Disneyland Celebrates 70 Years of Magic with Cast Members at the Heart of the Celebration

ANAHEIM, Calif.  — Seventy years to the day after Walt Disney welcomed the first visitors through the gates of Disneyland, the resort honoured the people who’ve kept the magic alive — its cast members — with a celebratory start to a milestone year.

Before the parks opened to the public, cast members gathered in Disneyland Park for a private sunrise celebration marking the resort’s platinum anniversary. The festivities featured a flag-raising ceremony in Town Square honouring veteran cast members, a dazzling 70th Anniversary Hot Air Balloon photo backdrop, and live performances.

Among the many surprises of the morning: a rare cast photo opportunity with The Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger, Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro, and Disneyland Resort President Thomas Mazloum — all joined by Mickey and Minnie Mouse.

🎤 “It was on this day in 1955 that Walt Disney opened the gates of Disneyland for the first time and introduced the world to this very special place,” Iger told the crowd. “Seventy years later, Disneyland remains one of Walt’s greatest achievements – a place where generations of people from all over the world have stepped through these gates and entered a world of joy and imagination.”

NYSE Bell Rings from Main Street, U.S.A.

In a nod to the resort’s global influence, Iger also rang the New York Stock Exchange’s opening bell live from Disneyland, flanked by D’Amaro, Mazloum, and the company’s most beloved icons. The symbolic moment emphasized both the economic and emotional impact Disneyland continues to have worldwide.

Limited-Time Attractions & 70th Anniversary Debuts

Guests visiting on July 17 were treated to a slate of exclusive 70th anniversary experiences:

• 🎠 The premiere of “Walt Disney – A Magical Life”, a new attraction spotlighting Walt’s visionary journey.

• 🎥 New additions to the Main Street Cinema and “it’s a small world” attraction.

• 📍 Commemorative 70th Anniversary buttons and guide maps (available while supplies last).

• 🎉 A one-day-only celebratory cavalcade down Main Street, U.S.A.

A Legacy of Imagination and Growth

Since 1955, the Disneyland Resort has grown from a single park into a full-scale entertainment destination including Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure Park, three AAA Four Diamond hotels, and the bustling Downtown Disney District.

Now, the company is looking ahead with plans for immersive expansions including Avengers Campus, and attractions inspired by Avatar and Coco.

To mark the anniversary, Disney also launched a new advertising campaign sharing real guest stories of magic, memory, and milestones made at Disneyland.

🪄 Seventy years on, Disneyland remains a place where dreams come true — and where new generations are still invited to believe in magic.

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