for the catchy and infectious song and incorporated into the finale scene of the beloved attraction.

Disney CEO Bob Iger, Disney Parks boss Josh D’Amaro and Disneyland Resort President Thomas Mazloum presided over the raising of the American flag on Disneyland’s Town Square around 6 a.m. Thursday as thousands of Disneyland employees stood in silence. Iger and D’Amaro rang the opening bell for the New York Stock Exchange remotely from Disneyland’s Main Street, U.S.A. around 6:30 a.m. Thursday.

Iger and D’Amaro spoke at 7:20 a.m. Thursday from in front of the floral Mickey inside the Disneyland front gate. Iger echoed Walt Disney’s 1955 opening day remarks and D’Amaro commented on the 70th anniversary celebration as a trainload of Disney characters rolled into the Disneyland Railroad station.

Lines to get into Disneyland on Thursday at 7:15 a.m. stretched past the Monorail beam with queues at the Disney California Adventure gate six people deep.

Visitors entering Disneyland in the morning received a free July 17 collectible button and a poster-sized commemorative map based on a 1954 rendering of Disneyland by Disney legend Peter Ellenshaw.

Lines for merchandise for some shops were longer than the wait for the Disneyland Monorail (5 minutes), Casey Jr. Circus Train (5 minutes), Mad Tea Party (5 minutes), Mark Twain Riverboat (10 minutes) and Pinocchio’s Daring Journey (10 minutes). Fifty people waited in a line that stretched across the Frontierland bridge to the hub for 70th anniversary pins at the Western Ho Trading Co.

The blink-and-you’ll-miss-it new verse on It’s a Small World played twice in the finale room of the leisurely boat ride.

Nearly 100 Disneyland visitors waited in line at 9 a.m. outside World of Disney in Downtown Disney for the release of three exclusive 70th anniversary collectible pins costing $25 to $40.

Queues formed outside Main Street, U.S.A. shops for the opportunity to purchase exclusive 70th anniversary merchandise.

There was a 30-minute queue with a snaking back and forth line for Tropical Hideaway. The top 70th anniversary items included a Peach Dole Whip and a sundae that weren’t available via mobile order.

Visitors called for the virtual queue waited in line in a backstage passageway for their chance to see “Walt Disney — A Magical Life.”

Even Minnie Mouse had to wait as the long line of visitors loaded into the Main Street Opera House. Visitors not yet called for the virtual queue milled in front of the Mad Hatter gift shop for their turn to be called.

Disneyland visitors gathered under a shady tree in front of Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe at 11:59 a.m. with Disneyland app open poised to nab a spot in the noon virtual queue distribution. Most came away happy with return groups later in the day. Group numbers reached near 400 for later in the day with the attraction calling 166 at noon.

The Main Street Cinema was busier than it’s been in years. About 50 people filled the cinema as the new film played on all six screens. Signs in the foyer paid tribute to the Sherman Brothers song contributions in TV, film and theme parks.

The wait times at Disneyland at 11:20 a.m.: It’s a Small World (75 minutes), Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (65 minutes) and Space Mountain (50 minutes). Rise of the Resistance was temporarily closed at the time.

“The Celebrate Happy Cavalcade” added a sing-along by the thousands lining the parade route wishing the park Happy Birthday led by the Disneyland marching band.

Before the park opened on Thursday, Disneyland cast members posed for photos with a 75-foot-tall hot air balloon on the hub in front of the Tomorrowland entrance. The 70th anniversary balloon has been touring across the United States with stops in Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, Denver, Seattle, Portland, Sacramento and San Francisco to promote the park.

Disneyland reservations for daily ticket holders were still available on the morning of July 17.

Inspire and Believe Magic Key reservations were sold out for Disneyland on July 17. Disney California Adventure access was still available throughout the day which allowed passholders to park hop over to Disneyland after 11 a.m.

Enchant and Imagine Magic Key passholders were blocked out of both parks for the entire month of July.

Disneyland is offering deep discounts on tickets during the summer kickoff of its 70th anniversary celebration with prices as low as $100 for a one-day, one-park ticket good through Aug. 14 when prices typically hover between $142 and $206.

The two summer deals include a $400 4-day ticket and a $360 3-day ticket — each good for one park per day.