It only took 12 months of construction to mold the 5 lands Disneyland first boasted: the quaint remembrance of turn-of-the century America Walt knew as a boy fashioned as Main Street U.S.A.; the tropical journeys of Adventureland; the American heroes and the wild west conveyed to California in Frontierland; the promise of progress, innovation, and a bright future inspired Tomorrowland; the whimsical fairy tale stories brought to life in Fantasyland, where you never grew up. 6,000 formal invitations were given for the opening day, but 28,000 stormed the theme park, and Walt smiled at his success. Not many had faith that at 53, Walt would be opening his very own Disneyland.

Money. The greedy green bills that tempt us all. Money was the only major setback Walt had when first beginning his project of a place where children and adults could come and share happiness. No conventional sources would lend him money, scoffing at the idea of a "theme park". Disney relied on raising funds and borrowing money from his own life insurance. In 1953, Walt struck a deal with ABC TV Network that every week he would air an hour-long program that documented Disneyland’s development.

A team of 21 Imagineers began the project on the rural Anaheim plot of 160 acres. The team soon grew to a work-force 850 people strong. Construction began July 21, 1954, and moved rapidly to finish in time for the proposed opening date. Walt always found time to take a trip to Anaheim from his Burbank studios and overlook the growth of the theme park he funded almost entirely on his own. He was found there at least 3 times a week.

"I did it [Disneyland], in the knowledge that most of the people I talked to thought it would be a financial disaster – closed and forgotten within the first year."

On that first day, paint still glistening wet and asphalt still soft, Walt watched as food supplies ran out, lines were ridiculously long, and the Mark Twain river boat flooded when it overcrowded. Hundreds of guests bought general admission for one dollar, and A-C (soon to be A-E) ticket books selling from 10-35 cents. Within 7 weeks, one million guests had visited the park, and by then I’m sure Walt knew his park would see its 50th year.

Next year, the 50th anniversary will celebrate Disneyland worldwide with The Happiest Celebration on Earth. It’s the time for renovation, transformation, new attractions, and new parades. The yearlong party begins May 5, 2005, and celebrates Walt's success at a park that didn't close within the first year, but may very well thrive to see 100 years (if only Eisner would step down and Disney reclaim its once most prodigious Imagineers…!!). From humble beginnings to elaborate festivities, Disneyland was the place where the magic began.