Over the summer I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to visit the Disneyland Resort in California. As someone who has been a Disney fan my entire life, the opportunity to finally visit America's oldest and newest Disney Parks has been something I have been waiting for my entire life. Today I'm going to talk about my visit to "The Happiest Place on Earth" and my various thoughts on the experience. Brace yourselves, I like to talk.
Walt Disney has always been a man I've admired. From his stellar storytelling, world changing accomplishments, and commitment to technological improvement, he continues to be a source of inspiration and admiration. Disneyland has always had one thing that any other Disney Park will never have, Walt Disney's presence. Disneyland was the only park that Walt saw from conception to operation. As a fan of Walt Disney, I have seen plenty of pictures and videos of the man himself both discussing his park and visiting it. To actually stand where he stood and walked where he walked is something that is incredibly meaningful to me. To walk around the park and remember stories of Walt shaping the park is to step into history. It is as if Walt could just be around the corner, just walking about as he often did. Tributes to him can also be found in the park. The one that I love the most is the firehouse on Main Street. Above the firehouse is an apartment which Walt would use if he wanted a place to stay in his park. The apartment itself is inaccessible to guests as it is preserved exactly as it was when Walt last visited. However, in the window of the apartment, facing Main Street, a lamp is always kept lit, signifying Walt's presence in the park. This symbol really helps to signify to me the connection between the man and his park.
Not only is Disneyland the original Disney Park, but is also the original home of many legendary Disney attractions. Part of the thrill of Disneyland for me, is to experience these classic attractions in their original form. Take the Haunted Mansion for example. Many people have ridden this legendary and famous ride, often at Walt Disney World. For years, this was the only way that I had experienced it. Riding it in Disneyland however is something different. It isn't just the Haunted Mansion, its THE Haunted Mansion. There are Haunted Mansions around the world, but none of them have the historical significance that this one does. Even if the ride itself is largely the same, there's something magical about being at the original. A comparison would be the Mona Lisa. Everyone knows what it is like. Everyone has seen it. But seeing the original has a special sort of historical significance that draws people from all around. Disneyland is like that for me.
Aside from the historical significance of seeing the original attractions firsthand, many have different variations from their counterparts. Going back to the Haunted Mansion for example, the ride recently added back the legendary Hatbox Ghost figure, which currently can only be seen there. Some attractions have larger differences, such as Pirates of the Caribbean, which is far superior to the Walt Disney World version, features a longer ride, bigger drops, and better scenes. Perhaps the biggest difference for me is Space Mountain itself. I have always enjoyed the ride on visits to Walt Disney World, but it has never been something that I've felt like I want to ride over and over again. Disneyland is different. I could ride Space Mountain all day there. I attribute this to two factors. First, better ride vehicles. I have always found WDW's version to have very cramped seating that was never very comfortable. DL is very different, the cars are bigger with lots of leg room and feel perfectly comfortable. They also have rows of two instead of the one person per row cars of WDW. The second and more important factor is the music. WDW's version just sort of plays some music in the background, no big deal. DL has special on ride audio and features a complete soundtrack that is synced up with the ride. The music is great and gives a very fun, energetic feel to the ride. I came off the ride impressed and wanting more.
Another of Disneyland's strong points is its unique attractions. Rides that don't exist anywhere else. For me, the most prominent of these was Cars Land at Disney California Adventure. My favorite kind of film/television merchandise has always been the stuff that looks exactly like it did onscreen (Example: The Back to the Future: Part II USA Today Papers). Cars Land represents this concept taken to the ultimate level. It is Radiator Springs. Full size, photo accurate. It represents complete immersion into the world of Cars. Say what you like about the Cars films, this is impressive. The centerpiece of Cars Land is Radiator Springs Racers, a Test Track like ride in the world of Cars. As impressive as the land itself is, this ride really brings the characters to life. The first time that Mater rolls around to greet you is a stunning experience. This ride is incredible. Perhaps the more incredible thing is that this ride has plenty more than one truly amazing moments. Another spectacular ride found only at Disneyland is the Indiana Jones Adventure. Those who have ridden Walt Disney World's Dinosaur have an idea of what this ride is like, as Dinosaur uses the exact same ride system and layout as Indiana Jones. What Dinosaur doesn't have is the man himself. Indiana Jones Adventure feel like the movies: big, adventurous, and fun. There's a fantastic moment in the ride where you turn a corner into a massive temple room. As John Williams's score plays, you see another ride vehicle drive over a treacherous bridge as pillars of fire flare in the background. It is a sight to behold. All of this, only at Disneyland.
While it may be small compared to Disney Park standards these days, the Disneyland Resort is fantastic none the less. I had been anticipating my trip my entire life and I was not disappointed. Before my visit I was a bit worried that I would find myself underwhelmed compared to my many trips to Walt Disney World. Now I find myself slightly worried that I may find my next trip to Walt Disney World underwhelming. (Then again, Star Wars Land.) To any Disney fan, visit Disneyland. Walt's park is just as wonderful as intended it.
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