Walt Disney dreamed for decades about opening theultimate entertainment venue, but it wasn't until the early 1950s thathis handpicked team began to bring his vision to life. Together,artists, architects, and engineers transformed a dusty tract of orangegroves about an hour south of Los Angeles into one of the world's most beloved destinations. Today, there are Disney resorts from Paris to Shanghai, but the original Disneyland in Anaheim, California, which has been visited by more than 800 million people to-date, remains one of America's most popular attractions.From the day it opened on July 17, 1955, Disneyland brought history andfairy tales to life, the future into the present, and exciting culturesand galaxies unknown to our imaginations. This intruiging visual history draws on Disney's vast historical collections, private archives, and the golden age of photojournalism to provide unique access to the concept, development, launch, and enjoyment of this sun-drenched oasis of fun and fantasy. Disneyland documents Walt's earliest inspirations and ideas, the park's extraordinary feats of design and engineering, and each of its immersive "lands" from Main Street, U.S.A., to Tomorrowland. It is a treasure trove of original Disney documentationand expertise, with award-winning writer Chris Nichols drawing on hisextensive knowledge of both Disneyland and Southern California historyto reveal the fascinating tale of "the happiest place on Earth."