On this day, 65 years ago, a new form of entertainment came into the world. Successful movie producer and animation pioneer, Walt Disney, had long dreamt of a place where family members of all ages could have fun together. Drawing on his own vivid imagination, as well as those of his talented colleagues, Walt created a magical place that has been beloved since opening day.
A star-studded television special broadcasted the inaugural day to the world. 18 attractions were unveiled, many of which still thrill guests, including the Disneyland Railroad, Jungle Cruise and Fantasyland favorites King Arthur Carrousel, Peter Pan’s Flight and Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride.
Disneyland quickly generated a loyal following with more guests arriving enthusiastically in the days that followed, as well as carrying word of this magical place to others. Soon it was the de rigueur place to be seen by celebrities, dignitaries and even heads of state.
Over the years, the park has evolved, with the first major expansion in 1959, which included three new state-of-the-art attractions (including the world’s first tubular steel roller coaster). Other notable expansions included 1966 with New Orleans Square, Mickey’s Toontown in 1993, and most recently, the successful opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in 2019. Today, the Disneyland Resort encompasses two theme parks, three resort hotels and the Downtown Disney District.
But beyond the attractions, the sparkling façade of Sleeping Beauty Castle and the iconic snacks of corn dogs, popcorn and churros, or perhaps embedded in them, many guests find a treasured nostalgia, and this love of Disneyland is handed down from generation to generation as a beloved gift.
To commemorate the occasion, “A Pre-Opening Report from Disneyland” is now available on Disney+. Originally aired on July 13, 1955, Walt provides a final look at the many details necessary to ensure that the park will be ready. He begins by showing the audience a large map of the site, then introduces Winston Hibler, who provides a behind-the-scenes tour of how Studio technicians went about designing and building the unusual rides and shows about to open.
With the eternal optimism that is the heart of Disneyland, we look forward to welcoming you back and celebrating this milestone together soon.
From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com Filed Under: Disney History, Disneyland Park, Disneyland Resort
Today, Disneyland Paris welcomed guests back, marking the occasion in a reopening ceremony featuring Disneyland Paris President Natacha Rafalski. The phased reopening of Disneyland Paris begins with Disneyland Park, Walt Disney Studios Park, Disney Village and Disney’s Newport Bay Club Hotel, and includes enhanced health and safety measures in line with guidance from the French government and health authorities.
Some experiences have been reimagined, some provide a new way for guests to be part of the magic, and some will be temporarily unavailable and return at a later date, but the timeless magic and unique storytelling for which the resort is known will remain.
The reopening of Disneyland Paris is also a chance to continue the resort’s ongoing commitment to support the local communities. Together with Disney VoluntEARS, in August the resort will welcome 300 children from the Île-de-France region and their families to experience a day at Disneyland Park during their summer holidays. Additionally, the resort made several donations to the local community over the past few months, including food and medical-related supplies and the planting of thousands of flowers to recognize and honor local hospital staff.
Get ready to sip, savor, and stroll across six continents at the Taste of EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival! YES, it’s time, once again, to celebrate the best in global food and drink at our longest festival ever starting July 15!
This year’s festival will be understandably different from what it was in the past. What has not changed is our chefs’ focus on authenticity through ingredients, cooking techniques, and presentation to honor the diverse global cuisines. And our beverage team has, once again, thoughtfully paired wine and beer with selections at each marketplace for the perfect sip.
New this year, a digital Festival Guidebook available on the My Disney Experience mobile app! Check out the listing of the more than 20 festival-exclusive marketplaces and discover all the family fun activities like the return of Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak scavenger hunt; entertainment including the merry Mariachi Cobre and the rhythmic JAMMitors crew; plus, a peek at the limited-edition 25th anniversary merchandise for purchase. Download the app today to learn more.
Here is the first peek at all the delicious offerings in this official Disney Parks Blog Foodie Guide to the Taste of EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival. Enjoy!
