As a young man, Walt Disney could not have imagined the impact he would have on the world. Today, almost everyone knows his name and the characters he helped bring to life. Disney proved that cartoons could be more than silly characters. They became an art form, our friends, and even legends. So it came as no surprise that in 1955, Disneyland opened. It was a place for magic and for everyone to relive their childhoods. Moreover, it was a dream come true for Disney.
The inspiration for Disneyland came while Disney was watching his daughters play at amusements parks. It was also based on his father's memories of the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893. Disney wanted a place where both children and their parents could have fun and be entertained. He originally thought of having it next to Walt Disney Studios, but the space was too small. He then found the perfect location in Anaheim, California. However, the grand opening of Disneyland was a disaster because nothing worked right. Also, traffic was terrible, and there was a heat advisory. Fortunately, on the second day, Disney proved his park really was a place for dreams. On that day alone, over 50,000 people came out in support of Disney's vision.
