Contributing writerChris Barry ‘s second article in his Top 5 series, “Top 5 Things I Need to See at Disneyland” (April 17, 2009) received another group of enthusiastic reader responses. In this week’s mailbag, Chris responds to a selection of those responses.
Diane Disney Miller writes:
Loved your article. We’ve created the Walt Disney Family Museum for people like you. Hope you’ll come. We’ll open in October. I also hope we won’t disappoint you.
What a pleasure it was to receive your email. I’m very pleased that you enjoyed my work. It’s always easy to write about your dad. Your father has been a countless source of inspiration to me and I know he always will be. I received many responses to this article and there was one constant theme throughout all of them. My number one choice, the light in your father’s apartment window, was spot on. Everyone agreed that the true beauty of Disneyland is as I said, that it’s Walt’s land. His presence sets it apart from every Disney park in the world. Email after email said the same thing and I’m sincere when I say that I can’t wait to feel Walt’s presence in Disneyland for myself. I’m sure you know how important he is to all of us.
I can’t wait to see the museum. From what I’ve read and seen, I can’t imagine being disappointed. I hope we can cross paths someday at the museum.
Thanks so much for taking the time to read and respond to my article. As a writer, you hope your work speaks to someone. The fact that it spoke to you is quite a thrill.
Mike writes:
You are right on about the five things you must do when visiting Disneyland your first time. However, you might also want to walk through Sleeping Beauty Castle, restored to how it was in the beginning. And then, there’s the tour “A Walk In Walt’s Footsteps.” You’ll get a chance to go into the lobby of Club 33 – Walt’s private club for visiting dignitaries, and the only place on the property that offered alcohol. Along Big Thunder Trail, bordering the attraction of the same name, there’s a quiet, shady place to relax. Looking at the pond there, you’ll see the jumping fish and the old tunnel of Disneyland’s original mine train (which the rainbow ponds in today’s Big Thunder were also part of). Where the Big Thunder Trail moves into Fantasyland, look to your left. There you’ll see the chalet of the original Skyway to Tomorrowland, which passed through the Matterhorn. Then, should you go to enjoy Innoventions, remember that it originally housed the Carousel of Progress. Don’t forget to ride the Indiana Jones Adventure in Adventureland – another Disneyland first.
I have to tell you, my family and I are major Disneylandphiles. Even though we loved the Hall of the Presidents, and the theming of Frontierland, the Magic Kingdom of Walt Disney World just didn’t inspire us the way Disneyland does. For example, when we visited the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, we found it not nearly as easy to get around, as it is in Disneyland. Maybe it’s changed since we were there in 2000, but we remember going to “It’s A Small World” and realized that we couldn’t pass through that area and, instead, had to back track to leave.
This isn’t meant to “knock” Walt Disney World, we thoroughly enjoyed our visit and experienced some of the same special moments you mentioned in your article. On top of that, knowing that Walt envisioned its presence in Florida makes Walt Disney World a magical place. Additionally, that Roy Disney saw that vision through to completion only adds to the wonder that can be found in Walt Disney World.
However, there’s nothing like looking at the window above the Main Street Fire Station late at night, as we wait until the very last minute to leave Disneyland. Crazy as it sounds, we always say, “Thank you, Walt.” His spirit is still present at Disneyland, and we are always grateful for the opportunity to share in his vision every time we visit.
I’m sure your first visit will definitely inspire you, and only enhance your love for all things Disney.
Mark writes:
Forget putting New Orleans on the list. You are forced to see it since Pirates exits into it. Also, Walt’s apartment is at the entrance of the park, so it’s also required viewing. Here is what I think your Top 5 should be.
5. Fantasmic: it’s more magical here
4. Matterhorn: fun themed coaster
3. Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln: one of Walt’s passions
2. Indiana Jones: awesome theme and ride effects
1. Pirates: yeah, ours is better
How could I forget Indy? And I do love Fantasmic in Orlando, so that’s a no brainer. Mr. Lincoln, I admit, has never appealed to me, neither do The Hall of Presidents, but I would certainly check it out. It does seem to be on a lot of favorites lists. Thanks for the input Mark. Keep reading!
Pete F. writes:
You’re going to love it! I grew up in Orlando, so I know Walt Disney World frontwards, backwards and sideways, but I had never been to Disneyland until 2003. It was a magical experience. It has quickly become my favorite Disney park. It’s hard to put into words (I’ll leave that to you), but there is a certain intimacy at Disneyland that is missing from Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. Not that the latter is any slouch — I still love Orlando’s version and will be spending 10 days and nights there in July!
Part of the allure is what you’ve already mentioned: the fact that Walt walked the grounds regularly, and spent nights at the park in his apartment, makes me feel closer to Walt than anything I’ve ever done. And while the size, or lack thereof, of the castle is something I can never quite get over, the little touches here and there, and the nooks and crannies that don’t exist at Walt Disney World, and the few rides that exist only at Disneyland, and the extra special Pirates of the Caribbean, make Disneyland the top jewel in the Disney family’s collection of gems.
