Crowds cheered as Walt Disney took the microphone and said: “To all who come to this happy place: Welcome!” It was 63 years ago when those famous words were spoken. That hot summer day the dreammaker got to fulfill a personal dream and open his very own theme Park-Disneyland. I sure am glad he did!

Disneyland Park, originally Disneyland, is the first of two theme parks built at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. When Disneyland first opened, on July 17, 1955, guests were charged separately for admission to the park and Attraction tickets. Adults could get in for $1 and children cost just fifty cents. Rides cost between 10-35 cents.

It wasn’t always “The Happiest Place on Earth”

Park visitors dressed up to go to Disneyland for years. Well-dressed adults and children in pictures are fun to look back at. I have worn heels in the parks and it isn’t easy. Opening day the asphalt wasn’t completely dry and women wore high heels that actually sunk into the pavement. Attractions broke down and they ran out of food. It was said that the park wouldn’t survive. Not only were they wrong, the park thrived, and they learned from their opening day mistakes.

Disneyland Opening Day Attractions

Not all current attractions at Disneyland Park are still there and a lot have been added.

When I go, I like to visit these attractions to let memories take me back and give me a nostalgic feel. I wasn’t even born on the opening day, but let’s take a look. This isn’t meant to be a history lesson but a look at the love of the park Walt built.

You can relive the opening day too by checking out the Disneyland opening day attractions (July 17, 1955) that are still in the park today.

Autopia

The name Autopia blends the two words “automobile utopia.” When the park opened, the cars were sent on the track without the bumpers or guardrails and were almost totally destroyed. Eventually, the vehicles were fitted with spring-loaded bumpers to discourage collisions but guests still try to bump into each other.

This attraction has a minimum-height requirement of 32 inches. But if you look in the queue you will see a heck of a lot of adults. California highways are notorious for their traffic jams so drive ‘em yourself minicars are a big draw. The gasoline-powered cars travel at less than lightning speeds up to 7 miles per hour so you’ll see guests texting and taking selfies on the detailed miniature freeway. Remember Safety before selfies! Go ahead and be one of the slowpoke drivers, creeping as slowly as you can without stalling, because the pile up at the end to exit gets long.

In 2016 Honda sponsored Autopia but basically, it’s the same attraction that got new paint, sounds and sights added.

Disneyland Railroad

You can still hear “All aboard!” And take a leisurely ride around the park to experience the “Grand Circle Tour,” on one of the few remaining steam-powered trains still in operation today. Originally called the Santa Fe & Disneyland Railroad, The railroad opened with two engines – the C.K. Holliday and the E.P. Ripley. This live steam railway was constructed at a cost of $240,000. Money well spent.

The Disneyland Railroad circles Disneyland Park to this day. It was just renovated for 18 months because of the New Star Wars construction. When it reopened last July, train enthusiasts were thrilled. You’ll see an updated path as you weave through landscapes inspired by North American rivers — the Mississippi, the Columbia, Missouri, and the Rio Grande. Dioramas of the Grand Canyon and the Primeval World, have been restored with painted sets and refurbished scenes. I was hoping they would make some of the animals move or show off the Imagineering skills they have learned but its still fun. I enjoy the narration of the trip’s history and the fabulous views of the new waterfalls in the Colombia Gorge section. I also like to give my tired feet a break and “sit a spell.”

Always check the park guide when you enter to make sure it is operational when you go. The train makes four stops. Main Street Station, New Orleans Square Station, and Tomorrowland station tend to get busy but Mickey’s Toontown station is the busiest especially after a showing of Mickey and the Magical Map.

Jungle Cruise

The world famous Jungle Cruise was one of the few attractions not based on a Disney animated film and the only attraction available in Adventureland at that time the park opened. Walt Disney wanted the Jungle Cruise to have live animals. He learned that animals might be sleeping and it would be hard for them to be in a “Show” so to speak. Riders will be treated to real birds and ducks, but Walt Disney turned to Audio-Animatronics for the rest of the animals. The Jungle Cruise has remained mostly unchanged in theme and story since its debut. Guests can still board the boat and ride through jungle waterways while laughing at the boatman’s spiel. As your skipper points out elephants, hippos and that sleeping zebra with its neck bent back. It’s all puny adding measurably to the fun. Jungle Cruise has, by comparison, lost some of its luster. For park first-timers, however, the Jungle Cruise continues to delight. It’s still one of Disneyland Park veteran guests favorites, many of whom can rattle off the ride’s narration right along with the skipper.

