Disneyland facts for kids
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The park's icon, Sleeping Beauty Castle, in 2024
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 Disneyland
Location in Anaheim, California
Disneyland
Location in the Los Angeles metropolitan area
Disneyland
Location in California
Disneyland
Location in the United States
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| Location | Disneyland Resort, Anaheim, California, United States |
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| Coordinates | 33°49′N 117°55′W / 33.81°N 117.92°W |
| Status | Operating |
| Opened | July 17, 1955 |
| Owner | Disney Experiences (The Walt Disney Company) |
| Operated by | Disneyland Resort |
| Theme | Disney characters and fairy tales |
| Slogan | The happiest place on earth |
| Operating season | Year-round |
Disneyland is a famous theme park located in Anaheim, California, in the United States. It was the very first theme park created by the Walt Disney Company. Walt Disney himself oversaw its design and building, and it opened its doors on July 17, 1955.
Walt Disney first dreamed of a place where families could have fun together. He wanted to build it near his studios in Burbank. However, he soon realized that space was too small for his big ideas. In 1953, he bought a large piece of land, about 160 acres, near Anaheim. A special team, chosen by Walt, designed the park. This team later became Walt Disney Imagineering, which creates all Disney parks and attractions.
Construction of Disneyland began in 1954. The park officially opened with a special TV event on July 17, 1955. Over the years, Disneyland has grown a lot. New areas like New Orleans Square (1966), Bear Country (1972, now Bayou Country), Mickey's Toontown (1993), and Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge (2019) were added. Another theme park, Disney California Adventure, opened in 2001 next to Disneyland.
Disneyland has welcomed more visitors than any other theme park globally. By December 2021, it had over 757 million visits. In 2024, 17.33 million people visited, making it the second most popular amusement park in the world.
History
How Disneyland Began
The idea for Disneyland started when Walt Disney watched his daughters on a merry-go-round at Griffith Park in Los Angeles. He wished for a place where both kids and adults could have fun together. This dream stayed with him for many years.
Walt first thought about building a small park called "Mickey Mouse Park" near his movie studios. But his ideas grew too big for that small space. He was inspired by other places like Tivoli Gardens in Denmark and Knott's Berry Farm. He wanted a unique park with different themed areas.
To find the perfect spot, Walt Disney bought 160 acres of land in Anaheim, California, in 1953. This area was once filled with orange groves. Building the park was a huge project. Walt Disney's brother, Roy O. Disney, helped manage the construction. They even got help from a retired U.S. Navy admiral, Joe Fowler, to turn Walt's big ideas into real attractions.
To help pay for the park, Walt Disney created a TV show called Disneyland on the ABC network. In return, ABC helped fund the park. Construction began on July 16, 1954, and cost $17 million. The park opened just over a year later.
Opening Day Challenges
Disneyland officially opened on July 17, 1955, with a special event for invited guests and the media. About 28,000 people attended, but many more than expected showed up, some even climbing over fences! The event was shown live on TV, hosted by famous friends of Walt Disney, including Ronald Reagan.
It was a very hot day, and the large crowds caused some problems. Rides broke down, restaurants ran out of food, and the Mark Twain Riverboat became too full. Because of these challenges, the park's first day was sometimes called "Black Sunday." Despite the difficulties, Disneyland quickly became a beloved place. The company now celebrates July 17 as Disneyland's birthday every year.
Exciting Years: 1950s and 1960s
Disneyland was always open to everyone, regardless of their background. This was different from some other places at the time.
An interesting fact: the popular snack "Doritos" was first created at Disneyland in the 1960s! They were made from leftover tortillas at a restaurant in the park.
In 1969, Disneyland set a new record for visitors in one day, with over 82,516 guests. This happened shortly after the famous The Haunted Mansion ride opened.
Changes in the 1970s
In August 1970, a group of young people held a protest against the Vietnam War at Disneyland. This led to the park closing early for only the second time in its history. The first early closure was in 1963, during a national day of mourning.
