Walt Disney's Disneyland - The Disneyland Story (1954)

When Walt Disney needed funding for Disneyland, he'd made the unusual arrangement to produce a weekly TV series for the ABC network in exchange for their investment in his park. Walt used TV to get the general public primed for the concept of Disneyland and inadvertently changed the culture forever. While he'd appeared on TV before this in two different Christmas special that sold his films and had done the same with radio before this, it was this long-running TV series that made Walt Disney a recognizable pop culture figure to this day. The series would switch networks and change names as it continued airing long after his death in 1966.

This is the debut episode where the concept of Disneyland is first revealed and Walt with his team give a glimpse at what's coming in the upcoming TV season including the debut of Davy Crockett and his hit song.

It's also important to note that in this debut episode Walt showcased a scene from his beloved and now purged film Song of the South. It's the only one of his films Walt showcased on both of his previous Christmas specials as well as this debut show. Rounding out this debut is a highlight of one of Walt's first successful creations, Mickey Mouse.

Original airdate October 27, 1954

Posted for historical purposes. This channel is not affiliated with the Walt Disney Company.