Short answers, pulled from the story.
Disneyland officially opened to the public on the 17th of July 1955, although the event is now remembered as Black Sunday due to numerous operational failures. The park closed early on that day, and July 18 is considered the official opening date while July 17 is commemorated as the park's birthday.
Disneyland was built on 160 acres of orange groves and walnut trees in Anaheim, California, in 1953. The location was chosen over Burbank because the initial site adjacent to the studios was too small, and Anaheim offered the necessary space for future growth.
Walt Disney conceived the idea for Disneyland after observing his daughters at a merry-go-round in Griffith Park. He hired a creative team including C. V. Wood and Harrison Price to form WED Enterprises, which developed the park's immersive design and narrative.
In 1959, Soviet First Secretary Nikita Khrushchev requested to visit Disneyland but was denied due to security concerns during the Cold War. The park also hosted a 1970 anti-Vietnam War protest by the Youth International Party that led to an early closure and highlighted the park's role as a microcosm of American society.
The Disneyland Monorail opened in 1959 as the first daily-operating monorail in the Western Hemisphere. This transportation system was part of a broader network that included the Disneyland Railroad and Main Street Vehicles to enhance the guest experience.