The "real" or original Disneyland is located in Anaheim, California. Opened on July 17, 1955, it is the only theme park designed and built to completion under the direct supervision of Walt Disney himself. While many people confuse it with the much larger Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida (which opened in 1971), the California park remains the historical heart of the Disney empire. In 2026, the resort is celebrating its 70th Anniversary, highlighting its legacy as the pioneer of the modern theme park industry. The Anaheim site was famously transformed from orange and walnut groves into the "Happiest Place on Earth," featuring original themed lands like Fantasyland, Adventureland, and Tomorrowland that have since been replicated in Disney parks across the globe.