Even with the opening of Walt Disney World in Florida in 1971, Disneyland remained very popular. New attractions and entertainment kept guests coming. In 1972, the Bear Country land opened, and the Main Street Electrical Parade began, lighting up the nights.
Disneyland also prepared for the United States Bicentennial (America's 200th birthday). In 1975, a special parade called America on Parade celebrated this important event. Many older rides were updated or replaced during this time. For example, Mission to Mars opened in 1975, and the thrilling Space Mountain rollercoaster debuted in 1977. The Mine Train Through Nature's Wonderland was replaced by the exciting Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in 1979.
Growth in the 1980s and 1990s
In 1982, Fantasyland closed for a big makeover and reopened in 1983 as "New Fantasyland" with updated attractions.
To celebrate Disneyland's 30th anniversary in 1985, one million balloons were released around the park in a "Skyfest Celebration."
By the late 1990s, Disneyland was part of a much larger plan to create the Disneyland Resort. This project added the Disney California Adventure theme park, a shopping and dining area called Downtown Disney, and new hotels. The original park was then renamed "Disneyland Park" to show it was part of this bigger resort. A huge parking garage, the Mickey and Friends parking structure, was also built.
Disneyland in the 21st Century
In the early 2000s, leaders at Disneyland worked to improve the park, focusing on keeping everything well-maintained and safe. They often walked through the park, talking to guests and listening to their ideas.
From 2005 to 2006, Disneyland celebrated its 50th anniversary with the "Happiest Homecoming on Earth" event. The park received many updates, and attractions like Space Mountain and Pirates of the Caribbean were refreshed. Sleeping Beauty Castle was decorated with golden accents. This celebration was followed by the "Year of a Million Dreams" until 2008.
In 2010, Disney Parks launched the "Give a Day, Get a Disney Day" program, encouraging people to volunteer for charity in exchange for a free day at a Disney park.
In July 2015, Disneyland celebrated its 60th "Diamond Celebration" anniversary. New parades and fireworks shows, like Paint the Night and Disneyland Forever, debuted. Sleeping Beauty Castle was decorated with diamonds and a large "60" logo.
COVID-19 Closure
Disneyland Park, along with Disney California Adventure and the resort hotels, closed on March 14, 2020, because of the COVID-19 pandemic. After a long closure, Downtown Disney reopened in July 2020. The theme parks were originally planned to reopen on Disneyland's 65th anniversary, July 17, 2020, but this was delayed due to rising cases in California.
In February 2021, Disneyland offered a special event called "A Touch of Disney," allowing guests to shop and eat in parts of the park. Finally, Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure officially reopened on April 30, 2021, with limited capacity and safety rules. By June 15, 2021, the parks were allowed to return to full capacity as most restrictions were lifted.
Recent Developments (2021–Present)
On March 25, 2021, Disney announced "DisneylandForward," a plan to expand the park with more rides, restaurants, and shops. The Anaheim City Council approved this plan on May 7, 2024.
On January 27, 2023, Disneyland began a year-long celebration for the 100th anniversary of the Walt Disney Company, called Disney100. New attractions like Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway and the Wondrous Journeys fireworks show were introduced.
In May 2024, Disneyland character performers voted to join the Actors' Equity Association, forming their first union since the park opened in 1955.
In October 2025, Disneyland raised prices for tickets and annual passes.
Park Layout and Attractions
Disneyland Park has nine themed areas, often called "lands," and covers over 100 acres. When it first opened, it had Main Street, USA, Adventureland, Frontierland, Fantasyland, and Tomorrowland. Over the years, new lands were added: New Orleans Square in 1966, Bear Country (now Bayou Country) in 1972, Mickey's Toontown in 1993, and Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge in 2019.
Throughout the park, you can find "Hidden Mickeys," which are subtle shapes of Mickey Mouse's head hidden in the designs of rides and decorations. A narrow gauge railway circles the entire park, offering scenic views.
