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 Disneyland is truly the ultimate
tourist attraction which provides fun for people of all ages. A trip to
Disneyland is a trip into imagination, relive your childhood fantasies and enjoy
a total escapist experience. Disneyland is a very exciting and magical place.
Inside the park is history, and you can see the dream of Walt
Disney throughout the day. Disneyland was a dream come
true. The dreamer of this "magical little park" was
Mr. Walt E. Disney.
Walt wanted to create a kind of family park
where kids and parents could have fun together. The land that now houses
Disneyland used to be just 180 acres of orange groves and
walnut trees. Anaheim California was the spot
chosen to hold a mountain, rivers and the other various ideas Disneyland
now contains.When the real designing came about, Walt was met with tough
questions. How do you make believable wild animals? How do you make a
Mississippi paddle ship? How exactly do you go about building a big
castle in the middle of Anaheim, California? Disney looked to his
movie studio staff for the answers. The design of
Disneyland was something never done before. There would be five
uniquely different lands: Main Street, Adventureland, Frontierland,
Fantasyland and Tomorrowland.
Disneyland was built in 1 year.
Construction began on July 21, 1954. Bit by bit, piece by
piece, Disneyland got ready for Opening Day July 17
1955. Disneyland was built for a total cost of 17.5
million dollars. The televised opening is hosted by Ronald
Reagan, Art Linkletter and Bob
Cummings.
On February 8, 2001, the shiny gates of Disney's
California Adventure opened in Anaheim to deliriously excitable queues of
visitors. Disney's newest theme park is divided into three
California-themed lands: Golden State, Paradise
Pier, and Hollywood Pictures Backlot with the
first featuring a simulation of the state's majestic national parks called the
Grizzly Park Recreation Area. From postcards of
Ansel Adams's pristine valleys to David
Lynch's scary Twin Peaks, platitudes of redwoods and
national parks play the role of a globally recognizable original wilderness.
 The
Disneyland Explorer
Disneyland
opened July 17, 1955, with 18 major attractions.
Today Disneyland is divided into eight themed lands with
more than 60 attractions. Disneyland is
open 365 days a year and offers extended operating hours during holiday periods
and summer months.
The Disneyland Park is a good
size, with many fantastic attractions. The best
rides fill up fast and the lines can be quite long, but if you are a
patient person, you will do fine. The new California
Adventure park was a pleasant surprise. For nostalgia
fans, you can see the original Haunted Mansion and
Pirates of the Caribbean attractions, still in great shape and
still as much fun as in the 60's when they were built. Let's say it's
changed a lot. As much as you miss some of the old
nostalgic items in the park, what they have done in recent years, and
especially for the 50th anniversary, are wonderful.
The best ride (in my opinion)
is the high-tech Indiana Jones Adventure, perfect for fans of the
movies and anyone who wants to experience the most realistic ride on the planet!
Main Street ,
U.S.A
Main Street, U.S.A. is where Disneyland guests
find themselves magically teleported to a turn-of-the-century
mid-West town, bustling and alive with friendship, hard work and much play.
Amongst the Victorian buildings painted in a vast array of pastels and other
colors pleasing to the eye can be heard the constant "clop-cloping" of horses'
hoofs as they make their way up and down the busy street. Walt
Disney 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." The scent of caramel-dipped
apples and freshly-made ice cream cones accompany the sounds of the local
barbershop quartet and the always-grinning pianist playing his heart out here in
this delicious slice of yesteryear. Main Street, U.S.A. pays homage to the
surroundings of Walt and Roy Disney during their youths; a time and place that
exist now only in snapshots and the memories of our elders.
