On Disneyland’s 55th birthday, while I was waiting in Town Square for the Rededication Ceremony, I spoke with AllEars reader Iris, who has been to Disneyland on every July 17, from opening day until today! She grew up in southern California though she has lived in Texas for the last few years. She was kind enough to allow me to take a photo and conduct a short interview.

LG: What does Disneyland’s birthday mean to you?

Iris: It’s a recognition of Walt. It’s a rebirth of the spirit. I think that’s what it’s all about – when things go bad you come here, or Walt Disney World. But this is home – this is where my heart is. I grew up in Southern California. And the birthday thing is something I do – it’s a tradition like Thanksgiving or Christmas. And people who know me: “Where is she going to be on July 17? In California of course”.

LG: What do you remember about opening day?

Iris: It was as hot as this and there was no water. But I remember meeting the Mouseketeers. I remember running around. I was here by mistake on opening day. My brother had been born a couple days beforehand, and my mom got these golden tickets that she didn’t know what it was, and she told my dad just take the kids because she wasn’t feeling good. And so we were here by mistake and it was fun, it was wonderful. There were only a few rides in those days, but you know, where else could you go? I have a picture of me sitting on Walt’s lap. Where else could you go and meet Walt? Where else could you go and see Fess Parker/Davy Crockett. It was wonderful, I just love it. And it’s little traditions, like the Mickey Mouse waffle – you have to have one on the birthday. I will be here [on the birthday] for hmm…I’ve got my children and my grandchildren, if nothing else they can bring my picture!

Thank you, Iris – I hope you’ll spend many more July 17ths at Disneyland!

Also in attendance at the rededication ceremony were members of Disneyland’s Club 55. These are former cast members who worked for Disney in 1955. To be a member of Club 55, they had to show a paycheck signed by Walt Disney dated in 1955. Some of them were cast members on Disneyland’s Opening Day. There are about 20 still living, and seven of them were present for the 55th birthday. Here, Tom Nabbe, Disneyland’s original Tom Sawyer, talks about his first three days at Disneyland, July 17-19, 1955. (Sorry about the audio – it was noisy in the foyer of the Opera House!)

Here, the Club 55 Members pose with Disneyland Resort President George Kalogridis and Disneyland Ambassador Danielle DuBois.

In the late afternoon was the Happy Birthday Sing-a-Long, with a little surprise at the end!