Disneyland Resort

Logo of the park

33.811111111111 - 117.91888888889Koordinaten: 33 ° 48 ' 40 "N, 117 ° 55' 8 " W

The Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California is one of the most visited recreational complexes in the world. It belongs to the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts division of The Walt Disney Company. With an estimated 14.9 million visitors to the amusement park in the second most visited park was worldwide in 2007 behind the Magic Kingdom. The first park at this point, Disneyland, was founded by Walt Disney and opened on July 17, 1955 Disney's goal was to arrive at a permanent leisure park -. In contrast to a county fair - to create.

Planning and construction

To get money for the project, Disney invented in the 1950s TV show Disneyland which was broadcast by ABC. Today, this station also belongs to the Disney Group.

Already in the planning phase after the Second World War it became clear that for the park more land would be needed than on the grounds next to the Disney Studios in Burbank, which was originally intended as a place for Disneyland.

According to research by scientists at the Stanford University, the terrain in Anaheim was selected on the then walnuts and oranges were grown. A new freeway access to Los Angeles the easy accessibility of the park was secured and on 21 July 1954, to begin the construction.

After almost exactly a year and investments of $ 17 million Disney opened the park on July 17, 1955. Among the first attractions include Jungle Cruise and the Mark Twain Riverboat on the Rivers of America. The theme park was divided into five " countries", Main Street USA, Adventureland, Frontierland, Fantasyland and Tomorrowland. The central part, Main Street, USA, is the center of an American market town in 1910 and has its model in Walt Disney's hometown of Marceline (Missouri ) and in the former Fort Collins ( Colorado). This imitation nostalgic small town architecture ( in slightly reduced scale ) and their enormous success with the public later gave rise to some critical use of the word "Disneyland" in architectural criticism, such as in connection with the Disney group with embossed New Urbanism or the problem area reconstruction (architecture ).

Extensions

Since its opening, the " Magic Kingdom " as the Disneyland was quickly called, has been expanded several times. 1966 was added in one of the last changes under Disney's personal supervision with New Orleans Square. From the idea to the 1967 opened there attraction " Pirates of the Caribbean " was from 2003 an eponymous movie series out. A second major expansion, Critter Country was formed in 1972, initially under the name " Bear Country ". Finally, Mickey's Toontown in 1993 gave the answer to the question of the place of residence of cartoon characters from Disney.

In addition to a number of hotels and restaurants, which supplemented the Disneyland over the years, 2001 was even another complete park, Disney 's California Adventure Park as a supplement added to the existing Disneyland. Together with the newly created Downtown Disney with shops, restaurants and hotels a complete resort was comparable to the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Having previously increased day visitors were welcomed, we also changed the marketing strategy and is now trying to promote the Disneyland Resort as a destination for multi-day holidays.

Other Disneyland Park

See: Walt Disney Parks and Resorts

Following the same principle were later opened several other parks of the Walt Disney Company, these were in contrast to the original Disneyland but not all of Walt Disney himself planned. In addition to the largest amusement park in the world, Walt Disney World, emerged plants in Paris, Tokyo and Hong Kong. Meanwhile, there is a separate cruise line named Disney Cruise Line.