The Most Magical Place on Earth: A Visit to the Original Disneyland in Anaheim, California
I recently had the opportunity to visit the original Disneyland in Anaheim, California with some friends of mine and it was one of the most magical experiences I’ve ever had! While there are multiple other Disney Parks throughout the world, including Tokyo, Paris and Hong Kong, they were all modeled after the original Disneyland park that was opened in 1955. The park was small in comparison to today’s parks, but it still had many rides that people have come to know and love over time. I can say this from personal experience because I have visited Disneyland many times throughout my life!
California Dreamin’
In fact, thousands of miles from Florida's swampy swamps, the first Disney park was located in beautiful Southern California. The very first park in Anaheim served as the model for everything you know about Disney parks today, including the performers who wear costumes and the musical rides. You'll find many of the most iconic attractions here such as Main Street USA, Adventureland and Frontierland – not to mention a small train that takes guests on a tour around the perimeter of Disneyland Park. There is also an indoor ride called It's a Small World which features audio-animatronics singing children from around the world. And because we all need to take a break once in awhile, there are some great places inside the park where you can have some yummy ice cream or other snacks!
Memorable Attractions
Speaking of rides, Anaheim's Disneyland boasts Space Mountain, the Matterhorn, It's a Small World, and of course Splash Mountain, even if it may not have as many rides as Disney World in Orlando. These attractions are really the tip of the iceberg since there are numerous other family-friendly attractions available, including beloved favourites like Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, the Jungle Cruise, and Pirates of the Caribbean.
Dining at Disneyland
Disneyland is a place with so many delicious dining options. From tiki bar cocktails and fresh fruit smoothies to fried chicken and waffles, there's something for everyone. Here are just a few of my favorite spots for grabbing a bite!
- Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor serves up ice cream sundaes with your choice of four toppings. I always get mine with strawberry syrup, whipped cream and nuts on top. The ice cream is also available in cones or served in a bowl. It's delicious!
- Tiki Juice Bar serves up slushies and other tropical drinks as well as quick snacks like fried chicken strips and pineapple wedges. You can't go wrong here!
Shopping at Disneyland
The first thing I did when I got inside was head straight for the nearest souvenir shop. I found a Mickey Mouse plush and a Minnie Mouse plush and couldn't resist buying them both. The best part is that they're so small you can take them home without paying any extra baggage fees!
Next, we headed over to Tomorrowland where we rode Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters. We got a little competitive with each other but ended up having fun shooting at each other's targets while we tried not to get hit by our opponents' lasers. It was really exhilarating and exciting—definitely one of my favorite rides so far!