This summer marks Disneyland’s 70th anniversary, and “the Happiest Place on Earth” is gearing up for a yearlong tribute to dreams, imagination and magic. Beginning May 16, and continuing through summer 2026, the Disneyland Resort 70th Celebration will commemorate seven decades of Walt Disney’s vision brought to life.
It was July 17, 1955, when Disney first welcomed guests through the gates of Disneyland and onto Main Street U.S.A. While the genius behind the Magic Kingdom is well known for saying “It all started with a mouse,” Cal State Fullerton professor emeritus of communications Andi Stein feels that it was Disney himself, and all of his ideas, enthusiasm and innovation, that are the real genesis of Disneyland and everything behind The Walt Disney Company.
Stein, who turned her love for all things Disney into a career researching Walt Disney and his company, was a featured expert in the History Channel’s docuseries, “How Disney Built America,” which aired in June 2024. According to Stein, Disney’s early ideas for Disneyland were not well received by all, with many believing he had moved too far away from his company’s primary mission. Stein believes that with 12 Disney theme parks now operating globally, the dreamer behind the magic was simply ahead of his time.
“Although he had earned a reputation as a visionary for his innovative ideas, even some of (Disney’s) key supporters thought this one was over the top,” Stein said. “As we know, he proved them all wrong when the park was a big hit with the public. Disneyland set the stage for the theme park industry as we know it today, all around the world. And it was just the beginning of a whole new direction for the Walt Disney Company.”
The Disneyland Resort 70th Celebration will feature everything from updated attractions and anniversary décor to reimagined parades and entertainment. There will even be a new anniversary theme song released by the Jonas Brothers titled, “Celebrate…
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