Known as “The Happiest Place On Earth,” Disneyland has been around since 1955 and has only thrived and expanded since then. When the theme park was originally built, it was meant to attract the young and innocent as well as fans of the famous Mickey Mouse. Although Disneyland’s theme and primary focus is on young children and those who had Disney in their childhood, today it’s park and attractions appeal to everyone and anyone. Whether it be young children who are currently involved in Disney’s latest TV shows and princess stories, or adults who still hold on to that hope of magical love and dreams coming true, Disneyland holds some sort of meaning to all.
Walking through the parking lot you could hear the excitement coming from the young children as they walk alongside their parents. Their faces gleaming with complete happiness, as they are about to enter a place of complete bliss, their own personal world even if it just is for one day. The young girls will often be dressed in pretty, sparkling princess dresses and tiaras while the boys will be sporting their favorite Cars or Star Wars character. Couples come together hand in hand, with matching outfits, kissing and holding each other freely. Adults and the elderly are seen as well enjoying the pleasant music and cafés, where they can get involved in political conversations while enjoying the view of the park. For whatever reason, everyone is happy and everyone is ready to experience a full day of magical fun.
The anticipation and excitement begins to grow stronger just before everyone is able to enter the main area known as Main Street. Once everyone is able to enter, the crowd begins to divide and wander in different directions depending on the desired destination. Immediately as you begin to walk through and closer to the main attractions, the crowd is exposed to a large aroma of food. Each store is different in it’s own cute, creative way. Whether it be The Mad Hatter store, where a variety of hats can be sold to anyone or the Bibbidi Bobbidi Botique for young aspiring princesses, Disneyland makes sure to provide enough merchandise to fit everyone’s interests. Large lines of children and teens form within the ice cream parlors are across the street while the coffee shops are filled with older adults. Although Disneyland’s primary focus seems to be on young children, it does a good job being open to the older age group as well. For those who want to sit, relax, and take a break from all of the excitement, the hot dog and bread bowl stores will suit them perfectly. There are even more romantic, personal restaurants within the park for a more mature crowd while the children are able to explore the more modern attractions.
The center of the whole park set’s the mood for friendship, love, and magic. A bridge leading to a giant castle can be represented in several types of ways. For couple’s, pictures may be taken to represent their old childhood’s idea of romance and innocent love; a princess and her prince charming. After growing up surrounded by countless amounts of fairytale love stories, this part may hold a large amount of sentimental value for those romantics. Friendship and hope is felt once groups of individuals come together to take pictures in front of the large castle. Everyone is happy, together, and ready to celebrate the day with the wonderful vibes that are projected their way throughout the park. Once pictures are taken everyone makes their way to the rides.
Parents enjoy watching their little ones as they sit with them through old childhood story rides such as The Little Mermaid and Pinocchio. Although for some families it may cost a great deal of money to them in order to spent a day at the park, the smile on their children’s faces and happiness they express seems to always be worth it. The children’s eyes are wide opened due to being in a state of complete awe and amazement, they are happy to be able to experience these characters live. Through the ride they laugh allowed and can barely hold in their excitement, when it’s finally over they’ll even ask to go on the ride one more time before it’s time to leave.
The older crowd however, chooses to experience the more fun and exhilarating rides first. Although young adults like to ride the slow, fairytale rides as well, one of the most popular rides is known as Space Mountain. Space Mountain is filled with large twists and turns and its riders will be under a vast majority of projected stars while listening to whatever music that fit’s the theme for that particular day. When the ride is over, its passengers are left with fast paced heartbeats and a new messy hair-do. For those who may not find much of an interest in fast rides, Disneyland hold’s many fun arcade areas and floor activities as well such as their mini science center and shows like Aladdin or A Bug’s Life.
Outside of most of the rides, several characters dressed in costume are standing waiting for the young children (and even “old children”) to meet and greet. Most of the younger crowd even becomes extremely shy due to the fact that they will be meeting their childhood best friend for the first time, while the older crowd is excited to be able to take a picture alongside their favorite, old childhood memories. The most valued character of all however is of course Mickey Mouse, the symbol of Disney.
When one say’s that Disneyland is welcoming to anyone and everyone, this statement really is true. Unofficial events hosted by Disneyland such as “Gay Day” “Raver Day” and “Bat’s Day” is very popular to the public. This enables different people who carry similar interests and their love for Disney to come together and have a great experience while being able to enjoy one another’s company in a home-like atmosphere and have fun on the magical, exciting rides all at the same time. Disney’s open-ness and acceptance towards all kinds of people proves that this park truly is meant for anyone and everyone.
As the day finally begins to come to an end, the large crowd is able to experience the most thrilling part of the day: the firework show. As different characters are projected throughout the sky, a variety of music from different films begins to play as well. Young girls and boys will sing along with the songs, while older couples will hold each other and watch. The idea of “anything your heart desires, will come to you” is reminded to everyone as they watch and reminisce on their past as well as what their future has in store for them. Once the firework show ends, everyone is escorted outside and away from the park, although several are sad to be leaving they are left even more excited to come back and enter the “happiest place on earth” once again.
Disneyland was known as the place where dreams come true and still is. It’s stories and teachings are not only meant for young children but adults as well. Whether it be teachings of friendship, loyalty, heroism, or love, Disney’s initial purpose is to create a sense of unity within its audience and culture. Although Walt Disney is unable to witness and control what goes on within the park anymore, Disney’s ideal purpose still shines through: “if you can dream it, you can do it.”
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