The Heart of Disneyland

Linda, 58, Dixon, CA

 

I was 11 years old the first time I went to Disneyland. It was 1961 and Disneyland was somewhat different in appearance back then. Gone are the donkey rides down the canyon, the old Autotopia cars, the boats, and the original submarine ride with "real" mermaids.

Though there have been aesthetic changes to Disneyland, the "heart" of Disneyland remains forever the same. Since my granddaughter turned 2 years old, my husband and I have been taking her to Disneyland. This year was our third trip with her – she is now 4 1/2. It is amazing that she too feels the "heart" of Disneyland – just as Walt hoped that each child would. Our granddaughter feels the magic and wonder of Walt's vision, every time we visit the park. It is an incredible thing that, although it's been 47 years from the very first time I stepped into Disneyland, our precious granddaughter also feels those same MAGICAL feelings when she visits Disneyland. I'm certain she will pass the tradition on to her children and their children as well. Thank you for keeping the heart of Disneyland beating in every child and adult who passes through the gates.

Fireworks Fantasy

Eva, 48, San Jose, CA

Each year, we travel the 400 or so miles to Disneyland to witness the holiday magic. This past visit in 2008 was a particularly special time. This year in attendance were my husband and me, our 26-year-old daughter, our son age 19, and Nathaniel - our 5-year-old grandson. Also along were my brother, and my sister's family — her four daughters aged 12 - 21, her husband Jay, and his nurse.

Jay has ALS. His muscles are atrophying, and his abilities are so very limited now. He is on a ventilator and confined to a wheelchair. He will most likely never make it back to Disneyland again.

We scoped out a great spot for fireworks viewing right in front of the castle with our entire family. Jay asked for my grandson Nathaniel to be placed on his lap. We carefully placed Nathaniel on the arm of Jay's wheelchair, draping his legs across Jay's lap. Nathaniel was amazingly compliant, and totally entranced by the fireworks display from his special seat.

Jay watched the fireworks, and he began to weep. Then he caught sight of Nathaniel's delighted reactions to the spectacular beauty, and a smile would break through. Nathaniel turned around and saw Jay's tears, and he patted Jay on the chest and then touched his face. For my sister and I, this was THE memory of 2008. This was the defining moment that marked the magic of Disneyland for us. The connection between this man and this child on this spot in this moment will forever be cherished by all who witnessed it.

Always Wanting More Disney!

Dena, 35, Bourg, Louisiana

 

 

My 11-year-old son, six-year-old daughter, mother-in-law (65 years young!), and I have visited Disney World five times in the past two years. Seeing my daughter don her princess dress (made by her grandmother) and hear the princesses tell her how lovely she looks is the best part of visiting Disney. Of course, Ariel from "The Little Mermaid" is her favorite. We love Disney and visited in February 2009 with 18 friends and family members. We always find something new to do and have many great Disney memories – with more to come in the future. Thanks to Walt for creating such a great place!

How Walt Changed My Life

Rick, 58, Phoenix, AZ

I started going to Disneyland when I was 7 -- 51 years ago. I've been there, on average, once a year ever since. I have always been thrilled and in awe of the Park's attention to detail and remember looking at the lichens painstakingly created, attached, and painted onto the Swiss Family Robinson tree house and how everything was laid out, lit, costumed, and set up so people could get to and from everything as efficiently as possible. Every time I went, I'd look (and listen) for things I hoped were still there (like the jumping fish in the backway to Fantasyland from Frontierland) and marvel at everything that was either new, or I just hadn't noticed before. Sometimes it was very hard to tell the difference.

Today I am the technical director (and lighting/sound designer) for a theater here in Phoenix and the cadre of actors. Directors and producers who bring their work to my stage consistently report their sense of being taken care of, as if I were one of the performers on stage with them. They note my attention to detail and how much that all makes a difference. They always ask where I learned how to do it, the way I do, because it's so much better than their experience with other technical people. I've always said "I just paid attention" but you know ... seeing this invitation to muse on Walt's impact on my life, I'd have to blame him as much as any other single stimulus. And even now, at 58, I'd rather just be walking through Disneyland than almost any other activity I can think of. Thanks Walt!

The Darndest Things Happen at Disneyland

Peter, 60, Santa Barbara, CA

I was at Disneyland with my family for their 50th Birthday celebration with California's governor and Art Linkletter. My three children, Alexander, Zoe, and Fiona, had always heard the story of how I was among the children "interviewed" for Mr. Linkletter's show "Kids Say the Darndest Things," but because I barely understood English (my parents only spoke Greek) I never made it on the show.

At the 50th birthday celebration, wearing our gold Mickey ears and stuffing ourselves with birthday cupcakes, we marveled at how Mr. Linkletter, then 93 years old, spoke extemporaneously, seemingly totally at ease in 90-degree heat and a dark suit. After the speeches were done, we walked around and a crowd of reporters approached us, surrounding Mr. Linkletter. And there he was—right in front of us! He stopped, looked right into my eyes, and said, "You look about the right age, were you ever on the show? I am sorry if I don't remember you."

Then he ignored the reporters trying to ask their questions, and he had a five-minute conversation with us, allowing my kids to ask him various questions. After spending so much time with us, he turned to my kids and said "Believe your father, everything he says about 'Kids...' is absolutely true." My eyes welled up. I shook his hand and thanked him profusely, and the last thing he said was "Call me Art."

Only at Disneyland! Thank you for always making it the Happiest Place on Earth.

Disney Magic and the Moon

Frank, 45, Palm Springs, CA

I was a Cast Member working at the Disneyland parking lot during the early 1980s. One night while operating a tram that was leaving the Park to return Guests to their cars, things started running very slowly. I had already gone through the safety spiel a few times, and everyone was getting bored and restless.

Realizing a lunar eclipse was occurring, I decided to amuse the Guests with an impromptu announcement over the loudspeaker. "Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls! For your enjoyment, Disneyland has provided you with this lunar eclipse," I said while pointing to the sky.

Several Guests just laughed at my joke but, after a full day of Disney magic, some of them thought Disney could do anything – I had more than a few Guests asking how Disneyland did it!

Seeing Walt at Disneyland

Yvonne, 51, Gardnerville, NC

Long ago when the world was a little different and I was just about 12 years old, my mother took my younger sister and me to Disneyland in California. We would be able to visit there often because we lived close enough, there was no such thing as freeway traffic and it was a great place to visit for a long day.

I recall walking into Disneyland, past the train station, and into the area where we would go to visit Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln – that attraction was always our first stop. One very special day, as we left the show and looked toward Main Street, there was a horse-drawn carriage coming toward us and Walt Disney was riding up on top with the driver and waving at the people passing by. It was one of the most exciting events in my entire life! He even waved directly at us! It will always remain in my memory. What a wonderful man with such a great unselfish vision!