Walt Disney’s Disneyland

Walt Disney's "Disneyland"

As Walt Disney sat at a bench, at an amusement park, watching his daughters play, he noticed how ragged and filthy the small amusement park was. He also observed people’s reactions to different rides, and noticed how children’s parents had nothing to do. They would be anxious to go home, while their children were still having fun, and playing.

This is where Walt was conjuring, and planning a new type of amusement park; one that would be clean, and would have attractions for parents and children together. This was Walt Disney’s idea, which eventually turned to be Disneyland.

Walt once said:

“What this country really needs is an amusement park that families can take their children to. They’ve gotten so honky tonk with a lot of questionable characters running around, and they’re not to safe. They’re not well kept. I want to have a place that’s as clean as anything could ever be, and all the people in it [his park] are first-class citizens, and treated like guests.”

Years before Disneyland was constructed, Walt was thinking, generating, and creating everything in his mind. He traveled the United States, and visited buildings of Americas most prolific inventors and creators, such as Thomas Edison’s Workshop, the Wright Brothers Bicycle shop, and the home of the Dictionary magnate Noah Webster. While visiting these places, he was formulating and dreaming of a “Mickey Mouse Park” with a western village, Main Street, and more, these ideas would eventually form Disneyland.

Walt at Disneyland
On the opening day of Disneyland, Walt stood in his apartment, above the fire station on Main Street, and looked out the window to see the crowds pour through the gates. Sharon Baird, a mouseketeer, said this:

I was standing next to him at the window, watching the guests come through the gates. When I looked up at him, he had his hands behind his back, a grin from ear to ear, and I could see a lump in his throat and a tear streaming down his cheek. He had realized his dream.

Right after Disneyland opened, Walt said: “We’re gonna kick ourselves for not buying everything within a radius of ten miles around here.” He could visualize the growth around Disneyland.

Walt would often visit Disneyland a few times a week. Although, many times he would visit late at night, when no one was there. Often times he would spend the night in his apartment in the fire station, on Main Street. When he came before the park opened, he would make sure the park was clean, and talk with the cast members.

Walt always wanted to know everything that was going on in the park. He knew about everything. He knew where water pipes were, how tall buildings were, he knew how the park ticked.

One time Walt visited the park, and noticed things were a little sloppy. He found the maintenance engineer of the park, and told him “I want this place painted”. The engineer agreed, and said “We’ll do it over the weekend.” “No, I want it finished a painted by morning,” ordered Walt. Dozens of painting crews painted through the night, and finished before the park opened.

Even though Walt Disney wasn’t able to see how his park prospered and grew into the 21st Century, his legacy still lives on with us. Throughout Disneyland and throughout the entire world, he will always be there.


Disney Mickey Mouse The Main Attraction Jungle Cruise Series 11/12 Plush New  picture

Disney Mickey Mouse The Main Attraction Jungle Cruise Series 11/12 Plush New

$29.95



Disney Stitch Face and Mickey Mouse Rainbow Antenna Topper picture

Disney Stitch Face and Mickey Mouse Rainbow Antenna Topper

$11.99



Disney Mickey Mouse 16

Disney Mickey Mouse 16" Large School Backpack All Over Print, Mickey Backpack

$17.99



Disney Parks Rainbow Pride Collection Mickey Mouse Love Pin Set Limited New picture

Disney Parks Rainbow Pride Collection Mickey Mouse Love Pin Set Limited New

$40.38



Disney 100th Mickey Mouse Platinum Metallic Cinderella Carriage Popcorn Bucket picture

Disney 100th Mickey Mouse Platinum Metallic Cinderella Carriage Popcorn Bucket

$61.90



NEW Disney Parks Magic Band PLUS + Be Happy Castle Mickey Mouse LINKABLE  picture

NEW Disney Parks Magic Band PLUS + Be Happy Castle Mickey Mouse LINKABLE

$43.00



Disney nuiMOs Mickey Mouse Sprinkle Cupcake Ice Cream Backpack by Loungefly picture

Disney nuiMOs Mickey Mouse Sprinkle Cupcake Ice Cream Backpack by Loungefly

$11.25



Japan Tokyo Disney Resort Mickey Mouse Sunglasses Limited Blak Silver Red picture

Japan Tokyo Disney Resort Mickey Mouse Sunglasses Limited Blak Silver Red

$35.94



Disney Pin Mickey Mouse & Walt Partners Statue Tiny Kingdom Mystery Collection picture

Disney Pin Mickey Mouse & Walt Partners Statue Tiny Kingdom Mystery Collection

$14.99



Disney Pin Mickey Mouse

Disney Pin Mickey Mouse "Singin' in the Rain" The Great Movie Ride Movie Moments

$34.99