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Uncle Walt (as he’s affectionately known by Disney Nuts) giving his dedication speech on Disneyland’s opening day, 18th of July 1955.
Disneyland was built within a year. The effects of the hurried process made themselves quite apparent on opening day (a.k.a “Walt’s Folly” or by Walt and his team as “Black Sunday”) when women’s high heals got stuck in asphalt poured just the night before, clothing became stained by freshly painted benches, a plumbers strike left drinking fountains without water, vendors ran out of food, and a gas leak caused Adventureland, Frontierland, and Fantasyland to close.
As if that wasn’t enough, it was hot day (105 F / 38 C), parents kept pushing for their children to get onto rides and, worst of all, invitations to the opening day were counterfeited, effectively flooding the park with people.
But as you can see in the dedication footage, Walt was beaming. He knew he was offering the world an experience they would find themselves unable to forget anytime soon. He understood the immensity of the event, and how rare the hysteria over an event such as this was. He knew he was building dreams. Most of all, I believe, he was a child again. A child who saw his dreams come true.
As for me, I allways cry when I watch Uncle Walt speak anyway!
