This photo of an unusually somber Walt Disney was taken during the summer of 1955 just before Disneyland opened on July 17. Perhaps he’s not somber at all—just utterly exhausted. Getting the park up and running had been a long, difficult, and exhausting marathon on which Disney had risked just about everything. We, of course, know that Disneyland was a hit from the get-go, but when this photo was taken, Uncle Walt had no idea if his gamble would pay off. He’s sitting in the Town Square part of Main Street – Disneyland’s City Hall is behind him. And it was probably the last time that part of Disneyland was that empty. Shortly after this photo was taken, it would be overrun!

Early map of proposed Disneyland: