Disneyland turned 71 on Friday, July 17, and the park marked the occasion the way it does best: with music, characters, and a moment from Walt himself. The special Celebrate Happy Cavalcade rolled down Main Street, U.S.A. at 1:30 PM featuring beloved characters, the Dapper Dans, and the Disneyland Band, capped by a tribute to Walt Disney’s opening day welcome.
The birthday edition of the cavalcade opened with Duffy and ShellieMay in their 70th anniversary costumes, followed by a “Happy Birthday Disneyland” banner, balloons, and dancers set to the celebration’s Jonas Brothers theme song “Celebrate Happy.” The procession made its way down Main Street and around Town Square, the very spot where Walt delivered his dedication in 1955, and the crowd joined in a park-wide rendition of “Happy Birthday” during the show stop.
A Message From The Resort President
Disneyland Resort President Jill Estorino shared a birthday message celebrating the park and the people who keep it running, telling fans that “the best is yet to come” as the resort continues building on what makes the place special. It is more than a platitude: with major projects in the pipeline through the DisneylandForward expansion and a massive D23 weekend arriving next month, the resort’s future slate is as busy as it has been in years.
71 Years Of The Happiest Place On Earth
Walt Disney’s original park opened its gates on July 17, 1955, welcoming guests with the now-immortal dedication that begins, “To all who come to this happy place, welcome.” Seventy-one years later the park is busier than ever, having recently celebrated a symbolic milestone when the Main Street railroad station population sign ticked over to one billion. Full photos and video of the birthday cavalcade are available at LaughingPlace.
The birthday also came with a gift for the park’s neighbors. Anaheim residents can purchase a one-day, one-park ticket for $71 in honor of the occasion, valid for visits from July 20 through October 8. The milestone lands in the final weeks of the Disneyland Resort 70th Celebration, which wraps up on August 9 after more than a year of anniversary entertainment.
Happy birthday, Disneyland. Here is to year 72 and everything Walt’s park still has ahead of it.
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