Editor’s note: This post is by guest blogger Whit Honea, an award-winning writer in the greater Los Angeles area. He is a husband of one, a father of two and the lifeline to many relatively tame creatures. Whit’s writing can be found at UpTake, FameCrawler, AOL’s StyleList, Green Daily, DadCentric and the Disney Blog.
Disneyland is many things to many people. It’s memories past and future. It’s magic. It’s expensive. It’s a good walk spoiled. Wait, that last one is golf, but still, there’s a lot of walking.
Disneyland used to be one man’s dream - the original magic kingdom, but it has since morphed into something much bigger, and though purists may disagree, perhaps better.
The happiest place on earth? If you're a kid, yes!
Disneyland was founded by Walt Disney as an alternative to the existing parks of his time. He wanted someplace clean and fun where kids could be kids and adults could escape from the pressures of their daily lives. He wanted a place where reality was checked at the door, or gate as the case may be. It worked and it is still working today.
Disneyland: Whatever works for you
Disneyland is divided into different themed areas, each connected via the hub in the center or the railroad that runs mainly along the perimeter of the park’s public areas. Or your imagination. Whatever works for you.
The areas consist of Main Street, USA, Adventureland, Frontierland, Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, New Orleans Square, Critter Country and Mickeys Toontown. Each different land offers a variety of rides, shows, shops, dining and opportunities to meet and greet an array of Disneys famous characters - not to mention the other characters that fill the park, those of the paying customer variety.
Disneyland has numerous spacious and clean restrooms, a quiet area for those with small children, first aid, assistance for guests with disabilities, lockers and anything else one might need while away from home.
Disneyland tip: Child swap!
Where dreams come true, since 1955
Of note for parents traveling with children that do not meet height requirements on certain rides, ask a cast member about a child swap voucher which will allow one parent to ride while the other stays with the kid(s). Then the second adult(s) may access the same ride through a much shorter line than the main queue. After all, the grown-ups are footing the bill, they should get to ride whatever they want, too.
Located in Anaheim, California, just south of Los Angeles, the park, which is now part of the Disneyland Resort, is popular with both locals and tourists. There is the 10-year-old second gate, Disney’s California Adventure (DCA), which is currently undergoing a major overhaul (should be done by 2012), the Downtown Disney entertainment area which features such favorites as the Rainforest Cafe and the LEGO store, and three hotels: the classic Disneyland Hotel, the breathtaking Grand Californian and the other one that isn’t really worth staying at.
The days of seeing it all in one day are gone. The Disneyland Resort is a destination and to experience it all while maintaining any sense of sanity takes days. Yes, days of Disney magic and memories. Expensive memories. The sanity is relative. But life is short and childhood fleeting, if anything is worth the time and expense of Disneyland it’s the smile it creates on a child’s face, and let’s be honest- the smile on the parent’s as well.
Disneyland: Things to do for adults
With the transformation from park to resort there are plenty of things for adults to enjoy whether they have kids in tow or not. There are spas and bars (ESPN ZONE and House of Blues to name two) plus Disney spins on such activities as a half-marathon and a food and wine festival. It can even be romantic.
Then there is Christmas (or the winter holiday of your choice, but mainly Christmas). The holidays at Disneyland, from Halloween to New Year’s Eve, are a real treat (or trick, if visiting in October). There are special events associated with the holidays- parades, shows, shopping, decorations, food and anything else that Disney can think of, which let’s face it, is quite a bit. They even have special versions of two popular rides, the Haunted Mansion (overlaid with Jack Skellington and friends) and It’s a Small World (annoyingly sweet song replaced with annoyingly festive song), respectively. And lights. Lots and lots of lights.
The park and the greater resort area may now be bigger than Mr. Disney imagined, or maybe not- the guy was a dreamer, but what it promised in 1955 is still alive and well: “To all that 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 hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world.”
It is.
Remember that when you’re standing in line behind crying kids and screaming parents. It’s the spoonful of sugar that helps the medicine go down, and quite frankly, it’s pretty magical.
-Whit Honea
Planning a trip? Browse Viator’s Anaheim tours & things to do. You can also book Disneyland on a bus from Los Angeles over on the main Viator website.
April 9th, 2009 at 4:16 pm
I never thought of Disneyland as romantic. I do now.
April 15th, 2009 at 12:54 am
I personally think it’s not what it used to be and as opposed to being a family orientated day out they’ve tried to turn it into a money printing factory. That said i’m sure the kids probably couldn’t care less about any of that!
May 3rd, 2009 at 10:17 am
I’ve always wanted to check out Disneyland and never had the chance. However, my childhood was filled with the characters of Disney and I grew up believing in them as I remember them well on the big screen. I will probably go there - believe it or not - when I retire, just to remember the magic of childhood.
Beyond Disney, i’ve enjoyed reading some of the postings here on this site.