We have since been back to Disneyland, just last year, and the fact that Disney’s California Adventure has become a much, much better park (and getting better all the time) made our second experience even better. We stayed at Paradise Pier (both times) and loved it. One of my favorite things about the Disneyland resort is the approach to the parks; walking through Downtown Disney on the way to Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure seems somehow magical (as does the walk back to the resort after a long day — seeing the street party atmosphere, etc.), more magical than the out-of-place version in Orlando; it truly is the Main Street on the way to the parks.
I can’t wait to read your review of this fabulous park. Take the time to ride everything, even those rides that have cousins in Orlando. You’ll find that some are inferior in some ways (like Pooh, which has a better overall look to it but is too short and lacks the Tigger jumping scene), but that most are better (although Space Mountain is a tie, because they are such different rides). Eat at Blue Bayou; you’ll love it. While a bit overrated, and very pricey, it’s a great experience and, really, the only great place at Disneyland (not including Downtown Disney) to get a great sitdown meal.
I’m running on now, so I’ll stop. But have fun and report back when you’ve returned. Again, you are going to have a great time.
Thanks for your response. You put it into words quite well actually. I love the idea of the Main Street leading up to the parks and I definitely intend to visit the Bayou when I’m there. I don’t know when it will be, but I’m working on it. Enjoy “The World” in July. I’ll be there in September for a long weekend. Orlando will have to tide me over! (It certainly does the job!)
Michele writes:
Okay Chris you made me tear up again, you have got to stop doing that. First you made me choke up thinking about the magic of the snow in the parks at Christmas and now you hit the real nerve. I have to say even if you have never been to Disneyland before you understand the heart of it by having the light in Walt’s apartment window as your number one must see.
You can still feel his presence in the park if you sit long enough and enjoy the atmosphere instead of doing what most do and rush from ride to ride. Walt put so many little details in the park that they are missed by most that don’t take the time to slow down and enjoy just being there.
As I have never been to Walt Disney World (still) I am not sure what it is like walking into the Magic Kingdom there. But at Disneyland the magic doesn’t start when you walk through the turnstiles, it starts after you walk through the tunnels onto main street. It almost feels like you are going through Alice’s Rabbit hole into a completely different world and you have a brim to protect you from the outside world for at least a little bit. That’s when I melt into a little kid again.
I am sure that you are going to get plenty of emails from west coast fans like me about what else you should see over here. With in keeping with the slow down and enjoy, head over to the back of frontier land to the pond on the opposite side of the path from Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. In the early evening if you lean on the rail watching the pond the flying fish may just come out to say “hi”.
Thanks for the impassioned response. I turn into a pile of goo as soon as I walk through the tunnels into The Magic Kingdom in Florida as well. It’s a total arrival moment, just like you said.
I couldn’t agree with you more about taking time and exploring the small details. That’s always my advice to everyone about going to Disney. During this past MouseFest in December, I was “stationed” in Liberty Square during MousePlanet’s Mini MouseAdventure. I was there to assist any of the teams with questions. I was there for almost two hours. It was great not running to an attraction, just sitting there or slowly wandering around. I gained such an appreciation for the small things in an area of the park that I rarely stop and spend much time in.
The pond by Big Thunder sounds like my kind of spot. Thanks for the tip and thanks for reading and responding.
Karen writes:
That was a great article you posted about the lump-in-your-throat moments at Wlat Disney World. I loved reading everyone else’s responses as well. Since I grew up in Anaheim though, I wanted to share my top 5 Disneyland moments.
1. Hearing “White Christmas” during the “Believe in Holiday Magic” fireworks. There is something about the way Kellie Coffey sings
that song and the magic of Disneyland at Christmas that gets me every time.2. Disneyland’s 50th Anniversary Celebration kick-off, May 5, 2005. My brother-in-law and I both called in sick and spent literally the whole day at Disneyland, which was something neither of us had done in 15 years. The energy and excitement in the air that day was thick enough to touch. I felt so blessed to be a part of that very special day.
3. Riding the train through Primeval World. I know, it doesn’t sound like a very emotional spot but for me it is. We had just entered Primeval World when my husband first asked me out on a date. That was just over 15 years ago and Disneyland has been a huge part of our life ever since.
4. September 11, 2001. I was working as a front desk clerk for the Disneyland Hotel. Obviously the park was closed that day so we had to find ways to entertain the guests. We set up movies and games but, understandably, the kids still wanted to go to the park. I
will never forget one mother coming up to me and asking me to help her explain to her child why she couldn’t go see Mickey’s house.
The look on that little girl’s face still brings tears to my eyes whenever I tell this story.5. Disney Animation. The first time I walked into that room, I fell in love with the place. I can sit there for hours watching the animation clips and taking in the atmosphere. Whenever Cinderella (my favorite movie) comes on, that’s when I lose it.
Thank you for giving all of us an opportunity to share our stories and possibly getting a lump in our throats one more time.
You’re very welcome! Those are certainly some powerful and personal moments. Thanks for sharing them with us. It’s the personal moments like yours that always get me, and there’s so many of them from so many different readers.
