Disneyland, Walt Disney’s metropolis of nostalgia, fantasy and
futurism, opened on July 17, 1955. The $17 million theme park
was built on 160 acres of former orange groves in Anaheim,
California, and soon brought in staggering profits. Today,
Disneyland hosts more than 18 million visitors a year, who
spend close to $3 billion.

Movie producer and animator Walt Disney sits in front of 
Sleeping Beauty’s Castle at the grand opening of Disneyland 
in 1955.

The Disneyland parking lot, full on opening day, July 17, 1955.