Walt Disney said, "To create a land that would
make this dream reality, we pictured ourselves far from
civilization, in the remote jungles of Asia and Africa." The
steaming jungles and muddy paths of Adventureland are where mystery and
excitement dwell. As sunlight battles to make its way through the dense foliage
of this "Lost Delta Region," guests are surrounded by
sights and sounds only read about in classic tales such as "The Swiss Family
Robinson" or "Tarzan." From the jungle comes a volley of sounds - the loud and
obscene chatter of monkeys and apes; the majestic roar of a lion (known to the
natives as simba); the slow and deliberate hiss of a python lying in wait. The
colors of this tropical canvas are a plethora of greens, blues and earth tones,
all blending together to create a breathtaking display of nature. The landscape
is littered with ancient ruins, temples and even a small village where all types
of curios may be found. To the brave of heart,
Adventureland is the perfect place... to be
headed!
Frontierland is the old West brought back to
life as a wonderful river flows along its dusty banks lined with tumbleweeds,
rattlesnakes and cactus. On the horizon, breathtaking buttes and natural rock
formations form valleys and plateaus that most surely play home to hot mineral
geysers and rainbow-filled caverns far below the earth. Once upon a time, this
was a booming mining community, its water rich with gold. Families stroll along
the wooden planks of the small town past saloons and a host of supply stores as
the sheriff keeps the peace. In a place like Frontierland
however, that's not a difficult job. It's easy to see just how
rewarding - and simple life was, once upon a time in this town that time forgot.
One might just sit a spell and sip slowly on a chilled sarsaparilla and listen
to the lonely sounds of a harmonica being played across the river in a log cabin
or the music of crickets mingling and moving about under the wild Western sky.
Walt Disney said, "All of us have cause to be proud of our
country's history, shaped by the pioneering spirit of our
forefathers. Our adventures are designed to give you the feeling of
having lived, even for a short while, during our country's pioneer
days."
Fantasyland was created with the goal to
"make dreams come true" from the lyrics of "When You
Wish Upon a Star." Walt Disney said, "What youngster
has not dreamed of flying with Peter Pan over moonlit
London, or tumbling into Alice's nonsensical
Wonderland? In Fantasyland, these classic stories of everyone's youth
have become realities for youngsters-of all ages-to participate
in." If there is one truly "magical" land at Disneyland, it
has to be Fantasyland. Well-known to be Walt Disney's personal
favorite, this enchanted place is home to flying pirate ships,
mad tea parties and crazed toads. Tucked away behind the protective walls of
Sleeping Beauty Castle, Fantasyland resounds with
childhood memories and the innocence of youth. In the shadow of
snow-capped Matterhorn Mountain, guests will find themselves amongst
Walt's most beloved characters and their worlds of fancy. One can't help but
smile as they stroll through this place filled with music and laughter. Soothing
architecture and whimsical landscaping combine to offer the perfect setting for
the most "Disney" land of them all!
If there is a "land on the move," it has to be
Disneyland's Tomorrowland. With neon spires
reaching into the skyline and the roar of futuristic vehicles
filling the air, this land is a buzz of activity, light-years ahead of
the rest. Designed to be futuristic but at the same time, completely
down-to-earth in landscaping (every element used in the area's landscape is
edible) and productive, Tomorrowland is an on-going experiment
that looks to the coming centuries we stand to face as well as salutes the
accomplishments we've already enjoyed. There's a great big, beautiful
tomorrow for all of us; this very popular land is a
Disney-style sampling of that day and age.
Tomorrowland is a look at the "marvels of the future." Walt Disney
said, "Tomorrow can be a wonderful age. Our scientists
today are opening the doors of the Space Age to
achievements that will benefit our children and generations to
come. The Tomorrowland attractions have been designed to give you an opportunity
to participate in adventures that are a living blueprint of our future."
As close as one can come to visiting
The Big Easy, New Orleans Square is a
picture-perfect sampling of one of America's most beloved cities, known locally
as N'awlins. This Southern haven of unique shops and elaborate
mansions almost resounds with echoes of the past - years of Mardi
Gras celebrations with the laughter of the masses, loud and bold brass
bands and the sound of thousands of plastic trinkets scattering along the
streets as they're tossed from balconies and rooftops to the crowds below. On
afternoons when the sun is captured by storm clouds, thunder rolls in the
distance; one can't help but think about the days when pirate ships sailed the
waters and opened fire on unsuspecting ports of call and other vessels going
about their business. Between the relentless scent of Cajun
fixin's and the mouth-watering appeal of a cool mint julep on a
sweltering hot summer day, it's easy to think of 999 reasons to spend
some time in New Orleans Square just soakin' up the attitude,
atmosphere and Southern hospitality!
