by Anaheim, California — As Disneyland marks its 70th anniversary, one couple’s love story is celebrating the same milestone, woven tightly into the history of “The Happiest Place on Earth.” For Dick and Cynthia Borrud, Disneyland has never just been a theme park — it has been a backdrop to their marriage, their family, and seven decades of shared life.
The couple first walked through Disneyland’s gates in 1955, just weeks after the park opened, during their honeymoon. What began as a newlywed outing quickly turned into a tradition that has lasted for every year of Disneyland’s operation.
A honeymoon visit that became a lifelong ritual
On that first visit, Dick and Cynthia experienced many of the attractions that defined Disneyland’s earliest days. They rode the King Arthur Carousel, floated along on the Mark Twain Riverboat, explored the Jungle Cruise, and circled the park aboard the Disneyland Railroad.
Rather than staying all day, the newlyweds left the park around midday to eat with family members in the picnic area outside the gates — a common practice in Disneyland’s early years, according to accounts shared by Disney.
What neither of them could have known at the time was that this simple honeymoon visit would become the foundation of a tradition spanning seven decades.
What started as a single honeymoon stop soon became a yearly return whenever life brought them back to Southern California.
Watching Disneyland grow alongside their family
As the years passed, Disneyland evolved — and so did the Borruds’ family. Annual visits continued as children arrived, and later, grandchildren joined the tradition. Family photo albums began to tell two stories at once: the expansion of Disneyland and the growth of a family.
New lands, attractions, and technologies appeared over the years, but the park remained a familiar anchor, a place where generations could reconnect.
The Borruds’ visits weren’t driven by novelty alone. Instead, Disneyland became a constant — a place where memories stacked gently on top of one another, year after year.
Returning for the 70th anniversary
Now in their 90s and living in Ellensburg, Washington, Dick and Cynthia returned to Disneyland this year to mark both anniversaries — the park’s and their marriage — together.
They traveled with their daughter, Julie, and their grandchildren, Anna and Lars Enger, turning the milestone into a multigenerational celebration.
Despite the size of the modern resort and the many changes since 1955, their connection to Disneyland remains rooted in its earlier days.
Still drawn to the classics
Even after decades of innovation and expansion, Dick and Cynthia continue to favor the attractions that shaped their earliest visits. Among their favorites are:
- The Disneyland Railroad
- “It’s a Small World”
- The Jungle Cruise
These rides, many of which date back to Disneyland’s formative years, hold deep personal meaning for the couple. They represent continuity — reminders that while much has changed, some experiences remain timeless.
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Simple pleasures define the visit
Beyond the rides, the couple finds joy in quieter moments that reflect the park’s charm. They enjoy stopping for coffee and treats at Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe on Main Street, U.S.A., a ritual that mirrors the relaxed pace they now prefer.
At Disney California Adventure, they appreciate sitting together with a glass of wine at Mendocino Terrace, watching the day slow down. One of their favorite sights remains the glow of neon lights at sunset in Cars Land, a modern addition that still feels magical.
For them, Disneyland isn’t about doing everything — it’s about savoring familiar moments.
A story tied to the park’s legacy
As Disneyland celebrates 70 years of operation, the Borruds’ story offers a reminder that the park’s legacy isn’t only built on attractions or technology, but on the people who return again and again, carrying memories across generations.
For Dick and Cynthia, Disneyland has marked milestones quietly — from newlyweds to parents, grandparents, and now great storytellers for their family.
Their shared anniversaries highlight how places can become part of personal history, serving as witnesses to lives well lived.
As the celebration continues, their story stands as a reflection of what Disneyland has meant to millions: not just entertainment, but a place where time, memory, and connection come together.
Do you have a place that has followed your family’s story through the years? Share your memories in the comments.
