Happy Birthday Disneyland

I’m not as familiar with Disneyland, living as I do on the eastern half of the continent. I’ve spent much more time at its younger brother in Florida. But regardless, it was the first, and it turns 53 today.

Here’s the live broadcast from the opening. There’s a lot to see in this, from Fess Parker and Buddy Ebsen doing their Davy Crockett bit to the Firehouse Five + 2 and a crapload more. How cool would it have been to be there opening day?

And here’s some footage from four years later, 1959. No sound but it’s in color.

For more on Disneyland’s history, I strongly suggest you snag the Walt Disney Treasures release, Disneyland: Secrets, Stories & Magic. And the opening day footage can be found on Disneyland USA, which you should snag. Just like I tell you to snag all the Treasures releases.