July 17th: The Day Disneyland Opened

For many children (and grown-ups) around the world there is a place that dreams are made of, magic really happens, and happiness is contagious. This magical place is universally known as Disneyland, and July 17th 1955 was the day it's doors were first opened. Nestled in Anaheim California, the famous amusement park still attracts millions of Disney fanatics today, as the home of the lovable Mickey Mouse and his friends, and one of the centre attractions in the Walt Disney Parks and Resort company.

Disneyland:  "Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams, and the hard facts that have created America, with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world." - Walt Disney

   Walt Disney's idea behind the park was based around his two daughters. He soon came to realise that having fun with your children was essential both in their lives and the parent's, and saw an opportunity to create the perfect way to do this. To help with the funding of this enormous project, Disney made an agreement with the ABC Television Channel, that they would support him financially if he produced a TV show for their channel in exchange. Deal! So after the hands had been shaken and paperwork filled out (approx. July 21st 1954), construction began on what has become the mother of all amusement parks. The project was estimated to cost a whopping $17 million, completing the park in only one year! 
   On July 17th 1955, Walt Disney hand-picked 6,000 guests, including Ronald Reagan, to attend a special preview of the park. But his plan for an exclusive crowd was foiled, as 22,000 other people with counterfeit tickets crashed the event! From then on, everything went downhill... 
The weather was unbearably hot. 
                         The plumbers went on strike, so only a few water fountains worked.
                                                    The asphalt melted, so everyone's shoes sank in.
                                                                          There was a gas leak, so they had to close some of the areas.
    Nevertheless, none of these problems seemed to phase Disney, and he proceeded to open the park to public the next day for the price of $1! Today, a single entry fee for one day of happiness and magic in Disneyland will cost you $87. So apparently you can buy happiness after all.