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Sixty years ago on Friday, the Happiest Place On Earth opened its doors.
Naturally there was plenty of pomp and circumstance, as 28,000 people showed up for the opening ceremonies (it was only supposed to be 15,000, but there was a mix-up). ABC aired the ceremony in a 90-minute broadcast, and one of the hosts was actor Ronald Reagan.
Walt Disney himself, much to the pleasure of thousands of impatient kids and their parents, gave a speech that was short and sweet. It is now immortalized on a plaque in Disneyland's Town Square.
According to Variety, tickets were only $1 for adults and 50 cents for parents. The first two kids through the hallowed gates were cousins Michael Schwartner and Christine Vess.