Centenarian Dee Kolafa, who attended Disneyland’s opening day in 1955, celebrates her 100th birthday at park

ANAHEIM, California — Dee Kolafa attended Disneyland’s opening day on July 17, 1955. Nearly seven decades later, as the Walt Disney Co. celebrated its centenary this year, Kolafa celebrated her 100th birthday as a special guest at the Anaheim theme park.

“I was a bit surprised myself that I woke up to tell the truth,” Kolafa said with a smile on Wednesday. “I didn’t know they would do so much. I was just delighted that they would take me to a celebration.”

Her grandson, Eric Sawyer, said, “I was just thinking about it, and I thought, it’s kind of cool that my grandma turns 100 this year and the Disney Company turns 100.”

Sawyer decided to write a letter to Disneyland Resort President Ken Potrock, explaining the various connections between his grandmother and the company, including how they both lived to be 100 years old. Sawyer also mentioned that Kolafa’s son and great-granddaughter worked at Disneyland. Sawyer asks if Disneyland can recognize his grandmother’s 100th year.

“I knew my grandma well enough to know that she would appreciate a letter,” he said. “But instead they actually sent gifts from Disney and then a note that said, ‘Come and join us.’ She was very excited, very excited.”

Kolafa made the journey from Sacramento to Anaheim with her family.

Theme park enthusiasts visit all 12 Disney parks and ride more than 200 rides over 12 days

“Grandma Dee, as her family calls her, is celebrating her 100th birthday this month, which is incredibly exciting,” Potrock said. “She remembers everything about opening day and all her experiences over so many different decades. What a pleasure for us to be able to host them here at Disneyland today.”

Kolafa and her family enjoyed some of their favorite attractions, including It’s A Small World, and were given an exclusive tour of Walt Disney’s home on Main Street, USA

“I don’t know if there’s anything else that could make this day even more special,” Sawyer said.

The Walt Disney Co. is the parent company of this station.