MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – On this day, July 17, 1955, Disneyland opened its gates in Anaheim, California.
Special invitations were sent out to commemorate the opening of Disneyland, but the pass was counterfeited, meaning thousands of uninvited people were admitted into the park on opening day.
The park was underprepared for so many people – food and drink ran out, a woman’s high heeled shoe got stuck in wet asphalt, and the Mark Twain Steamboat nearly capsized due to the amount of passengers.
Walt Disney had begun designing the park in the early 50s, intending for Disneyland to be a place where kids could learn and have fun, while also having entertainment for adults.
The amusement park was a huge success. Today, the park hosts more than 18 million visitors per year, and brings in nearly $3 billion.
In 1971, Walt Disney World opened in Florida, a few years after Walt Disney died.
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