- Lands of Disneyland
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Main Street, USA
(2010) -
Adventureland entrance
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Frontierland
(Big Thunder Mountain Railroad) -
Fantasyland
(Peter Pan's Flight in the foreground and the Matterhorn Bobsleds in the background) -
Tomorrowland
(Space Mountain in 2010) -
New Orleans Square
(the Haunted Mansion) -
Bayou Country
(Tiana's Bayou Adventure) -
Mickey's Toontown
(Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway) -
Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge
(Star Wars: Millennium Falcon – Smugglers Run)
Main Street, USA
Main Street, USA looks like a charming American town from the early 1900s. It was inspired by Walt Disney's hometown, Marceline, Missouri. Here you'll find a train station, shops, a cinema, and even a firehouse. Walt Disney had a secret apartment on the second floor of the firehouse, which is not open to the public.
At the end of Main Street, USA, you'll see Sleeping Beauty Castle. This castle leads to Fantasyland. Other lands like Adventureland, Frontierland, and Tomorrowland are also nearby. The design of Main Street uses a clever trick called forced perspective. Buildings look taller than they are because they get smaller as they go up.
Adventureland
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Adventureland makes you feel like you're in a faraway jungle or an exotic land. Popular attractions include the Jungle Cruise, Indiana Jones Adventure, and Adventureland Treehouse. The treehouse was inspired by Walt Disney's 1960 movie Swiss Family Robinson. Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room, which opened in 1963, was the first ride to use Audio-Animatronics (moving robots).
Frontierland
Frontierland takes you back to the American Old West. It features animatronic Native Americans along the Rivers of America. Here you can ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, sail on the Mark Twain Riverboat, or explore Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island. The land also hosts the exciting nighttime show Fantasmic!.
Fantasyland
Fantasyland is where many classic Disney stories come to life. You can go on dark rides like Snow White's Enchanted Wish, Peter Pan's Flight, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, and Alice in Wonderland. Other fun rides include King Arthur Carrousel, Mad Tea Party, and It's a Small World. The Matterhorn Bobsleds offer a thrilling mountain adventure. Inside Sleeping Beauty Castle, you can walk through a display that tells the story of the 1959 film Sleeping Beauty.
Tomorrowland
Tomorrowland has a "retro-future" look, inspired by old science fiction stories like those by Jules Verne. Here you can blast off on Space Mountain, race cars on Autopia, or explore the galaxy on Star Tours–The Adventures Continue. Other attractions include the Disneyland Monorail and Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters.
New Orleans Square
New Orleans Square is designed to look like 19th-century New Orleans. It is home to two very popular rides: Pirates of the Caribbean and the spooky Haunted Mansion.
Bayou Country
Bayou Country was originally called Bear Country, then Critter Country. In 2024, it became Bayou Country. Its main attraction is the log flume ride Tiana's Bayou Adventure. This ride is inspired by Disney Animation's 2009 film The Princess and the Frog. You can also find The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh here.
Mickey's Toontown
Mickey's Toontown looks like a cartoon world from the 1930s. It was partly inspired by the movie Who Framed Roger Rabbit. This land is where you can meet Disney's classic characters. It features rides like Chip 'n' Dale's Gadgetcoaster, Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway, and Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin. You can also visit Mickey's House and Minnie's House.
Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge
Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge takes you to the Star Wars universe, to a remote planet called Batuu. Here, you can experience adventures like Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.
Operations
Backstage Areas
Behind the scenes at Disneyland are special areas called "backstage." These areas are where the magic is made, with offices and workshops. Guests are not allowed in these areas to keep the magic alive and for safety reasons. Taking photos backstage is also not permitted.
Transportation
Walt Disney loved trains, and this passion is clear at Disneyland. A narrow gauge railway circles the entire park. It has five steam-powered locomotives and several passenger trains. The train stops at Main Street Station, New Orleans Square Station, Mickey's Toontown Depot, and Tomorrowland Station. The journey includes a trip through the "Grand Canyon/Primeval World" dioramas.
Another famous ride is the Disneyland Monorail. It opened in 1959 as the first daily-operating monorail in the Western Hemisphere. The monorail takes visitors between Tomorrowland inside the park and Downtown Disney. It offers great views of the park from above.
