I Went to Disneyland!
The happiest place on earth, or the most expensive place on earth. Summer Vacation Series Part 4.
July 17th, 1955. It’s a very hot day in Anaheim, California. In fact, it was 100 degrees, which is rare in this part of Orange County. It only took one year of construction but Disneyland is completed and ready to welcome visitors. Well, almost completed. The park was finished enough to bring in visitors, but the to-do list that was created after day one was probably longer than the line of people waiting to get in. I’ve always been fascinated by the history of Disneyland and what it took Walt to get this place going. Walt Disney was very passionate about this project as well as everything else he did in his life. Now I’ll admit, I haven’t done much research on Walt himself. However, I have seen a documentary or two on Disney+ that did explain very well how the park came to be. If you want to see in motion how the “Happiest Place on Earth” came to be, I recommend watching “The Imagineering Story.” It’s a series of six episodes that will start you at the beginning, and take you to today. If you prefer to read about Walt, I’m told, by Disney cast members, the book “Walt Disney: The Triumph of the American Imagination” is the best one to get all your information. Granted it’s an “unauthorized” biography, but I’m told it’s very well written.
I, of course, have my own personal stories about visiting Disneyland. I remember when it cost $7 to get in which included a book of tickets ranging from A-E. Back then, every attraction required one of these tickets for admission. It wasn’t unlimited like it is today. Yes it was possible to run out of these tickets, but of course you can buy more if needed, which was almost always. The E-ticket was the popular one because it gave you admission to the “top” rides which were Space Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, the Haunted Mansion, and others. Disneyland finally ended this process in the early 80’s. Why you ask? Well believe it or not, Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, CA was the first park to offer unlimited attractions. One admission price gave you access to Colossus, the Jet Stream, and every other ride there. That became very popular with the kids and adults. Magic Mountain was giving Disneyland some major competition. So, no more tickets. It has been that way since.
I have been visiting Disneyland since I was in 3rd grade. That’s a long time. I have very fond memories of my visits there including a trip with my childhood best friend and Grad Night 1986. I have also seen the cosmetic and attraction changes the park has done over the years, including the skyrocketing admission prices. Has it stopped people from going? Not entirely. If you read up on anything Disneyland or Disney World or any of the parks across the planet, you’ll see attendance has gone up, of course with the exception of the pandemic. Disney’s reputation now is that it is only for the well off or super rich. That may or may not be the case. One look at their hotel rates might prove that argument. Although I’ve had the privilege of having an annual pass myself, I do feel Disneyland has priced itself out You’d never know that by the lines that still form to get in and the 2-hour wait for the “Rise of the Resistance” attraction (which is really cool by the way).
So, how are people still able to afford to get in? I think there are people out there who know how to budget their money and there are those who discipline themselves to save up enough to do the whole package, park, hotel, souvenirs, the works. Yes it is expensive to take a trip to Disneyland. Admission is over $100 and it costs $30 to park your car. That’s just to get in. Food and souvenirs will, of course, cost you extra. Let’s be fair, although other parks like Knott’s Berry Farm, Universal Studios, Sea World in San Diego and even Legoland in Carlsbad, can cost quite a bit of money as well. I think since Disney has been around for so long, and patrons like me who have been going there over 40 years or longer and have created many great memories for themselves and their families, have seen the rapid price increases and it’s a little frustrating. I get it. I have no solution for it. This is one of those cases where it is what it is. I think the only way to see prices go down is if people just stop going, but I don’t see that happening anytime soon. Disneyland is just too fun of a place for all of us. I do love going there.
My favorite rides at Disneyland are in no particular order: Buzz’s Astro Blasters, The Matterhorn (say hello to back pain), Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Rise of the Resistance, and the Disney Railroad. An honorable mention to the Autopia Cars and Star Tours. What are your favorite rides at Disneyland or Disney World?
So, when was the last time you visited Disneyland? Was it recent? Has it been awhile? Maybe it’s possible you’ve never been there. Most of my students have never been there. Tell me about your experiences in the comment section below. I do recommend taking a trip there at least once in your lifetime. I realize you may have to sell a lung or a kidney or even your first born child. I promise, it is worth it. Enjoy the attached photos. I did take a few of these.