Disneyland is celebrating 70 years of being "The Happiest Place on Earth." The summerlong festivities in southern California include the opening of "Walt Disney – A Magical Life," a show featuring a lifelike animatronic of the company's founder that debuts Thursday and also marks Disneyland's official anniversary.

Disneyland now ranks as the world’s second-most visited theme park, closely behind Magic Kingdom at Disney World in Florida, which opened in 1971. According to the Themed Entertainment Association, Disneyland drew more than 17 million people in 2023, bouncing back from an unprecedented 13-month closure during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As Disneyland celebrates its 70th anniversary, see photos of the iconic park that paved the way for theme parks as we know them today.