I love riding at night when skippers tend to stray a bit from the script.

What are some of your favorite Jungle Cruise jokes?

Jungle Cruise has a deceptive queuing maze. You’ll feel like you’re in the jungle even before stepping into a boat.

King Arthur Carrousel

This Disney standard was originally a Dentzel Menagerie Carousel that operated at Sunnyside Amusement Park in Toronto, Ontario. When it was taken to Disneyland, horses from all over were added to increase ride capacity. Today the carousel has seventy-two horses to pick from. $102,000 was spent. All horses have been painted white since 1975. I was told it’s because only good guys travel on white horses. Back in the early days, there was only one white horse and it was very popular. You can catch all the fancy guests on a horse during Dapper Days. They don’t add times to ride now because lines got crazy but it’s fun to ride when everyone is dressed in their most stylish clothes.

Mad Tea Party

The Unbirthday Party scene in Walt Disney’s Alice In Wonderland inspires this spinning teacup ride. If you like to get busy being dizzy this is your attraction. You could save your “C” coupon for something else if motion sickness was an issue.

Mad Tea Party was originally located directly behind Sleeping Beauty Castle where King Arthur Carousel is now. You can find this classic spinning ride at just about every amusement park around the world. For months after opening day, the platform wasn’t painted yet and tea cups spun without painted psychedelic spirals.

Mary Blair designed the 18 teacups’ designs. They now sell full circle skirts to match the attraction- just the thing for your photos.

During the ride’s first two years, the tea cups had no brakes or clutches; nothing limited how fast they could be spun. Guests can control how fast they spin to a point because you can make this ride mild or wild. When it opened the cups didn’t have any doors, just a rope across the entrance. I am surprised people didn’t go flying out of them!

Guests will find a stationary replica of one of the teacups located outside the attraction. If you want a photo op but don’t feel like causing a protein spill because you’re whirling around and around feverishly, stop by and climb inside.

Mark Twain Riverboat

On July 13, 1955, four days before the park officially opened, the Mark Twain had its maiden voyage for a private party celebrating Walt and Lillian Disney’s 30^th anniversary.

On Opening day the Mark Twain Riverboat was filled beyond capacity, in fact, they hadn’t determined how many people could ride it. Water came over the deck when guests moved around to catch a better look at the sights.

The Mark Twain almost got stuck in the mud a few days later and almost sank. OOPS, there were over 500 guests on board.

To me, this classic is a must do on Dapper Day when we had the same problem a few years back! Disney established a capacity of 300 in order to prevent this from happening again, but everyone wanted to be at the rails to wave to the Dapper friends still waiting in line. The Cast Members screamed for all of us to move back. We still got great pictures.

Board the 19th-century-inspired Mark Twain riverboat to have a scenic half-mile adventure into the wilds of old America. Rivers of America was closed but it’s reopened and better than ever. They recently did refurbishment so if you haven’t been on the steam-powered paddler take a ride, but leave your 500 friends on dry land.

For extra magic, I got to ride with the captain and blow the whistle! If you ask a cast member, the pilot might let you ride inside. You may have to wait for a few trips because it’s limited to a couple of people per trip. It’s my understanding that they no longer do this at all but it doesn’t hurt to ask.

The Mark Twain Riverboat offers few thrills and no surprises except it’s a classic everyone can enjoy together.

Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride

Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride is one of the original rides at Disneyland to open with the park in 1955 and guests needed a “C” ticket, to board their motorcar. It now has a storybook exterior, but when it opened it had the classic tournament tent facades made of colorful canvas. It looked almost like Florida’s It’s a Small World” entrance.

This classic dark ride is one of my favorites attractions that still exist today. The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad from The Wind in the Willows is the inspiration for this beloved attraction. Guests board old-fashioned motorcars each with a name on the front. I love to guess which one I will get to ride: Cyril, MacBadger, Moley, Mr. Toad, Ratty, Toady, Weasel, or Winky.

