The Magic World of Disneyland

Walt Disney's dream came true when he opened Disneyland Park in California. In his own words, the secret of making dreams come true is curiosity, confidence, courage and constancy. And Disneyland is all about dreams.

Disneyland was started by a mouse debuting as Steamboat Willie. Mickey Mouse first appeared in 1928. In 1937, Walt Disney produced Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and later went on to produce Pinocchio, Fantasia, Dumbo and Bambi. Walt Disney's name is synonymous with imagination and creation. And in his own words, 'nothing is impossible.'.

On a recent visit to this fairyland amusement park, although Bambi was not in evidence, Dumbo flew around Fantasyland carrying happy, laughing children and their parents. And on a ride through the forest we visited the home of the seven dwarfs and witnessed the 'happily ever after' story of Snow White.

In Toontown Mickey Mouse, Walt Disney's first loveable cartoon character meets and greets visitors to the park along with Goofy and Donald Duck allowing ample opportunities for photos to be taken.

Disney worked endlessly in the early years to perfect the art of animation. Technicolor was first introduced to his animations in his production of Silly Symphonies. On Paradise Pier the Silly Symphony swings now take guests for a spin over the boardwalk. Also in this area of California park the World of Color display of colored dancing lights with animated characters are no doubt in memory of Disney's Wonderful World of Color production of 1961. Although Disney died in 1966, he definitely has not been forgotten and is thought of as a bridge from the past to the future.

A visit to Disneyland is, as Disney planned, an exciting experience for both adults and children alike. Among my favorite rides are Pirates of the Caribbean which opened in 1967 and was one of the last Disney was involved with before his untimely death; the haunted mansion, although not introduced to the park until 1969 was an idea conceived many years previously by Walt Disney, and It's a Small World which was added in 1964. Another favorite, although a much more recent addition, is Soaring over California which takes riders on a hang glider flight over the Golden Gate Bridge, Yosemite National Park, Lake Tahoe and San Diego harbor to name a few of the beautiful sights you will see as the breeze caresses your face and gently blows through your hair. Other favorites are Grizzly River Run, the Jungle Cruise and Peter Pan's Flight. Tower of Terror, a relatively new addition is not a favorite of mine, nor California Screaming but were rides my sons went on several times.

Disneyland and California Adventure Parks are a combination of adventure, magic and dreams. The results of Walt Disney's dreams are where every adult can be a child again and every child can believe in the impossible.