The Dream: Walt Disney's Vision

Sixty years ago a man had the vision to build a theme park in which both parents and their children could have fun.

Today, when asked, what is the land of the dreams? What comes to our mind? For many, the happiest place on the earth is Disneyland, here is where both your dreams and happiness meet.

In addition to being the happiest place on the earth, this theme park offers its visitors many memorable moments and unforgettable memories.

Have you ever wonder how Walt Disney’s dream began?

The Dream: Walt Disney's Vision

Walter Elias "Walt" Disney was born on Dec. 5, 1901, he was an entrepreneur, an animator, cartoonist, film producer, voice actor, and co-founder of The Walt Disney Company.

However, before building his vision, Walter was a regular person like you and me.

Walter was a parent that enjoys taking his daughters to play at the carousel at Griffith Park every Sunday, but what he did not enjoy was sitting at the park’s benches with others parent just watching. Walter wanted something different, on one of his weekly visits Walter began to dream of an activity park that offers activities both for parents and their children.

At first, Disney envisioned an eight-acre park that would be near Burbank. CA, but soon Disney realized that his dream will be much bigger than he originally thought. World War II and other projects put a hold on Disney’s dream, but in 1953 Walter was finally able to start his legacy, the theme park known as Disneyland.

Build the Vision

Finding the Proper Location: The first part of Walter's dream was to find the proper location, to find the perfect location Disney hired the Stanford Research Institute. Through the Institute a 160-acre orange orchard was found in Anaheim, California; this orchard was located near Los Angeles and could be reached by a freeway.

Building the Dream: After locating the proper location, Disney began to fund his dream.

At first, Disney put up much of his own money to make his dream a reality.

Unfortunately, he did not have enough personal money to complete the project; to complete the dream Disney contacted financiers to help, but many financers did not share his dream and rejected his petition.

To gain the support needed Disney turned to the new medium: the television. Through the help of ABC, Disney would receive the financial help he needs and in exchange, Disney would produce a television show on their channel.

On July 21, 1954, the construction of Disneyland began, the theme park originally consisted of Main Street, Adventureland, Frontierland, Fantasyland, and Tomorrowland; the total cost to build Disneyland was $17 million.

Moment of True: Opening Day

On July 17, 1955, Disney invited 6,000 guests to a special preview of Disneyland before it opened it to the public the following day.

Unfortunately, not everything went as plan, first of all, 22,000 extra people arrived with counterfeit tickets. In addition to the extra guests, a heat-wave had hit Anaheim that day, making the temperature unbearably hot.

There was also a plumber's strike, which meant that only a few of the water fountains were functional.

To top it all of there was a gas leaked that caused several attractions to be closed temporarily.

Despite all these obstacles, Disneyland opened to the public on July 18, 1955, and today Disneyland is known as the happiest place on the earth.

Walt Disney ceremony opening words still stand true today: "To all who come to this happy place - welcome Disneyland is your land. Here age relives fond memories of the past and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future. Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams, and the hard facts that have created America... with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world. Thank you."

For Sani Dental Group, your smile and joy are our primary concern; similar to Walter Elias's "Walt" Disney dream, our dental clinic dream is for you to have good oral health and strong teeth.

We invite you to be part of Disneyland’s celebration, to be part of Walt Disney’s dream, and to be part of the happiest place on the earth.

Your smile and happiness are important both to Disneyland and San Dental Group; enhanced your smile by first visiting our dental clinic and taking care of all your oral needs and afterward visiting your favorite Disneyland theme park.