On July 17, 1955, Walt Disney didn’t just open a theme park—he opened a world of themed lands, each introduced with its own short dedication. Spoken live during Disneyland’s televised opening ceremony on ABC, these words were like mission statements: brief, poetic, and packed with purpose.

As we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the park, we share each of the original land dedications in full, break down their meaning, and imagine where plaques could live today to honor the spirit behind them.

Note: The photos of plaques were from Babes in Disneyland when they were displayed at the Opera House before Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln in 2022. You can see them along the wall next to the map displayed at the 1-minute mark of this wonderful MiceChat video with the amazing Maynard. In our podcast, however, we incorrectly mentioned that they were placed at the exit of the attraction. The photos of the dedications on banners were also taken in the gallery of the Opera House, before the Walt Disney - A Magical Life attraction on July 19th, 2025. To date, this is the only location where guests can see any of the land dedications represented in the park.

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Main Street, U.S.A.

Main Street, U.S.A.

Main Street, U.S.A. is America

at the turn of the century - 

the crossroads of an era.

The gas lamp and the electric lamp -

the horse-drawn car and the auto car.

Main Street is everyone's hometown -

the heartline of America.

Where should this dedication plaque go?

While we do not have evidence of who wrote the dedication, chances are, it was one of two people: Walt himself or Marty Sklar. Therefore, there are only two locations that are ideal for this plaque: in front of either the Firehouse or City Hall. 

The firehouse would make a fine location, as Walt's Apartment is located above this station. The plaque would need to be placed to the left of the entrance, as there is already a Historical Plaque on the right that details the building itself.

The second possible location would be on City Hall - specifically under Marty Sklar's window. If you missed our episode on this window and Marty's legacy, check out the blog here.

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Adventureland

Adventureland

Here is adventure. Here is romance.

Here is mystery.

Tropical rivers - silently flowing

into the unknown. The unbelievable

splendor of exotic flowers ... the eerie sound

of the jungle ... with eyes that

are always watching.

This is Adventureland.

A Dedication not read

What is interesting about this dedication is that it actually was not read on air during the ABC broadcast. It stands to reason that during the craziness of the day, this land was perhaps forgotten until the very last minute. During the broadcast, we know Fantasyland was, in Walt's words, "the plaque reserved for last" 57 minutes into the broadcast, with Adventureland's short 30-second dedication at the 1 hour, 10 minute mark - in the last 3 minutes of the broadcast. 

Click the video below to jump to the Adventureland section of the broadcast:

Where should this dedication plaque go?

This plaque would fit nicely on the wall across the walkway from Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room. There, you'll find two smaller walls, one of which serves as the base to the main Adventureland sign as you enter the land. Either wall would be fine, though the smaller, shorter wall before the sign might be best suited for the plaque. 

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Frontierland

While we do not have a photo of an actual plaque for this land, Walt read the following words:

Frontierland.

It is here that we experience the story of our country's past.

The color, romance and drama of frontier America

as it developed from wilderness trails to roads, riverboats, railroads and civilization. 

A tribute to the faith, courage and ingenuity of our hearty pioneers

who blaze the trails and made this progress possible.

 

Click the video below to jump to the Frontierland section of the broadcast:

A plaque presented - but not to the land

During the Opening Day ceremonies, a plaque was presented in Frontierland - but not to the land itself. Instead, the American Humane Society bestowed a plaque dedicated to the legacy of Walt Disney, which was placed at the foot of the flagpole near the entrance to Frontierland.

Today, this plaque has been restored and placed on a stone pedestal on the other side of the same flagpole.

 

Where should the land dedication plaque go?

The land dedication plaque should either replace the American Humane Association plaque, or have both plaques be on either side of the flagpole. Another option (and probably the most practical) is to have both plaques on each of the gates as you walk into Frontierland.

 

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Fantasyland

Fantasyland

The Happiest Kingdom of them All

Here is the world of imagination,

hopes and dreams. In this timeless land of

enchantment, the age of chivalry, magic and

make believe are reborn - and fairy tales

come true. Fantasyland is dedicated to the

young and the young-at-heart - to those

who believe that when you wish upon a star,

your dreams do come true.

Click the video below to jump to the Fantasyland section of the broadcast:

Where should this dedication plaque go?

We think this plaque should go inside the archway of the castle, after you cross the drawbridge. Not seen on the castle itself, but located within, to walk underneath it into Fantasyland, much like you do on either side of the train station on Main Street.

 

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Tomorrowland

Tomorrowland

A vista into a world of wondrous ideas,

satisfying man's achievements...

A step into the future, with predictions of

constructive things to come. 

Click the video below to jump to the Tomorrowland section of the broadcast:

Where should this dedication plaque go?

As of this writing, there is a construction wall between the Pixie Hollow lagoon and the Astro Orbitor at the entrance to Tomorrowland. Behind this wall is a door that we believe leads to a maintenance area for the lagoon, which is why this construction wall has been in place since the large rockwork at the entrance to Tomorrowland was removed a few years ago. That being said, the doorway doesn't need to change, but the surrounding area can be a planter or something that beautifies the area, complete with this dedication plaque to Tomorrowland.

 

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Walt's Words, Remembered

As we mentioned, none of these dedications are represented on a physical plaque today - but they should. Walt didn't just build a physical space; he shaped emotional landscapes. These dedications gave each land its identity. Whether spoken aloud or etched in bronze, these words still guide the purpose of the park today. 

By taking a moment to recognize Walt's vision for each land and Disneyland as a whole, we can start to see Disneyland through Walt's eyes - and that's worth preserving.

What do you think about these dedications? Do you have any suggestions for where they should be placed around the park? Share with us by leaving a comment below, sending us a DM on social media @WhereInThePark, or join the conversation over on our private Facebook Group: Where In The Park Explorers.

 

✨ Articles referenced in this blog: ✨ 

• American Rhetoric - Disneyland Opening Day Dedication Addresses
• Babes In Disneyland - Disneyland Dedication Speeches
• Daveland - Frontierland Plaque, Opening Day
• Micechat - Mayard's ultra-exclusive, ultra-secret, ultra-wacky tour of the Disneyland Opera House
• Wikipedia - Adventureland
• Wikipedia - Frontierland
• YouTube - Disneyland Opening Day Broadcast