Walt Disney and Disneyland – Seven Decades Later

On July 17, 2025, the Disneyland Resort will celebrate 70 years since Walt Disney said, “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.” Seven decades later, Walt Disney’s legacy continues to live on at The Happiest Place on Earth. There are still many things found at Disneyland that connect directly to Walt Disney.

The Disney Parks Blog has been sharing different things found at the Disneyland Resort that connect to Walt Disney’s legacy. Check out some of these things here. Below is a look at some of the things that connect to Walt Disney that can be seen today when walking through Disneyland.

Just as Walt had dreamed on a park bench at Griffith Park, Disneyland park would become a place that adults and children could enjoy a day together. Before the world could step into the magic, Walt took some time for a special celebration.

On July 13, 1955, just days before the opening of Disneyland park, Walt and Lillian Disney gathered their closest friends and families for an unforgettable 30^th wedding anniversary celebration noted as Lilly and Walt Disney’s “Tempus Fugit Celebration,” on the event invitation.

Event guests joined Walt and Lillian for the Mark Twain Riverboat’s maiden voyage around the Rivers of America followed by a dinner in The Golden Horseshoe. During the celebration, guests enjoyed the talents of future Disney Legend Wally Boag, Donald Novis, and the original Slue Foot Sue, Judy Marsh.

Strolling along the Rivers of America, you might have noticed a large piece of petrified tree. This is no random park decoration. According to Disney family legend, Walt and Lillian were driving through the mountains of Colorado Springs in 1956 and stopped at Pike’s Petrified Forest, two days before their 31^st anniversary. While Lillian waited in the car, Walt took a tour and eventually purchased a five-ton stump he joked was an anniversary gift for Lillian. Today you can visit the petrified tree in Frontierland and see the plaque that ends with the inscription, “PRESENTED TO DISNEYLAND BY MRS. WALT DISNEY – SEPTEMBER 1957.”

Returning to where we started on Main Street, U.S.A., in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle, you can snap a photo with the Partners statue. This statue was originally unveiled on November 18, 1993, to commemorate the 65^th birthday of Mickey Mouse. Imagineer and Disney Legend Blaine Gibson came out of retirement specifically to create this sculpture. If you look closely on Walt’s tie, you’ll see a unique “STR” symbol. The symbol stands for Smoke Tree Ranch, a development in Palm Springs where Walt had a vacation home and regularly spent time.

Near the Main Street Cinema, you can find a window dedicated to cast members with a nod to Walt Disney. The window states, “Open Since ’55 – Disneyland Casting Agency – ‘It takes People to Make the Dream a Reality’ – Walter Elias Disney, Founder & Director Emeritus.” The window not only celebrates the many thousands of cast members who have and still work for the Disneyland Resort, but it also honors Walt Disney as the resort’s founder.

Arguably one of the most iconic locations in Disneyland park is Walt’s apartment just above the Fire Station, on Main Street, U.S.A. Next time you are in Town Square, look to the second floor of the Fire Station and you’ll notice that a light remains on in the window, in honor of Walt. 

What do you think of these different places that connect to Walt Disney at Disneyland? Which one is your favorite? Will you be visiting Disneyland on its 70th anniversary on July 17, 2025? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!