By Rama Gaind.
The statue of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse is positioned in front of Cinderella Castle in Disneyland Park. Photo: Rama Gaind
The mood swing is immediate: joy and excitement are just two emotions to be felt as you step into Disneyland Park, California, in the United States. This has to be the happiest place on earth … at least it was for us!
There’s never a bad time to visit Disneyland, and you’re never too old to get excited about meeting Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Pluto, Donald Duck and the list of characters grows by the minute.
You can feel the magic and nostalgia when you enter the complex under that famous sign and take in the view of Main Street U.S.A. for the very first time!
Disneyland Park, originally Disneyland, is the first of two theme parks built at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, and it opened in July 1955. It is one of the oldest and largest theme parks, and the only one designed and built under the direct supervision of Walt Disney, a pioneer of the American animation industry.
Disneyland Park is the original Disney Park with all the wistfulness, magic and classic Disney rides and characters. It’s the only park that Walt saw completed in his lifetime. It embodies the quiet, charming spirit of melancholy that so characterised Walt himself.
The park is vast yet intimate, steeped in the tradition of its creator yet continually changing. When Disneyland first opened it was surrounded almost exclusively by orange groves, just west of the sleepy and little-known Southern California.
Looking at the little plaque on entering Disneyland brings a smile. Photo: Rama Gaind
While you are in awe of the surroundings, Disneyland Park — spread across 40ha — — has its own unique attractions, shows and restaurants. Disneyland hosts two distinct parks: Disney California Adventure Park and Disneyland Park.
Disneyland Park is home to iconic rides such as Pirates of the Caribbean, The Haunted Mansion, Matterhorn Bobsleds and It’s a Small World. It’s also the only Disney Park to feature New Orleans Square — one of Walt’s favourite lands.
Spectacular shows, parades and special experiences are the hallmark here. The park is a collection of adventures, rides and shows symbolised by the Disney characters and Sleeping Beauty Castle. It’s divided into nine subareas, or ‘lands,’ arranged around a central hub. First encountered is Main Street, U.S.A., which connects the Disneyland entrance with the central hub. Head towards the Castle (whether it’s Cinderella or Sleeping Beauty), and you’re transported to another realm of fantasy.
The magical wonderland at Disneyland Park. Photo: Rama Gaind
Be happy
Cheerfulness is evident, while relishing the sights, sounds and the incessant noise that surrounds you. Ragtime music is blaring through the speakers, it is absorbing watching different Disney characters pose for photos with holidaymakers and the smell of freshly popped popcorn entices as you make your way to Fantasyland. The sense of awe is indescribable, wandering through the parks — rejoicing!
Moving clockwise around the hub, the other lands are Adventureland, New Orleans Square, Frontierland, Fantasyland, and Tomorrowland. Three major lands, Critter Country, New Orleans Square, and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, are accessible via Adventureland and Frontierland, but do not connect directly with the central hub. Another land, Mickey’s Toontown, connects to Fantasyland.
We had planned an itinerary: a walk-through Sleeping Beauty Castle, a spin in the Mad Tea Party teacups, a rollercoaster ride at Paradise Pier, hotdogs and ice-cream for lunch, a trip to Cars Land, then pizza and chips for dinner followed by fireworks. This was just day one!
Family fun with a Disney character. Photo: Rama Gaind
Laden with the many souvenirs we picked up along the way did not deter us from our goals. Apart from the parks, there are plenty of attractions and things to do. Ideally, plan to spend around three to four days in the parks to cover most everything, including rides, characters, shows and pyrotechnics.
We were open-minded and adventuresome, taking advantage of what Disney does best: the fantasy adventures. Disney Parks are simply the greatest places to visit. After all, where else can you experience such an ‘emotional whirlwind’ all in one day!
Holiday packages
Now is the time to celebrate 100 years of magic — as Qantas Holidays and Disneyland Resort offer exclusive holiday packages full of premium inclusions at leading hotels, discounted return airfares and Disneyland Resort Park tickets. Accommodation packages include:
Sheraton Park Hotel at the Anaheim Resort — newly-renovated, thoughtfully designed and enjoying an exceptional location, minutes to Disneyland, this extraordinary hotel is the perfect place to stay.
Howard Johnson by Wyndham Anaheim Hotel & Water Playground — just an eight-minute walk from Disneyland Park, this family resort hotel features Castaway Cove, a pirate-themed water playground and lush, park-like grounds.
JW Marriott, Anaheim Resort — designed to uplift, enrich and enchant the mind, body and spirit of all who stay, this is one resort with a difference.
Disneyland memorabilia. Photo: Rama Gaind
CAMBRiA Hotel & Suites Anaheim Resort Area — there’s no better place to stay with the family than at this brand new resort hotel.
Clementine Hotel & Suites Anaheim — this family-friendly accommodation will help you make memories to last a lifetime.
Desert Palms Hotel and Suites — well-placed, less than a block to the iconic Disneyland Resort Parks, there’s everything you need to make your holiday one to remember.
In 2023, The Walt Disney Company kicked off ‘100 Years of Wonder’, also called ‘Disney100’. The year-long event honours the centennial anniversary of the date brothers Walt and Roy Disney founded the company in 1923. Disneyland Resort in California serves as headquarters for this big party. See you there, again!
FACT BOX
Disneyland Resort
Book Disney100 celebration holiday packages with Qantas before 30 April 2023
Call 137 066
