#10: The Magical Beginning of Disneyland
Inspired by Los Angeles’ Griffith Park and other parks, Walt Disney aimed to build Disneyland on the West Coast following the success of his first park. Struggling for funds, Disney innovatively launched a TV show to finance the project.
The ‘Disneyland TV’ show, airing weekly, was pivotal in financing Disneyland’s construction while promoting it. On July 17, 1955, Disneyland welcomed guests, drawing an impressive one million visitors within its first ten weeks alone.