By Christina Hamlett
Facts About Disneyland California
It's nicknamed "The Happiest Place on Earth" for good reason. Whether you're a kid or just a kid at heart, Disneyland has been generating non-stop smiles and family memories for over half a century and shows no signs of slowing down, scaling back or becoming boring.
Location
Disneyland is located near the junction of Harbor Boulevard and Interstate 5 in Anaheim, California, and is approximately 25 miles from Los Angeles. The rural site was originally 160 acres of orange groves.
Founder
Walter Elias Disney first envisioned Disneyland as a small family park for his TV show's employees, then decided to expand that dream to a major "Magic Kingdom" with rides, shops and attractions that all families could enjoy together.
Opening Day
Disneyland opened to the public in July 1955, one year after construction first began. The combination of a sweltering heat wave, a plumbers' strike and sections of asphalt that had yet to cool nearly turned opening day into a major flop.
Past, Present and Future
Disneyland is divided into eight "lands": Main Street USA, Fantasyland, Adventureland, Tomorrowland, Critter Country, New Orleans Square, Frontierland and Mickey's Toontown. Main Street USA is set in 1910 while the original Tomorrowland was supposed to be 1986; this coincides with the cycle of Halley's Comet.
Tickets
Original Disneyland tickets were issued in coupon books that designated rides as "A" through "E". Single-day admission tickets today start at $69 and entitle bearers to everything in the park except food, souvenirs and parking.
Club 33
Disneyland does not sell gum in any of its shops, nor can visitors purchase alcohol unless they are members of Club 33, a posh private restaurant in New Orleans Square. There is currently a 4-year waiting list to join and membership fees start at more than $10,000 plus annual dues.
Resources
About the Author:
Ghostwriter and film consultant Christina Hamlett has written professionally since 1970. Her credits include many books, plays, optioned features, articles and interviews. Publishers include HarperCollins, Michael Wiese Productions, "PLAYS," "Writer's Digest" and "The Writer." She holds a Bachelor of Arts in communications (emphasis on audience analysis and message design) from California State University, Sacramento.
Photo Credits:
Photo by Christina Hamlett
