If you think about what you do on a daily basis, you are likely to recognize something that puts a big smile on your face. In fact, those are the things that make life worth living and we will make it a point to do them as often as possible. One of the things that tend to make people smile frequently is visiting an amusement park. We may have grown up with one in our local area and even if we didn’t have one readily available, we probably enjoyed the carnival that came to town every year.
Although there are many amusement parks that we might enjoy, The Happiest Place on Earth certainly would be included in the mix. Of course, I’m talking about Disneyland and ever since the park opened in 1955, it has been keeping customers happy on an ongoing basis. What you might not know is that a 22-year-old college student named Dave MacPherson was the first one in line when the park opened in July 1955. Being the first visitor to the park earned him a rather unique place in history, and it is one he has taken advantage of through the years.
Dave MacPherson is the man smiling at the camera. He was only 22 years old when this picture was taken at the grand opening of Disneyland. At the time, he was studying at Long Beach State College and on that day, he stepped foot into the park before anyone else.
He decided he wanted to be the first in line so he got his start at 2 AM on opening day.
Some celebrities and the park members entered the park first, but he was the first visitor to follow.
This isn’t just happenstance, he saw the opening festivities taking place in 1955 on television. He enjoyed seeing the celebrities walking through the park and then he had the idea of being the first regular visitor to enter.
He took a 10 mile road trip on a motorbike and got started in the queue before anyone else.
He isn’t sure where the admission ticket went but he did keep a copy of the complementary card that came along with it.
He made the 10 mile trip on a motorbike from Long Beach, California to Anaheim. The ticket booths were there, and it was 2 o’clock in the morning so he just walked up and started the line. He waited for a number of hours and at that point, he was able to purchase the first ticket sold at the park to the public.
Ever since that time, he has been coming back every year.
MacPherson appreciates the fact that he had that honor, and he still enjoys going to the park.
He did get a complementary card with his ticket but he didn’t use it because he had such a long trip back to Long Beach. He also received a lifetime pass because he was the first visitor into the park.
He doesn’t go alone, he takes his wife, Wanda, and a few friends.
He shows his love for Disney whenever possible.
Martha and Joe Ortiz and his wife typically make the trip with him every year. Joe was also at the park on opening day in 1955, but they didn’t get together until years later.
The park that he visited had a grand opening on July 17, 1955.
On the next day, it opened to the public and many family members of Disney and celebrities came in.
Disneyland was the first of two Disney resorts in California. Thought up the concept after visiting different amusement parks with his kids between 1930-1940. He spent $17 million to finish the park.
MacPherson was able to get in front of all of the kids.
He found it interesting to look back at the 6000 people behind him.
Disney had a televised event and only Walt Disney’s family, invited guests and the media or able to attend. On the next day, Walt Disney disappeared not long after opening the gate, leaving many people disappointed. That being said, he did get to see Walt Disney in person.
Source: Bored Panda