Disney Shares Look at Walt Disney’s Legacy at Disneyland Resort Ahead of 70th Anniversary

On July 17, 2025, Disneyland will officially turn 70 years old. As the date of this milestone gets closer, the Disney Parks Blog shared a look at how Walt Disney’s “vision, imagination, and unmatched sense of wonder gave life to The Happiest Place on Earth.” With this, Disney shared a look at places and offerings that can be found today at the Disneyland Resort that continue the legacy Walt Disney left behind. Take a look below.

Walt Disney’s Early Years in Marceline, Missouri 

Our journey begins on Main Street, U.S.A., which was partially inspired by Walt Disney’s memories of his boyhood hometown of Marceline, Missouri. While Walt Disney was born in Chicago, Illinois on December 5, 1901, it would be his years in Marceline that shaped his imagination and had a defining impact on Walt. When you step onto Main Street, U.S.A., you feel as though you stepped into another era in a small town. 

Walt’s family moved to Marceline in 1906, and he would later write that, “To tell the truth, more things of importance happened to me in Marceline than have happened since—or are likely to in the future.” 

Did you know?

• You can spot at least two nods to Marceline on Main Street, U.S.A. The first is at the entrance to the Main Street Cinema. Look for the ticket seller named Tilly and you’ll see her nametag says she is from Marceline, Missouri. Additionally, near the lockers by the Market House a sign reads “Hotel Marceline” in tribute to Walt’s boyhood hometown.

Another iconic location you can explore on Main Street, U.S.A., to help transport you to Walt Disney’s youth is the Disneyland Railroad. The Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad ran right through the heart of Marceline and is where Walt developed his passion for trains and is one of the inspirations behind the Disneyland Railroad. At the age of 15, Walt got a job as a news butcher for the Van Noyes Interstate News Company selling newspapers and food on the railroad. 

The attraction was originally known as the Santa Fe and Disneyland Railroad from 1955–1974 and changed to the current name, Disneyland Railroad, on October 1, 1974. 

While Walt recalled his time in the Midwest fondly, it was the promise of a bright future that called Walt to the west coast. Walt Disney would travel by train from Missouri to California to follow his dreams.

Walt Disney Arrives in California

In July 1923, Walt Disney stepped off the train in California with just a suitcase and a dream. Today we can step into Buena Vista Street in Disney California Adventure park and feel the sense of hope and the bright future that awaited him as he joined his brother Roy O. Disney, in California. 
 
At Disney California Adventure park, the Storytellers statue, dedicated in 2012, reflects the beginning of a great partnership between Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse, a time of great hope and boundless optimism in the life of the fledgling filmmaker and his most famous creation. The statue honors a young Walt, fresh from Kansas City, Missouri, along with his animated pal, who stands on top of Walt’s trunk. 

Just steps from the Storytellers statue, also on Buena Vista Street, you can see Carthay Circle Restaurant & Lounge, inspired by the historic Hollywood icon, the Carthay Circle Theatre. This theater was the location for the premiere of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Disney’s first animated feature film, on December 21, 1937. The film would win Walt Disney a special Academy Award,® in 1939 presented by Shirley Temple, consisting of one full-size Oscar® and seven smaller Oscars to represent the dwarfs. 

You can see a photo of this award presentation inside the restaurant along with a set of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Courvoisier cels. The main dining room features four panels on the vaulted ceiling that represent background paintings from two different scenes in the animated feature. 

California would continue to be home for Walt as he developed his talents from full-length animated to live-action films. Even though Walt had many successful adventures in the film industry, there was a new dream on the horizon for him. A place where his stories could come to life and the young and young at heart could have fun together.

The Disney Parks Blog shared that more connections at the Disneyland Resort to Walt Disney’s legacy will be shared in the coming days. Be sure to subscribe to Daps Magic so as not to miss any of these. Daps Magic will share more Disney news and positive stuff, including these legacy places, as they are shared! What do you think of these connections to Walt Disney that were shared so far? Which one is your favorite? What other ones can you think of? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!