This Day in History: Disneyland Opens

On this day in 1955, Disneyland opened in Anaheim, California.

Walt Disney was a commercial artist before setting a small studio in Los Angeles to produce animated cartoons. Steamboat Willy, starring Mickey Mouse, became a national sensation. His first feature-length cartoon was Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, followed by Pinocchio, Dumbo, and Bambi.

Walt Disney began designing the amusement park in the 1950s with the plan that it would be educational as well as entertaining for both adults and children. Work on Walt Disney World in Florida began in 1965, but Walt Disney died before it opened in 1971. Epcot Center, Disney-MGM Studios, and Animal Kingdom were added later to Walt Disney World.

For more information, you can visit http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/disneyland-opens

Do you have a special theme park you visit on vacation? What is your favorite Disney Park? Magic Kingdom is mine, but Epcot is a close second.