August 16, 2017

When was the first time you visited Disneyland Park? Why did it take you so long to make your initial visit? For me, my first trip was just days before the park’s 62^nd birthday, July 12, 2017! Similar to many of you reading this, my biggest obstacle was the location of the park. As a Michigan native from a family of fearful flyers, going further West than Chicago, Illinois, was an adventure, not a vacation!

But, like many of you I always dreamt of my first visit (even while I was a Walt Disney World Cast Member), even though it seemed impossible. Let’s be honest, it is kind of fun to do the impossible.

History

For Walt Disney, Disneyland Park was a creation he dreamed of beginning in the 1930s and 1940s when he would often visit amusement parks with his daughters. What first began as a small idea quickly became a grandiose project to create a magical, family-friendly theme park.

The biggest factors in Disneyland Park’s creation were its location and financing. Walt needed the space to create his vision and the accessibility of both Los Angeles and local freeways. In order to get the financing needed to build the park, Walt began WED Enterprises on December 16, 1952 (becoming Walt Disney Imagineering in 1986); the initial three members began designing aspects of the park. Roy O. Disney, Walt’s brother, lined up meetings with banks and investors; however, Walt needed drawings as no one would invest in a vision alone. Time was of the essence. Enter: Herb Ryman. A former Disney artist with a reputation for working quickly, Herb created the initial sketch for Disneyland Park based upon Walt’s vision in just a weekend!

The drawing was just what Walt needed to begin construction, which broke ground on July 21, 1954. Just under one year later on July 12, 1955, the $17,000,000 park opened its gates to nearly 30,000 guests in attendance as well as numerous others via an ABC Television Network event.

In his speech on Opening Day, Walt dedicated the “Magic Kingdom”:

“To all who come to this happy place: Welcome. Disneyland is your land. Here, age relives fond memories of the past, and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future. Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams, and the hard facts that have created America, with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world.”

Over the past 62 years, Disneyland Park has undergone numerous changes and updates firmly cementing it as a source of joy and inspiration for all ages just as Walt had dreamt.

In a short, 2-part blog, I will present a brief spotlight on Disneyland Park while shedding light on its attractions, dining options, special event information, character experiences, and nighttime spectaculars offerings.

Attractions

As guests walk into Disneyland Park, they first encounter Main Street, U.S.A., a long corridor-style entrance taking guests to the unique hub-and-spoke park design Walt had created. With regards to Main Street, U.S.A., he had said:

“For those of us who remember the carefree time it recreates, Main Street will bring back happy memories. For younger visitors, it is an adventure in turning back the calendar to the days of grandfather’s youth.”

At the hub, Walt placed Sleeping Beauty Castle, originally meant to be “something promising” to encourage guests to continue down Main Street to the rest of the park. This tradition has continued to every Disney Park worldwide!

The lands of Disneyland Park and some of its most popular attractions include:

• Adventureland
  • Jungle Cruise
  • Indiana Jones^TM Adventure (FP)
• Frontierland
  • Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (FP)
• New Orleans Square
  • Pirates of the Caribbean
  • Haunted Mansion (FP)
• Critter Country
  • Splash Mountain (FP)

• Fantasyland
  • Dumbo the Flying Elephant
  • Toad’s Wild Ride
  • Peter Pan’s Flight
  • Matterhorn Bobsleds (FP)
  • “it’s a small world”
• Mickey’s Toontown
  • Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin (FP)
• Tomorrowland
  • Space Mountain (FP)
  • Star Tours – The Adventures Continue (FP)
  • Buzz Lightyear Astroblasters (FP)
• Star Wars:  Galaxy’s Edge (coming in 2019)

Many of the attractions listed above have FASTPASS options (denoted with FP next to the attraction name). The FASTPASS service allows guests to place their park ticket into a FASTPASS distribution machine (near the desired attraction) for a one-hour timeslot later in the day giving guests the opportunity of getting through the attraction line in a considerably shorter amount of time (typically five to fifteen minutes or less). In addition to this service, the Disneyland Resort added in an optional supplement: Disney MaxPass.

Disney MaxPass

Beginning on July 19, 2017, guests were able to experience Disney MaxPass firsthand. The Disney MaxPass service allows guests to make Disney FASTPASS reservations through the Disneyland Resort app plus get unlimited Disney PhotoPass downloads for the day. The cost? Per person, per ticket, per day, guests will pay $10. Guests can purchase the Disney MaxPass at one of two times: when they purchase their ticket prior to arrival or as an add-on via the Disneyland Resort app once they enter Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park. Annual Passholders have the same option as well as the annual option for $75, which would expire when their current annual pass expires.

Up Next: Part 2

In the second part of my spotlight on Disneyland Park, I will discuss the delicious dining options, special event information, character interaction experiences, and the incredible nighttime spectaculars that you can enjoy during your visit. Walt dreamt big with Disneyland Park and took special care in everything it had to offer making the park a family-favorite for generations.

Your Thoughts

What are some of your favorite attractions at Disneyland Park? Have you tried Disney MaxPass firsthand? What was your first impression? It is always interesting and helpful to us and our readers to hear about your Disney experiences, so please share your questions and comments below!

As featured on Fairytale Adventures Travel on August 16, 2017.