One Billion Served: Disneyland Celebrates a Milestone
by Bruce Parkinson
Over 70 years, Disneyland has welcomed one billion visitors.
As California’s Disneyland Resort continues to celebrate seven decades of happiness for its 70th Celebration, the theme park commemorated another historic milestone: welcoming the honourary one billionth guest and their family.
Alongside Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, the unsuspecting one billionth guest Andres Robles, celebrating his 8th birthday, and his parents Alejandra and Jose Robles of Arizona, were invited to participate in a brief ceremony on the Main Street U.S.A., train station platform.
The family had the honour of helping unveil an updated sign at Disneyland Park that reads “Population 1,000,000,000,” before embarking on an exciting day creating memories together.
The Robles family received a VIP tour guide for the day, which included a tour of Walt Disney’s private apartment, the newly opened Soarin’ Across America attraction and other special experiences that define a Disneyland Resort visit.
The Theme Park That Changed an Industry
More than 70 years after opening the gates to its first guests on July 17, 1955, Disneyland Resort continues to carry forward Walt Disney’s idea of “a family park where parents and children could have fun – together.”
Walt Disney and his Imagineers pioneered what guests around the world now know as the modern-day theme park experience, filled with immersive theming, meticulous storytelling and family-friendly entertainment.
“Welcoming our one billionth guest is a remarkable milestone for Disneyland Resort and a testament to the generations of guests who have made this special place part of their lives,” said Jill Estorino, President, Disneyland Resort.
“For more than 70 years, Walt’s original park has been a timeless symbol of Disney storytelling, where memories are made and shared, and we are honoured to carry that legacy forward for guests today and for generations to come.”
The resort has grown from a single theme park in the city of Anaheim to include two Disney theme parks, three hotels and the Downtown Disney District, and has served as the inspiration behind the creation of more Disney theme parks and experiences across the globe.
“Disneyland will never be completed,” Walt Disney once said. “It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world.”
