Disney parks!

A co-worker of mine went to California last week to visit an old friend of hers.  While on vacation she took her daughter to Disneyland (ahhhh so jealous).  If I ever became rich, it would be a personal goal of mine to visit ALL of the Disney locations.  Do you even know how many there are?? 

 

Well I'll tell ya.

 

 

Disneyland

The one and only original - housed on 160 acres located in Anaheim, California.  It opened on July 18, 1955 and is the only park to be designed and built under direct supervision of Walt Disney.  Walt came up with the concept of Disneyland after visiting amusement parks with his daughters in the 30's and 40's.  He bought the 160 acres in 1953 and construction officially began in 1954.  Disneyland has the largest attendance than any other theme park in the world, with close to 600 million guests since opening in 1955.

 

Walt Disney World

30,080 acre theme park which includes four theme parks, two water parks, 23 on-site themed resort hotels as well as a campground, two spas and physical fitness centers, five golf courses, and other recreational venues and entertainment.  Originally developed by Walt Disney in the 1960's to supplement Disneyland in California.  After lobbying, the Government of Florida created the Reedy Creek Improvement District, a special government district that essentially gave the Disney Company the standard power and autonomy of an incorporated city.  Walt died in 1966 before his original plans were fully realized.  Walt Disney World opened October 1, 1971 with only the Magic Kingdom theme park and has since added Epcot (October 1, 1982), Disney's Hollywood Studios (May 1, 1989 - formerly known as MGM Studio's) and Disney's Animal Kingdom (April 22, 1998).

 

 

Tokyo Disneyland

A 115 acre theme park located in Urayasu, Chiba, Japan.  It was the first Disney park to be built outside the U.S.  It opened on April 15, 1983 and was constructed in the same style as Disneyland in California and Magic Kingdom in Florida.

 

 

Disneyland Park Paris

A 140 acre theme park.  First opened as Euro Disneyland on April 12, 1992 and was constructed in the same style as Disneyland in California and Magic Kingdom in Florida.  It is the largest Disney park based off the original in California.  It is the most visited theme park in France and Europe.

 

Hong Kong Disneyland

A 55 acre theme park.  Located in Penny's Bay, Lantau Island.  It opened on September 12, 2005.  To avoid problems Disney incorporated Chinese culture, customs and traditions when designing the resort.  The park consists of five themed areas - Main Street, U.S.A., Fantasyland, Adventureland, Tomorrowland and Toy Story Land.  The cast members speak in Cantonese, English and Mandarin.  Since opening it has hosted over 25 million guests.  Hong Kong Disneyland is the 15th most visited theme park in the world.

 

***I'm so happy the Disney Company continued the legend of Walt - bringing his magic and ideas to people around the world.  I kind of get teary eyed thinking about him missing out on Walt Disney World opening.  If he could see it now...wow.  Yes it's expensive and sometimes crowded and hot, but it's AMAZING.  I don't know how anyone can dislike WDW, but they do (sour-pusses).  When I watched Meet the Robinson's I cried....it's about a boy inventor and basically the end of the movie reveals Walt's motto - keep moving forward.  Isn't it weird how things touch our emotions sometimes?  I cried the one and only time in my adult life I was at Magic Kingdom when they opened their gates and performed a little show.  Maybe I'm just a giant baby....