Disneyland Construction Progress Report - Part 1 

It is wonderful to see and hear Walt himself talking about the construction of Disneyland. Thanks so much for sharing this!

This originally aired as the first half of a "DISNEYLAND" episode telecast on February 9, 1955, just five months before the park's official opening on July 17th. As most everyone knows, Disneyland was Walt's dream, and his pride and joy (he spent the last decade of his life focusing on it more than his film and TV projects). The main reason he agreed to produce a weekly series was that ABC gave him the necessary funding to construct [and own a piece of] the park, in return for the TV show.

Can you imagine watching this as a kid? How exciting would that have been? I mean, jeez, I'd be counting down the days for a year!

Is Incredible to hear the original walt disney and know more about his dream and magic process

7:25-7:30 I love that bit from Walt. Go, man! Go, go! Dig it deep and throw it *far* out.

Of course it was, 'lurid'. Walt saw television as an excellent way to promote whatever his studio was doing (his first TV show was a 1950 Christmas Day special, "One Hour in Wonderland", whcih primarily promoted the 1951 theatrical release of "Alice In Wonderland"), as well as the park itself. But Disney NEVER forgot the primary reason he was in business- to entertain people. His TV shows were so entertaining, you didn't have to every see one of his films or visit Disneyland...but you did.

so proud to have the original disneyland here in cali, but i cant believe that used to be hollywood!!!, i drive there all the time!!!...

Walt has always been my idol...so much I used to sneak into Disneyland when I was a kid...sorry Walt a man's got to do what a man's got to do!

During the progress of constructing this theme park, some of the orange grove trees were going to be saved, but were accidently bulldozed because of the switching around of different tree color markers! Some Imagineers still haven't gotten over that mistake!

it's funny that walt was like "there's enough parking for 10,000" haha now they need much more than that :)

cool

Walt managed to raise enough money to buy out ABC's share of Disneyland towards the end of 1960, 'copy'; he didn't want to do business with them anymore because of the way they treated his weekly TV series [they kept insisting on "more westerns" by the end of the '50s, and moved "WALT DISNEY PRESENTS" to early Sunday evenings {6:30-7:30pm(et)} in the fall of '60]. After his seven year contract with ABC ended in 1961, he got a better deal with NBC (including color) for the fall of '61...

Yes, it is on the "Your Host, Walt Disney" edition.

Although that's true, to put all of this in context the construction of WDW did not begin during Walt's lifetime, while Disneyland opened to the public more than 11 years prior to his death.

Elton John was 'access denied' in '72 b/c he wore an embroidered patch on his jeans

Is this film on any of the Disney Treasure DVDs?

No parking problems...ha! That's a laugh. I guess 10,000 people in an amusement park was alot 50 years ago.

I have lived with 8 miles of Disneyland since 1956. I have been there 13 times. It is much too crowded and expensive.

it is great isnt it!

in the future you'll be taking the highways hehe

Walt was feeling pretty confident that Disneyland was going to be a success. He told his audience that they would be visiting the park by car and not helicopter. For all he knew in 1954, Disneyland could have been a flop and big disappointment!

The LA freeways.. They look so empty!!

@OxoashleeyoxO By walking or driving?

is it walt who's talking?

I understand the compass.... I understand a military complex. . I understand Epcot and Cern... I understand the Kennedy Oz enigma. I understand liars rule earth. . I understand that you get a second chance at life if you die as a child...

First lie. Half acre? Disney purchased 43 square miles of land ...you only see the amusement park...you never see the rest of the military complex...

kolol