For some it was just another summer day at Disneyland, for others, July 17 was a day to celebrate.
The date marks the 70th anniversary of Walt Disney opening the Happiest Place on Earth.
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Minnie Mouse greets visitors during the 70th anniversary Disneyland on July 17, 2025,  in Anaheim, CA.  (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG) -
Riders take the plunge on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure during the 70th anniversary Disneyland on July 17, 2025, in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG) -
A giant birthday cake makes its way down Main Street, U.S.A. during The Celebrate Happy Cavalcade – Disneyland’s Birthday Celebration Edition during the 70th anniversary Disneyland on July 17, 2025,  in Anaheim, CA.  (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange” -
A giant birthday cake makes its way down Main Street, U.S.A. during The Celebrate Happy Cavalcade – Disneyland’s Birthday Celebration Edition during the 70th anniversary Disneyland on July 17, 2025,  in Anaheim, CA.  (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange” -
Visitors to Disneyland take a family photo in front of Sleeping Beauty castle during the 70th anniversary Disneyland on July 17, 2025,  in Anaheim, CA.  (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG) -
Visitors way to enter the park during the 70th anniversary Disneyland on July 17, 2025,  in Anaheim, CA.  (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG) -
Visitors to Disneyland enter Sleeping Beauty castle during the 70th anniversary Disneyland on July 17, 2025,  in Anaheim, CA.  (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG) -
Raeanne Agueros takes a selfie with Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, on Main Street, U.S.A. during the 70th anniversary Disneyland on July 17, 2025,  in Anaheim, CA.  (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG) -
The monorail and a train full of characters welcome visitors as they wait to enter Disneyland on the 70th anniversary of the park on July 17, 2025,  in Anaheim, CA.  (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG) -
Connor Nyhus holds on to his commemorative map during the 70th anniversary Disneyland on July 17, 2025,  in Anaheim, CA.  (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG) -
Visitors to Disneyland enter Sleeping Beauty castle during the 70th anniversary Disneyland on July 17, 2025,  in Anaheim, CA.  (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG) -
Visitors head towards Sleeping Beauty Castle at rope drop during the 70th anniversary Disneyland on July 17, 2025,  in Anaheim, CA.  (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG) -
Bella Batteau-Bristol tries, but fails, to pull the Sword in the Stone during the 70th anniversary Disneyland on July 17, 2025,  in Anaheim, CA.  (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG) -
Austin Curtis tries, but fails, to pull the Sword in the Stone during the 70th anniversary Disneyland on July 17, 2025,  in Anaheim, CA.  (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG) -
Riders wait in line at Autopia during the 70th anniversary Disneyland on July 17, 2025,  in Anaheim, CA.  (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG) -
Riders exit Autopia during the 70th anniversary Disneyland on July 17, 2025,  in Anaheim, CA.  (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG) -
Drivers on Autopia during the 70th anniversary Disneyland on July 17, 2025,  in Anaheim, CA.  (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG) -
A rider celebrates on Mad Tea Party during the 70th anniversary Disneyland on July 17, 2025,  in Anaheim, CA.  (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG) -
People fill Main Street, U.S.A on the 70th anniversary Disneyland on July 17, 2025,  in Anaheim, CA.  (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG) -
Marie Farooqi, left, and Arly Azpeitia look through pins at a trading spot during the 70th anniversary Disneyland on July 17, 2025,  in Anaheim, CA.  (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG) -
Veronica Amezcua and her husband, Jose Amezcua, listen to the Straw Hatters play during the 70th anniversary Disneyland on July 17, 2025,  in Anaheim, CA.  (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG) -
Riders take the plunge on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure during the 70th anniversary Disneyland on July 17, 2025,  in Anaheim, CA.  (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG) -
Riders on Dumbo the Flying Elephant during the 70th anniversary Disneyland on July 17, 2025,  in Anaheim, CA.  (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG) -
Bella Batteau-Bristol tries, but fails, to pull the Sword in the Stone during the 70th anniversary Disneyland on July 17, 2025,  in Anaheim, CA.  (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG) -
Austin Curtis tries, but fails, to pull the Sword in the Stone during the 70th anniversary Disneyland on July 17, 2025,  in Anaheim, CA.  (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG) -
Riders wait in line at Autopia during the 70th anniversary Disneyland on July 17, 2025,  in Anaheim, CA.  (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG) -
Riders exit Autopia during the 70th anniversary Disneyland on July 17, 2025,  in Anaheim, CA.  (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG) -
Drivers on Autopia during the 70th anniversary Disneyland on July 17, 2025,  in Anaheim, CA.  (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG) -
A rider celebrates on Mad Tea Party during the 70th anniversary Disneyland on July 17, 2025,  in Anaheim, CA.  (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG) -
Riders take the plunge on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure during the 70th anniversary Disneyland on July 17, 2025,  in Anaheim, CA.  (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG) -
Riders on Dumbo the Flying Elephant during the 70th anniversary Disneyland on July 17, 2025,  in Anaheim, CA.  (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG) -
Veronica Amezcua and her husband, Jose Amezcua, listen to the Straw Hatters play during the 70th anniversary Disneyland on July 17, 2025,  in Anaheim, CA.  (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG) -
People fill Main Street, U.S.A on the 70th anniversary Disneyland on July 17, 2025,  in Anaheim, CA.  (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG) -
Marie Farooqi, left, and Arly Azpeitia look through pins at a trading spot during the 70th anniversary Disneyland on July 17, 2025,  in Anaheim, CA.  (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Minnie Mouse greets visitors during the 70th anniversary Disneyland on July 17, 2025,  in Anaheim, CA.  (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The first people to visit the park on Sunday, July 17, 1955, were invited guests during an “International Press Preview” event that included studio employees, construction workers, the media and company sponsors.
The park actually opened to the public the next day: July 18, 1955.
For Thursday’s anniversary, the crowd that gathered at the main gate was greeted with a train full of Disney characters that pulled into the Main Street Station just before the park opened.
Visitors were handed a commemorative pin and special edition guide map as they entered and were welcomed by cheering employees lining Main Street, U.S.A.
The afternoon had a modified parade, “The Celebrate Happy Cavalcade — Disneyland’s Birthday Celebration Edition.”
But most of the park was business as usual, with park visitors enjoying what Walt built.
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