The great outdoors, with its open fields
and mountains adorned with massive pine trees and thick brush plays home to
hundreds of animals and creatures of all shapes and sizes; this could only be
known as Critter Country. For the most part, this vast
wilderness is untouched by the hands of man; where he has come face-to-face with
nature, the two live in harmony and every day is one of those
Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah days. As evening comes, the cool night air is
filled with the sounds of coyotes yipping at the moon and other critters
searching for food - from soft mountain streams to the gnarled thorns of a huge
briar patch. And there are bears in these parts as well - the kind once tracked
by fearless explorers such as Davey Crockett in their canoes.
It's where civilization as we know it meets Mother Nature
head-on, and it's simply gorgeous!
 The newest addition to
Disneyland is, according to mythology, the oldest. It's a
three-dimensional cartoon world, Mickey's
Toontown, home of the whole Disney gang of characters from
Donald Duck and Goofy to the Big
Cheese himself, Mickey. With eye-popping colors and
mind-bending comedic detail (Toontown proudly boasts that its architecture
offers not one straight line in the entire land), this land of zany toons can be
almost overwhelming! Whether you're there to take a wild spin with everyone's
favorite rabbit or visiting Disneyland's most famous residents
in their own quaint homes, Mickey's Toontown is sheer fun and delightfully
appealing to the child in all of us.
In addition, Disneyland has entertainment throughout the park
-
Parades, Shows and Fireworks Enjoy a peek into Mickey’s
Imagination in this nighttime stage show. There are several giant
water screens which appear and disappear throughout the show. The water
is so dense that film is projected onto these water screens. You’ll see scenes
from many of your Disney favorites. There are also live action characters such
as the Disney Princesses and a thrilling recreation of scenes
from Peter Pan. But beware when the Evil Queen and her crew of Disney villains appear
to fill Mickey’s head with nightmares. Will Mickey win over the forces of evil?
You’ll find out in this fantastic voyage complete with fireworks and other
amazing special-effects. A definite must see!
I still love Disneyland and enjoy it as much as the kids! Disney has outdone themselves. The Dreams Come True fireworks spectacular is incredible, the best fireworks show I have ever seen. It is much more than just shooting off fireworks, it is a performance you will not want to miss, in fact, be sure to see it twice (I think it was better the second time). The best spot is in front of the trees in the circle at the end of Main Street in front of the castle if you can get there. If not, get a spot in the middle of main street as close to the circle at the end of main street as you can get. Fantasmic has been enhanced and is even bettter if you can imagine that! 
Disney sure knows how to put on an increble show, party, parade, etc. Disney Land & California adventure is truly a magical experience. The resort is a spectacular combination of Walt Disney's vision of family fun and adventure. The rides are fun for all ages. There is so much to see, hear and do. The shows are fun to watch with family and friends. It's truly magical to see Mickey and Minnie walking hand in hand walking thru the park. I really loved the firework shows at night; it made me feel like a kid again. I hope you enjoy this park as much as I did. Make sure you wish upon a star, while you are there. But that said, Disneyland is Disneyland, and we will go back in a few years even with the crowds, if only to watch the sheer joy on our children's faces. It really is a magical place. I have been to the resort in Florida, and you really can't compare the two. I am partial to Disneyland, and other than the castle, didn't really warm up to the Magic Kingdom in Orlando. We loved MGM and Epcot, and the Orlando experience as a whole, but since you grew up with Disneyland, it will always be your first love.
1. Indiana Jones Adventure
1
. Wait in line for Indiana Jones, it never takes longer than 30 minutes no
matter what the sign says!
