"Enter a magical kingdom where you can sail with pirates, explore exotic jungles, meet fairy-tale princesses, dive under the ocean and rocket through the stars—all in the same day!" (Disney website)
Disneyland Park, opened on July 17, 1955 and so my visit, my first time ever to Disneyland, coincided with the 60th Birthday celebrations (Thank you so much @flightcentreau). And wasn't it amazing - the happiest place on earth was EXACTLY THAT !
The Disneyland concept originally grew from an idea to build a tourist attraction adjacent to the Walt Disney studios in Burbank. The area available was too small for the scale of entrertainment that the man of fantasy himself, Walt Disney, had envisioned and ended up being built at Anaheim. Over 650 million guests have visited Disneyland since it opened.
And now I can count myself as one of those blessed to have visited this world of fantasy, colour, magic, happiness and eternal youthful imagination and wonder
Mum and I only had one day to experience as much as we could. We took advantage of the premium tickets which let you "book in" for a ride to avoid queues - the best thing ever. We got there early and met up with @MadsRafferty racing from ride to ride, eager to fit in as much as we possibly could. We met characters (we were lucky enough to meet the beautiful charismatic Minnie), gorged ourselves on delicious treats, got chatted to for handstanding in front of the Disneyland Kingdom Castle, and strategically placed ourselves in prime places to watch the main parade of the Birthday Celebration floats carrying the beautiful Disney Princesses and dashing Disney Heroes. Mum had this "big kid smile" on her face and giggle in her voice all day, despite blisters on her feet (wear comfortable worn-in shoes would be a major piece of advice) and temperatures soaring. I was bubbling with happy energy all day, and tickled pink to wear my Minnie-ears all day.
We would definitely go back to Disneyland (again and again and again), so if you can fit it in, or even better make it the focus of a trip to any of the Disneyland Theme Parks around the globe - DO IT ! On my Bucket List is visiting each and every one of them sometime in my lifetime... maybe I might see you there.
"To all who come to this happy place: Welcome. Disneyland is your land. Here age relives fond memories of the past, and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future. Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams, and the hard facts that have created America, with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world."
— Walter E. Disney, July 17, 1955[5]
Love and light,
Sjana x