Mac & Cheese Hosted By Boursin® Cheese (World Showplace)
Food
Gourmet Macaroni and Cheese with Boursin® Garlic and Fine Herbs Cheese topped with Herbed Panko
Buffalo Chicken Macaroni and Cheese with Boursin® Garlic and Fine Herbs Cheese Sauce topped with Carrots, Celery, and Blue Cheese Crumbles
Lobster Macaroni and Cheese with Boursin® Garlic and Fine Herbs Cheese Sauce and Lobster Cream topped with Herbed Panko
Macaroni & Cheese with House-made Italian Sausage and Peppers (Plant-Based)
Beverage
Stiegl Brewery Radler Zitrone, Salzburg, Austria
L’ecole No. 41 Chenin Blanc Old Vines, Columbia Valley, WA
Evolution by Sokol Blosser Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, OR
Appleseed Orchard (World Showplace)
Food
Charcuterie and Cheese Plate featuring Burton’s Maplewood Farm Applejack Brandy Barrel Aged Maple Syrup
Caramel-Apple Popcorn
Beverage
Frozen Apple Pie (Non-Alcoholic)
Short’s Brewing Co. Mule Beer, Elk Rapids, MI
Heavy Seas Brewery Tropicannon Citrus IPA, Halethorpe, MI
Parish Brewing Co. Ghost in the Machine Double IPA, Broussard, LA
3 Daughters Raspberry Lemonade Dry Hard Cider, St. Petersburg, FL
Short’s Brewing Company Starcut Ciders Mosa Hard Cider, Bellaire, MI
Ciderboys Banana Bliss Hard Cider, Stevens Point, WI
Apple Blossom Sky: Fanta® Apple, Ginger Beer, Floodwall Apple Brandy, Burton’s Maplewood Farm Applejack Brandy Barrel Aged Syrup and Mini Marshmallows
Desserts & Champagne (World Showplace)
Food
Liquid Nitro Chocolate Cake Pops
Liquid Nitro Chocolate Cake Pops with Crumbled Twix® Original
Liquid Nitro Chocolate Cake Pops with Crushed M&M’S® Milk Chocolate
Beverage
Frozen S’mores (Non-Alcoholic)
Moët & Chandon Impérial Brut, Champagne
Dom Pérignon Brut, Champagne
Veuve Clicquot Brut Rosé, Champagne
Frozen S’mores with Whipped Cream Vodka
Wine & Dine Featuring Festival Favorites (World Showplace)
Food
Kielbasa and Potato Pierogi with Caramelized Onions and Sour Cream, Poland
Seafood Fisherman’s Pie, Ireland
Spanakopita, Greece
Beverage
Forge Cellars Dry Riesling Classique, Seneca Lake
Conundrum Red Blend, California
tenshən Rhône Style White Blend, Central Coast
Lang & Reed Wine Company Cabernet Franc, North Coast
Frog’s Leap Zinfandel, Napa Valley
Kurt Russell’s Gogi Wines Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills
Bleu Spectrum: Blanc de Bleu Cuvée Mousseux with Boba Pearls
Guinness Baileys Milkshake
Canada
Food
Canadian Cheddar and Bacon Soup served with a Prop & Peller® Pretzel Roll
It’s time for imagination and adventure today with the phased reopening of EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort. As the parks take their deliberate and responsible approach to this next milestone, Disney cast members are ready and waiting to help guests discover worlds both real and imagined once again.
Pick up a book (or a few) this summer, as Disney is encouraging kids and families to come together and share their love of reading, with its first-ever Summer Reading List. To help ensure that more readers have access to books this summer and beyond, and as part of Disney’s commitment to inspiring the next generation of storytellers, Disney Publishing is donating one million books to Boys & Girls Clubs of America across the country, including Clubs in Central Fla.
Comprised of 15 recommendations for ages 0-16, the list features new books from fan-favorite authors including New York Times bestselling author Kwame Mbalia, Pixar animator Mike Wu, Serena Valentino and more, alongside National Geographic titles and classic Disney stories to keep everyone in the family engaged.
Many of the books on the list are available in eBook, audio book and print formats, and more book titles are available on shopDisney.com. Imagination starts today!
(Near Mexico)
