“To all that come to this happy place: welcome. Disneyland is your land. Here age relives fond memories of the past, and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future. Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams, and the hard facts that have created America… with hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world.”
– Walt Disney
These words were spoken on this day in 1955 by Walt Disney as he welcomed the world into the realization of his imagination. 58 years later, these words seem almost prophetic. Guests visiting Disneyland relive the memories of their past both at Disneyland, or maybe in that small town they grew up in.
The challenge and the promise of the future is realized both from the hope that Disneyland gives for the future, but also the hope that many fans have for Disneyland’s future. What new attraction will be coming? What will the Disneyland Resort look like in 25 or 50 years?
Disneyland continues to be as American as apple pie. It reflects the value America places on living life to the fullest, treating people kindly, and making an environment that is safe for our children.
Walt Disney hoped that Disneyland would be a source of joy and inspiration for all the world. Nearly 60 years later, guests visiting Disneyland find themselves inspired to do better. Maybe it is to become an artist. Perhaps they are inspired to learn to play a musical instrument, become a dancer, or even take engineering classes to someday become an imagineer. Or perhaps, they are just inspired to share a little bit of the hope that Disneyland offers to a world so often devoid of it. Disneyland also offers joy. The best slogan for Disneyland was calling it The Happiest Place on Earth. It really is hard not to be happy when visiting Disneyland.
It’s been almost 60 years since Walt Disney dedicated Disneyland. One would hope that as his dreams have continued to be built upon, he would be proud of the accomplishments of this first Disney Theme Park. Disneyland continues the pursuit of embodiment of the dream Walt Disney dedicated in 1955.
Happy Birthday Disneyland. May the next 58 years be as magical as the first! Thank you Walt Disney for pursuing your dreams and sharing them with the world.