On Main Street, U.S.A., you can ride in special vehicles that look like they're from the early 1900s. These include horse-drawn streetcars, a double-decker bus, a fire engine, and old-fashioned automobiles. Walt Disney himself used to drive the fire engine around the park.
Airspace Rules
Since October 27, 2014, the Federal Aviation Administration has made the airspace around Disneyland a permanent "no-fly zone." This means no aircraft, including drones, are allowed to fly over the park. This rule helps keep guests safe and protects the park's magic.
Live Entertainment
Disneyland offers many live shows and performances throughout the day and night. You can meet many Disney, Pixar, and Star Wars characters. Every evening, there's a special flag retreat ceremony. The Disneyland Band also plays music on Main Street, U.S.A. During the holiday season, the "Disney's Candlelight Processional" is a beloved tradition.
Parades
Disneyland has hosted many colorful parades that travel down Main Street, U.S.A. These parades feature characters, music, and large floats, celebrating Disney films or holidays. The Main Street Electrical Parade was one of the most popular. In 2015, the "Paint the Night" parade debuted for the park's 60th anniversary. The "Magic Happens" parade returned to Disneyland in spring 2023.
Fireworks Shows
Fireworks shows light up the sky above Sleeping Beauty Castle, set to Disney songs. Often, characters like Tinker Bell appear to fly through the air. Modern shows use advanced technology, including projection mapping on the castle and "It's a Small World" to create amazing visual effects.
Disneyland has a rotating schedule of fireworks shows. Some are regular, like Fantasy in the Sky or Remember... Dreams Come True. Others are seasonal, such as Halloween Screams and Believe... In Holiday Magic for the holidays. Special shows like Disneyland Forever and Wondrous Journeys celebrate anniversaries. Weather can sometimes cause shows to be delayed or changed.
Tickets and Entry
From Disneyland's opening until 1982, you paid a small fee to enter the park, then bought separate tickets for each ride. These tickets were labeled "A" through "E," with "E" tickets being for the most exciting rides. Even today, people sometimes call popular rides "E-ticket attractions."
In 1982, Disneyland changed to a single "passport" ticket. This ticket gave you unlimited access to all attractions for one price. This made it easier for guests and helped the park manage crowds. Later, Disneyland added multi-day passes and annual passes for frequent visitors.
In 1999, the park introduced the FastPass system, which let guests reserve a time for a ride to skip long lines. This system has evolved into the Genie+ service and Lightning Lanes, which offer similar benefits, some for an extra cost. In October 2024, Disneyland began testing a "Lightning Lane Premier Pass" for an additional fee, allowing faster access to rides.
In February 2016, Disneyland started using different prices for tickets based on how busy the park was expected to be. "Value" days were cheaper, usually on weekdays, while "peak" days, like holidays and weekends, cost more. By February 2020, they had a multi-tiered pricing system, which has continued to expand with more tiers.
Park Closures
Disneyland has closed unexpectedly a few times in its history:
- In 1963, for a national day of mourning.
- In 1970, due to a protest.
- In 1987 and 1992, because of winter storms.
- In 2001, after the September 11 attacks.
- From 2020 to 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sometimes, Disneyland has closed its gates to new visitors when it became too crowded. This happened on July 4, 1976, and again on December 28, 1984.
The park also has planned closures. In its early years, it often closed on Mondays and Tuesdays during slower seasons. Today, the park sometimes closes early for special events, like private parties or press events. Guests are always informed of these early closures.
Special Promotions
Every October, Disneyland celebrates Halloween. The park is decorated with a spooky theme, and some rides, like Space Mountain and The Haunted Mansion, get temporary Halloween makeovers. There are also special Halloween parties on select nights, which require a separate ticket.
From early November until early January, Disneyland transforms for the holidays. Sleeping Beauty Castle is covered in "snow" and colorful lights. Seasonal entertainment includes the Believe... In Holiday Magic fireworks show and A Christmas Fantasy Parade. The Haunted Mansion and It's a Small World also get holiday decorations.
See also
In Spanish: Disneyland para niños
- List of Disney theme park attractions
- List of incidents at Disneyland Resort
- Rail transport in Walt Disney Parks and Resorts
