How Disney Magic Shows Up In A Picture
There is something truly enchanting about Disneyland. When they say it’s magical they mean it. It is Disney magic. Disneyland and California Adventure are much more than just a vacation destination, they are the backdrop of family’s growth and happiness each time.
I remember the first trip to Disneyland when my husband and I took our then 9-year-old son. The excitement in his eyes walking down Main Street USA and onto Pixar Pier for the first time is priceless. He seemed so big when we went for the first time but looking back he was so little.
The thing I have tried to do is every time we go to Disney we take the same picture in the same spots to see how much the kids have grown over the time between trips.
That first time my son met Sully from Monster’s Inc. at Pixar Pier was one of my favorite pictures. You could barely see his little legs beneath all of Sully’s blue fur with the purple spots. When we took that picture I knew it would always be one of my favorites. When he and I went to Disney for Pixar Fest this past weekend, he’s now 16, and he made sure to play the game with me and get another picture with Sully for me.
Disney Magic Is Real
Because Disney is amazing at what they do they made it even more special. Sully remembered Jayden and how big he had gotten. Gave him a high five and gave him that same big hug he had done 6 years before. Sully’s hair still covered Jayden but not nearly as much as it once did.
I took the picture and looked back at the one from 6 years ago and a tear fell from my face not a sad tear but a happy one! Because not only were those memories that I made but memories we made together.
That is the reason every trip to Disneyland and California Adventure we make it a traditional make sure to take the pictures in the same spots. If it’s in front of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, on the bridge in Pixar Pier, under Mickey’s Fun Wheel…wherever you choose take the pictures. Just take the pictures and save the timeline of your family’s growth.
What’s truly magical about Disneyland is how it grows with us. When the kids were small it’s about Fantasyland and meeting the characters and as they grow, we venture into new areas of the parks and take on more thrilling rides like the Incredacoaster (which we rode 6 times this past trip). California Adventure has become a new favorite with our oldest. Exciting rides and fun lands like Cars Land and Avengers Campus.
Something New To Explore Every Trip
Every trip, we discover something new. Whether it’s a new attraction, a seasonal event like our favorite Pixar Fest, or just a different flavor of churro, Disneyland always has something special in store. These experiences, combined with our yearly pictures, create memories that our family will treasure forever it’s the Disney magic we all need.
There’s a unique sweetness in traditions. They ground us, give us something to look forward to, and remind us of the preciousness of time. Our Disneyland tradition is one of those special rituals that bring such beautiful joy to all of us!
Oldest Disneyland Rides From 1955 To Today
July 17, 1955: Autopia
Randomgbear // Wikimedia Commons
Autopia is the only Tomorrowland ride that remains from opening day. When the park opened, this attraction represented the future of auto travel, as interstate highway legislation had yet to be signed. Guests hop aboard mini cars and totter around a designed track. This attraction is particularly fun for kids, who can help drive the car at speeds of up to 6.5 miles per hour. The ride underwent a 5-month refurbishment in 2016 where the vehicles were all repainted, re-tired, and given lower-emission engines.
July 17, 1955: Disneyland Band
Loren Javier // Flickr
The Disneyland band helped herald in a new era in amusement parks. In 2015, 14 of the 16-member ensemble were reassigned to other musical groups around the park and new blood was brought aboard to bring a new energy for the 60th anniversary. The band performs four times per day, including the flag retreat ceremony at the end of the day.
July 17, 1955: Disneyland Railroad
Tom Arthur // Wikimedia Commons
When the first train departed from the Disneyland Main Street Station, it only had one other stop, New Orleans Square, and just two trains. Today, there are four stops—Main Street, New Orleans, Tomorrowland, and Toontown—and five trains. The 18-minute tour is unique to Disneyland, as it features a few dioramas in addition to the park scenery.
July 17, 1955: Jungle Cruise
Ken L. // Flickr
The Jungle Cruise is the third ride to inspire a film. The theme of the ride is a journey through a tropical jungle. While onboard, guests will see exotic animals in The Mekong River, African Congo, Nile River, and Amazon. In addition to narrowly escaping an angry hippo, guests also endure some seriously punny humor from the cast members. Disney briefly considered using real animals in the trek but changed his mind after consulting animal care specialists.
July 17, 1955: King Arthur Carrousel
Anthony Giorgio // Wikimedia Commons
King Arthur Carousel still operates after more than 60 years. This particular carousel (and many of the horses) first appeared in Sunnyside Beach Park in 1922. Walt bought the carousel and replaced other animals (there were giraffes and deer as well as horses) with additional antique horses. The attraction features 68 wood-carved horses and more than 3,300 lights, while the vignette scenery inside the carousel is all hand-painted.
July 17, 1955: Mad Tea Party
Derek Key // Flickr
This classic fair ride gets guests plenty dizzy as they spin and twirl in giant teacups. The ride consists of 18 cups sitting on three separate turntables, spinning on top of an even larger turntable. The cups all twirl a bit, but passengers can spin the center wheel faster for a more intense ride. Make sure to check the weather if you’re eager to go on this ride, as it’s one of the few attractions that don’t run in the rain.
July 17, 1955: Main Street Cinema
Loren Javier // Flickr
This attraction has six separate movie screens in one room. The screens show a set of classic Disney cartoons like “Steamboat Willie” and “The Dognapper.” Disney built the attraction as an homage to early filmmaking.
July 17, 1955: Mark Twain Riverboat
Wikimedia Commons
Walt Disney named The Mark Twain Riverboat after his favorite author. The 28-foot tall boat is 105 feet long and has four decks, including the Pilot House, Promenade Deck, Sun Deck, and Main Deck. The ride is 14 minutes long and includes narration. The captain of this ship doesn’t actually control the boat at all, instead communicating with an operator on the boiler deck who controls the speed and direction of the vessel along a guide rail.
July 17, 1955: Mr. Toad's Wild Ride
HarshLight // Flickr
Passengers climb aboard a car for a beautiful drive through the country with Mr. Toad, but the trip takes several zany turns as the cart races past boxes, books, and barrels. The ride was refurbished in 1983 to give it a more updated exterior and to add more detail and special effects to the ride. Original ideas for this ride included a rollercoaster version, but Imagineers ditched the idea in favor of a more family-friendly option. This attraction is unique to Disneyland Park. Walt Disney World’s version of the ride was closed in 1998, despite massive protests, leaving Anaheim the sole home of Mr. Toad’s road trip.
July 17, 1955: Peter Pan's Flight
Woolennulum // Flickr
As one of the oldest rides in Disneyland, it’s also one of the most popular, with lines regularly settling in at an hour or more even on less crowded days. Passengers board individual flying ships and lift up into the air to view different scenes from London and Neverland as the vessel hangs from a track above and navigates gentle dips and turns.
