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Disneyland went up in under a year
The first piece built was a 20-foot berm around the property with the Disneyland Railroad on top, which shut out the surrounding world. Fully grown pine and palm trees were brought in, and a passenger train was built from scratch on laid railroad ties. Rides were fabricated at the Burbank studio and driven about 50 minutes to the site, since the highway was still being built. Halfway through, the crew filled the Rivers of America and the water drained into the dirt underneath.
The budget grew from an original $5 million to $17 million, about $210 million today. For comparison, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, built in 2019, was rumored to cost anywhere from $200 million to $450 million for a single ride.
How do you stop a man-made river leaking?
Soil soaks up water unless it is sealed. Builders line riverbeds with compacted clay or synthetic liners. Disney's crews sealed the Rivers of America with a clay layer after the first fill drained away. Clay is tightly packed and slows water that tries to seep through.
Why was the opening date fixed so early?
ABC's contract set the opening for July 17, 1955. Construction began in July 1954. The date also lined up with the network's plan for a live broadcast. Walt's team worked in shifts to meet it.
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