Disneyland celebrates 50th Anniversary

Walt Disney Resorts is commemorating 50 years of theme parks with an 18-month global celebration. On July 17, 1955, Walt Disney hosted the opening of Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif. Today, there are 10 Disney parks, with an eleventh--in Hong Kong--slated to open Sept. 12.

Walt Disney's vision for his first theme park was inspired by his children: "Well, it came about when my daughters were very young and Saturday was always Daddy's day with the two daughters. I'd take them to the merry-go-round and as [I sat there], I felt that there should be some kind of an amusement enterprise built where the parents and the children could have fun together. So that's how Disneyland started."

This concept met with so much success that Disney proceeded with plans to open another park on the East Coast, Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla. A new concept in family travel ensued and Disney expanded to provide theme parks all across the world.

"Since its opening 50 years ago, Disneyland has been an ambassador of goodwill to the world, transcending race, generation, religion, culture, and political divides with its magical, uplifting, and often inspiring stories, imaginative experiences and unforgettable innovations," observes Robert Iger, president and chief operating officer of the Disney Company.

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