The most magical place on earth is turning 60 years old.
After spending $17 million on the park, hiring 2,500 laborers to quickly meet construction deadlines and twenty years of dreaming, Walt Disney's Disneyland in Anaheim, California was made a reality.
About 22,000 people—officials, educational leaders, and actors—were invited to the iconic theme park's opening day in 1955, , an Associated Press reporter and the author of a Walt Disney biography.
While preparations for the opening were somewhat hurried, no detail was spared.
"Disney is a great stickler for detail…The 72 horses on the $102,000 King Arthur's carousel were rebuilt so they would appear to be leaping instead of merely galloping," Thomas wrote in 1955, on the day before the park's opening.
The highly publicized opening ceremonies were telecast by ABC with Walt Disney, Davy Crockett and others.
A one-day ticket to Disneyland in 1955 cost $1 for adults and 50 cents for children. In addition to the price of entry, each of the park's 35 rides had a fee. Many of the attractions cost around 25 to 35 cents for adults and 10 to 25 cents for children. "If you are a glutton and try everything, it could cost you $8.70 for yourself and $5.15 for each tot," Thomas wrote.
A trip around the entire park on a miniature train cost 50 cents for an adult and 25 cents for a child.
Today? Those above the age of 10 will pay $99 for a one day pass, while children ages three to nine cost $93—with an additional $40 fee if your family wants to experience the two parks that now make up Disneyland.
Take a look at what opening day at Disneyland looked like:
And where it all started...