"To all who 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, dreams and the hard facts that have created America? with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world."
– Walter Disney,July 17th 1955
Disneyland is located in Anaheim, Los Angeles-California. Los Angeles is famed for its perfect weather and you can go to Disneyland any time of the year. Summer is the busiest season but the parks are open longer hours. If you go during winter you will get to see the beautiful holiday decorations but it tends to rain sometimes.
Disneyland is the brainchild of Walt Disney and was built in 1955. More than 515 million "guests", among them presidents, royalty, and other heads of state, have traveled to the park from around the world since the attraction first opened to guests on July 17 ,1955. In 2005 they celebrated 50 years and the celebration doesn?t seem to have stopped.As soon as you enter the gates, you are transported to a world of fun, magic and fantasy.
Statue of Walt Disney in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle
Disneyland can be enjoyed by people of all ages. There is always something to do and the hours just seem to fly by. The park is divided into 4 main lands i.e Adventureland, Frontierland, Fantasyland and Tomorrowland. As soon as you enter you have to pass through Main Street to go to any of the rides.
Main Street has quaint little shops and snack bars where you can purchase your souveniers and watch the parade pass by.
Carol singing during Christmas on Main Street.
Adventureland
This land was designed to be a tropical paradise and has some amazing rides such as Indiana Jones, Jungle cruise and Tarzan’s tree house.
Adventureland attractions
Frontierland
This land is designed to recreate the setting of pioneer days along the American Frontier. Two more areas have been added to Frontierland which are New Orleans Square and Critter County. Some attractions include Thunder mountain railroad, Pirates of the Carribean, Splash mountain and Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.
Tom Sawyer island
Splash Mountain
Pirates of the Caribbean movie premiere stage under construction
Tomorrowland
This land is designed to give you the thrills of the future. The most popular rides in this land are Space mountain and Star Tours.
Fantasyland
As the name suggests this land is primarily designed for the enjoyment of children. Mickey?s Toon Town is the major attraction and there are many rides which children can enjoy like Dumbo, Alice in Wonderland and Peter Pan. Mickey?s Toon Town has Mickey?s and Minnie?s house and you have to wait in a long queue if you want to be photographed with either of them.
Alice in Wonderland ride
In addition to the various rides there are parades, shows and you can meet Disney characters at appointed times. In the night there is a beautiful show called Fantasmic which is a must see followed by fireworks.
Minnie
Donald Duck
Winnie the Pooh
The Little Mermaid
Goofy signing autographs
Jasmine and Alladin
Parade
Disneyland is worth visiting for a short holiday. It is much smaller than Disneyworld, Florida but I can assure you it is as much fun. If nothing else you can be a part of magic for a few hours and go back with a lifetime of wonderful memories.
Author: Subhodini Joseph- USA