ANAHEIM, Calif. — I had never been to Disneyland. When I was growing up, we watched "The Wonderful World of Disney" TV show and thought it looked like a magical place, but the idea of piling all seven of us into the 1953 Plymouth and heading for California was not something that occurred to us.
I didn't even know anyone who lived in California, and in those days our few vacations were generally to see family and friends.
Don't feel too sorry for me, however. I have been to Walt Disney World nine or 10 times. The first one was after my brother got married and moved to Florida. In a bit of role-reversal, he took my dad, my sister and me to Walt Disney World. That was back in the E-ticket ride days. We had coupon books and had to ration our E-tickets carefully. But it was fun to see that my dad was having as good a time as we were. That's when I first knew Disney had created a magical place.
My brother eventually moved from Florida, but I ended up going back with other family, for meetings and conventions and other such things. I was there when Tomorrowland got its first makeover and when the Animal Kingdom was added. And I loved it all.
But I always kind of wondered what the California park was like. People told me that if I had been to Walt Disney World, the much smaller Disneyland might be a letdown. But last month, when other business finally took me to Anaheim, I knew that I had to make time for Disneyland. I did and was not disappointed at all.
Here are 10 things that I now love about this other very special place:
1. The sense of history. This is where it all began; where Walt's first dream came true. I couldn't help but think about that as I entered the gates. One of the first things I did was go to "Disneyland: The First 50 Magical Years" presentation right there at the start of Main Street. It was fun to see the diorama of what the park looked like in the early years. It was interesting to see the movie of how it all came about. It gave me a deeper appreciation for the genius of Walt Disney.
I also love that it is called the "First 50" years. There's more to come.
2. It is smaller. That means it is somewhat easier to get around. I confess to sometimes riding the train to different sections — which is fun in and of itself, especially when it goes past Grand Canyon and the Dinosaurs — to SMS (save my strength) for other things. After all, I'm not as young as I used to be.
The smaller size also meant that two of my favorite attractions were right next to each other: the Haunted Mansion (here a Southern plantation instead of a Gothic manor house) and Splash Mountain. Sadly, I may have to downgrade Splash Mountain a bit on my list. They made me ride in the front seat, and I got soaked. I don't remember it being so splashy at Walt Disney World; maybe my tolerance for wet blue jeans has just diminished some. But as the signs on the ride point out: Everybody needs a laughing place, and a laughing place for one may not be it for another. I provided plenty of laughs for my log-mates, who got wet, but not as wet.
3. The Matterhorn. This particular mountain peak is not at Walt Disney World. Sadly, it was undergoing "a seasonal refurbishment" so I didn't get to ride the bobsleds. But its still very iconic, providing a backdrop for pictures, and a commanding presence in Fantasyland.
4. The new stuff. All my old favorites were there, but there were new things, as well; at least new for me. It's been awhile since I've been to Walt Disney World, so some of these attractions are there now, too.
The Indiana Jones Adventure is an exciting jeep ride through the jungle that has you dodging rolling rocks and visiting ancient temples. The Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters is an interactive ride based on the "Toy Story" character, where you try to shoot down targets as you move through the flashy, bright room. Given how bad I am at video games, I was quite proud of myself for scoring 8,800 points — which earned me Level 2 status: I was a cadet instead of a rookie on my first ride.
The very newest thing, however, is the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, which has replaced the old 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. It's very cool — and thus had the longest wait in line. The subs pretend to take you down to the depths, where you can see a variety of sea life, including Nemo and his friends, who cleverly swim through the reef.
5. California Adventure Park. This companion park is no EPCOT Center, but it's still a lot of fun. And most of it was new to me. A few things have been incorporated from Walt Disney World, but a lot celebrates California, just as it should.
At the top of the list is Soarin' Over California, which takes you on a thrilling ride above the treetops and ocean waves of the Golden State. But also fun are the carnival-like rides of Paradise Pier, and the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail. After my Splash Mountain adventure, I didn't try the Grizzly River Run, but it looked fun. I also learned a bit of California history at the Golden Dreams pavilion.
The Hollywood Pictures Backlot and "a bug's land" incorporate more elements of MGM Grand and other parts of Walt Disney World.
6. No age limits. Sure the kids have fun. But so do the adults. That was Walt's original premise; he wanted a place where parents didn't have to sit and wait while the kids played. And that's what it is.
There were lots of families, including grandparents. But there were also older couples without the kids. There were young couples and sweethearts and teenage school groups. There were also single adults of all ages; perhaps some were conventioneers like me, taking advantage of the proximity.
To prove to myself I wasn't yet too old to have fun, I did the Tower of Terror. I did Space Mountain. I did some of the rides at Paradise Pier. I did Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Star Tours and Indiana Jones. And, I'd do them all again.
I also rode the teacups at the Mad Hatter's Mad Tea Party. That was something I had always wanted to do but somehow never had at Walt Disney World. Nor was I the only middle-ager out there.
In fact, with Peter Pan, Mr. Toad, Alice in Wonderland, Tom Sawyer Island, the Mark Twain Riverboat, Pinocchio, Chip 'N Dale and others, there's a lot my generation can identify with. It's nice they can still co-exist with "Hannah Montana" and "High School Musical 2."
7. Snow White. Speaking of old folks, Snow White celebrates her 70th anniversary this year. In her honor, the "Fairest One of All Exhibit" at the Disney Animation building in the Backlot area has a behind-the-scenes look at this classic. There are lots of the original drawings, sketches, cels, posters and more. It made me appreciate anew how good the movie was, and how much today's animation owes to it. If "Snow White" had not succeeded so well, would everyone have stuck with short cartoons?
8. There's still a place for princesses in this world. Everywhere I looked, I saw little Snow Whites, little Ariels, little Cinderellas, little Jasmines, all decked out in their prettiest finery. Some were getting autographs from their heroines. Some were just strutting their stuff. They were adorable. Every little girl should be able to feel like a princess sometime. What a great place to do it!
9. Disney Downtown. This shopping plaza/entertainment area offers a wide variety of stores, restaurants, gathering places and more. There are places to dine with characters, do sit-down dining, stop for refreshment, have an early-morning muffin or a late-night bowl of ice cream.
I admit I didn't spend a lot of time here — too tired to do late-night (SMS again); neither the room nor the money for a lot of souvenirs. But it's nice to know it's there.
10. A place of dreams. This year Disneyland is celebrating a "Year of a Million Dreams," and is offering dream-come-true prizes such as a stay in Walt Disney's suite, an overnight stay in Sleeping Beauty's castle, a chance to be the grand marshal of the parade, shopping sprees, gift certificates and more.
I don't suppose I'll win any of those. For me, it was dream enough to finally get there. But I loved how it made me think of dreams: of Walt's early dreams for a place like this; of the sweet dreams of childhood; of the "if you can think it, you can do it" variety of dreams.
The place is filled with an energy that accents the possibilities, a lightness that celebrates the fun and a spark that fuels the imagination. For me, that is the magic of Disneyland. And as they say in the Muppet Vision 3D place, "Everything else is just something else."
E-mail: carma@desnews.com