Walt Disney's first theme park
Making little kids happy was Walt Disney’s main objective. Through his imagination and creativity, Walt Disney channeled great accomplishments and created timeless smiles on many faces. One of his greatest accomplishments was the creation of Disneyland. Disney always had a plan to create an area “where mothers and grandmothers could watch over small children and play”(www.disneylandsource.com). “I want it to be relaxing, cool and inviting,” Walt once remarked prior to the construction of Disneyland. However, even though this vivid idea is now successful, there was much speculation from critics.
Walt Disney’s plans for Disneyland consisted of a lot of components; on the other hand, many critics did not believe certain aspects of his plan. For instance, on a website about Disneyland’s history it stated:
Walt wanted to charged admission. Won’t work they said.
He didn’t want a Ferris Wheel. Oh, ya gotta they said.
He didn’t want any alcohol on premises. You’ll go broke they said.
Despite all the criticism, Walt continued his development of one of the greatest theme parks in America.
The original plans for the park were on 8 acres of land near Disney Studios so employees and their families could relax. However, in the end, Disneyland was built near Anaheim, California on 180 acres of land, which used to consist of orange groves and walnut trees. Disneyland was built into five different components, which were, Main Street, Adventureland, Frontierland, Fantasyland, and Tomorrowland. Each park has their own unique theme to complete Disneyland.
Main Street was where Walt wanted to relive the typical city in the turn of the century. He 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.” Main Street is located in the beginning of the theme park and includes many shops and a movie theater.
Walt said Adventureland was an “exotic tropical place.” Walt wanted to include foreign civilizations; for instance from Asia and various places in Africa. Frontierland was created to relive the frontier days of America. This included wooden roller coasters, and authentic western food. Tomorrowland is a look at the “marvels of the future,” Walt once 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.”
Fantasyland was created to “make dreams come true” from the song “When you Wish upon a Star.” Walt once said. He was inspired by his recent movies and said, “What youngster has not dreamed of flying with Peter Pan over the 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.” Fantasyland included the plans for the very famous castle from Sleeping Beauty.
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