To enter Disneyland you obviously need a ticket. At Disneyland tickets are called passports. Single day, multi-day and annual passports are available for varying prices depending on your situation. Complimentary entry is also available for certain Cast Members (Disney's name for employees) and their friends and family in certain situations. So if you are or know a Cast Member, you may want to check with them. Purchase your tickets before you get to Disneyland using one of the methods shown below. You'll save yourself alot of time by not having to wait when you arrive at the park. Purchasing Passports When purchasing tickets at the Main Gate, Disneyland accepts cash, checks, traveler's checks, American Express, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, the Disney card and the JCB Credit Card. Tickets can also be purchased at any Disney Store though you should allow extra time as they may not be a stocked item. Tickets can also be purchase via mail order at: Disneyland Certain types of tickets can also be purchased at local hotels and motels or purchased online. Click here for best prices for Disneyland Hotels Let yourself go in Disneyland and you will never forget it!
There are lots of ways to get
discounts at Disneyland and Disney World on the
resort hotels and vacation packages. You can
also save substantial money on admission passes, meals, extra entertainment
offerings, airfare, rental cars and more. Spend some time exploring this site,
and you may be amazed at how many Disney bargains and deals are floating
around.
If you're planning a trip to Disneyland in California, you have a lot of airport options. The closest is Orange County (John Wayne Airport) (SNA), followed by Long Beach (LGB), Ontario (ONT), Los Angeles (LAX) and Burbank (BUR). Those who will also be visiting San Diego may even consider that airport (SAN), which is about 1.5 hours south of Disneyland. Because of its popularity, traveling to the Los Angeles area to visit Disneyland is easy. Flights are available day or night to any of the local airports.
City: Irvine, CA Airport Code: SNA The most convenient airport to land at for visiting Disneyland is John Wayne Airport. Airport shuttles are available to and from the Disneyland area and it's even close enough for taking a cab. If you'll be renting a car, some car rental companies are located at the airport. Driving distance to Disneyland: 12 miles Directions to Disneyland:
City: Los Angeles, CA Airport Code: LAX The airport with the most options will be Los Angeles International Airport, the major airport serving Southern California. Airport shuttles are available to and from the Disneyland area. If you'll be renting a car several companies have offices and lots inside the airport. Driving distance to Disneyland: 35 miles Directions to Disneyland:
City: Long Beach, CA Airport Code: LGB Driving distance to Disneyland: 18 miles Directions to Disneyland:
City: Ontario, CA Airport Code: ONT Driving distance to Disneyland: 32 miles Directions to Disneyland:
City: Burbank, CA Airport Code: BUR Driving distance to Disneyland: 40 miles Directions to Disneyland:
When are the cheapest airfares available? We have to say, it's pretty random. Being persistent really pays off. However, to the extent that we've noticed a pattern, it seems that the lowest airfares are available approximately 6 months in advance and again 2 months in advance. Whatever you do, avoid booking within 14 days of your trip, or worse yet, within 7 days. That's when the prices skyrocket. If you're searching for airline tickets, hotels, rental cars or vacation packages, look no further than Travelnow.com. When you shop online with us, you always find Web-only specials from our airline, hotel and car-rental partners. TravelNow was also the first Internet travel site to provide consumers with the capability to initiate a wireless hotel reservation. They began selling airline tickets, hotels and rental cars online in 1995 To find discounted Disneyland hotels or cheapest airfares just fill out the form HERE. After you enter this basic information, you will be taken to another screen to enter specific data on what you desire. From the main screen, travelnow.com has an area with featured special hotel offers that change periodically. These special offers are quoted as a rate per day. You can click on any one of them, for more specific information. It's easy to plan the perfect family vacation... | Main Street |Adventureland | Frontierland| Fantasyland | Tomorrowland | Getting There and Hotels | New Orleans Square| Critter Country | Toontown | Top Attractions| Top Tips | Tickets | Exploring Disneyland |
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