What's so Great About Disneyland?

As logic goes, bigger is better and Walt Disney World has all those wonderful parks and so much land, so why would anyone choose to make Disneyland their vacation destination, all other things being equal?

Disneyland is widely accepted as the first theme park. There were amusement parks before, but never a park that had well defined themes and continuity. Walt Disney was already a Hollywood innovator, but his plan to make a park for families was truly the first of its kind. Using his own characters as well as high points from live action films of the studio and dreams of the future, Walt risked everything, his studio and his home to make a clean, fun place for all. By masterful marketing from Walt and financial juggling from his brother and partner, Roy, Disneyland, became a reality on July 17, 1955. Gloomsters had predicted failure, but Disneyland quickly became a huge success.

Walt risked everything for his park, and his spirit is felt here. There are little walkways with an ambiance and charm you will not find in any other park. Thank Walt and his designers who were constructing something entirely new. . Anyone of a certain age with remember Tinkerbell announcing all the original lands at the beginning of the television show that Walt used to promote interest in this new idea. I still see Tinkerbell in her little moccasins doing a dance for Frontierland. Nostalgia and Disneyland go hand in hand.

The charm of Main Street seamlessly blends to other lands from a central hub. Ahead there's the castle, much smaller than in Walt Disney World, but with much more charm and little corners of whimsy.

To the left, Adventureland, then Frontierland with the charming New Orleans Square tucked to the side and Critter Country in the back. Fantasyland through the castle, Toontown in back. Turn right off of Main Street and find Tomorrowland. That's it. Walk anywhere easily and quickly. No boats or busses necessary. The Matterhorn is only found in Disneyland, other attractions are duplicates but the originals in Disneyland have more heart

Everything good about any other Disney park has its seed from Disneyland. As you walk the smaller streets, smell the candy making, admire the windows with Disney innovators names written on them, and walk by the Partners statue at the hub, realize that Disneyland is much more than rides, remember the man who made it all happen, cherish the only park he ever set foot in, thank him for his tenacity and courage and creativity. And as you leave the park, take a look at the fire station to your right. There you'll see a light burning in the upper window. It's Walt's apartment, where he actually stayed, and it's kept in remembrance. Let that light remind you help you and understand that Disneyland, and Walt himself, are truly American originals.