“Think beyond your lifetime, if you want to do something truly great.”
-Walt Disney
Today, almost 60 years after it first opened, DISNEYLAND remains an inspiration, a magical kingdom that still fulfills its founder's mission of making the world a better place. Many of the first kids who entered its gates are now bringing their great-grandchildren back to a place that has become so much for so many.
“I continue to love Disneyland. A special piece of my heart is here.”
-Bonnie Williams, Opening Day Guest
Bigger and better than ever, DISNEYLAND continues to grow and change; just the way Walt wanted it to. He knew that if he could just get the park open, and operate it as a clean, bright, fun and happy place, that the people would soon embrace it as their own. It would then take on a life of its own and become a magnet for the dreamers of the world, long outliving him.
“Yesterday, a man walked up to me and said, ‘Isn’t it a shame that Walt Disney couldn’t be here to see this?’ and I said, 'He did see this, that’s why it’s here.'"
-Art Linkletter July 17, 2005
Mr. Disney DID see everything that DISNEYLAND has become. He saw that it could be a place where a grandfather would forget about his arthritis and "trick knee" and dance along to a magical parade with his grandchildren; where a little girl could become tongue tied as her favorite Disney princess helps her adjust her sundress; where a tiny baby, seemingly too young to realize where he's at, chooses to give Woody the Cowboy the biggest hug ever; where a properly attired nun can let loose and take a thrilling ride down the slopes of the Matterhorn; where a wide eyed young boy can stare at the buildings in amazement and instantly fall in love with the place after looking at Sleeping Beauty Castle. We could go on, but that would still only scratch the surface of the countless magical moments that happen at DISNEYLAND every day.
“DISNEYLAND proved to me that if you’ve got enough guts and intelligence and drive you can accomplish anything.”
-Marvin Davis
“I do what I do because of Walt Disney- his films and his theme park and his characters and his joy in entertaining.”
-John Lasseter
“The greatest thing about DISNEYLAND is that its magic stays with you forever.”
-Ralph Castaneda
So DISNEYLAND will continue to thrive, to inspire and to grow. Just as Mr. Disney dreamed it.
"DISNEYLAND is something that will never be finished. Something that I can keep developing- and adding to."
"DISNEYLAND will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world."
"We believed in our idea - a family park where parents and children could have fun- together."
-Walt Disney