You will go “merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily on our way to nowhere in particular!” When you take this fun ride through many crazy scenes. The vehicles bounce up and down on the tracks as you look at fun cutouts in the pup, courthouse and more.

Parts of it are dark and scary for kids. Mr. Toad and his wild adventures have changed a bit since it first opened but the feel is the same.

I like to experience Mr. Toad’s “motor mania.” Every time I’m in Disneyland Park.

Peter Pan’s Flight

Disneyland Park veterans have seen a few changes to Peter Pan’s Flight. In 1983, Fantasyland was completely revamped and Audio-Animatronic versions of the Peter

Pan characters were added to the attraction. When it opened, guests were meant to feel like Peter flying. Peter Pan’s Flight ride vehicles look like sailing ships. Each one has a single bench seat that they say can hold four, but it will be tight if you try to squeeze three adults and one child on together. It is tight with two plus size riders.

I love this attraction and other guests do too. Going off to Neverland will take a while because there is always a long queue. The queues in Fantasyland are still very narrow not allowing room for wheelchairs and ECV’s so guests will have to use the exit with instructions from a Cast Member.

Snow White’s Scary Adventures

Snow White’s Scary Adventures originally opened as Snow White’s Adventures. This attraction was one of the original dark rides in Fantasyland. The original attraction used to have a large sign out front warning guests that the attraction was scary. It had a big picture of the witch on it. When ticket books were used, it required a “C” coupon.

Guests were supposed to feel like they were Snow White but they kept looking for her. Don’t worry, Disney listened and changed it in 1983 during the big refurbish to Fantasyland, Snow White was put into the ride. Snow White’s Adventures Fantasyland attraction at Disneyland changed again with new lighting and fresh paint but the story is missing a lot. They added a happy ending, with Snow White being woken up by the Prince.

Phew!

I love a Happily-Ever-After.

Look in the window above the entrance to see the queen open the curtains and stare out the window. You can hear her cackle if you listen closely.

The line is usually short so I try to go in and see it when I have time. There’s something almost dreamlike about the experience of a dark ride. With scenes and figures surrounding you, it feels like you ride into the movie. The ride vehicles are named after the Seven Dwarfs. Can you name them?

Storybook Land Canal Boats

This Fantasyland attraction was first thought up when Walt Disney wanted to build a small park across from the studios in Burbank California. Storybook Land Canal Boats on opening day was called Canal Boats of the World or more commonly known on opening as the Mud Bank Ride. Cast members had to pull the boats through the attraction with rubber boots on. The miniature buildings and landscaping weren’t added until the next year. Walt Disney planted bonsai tree himself!

Now, Cast Members narrate and host the journey. Guests board colorful canal boat for a “mini” tour of fairytale destinations from Disney animated movies like Aladdin, Cinderella, Pinocchio and even Frozen. Outside guests will see Monstro and a big lighthouse. The lighthouse was the ticket booth originally and to ride you needed a “D” ticket.

I really enjoy this attraction both during the day and lit at night. Gently cruise past miniature versions of iconic storybook tales yup- that sounds like something I would love!

The miniature settings make me happy and feel very nostalgic. The 12 boats are named after female Disney characters. Can you name them?

Lori’s Disneyland Tips and Things to Know

The attraction closes about an hour before the parades and reopens after the parade has passed because it is right by the parade route.

Walt’s thought of the park always growing and getting more beautiful can be seen in Disneyland Park to this day. “ Not only can I add things but even the trees will keep growing; the thing will get more beautiful every year.” It hit 100* out and there were no working water fountains! Trees were new and not planted yet so shade was tricky.

I love hearing his voice as he tells his thoughts.

Twenty years of dreaming and planning took place before Disneyland opened its doors. As more technologically advanced attractions have been added to the park over the years, I still find myself loving these classic Disneyland opening day attractions. Disneyland will always be one of my favorite places. Sharing Disneyland with someone new is the ultimate Disneyland trip, so if you have never been I can show you around in the posts to come.

Walt Disney once said that “Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world.”

Some imagination, huh?

Please share your Disneyland stories in the comments or come to and tell me about your favorite rides that are still there.

The post Happy Anniversary to The Park Walt Built | Disneyland Opening Day Attractions appeared first on Pixie Dust Savings.