Early History of Disneyland

My first encounter with Disney was a trip to Disneyland. Oh what a trip it was. There was no such thing as Disney World and Disneyland was a world away. My precious Dad and Mom got us there. It must have been with God's blessings, because the car was not that great and there was only one gas station on the east side of the desert.

Magic, Magic!

I remember! First, I remember, "It's a Small World". I have never seen anything like it before or since. All the little people sang and moved and we floated around in a boat listening to the most beautiful sound in the world - "It's a Small World". In my memory, the little people were from different countries but their clothes were bright white, so it seemed something like this glistening white wonderland with a river flowing through it.

The Pirates of the Caribbean

Then I remember "The Pirates of the Caribbean". They sung, "Ho, Ho, Ho and a Bottle of Rum". It was somewhat scary but Mom and Dad would protect us. The men stood up, shot at each other, and drank out of funny looking bottles. We floated around on that ride too. I was afraid they would shoot us. I hoped those ugly men would leave us alone. The scenes were dark and messy. There were fat laughing women with missing teeth and broken down ships with torn sails. That is what I remember anyway.

There was So Much to See and Do

Oh yes, I remember the Cinderella's Castle, and the Mad Tea Party. I think I was too small for the Matterhorn or Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. However, I believe we rode a raft to Tom Sawyer Island, explored Tom Sawyer's Island, saw a Frontierland Shootin' Exposition, Rode the Disneyland train, and went on a cool Jungle Cruise.

The Animals Looked Alive

On the Jungle Cruise life sized elephants showed up around corners. One elephant poured water over his back as if to take a bath. Hippos popped out of the water as if from nowhere. The sounds of the jungle were all there too. All these things fascinated me as a child.

Disneyland the Park, Nothing else

I wish I could tell you more about that visit, but I was very small. Some memorabilia could jog my memory more but I doubt it. These are my fondest memories and the ones I wish to keep closest to my heart. Moreover, there was no Disney's Grand California hotel, Downtown Disney District, Disneyland hotel, Paradise Pier hotel, and Disney's California Adventure park like there is today. To us there was only Disneyland, what they call Disneyland Park today. I am sure Disneyland has changed over the years, but its magic is still in my heart.

Disney World has Been Magical, Too

Since that time, I have been to Disney World three times and would love to go back again. It is still a long drive to Florida but I always think the drive is worthwhile. I have been to three of the parks, two of the water parks, and Pleasure Island. The Animal Kingdom was not finished the last time I went. There is just something special about the Disney Parks and I hope the spirit of Walt Disney continues to live on through them.