Image credit Disney
Disneyland, the first and original Disney theme park, was opened on July 17, 1955 in Anaheim, California. The idea for Disneyland was created by Walt Disney and was designed as a place where both children and adults could enjoy themselves and experience the magic of Disney. The park originally consisted of five themed lands: Main Street, U.S.A., Adventureland, Frontierland, Fantasyland, and Tomorrowland. Disneyland was an instant success and quickly became one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Over the years, Disneyland has undergone many changes and expansions, but it remains one of the most iconic and beloved theme parks in the world, with millions of visitors each year coming to experience the magic and joy of Disney.
Here is a comprehensive look at the many important moments in Disneyland history. After more than 60 years of operations, there is much to list here and much more to add in the future. I’m hoping there is a nugget or two in this timeline that you may find new and interesting.
Disneyland Timeline
- 1954: Construction on Disneyland begins
- 1955: Disneyland opens (July 17) – 1 year and 1 day after construction began
- 1956: Disneyland Hotel opens
- 1957: Holidayland opens
- 1959: Disneyland Monorail opens
- 1959: Sleeping Beauty Castle walk-through opens
- 1959: Matterhorn opens
- 1960: Mine Train Thru Nature’s Wonderland opens
- 1961: Holidayland closes
- 1963: Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room opens
- 1966: New Orleans Square is added
- 1966: It’s a Small World opens
- 1967: Major refurbishment for Tomorrowland
- 1967: Carousel of Progress opens
- 1967: Pirates of the Caribbean opens
- 1969: The Haunted Mansion opens
- 1971: Indian Village closes
- 1972: Bear Country is added
- 1973: Carousel of Progress closes and is moved to Walt Disney World
- 1977: Mine Train Thru Nature’s Wonderland closes
- 1977: Space Mountain opens
- 1979: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad opens
- 1982: Casa de Fritos closes
- 1982: Individual ride ticket system ends
- 1983: Major refurbishment for Fantasyland
- 1983: Pinocchio’s Daring Journey opens
- 1984: Emerald of Anaheim hotel opens
- 1987: Star Tours opens
- 1988: Bear Country is renamed to Critter Country
- 1988: Disney assumed ownership of the Disneyland Hotel
- 1989: Splash Mountain opens
- 1989: Emerald of Anaheim becomes Pan Pacific Hotel
- 1991: Disney announced plans to build WestCOT
- 1993: Mickey’s Toontown is added
- 1994: Disneyland Skyway is closed
- 1995: Pan Pacific Hotel becomes Disneyland Pacific Hotel
- 1995: WestCOT project is canceled
- 1997: Mike Fink Keel Boats closes
- 1998: Rocket Rods opens
- 1999: Swiss Family Treehouse becomes Tarzan’s Treehouse
- 2000: The Mickey & Friends parking structure opens
- 2000: Disneyland Pacific Hotel becomes Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel
- 2001: Rocket Rods closes
- 2001: Disney California Adventure opens
- 2001: Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa opens
- 2001: Country Bear Jamboree closes
- 2001: Downtown Disney Opens
- 2002: A Bug’s Land opens at DCA
- 2003: The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh opens
- 2004: Twilight Zone Tower of Terror opens in DCA
- 2005: Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters opens
- 2006: Monsters Inc, Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! replaces the infamous Superstar Limo ride
- 2010: World of Color debuts at DCA
- 2012: Carnation Plaza Gardens closes
- 2012: Disney California Adventure is re-dedicated
- 2012: Cars Land opens at DCA
- 2015: The Paint the Night parade and Disneyland Forever show begin
- 2015: Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is announced
- 2017: Tower of Terror is transformed into Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout!
- 2018: A Bug’s Land closes at DCA
- 2018: Pixar Pier opens
- 2019: Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens
- 2020: Disneyland closes for an extended period of time carrying over into 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic
- 2021: Disneyland reopens from COVID-19 shutdown (April 30)
- 2021: Avengers Campus opens in the former A Bug’s Land area of Disney’s California Adventure (June 4th)
- 2021: DisneylandFoward is announced (Major Disneyland expansion)
- 2021: Disney Genie, Genie+ and Lightning Lanes debut (December 8th)
- 2022: Disney breaks ground on the new Mickey’s Toowntown area of Disneyland Park (April 28th)
Please note that some of these Disneyland historical dates are easier to find than others, so some of these are based on third party accounts and not official company reports. In other words: This is the best Disneyland history I can find, but I don’t guarantee anything.
