Dave MacPherson was a 22-year-old college student back in July 1955 when he made Disneyland history. The young man from Long Beach, California started the line at the park's ticket window
at 2 a.m., thus enabling him to be the first to purchase an admission ticket on the morning of July 18
(the day Disneyland first opened to the general public).
In honor of the event, MacPherson was later rewarded with lifetime passes (which he continues to receive in
installments each year).

YESTERDAY & TODAY

MacPherson in 1955 ... and in 2005,
still Disneyland's biggest fan!

"Being the first member of the public to buy a ticket at Disneyland on
July 18, 1955, and seeing the 6,000 people behind me in line when the gates opened, and seeing Walt Disney himself is something I will
never forget!" - Dave MacPherson (The Ghost of Disneyland Past)

The photos above are stills from a color newsreel shot on Monday July 18, 1955. A Salt Lake City television station (pictured left) aired the rare footage in 2005 when they featured a story about Dave MacPherson (who now resides in Utah) and the 50th anniversary of Disneyland.
This Day in Disney History would like to thank Mr. Dave MacPherson ("The Ghost of Disneyland Past") for his generosity and input in creating this page.
Learn more about Dave MacPherson by clicking on & visiting these pages:
Dave MacPherson
Disneyland's
first paying
customer
THIS SITE MADE          IN THE USA

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