Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California, is significantly older than any other Disney theme park. It opened its doors on July 17, 1955, and was the only theme park designed and built to the direct specifications of Walt Disney himself. In contrast, Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, did not open until October 1, 1971, nearly 16 years later and five years after Walt Disney's death. The California park is often referred to as the "Original" or "Walt's Park," and it retains a more intimate, historical atmosphere compared to the massive, multi-park "Vacation Kingdom" in Florida. While the Florida resort is much larger in total acreage, the California park holds the distinction of being the blueprint for the modern theme park industry. In 2026, as the Disney brand continues to expand globally, the Anaheim original remains a site of "pilgrimage" for fans who want to walk the same Main Street that Walt Disney walked, emphasizing its status as the foundational cornerstone of the entire Disney empire.