Há exatamente 70 anos, em 1955, o parque temático Disneyland era inaugurado na Califórnia, Estados Unidos. O dia 17 de julho, um domingo, foi planejado para ser uma "prévia internacional para a imprensa", limitada a convidados selecionados que poderiam andar nas atrações, testemunhar os desfiles e participar da inauguração televisionada do parque. No entanto, muitos convites falsificados foram distribuídos, e mais de 20.000 visitantes ansiosos apareceram, sobrecarregando muitas áreas do parque de 160 acres. A abertura oficial ao público ocorreu no dia seguinte, 18 de julho, e em algumas semanas, a Disney relatou que mais de 1 milhão de pessoas visitaram o local.
Aqui, uma retrospectiva fotográfica dos dias de abertura do parque, em 1955:
Crianças correm pelo portão do Castelo da Bela Adormecida na Disneylândia, o parque temático de Walt Disney, em julho de 1955. O parque foi aberto ao público na semana de 17 de julho de 1955 | Foto: Allan Grant / The Life Picture Collection via Getty
Mickey e Minnie Mouse aparecem no dia da inauguração da Disneylândia, em 17 de julho de 1955 | Foto: Los Angeles Examiner / USC Libraries / Corbis via Getty
The movie producer and animator Walt Disney smiles as he stands in front of Sleeping Beauty's Castle at the grand opening of Disneyland in 1955 | Foto: Allan Grant / The Life Picture Collection via Getty
The Disneyland parking lot, full on opening day, July 17, 1955 | Foto: Los Angeles Examiner / USC Libraries / Corbis via Getty
An aerial view shows Disneyland as guests attend opening-day festivities in Anaheim, California, on July 17, 1955 | Foto: Associated Press
Dumbo and other characters from Disney movies appear in a parade down Main Street, U.S.A., at the Disneyland opening on July 17, 1955 | Foto: Los Angeles Examiner / USC Libraries / Corbis via Getty
Disneyland's opening-day parade, photographed on July 17, 1955 | Foto: Loomis Dean / The Life Picture Collection via Getty
Original caption: "Eddie Fisher (left) was a host at the opening of Walt Disney's 'Disneyland,' where he served on the Coca-Cola refreshment corner. Shown are Eddie Fisher as he gives a drink to aluminum-clad spaceman Don MacDonald, as Debbie Reynolds looks on" | Foto: Bettmann / Getty
Visitors take a ride on Mr. Toad's Wild Ride at Disneyland on July 17, 1955. #
Loomis Dean / The LIFE Picture Collection via Getty
A crowded Mark Twain Riverboat sails at Disneyland in July 1955 | Foto: Loomis Dean / The Life Picture Collection via Getty
Showgirls in costume sit at an outdoor table and drink from mugs at Disneyland in July 1955 | Foto: Loomis Dean / The Life Picture Collection via Getty
A children's saloon, the Golden Horseshoe, photographed at Disneyland on July 17, 1955 | Foto: Loomis Dean / The Life Picture Collection via Getty
A pack of "wild animals," caged for safekeeping at Disneyland in July 1955 | Foto: Bettmann / Getty
Guests enjoy the Autopia attraction on July 17, 1955 | Foto: Loomis Dean / The Life Picture Collection via Getty
People rest in Tomorrowland's Space Port on July 17, 1955 | Foto: Loomis Dean / The Life Picture Collection via Getty
Tourists enter Frontierland, a re-creation of the Old West, in Disneyland, ca. 1955. #
Keystone / Getty
The Painted Desert in Frontierland, photographed on July 17, 1955 | Foto: Loomis Dean / The Life Picture Collection via Getty
Mickey Mouse rides in the locomotive cab of a train (with Walt Disney just to his left) as it arrives at a station in Disneyland on July 18, 1955 | Foto: Allan Grant / The Life Picture Collection via Getty
Crowds of people watch the Tomorrowland portion of a parade celebrating the opening of the Disneyland amusement park on July 17, 1955 | Foto: Allan Grant / The Life Picture Collection via Getty
Parade participants and costumed Disney characters ready themselves for the televised grand opening of Disneyland on July 17, 1955 | Foto: Allan Grant / The Life Picture Collection via Getty
Children run into Disneyland on opening day, July 17, 1955 | Foto: Loomis Dean / The Life Picture Collection via Getty
Visitors ride the Mad Hatter's Tea Party attraction in Fantasyland on July 17, 1955 | Foto: Loomis Dean / The Life Picture Collection via Getty
Park attendees relax under sunshades near a TWA rocket in Disneyland in July 1955 | Foto: Loomis Dean / The Life Picture Collection via Getty
A view of the Tomorrowland Boats (renamed the Phantom Boats) attraction at Disneyland in July 1955. The attraction lasted only from the park's opening until 1956 | Foto: Loomis Dean / The Life Picture Collection via Getty
A little girl laughs with excitement while riding a carousel at Disneyland in July 1955 | Foto: Alan Grant / The Life Picture Collection via Getty
Fonte: The Atlantic
