Are you a kid at heart?

Walt Disney visited a park in Oakland California long before he created his fantastic amusement park Disneyland. He watched the children ride the rides and play games while the parents watched from a distance. He thought to himself, "why couldn’t there be a place for families to have fun together?"

In the beginning, Walt Disney imagined a park that his employees could take their families to enjoy quality time together on an 8-acre parcel of land in Burbank California. But as Walt’s ideas grew the plans for the park became larger and larger to scale. He felt that everyone in the world had the right to enjoy such a place. He ended up purchasing property among the acres of Orange Groves in Anaheim California. The address to be exact 1313 Harbor Blvd. The address was chosen by Walt himself.

Some say there are two meanings for the choice in numbers.

· One theory says it because “M” is the 13^th letter in the alphabet and “M.M.” stood for Mickey Mouse.

· Another theory claims it was Mr. Disney’s way of showing that Disneyland could not fail by using the number 13, which superstitious people think is unlucky.

He had plans to make the most extravagant place, where children or the “children at heart” could come and enjoy and make their very own dreams come true. He was very active in the daily routine at the Disneyland Park during construction and even after its Grand Opening in July 17^th 1955. He would often sleep over in his apartment that is directly above the Fire House on Main Street. To this day the light in the apartment stays lit at night in memory of Disneyland’s Creator. There are many different distinct touches he left on the park that is carried out to this day.

My mother happened to be there on Opening day and actually met Mr. Disney and shook his hand. Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine that moment would have such significance later on. I have heard so many stories from both of my parents who frequented Disneyland during the early years due to the fact they both lived in Anaheim when it opened. My Paternal Grandparents, built their home on North Street which is right off of Harbor, before Disneyland was even built. My Mother’s family bought their home on Indiana Street right off of Broadway in Downtown Anaheim. Both families would frequent the park on a regular basis over the years.

My parents met in High School, were married and over the years continued to make Disneyland a part of regular family life. As I was growing up Disneyland was a “Happy Place” where I could be me. No worries, No cares. I was a princess and that was my world. I do not’ know about anyone else but in my reality Disneyland has stayed a fond memory of my childhood. It sparks the nostalgic feeling of going back in time to when I was 6 or 7 years old. as a teenager I continued to visit Disneyland even becoming an Annual Pass holder often visiting the park after school or daily on Summer Vacation.

Now as an adult and mother, I take my children at least once a year. Now the sweet look of internal bliss is something I get to see on my children's faces, overcoming them like a wave of excitement. The very same magical happiness I experienced as a child. They are experiencing the happiness that Walt Disney imagined so many years before.

Like me and my own family, millions of people can say the same for their own personal Disneyland memories. Whether you are an Annual Passholder or have only visited the Park once or twice in a lifetime. The impact Disneyland has on a person never goes away. It stays with you indefinitely. There is so much to enjoy and so much to appreciate.

Mr. Disney wanted a place to families to go and enjoy the time together. Not just the children having fun while the parents sit on a bench quietly watching them. He wanted interaction. Happiness for adults as well as the children. Because he himself was “ A kid at heart”! Mission Accomplished!!

Thank you Mr. Disney, from the bottom of my heart!!!

PLEASE LEAVE YOUR WONDERFUL MEMORIES OR SPECIAL DISNEYLAND MOMENTS TO SHARE

Pachuca213 (copyright) 2009

I hold copyright as author of this article.