Bigger day out · Anaheim
Disneyland Park
Walt Disney's original 1955 theme park in Anaheim.
The story
Disneyland Park sits at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California.1,2 The resort describes itself as somewhere dreams come true and families gather to build memories that last a lifetime.1
Walt Disney's vision started out modestly: he hoped to create a spot where grown-ups and the youngsters with them could enjoy themselves together.2 His designers used a berm to screen out views of the world beyond, so once you are inside, the park feels like a place apart.2
History
Walt Disney first imagined a tourist attraction next to his Burbank studios, so that fans who wrote asking to visit would have somewhere to go.2 That site proved too small for his ideas, and after a feasibility study by the Stanford Research Institute, he bought 160 acres near Anaheim in 1953.2 A creative group personally chosen by him planned the park, and those designers went on to establish WED Enterprises, the forerunner of what is now Walt Disney Imagineering.2
Construction started in 1954.2 On July 17, 1955, ABC aired the park's dedication live across the country, one day ahead of its public opening.2 That invitation-only preview drew 28,000 people, and only about half had actually been invited.2 The rest came with counterfeit tickets or climbed the fence.2 On a very hot day, rides broke down and restaurants ran out of food and drinks, so the day became known as Black Sunday.2
Wikipedia describes Disneyland as the first theme park the Walt Disney Company opened.2 It also calls it the only one built under Walt Disney's own direct supervision.2 Its design is credited with revolutionizing the theme park industry, with ideas such as strict theming and cleanliness, a hub-and-spoke layout, and landmarks that draw the eye.2 Since opening, it has expanded many times, adding New Orleans Square in 1966, Bear Country in 1972, Mickey's Toontown in 1993, and Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge in 2019.2
What to see and do
The resort's site highlights plenty to fill a visit, from character moments to playful quests.1
Bluey's Best Day Ever!
Visitors are invited to play hands-on games and enjoy a live music performance alongside Bluey and Bingo.1
Haunted Mansion Holiday
The resort's site features this take on the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland Park.1
Pluto's Pumpkin Pursuit
Hunt for themed pumpkins in different areas of the resort and collect a mystery keepsake when you finish.1
Character dining
Goofy's Kitchen pairs festive food with the chance to meet Disney Characters dressed in costume.1
Plaza de la Familia
Lightning Lane passes
These let you skip the standby line at select rides so you can get more out of your day.1
Why it matters
According to Wikipedia, no other theme park on Earth has welcomed more visits over its lifetime, with 757 million counted through December 2021.2 Wikipedia also reports 17.33 million visitors in 2024, which placed the park second worldwide that year.2 The only park ahead of it was Magic Kingdom, which Disneyland itself inspired.2 Those numbers reflect Walt Disney's original wish for a place where adults and children could enjoy themselves together.2
Getting there
Disneyland Park is at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, southeast of Los Angeles in Orange County, with Interstate 5 running just north of the site.1,2 Check the official site for visiting details before you set out.1
Sources
Written by TravelHere from the sources below (draft deepseek/deepseek-v4.1-flash, polish z-ai/glm-5.3, final anthropic/claude-opus-5.5).
- 1. Disneyland Park: Disneyland Park (opens in a new tab) (retrieved 2026-10-16)
- 2. Wikipedia: Disneyland (opens in a new tab) (retrieved 2026-10-16)
