanwhile, outside the entrance to Frontierland, actor and television personality Ronald Reagan was getting ready for his part in the landmark TV special.

Finally, a “prequel” photo of sorts. We’ve all seen the photo of children entering Fantasyland for the first time during the opening day broadcast. In this rare photo, those same children are seen from the other side of Sleeping Beauty Castle as they prepare for the big moment.

Happy 57th Anniversary Disneyland!