disneyland

“All the birds sing words and the flowers croon, in the (tiki, tiki, tiki, tiki) Tiki Room”. So sayeth the theme song to one of the most beloved attractions in Disneyland, located at the entrance to Adventureland. With over 250 animated birds, flowers, and statues to serenade and delight guests, it isn't any wonder that people have been flocking to see The Enchanted Tiki Room since 1963.

Motor Boat Cruise

Swiss Family Robinson

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Apparently, most of America did indeed dream of a house in the trees. Disney's version of Johann David Wyss' Swiss Family Robinson allowed audiences to live that dream vicariously, and they responded by making the 1960 film Disney's biggest live-action hit to that date.

Peoplemover

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Never mind those pesky jet packs or flying cars from The Jetsons, in the future man will travel in groups of four, roughly at the pace of a hurried snail. At least, that was the vision put forth by Disneyland’s glimpse into a futuristic tomorrow called the Peoplemover. And while this form of transportation never quite became the preferred method of travel for future generations, it managed to provide a service not to be discounted; a peaceful journey through the land of the future.

Haunted Mansion

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The following scenario plays out dozens, if not hundreds of times a day in front of Disney’s Haunted Mansion: Small Child: “I don’t want to go inside there.” Parent: “It isn’t scary. It’s fun!” Small child: “No, it isn’t.” And back and forth they go, the young child unable to reconcile their parents’ reassurances with the menacing-looking house that stands behind an eerie wrought iron fence and is purported to be haunted by 999 happy haunts (with room for one more).

America Sings

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The year was 1974 and America was working itself into a patriotic frenzy with preparations to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the nation. The all-American theme park, Disneyland, joined in on the bicentennial fun and gave visitors an E-Ticket attraction to celebrate the history of American music in a decidedly Disney way: through the use of dozens of audio-animatronic animals, all singing and dancing their way through some of the most-beloved music of our past.

The Wonderful World of Disney

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Once upon a time, a kindly old gentleman appeared in our collective living rooms on Sunday evenings. He offered a glimpse into his imaginative world featuring a literal treasure trove of family entertainment. Offering a mixture of classic live-action films, nature segments, and the company's iconic animation, the show went by many names over the years, appearing on just about every channel at one time or another. Most fondly remember it as The Wonderful World of Disney.

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It’s hard to imagine a world without a Disneyland. Disneyland is an American icon – no, a global icon – that has set the standard for family fun for over half a century. More than a place, it is a symbol of childhood dreams, of timeless wonder, and of the power of fantasy. But once upon a time Disneyland itself was a mere dream that would take years of planning to become a reality.

The 1964 World’s Fair

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1964 was a period in American history where the hope for the future still burned bright from the previous decade. Technology and industry were making great leaps, especially in the area of space exploration, and the city of New York recognized that the time was ripe for an encore to the 1939 World’s Fair. The planning was placed in the able hands of Robert Moses, a man who had already given the city so much in the way of public parks, and his vision would make the 1964 World’s Fair perhaps one of the best-remembered in the history of the event. Today, we thought we would travel back to this magical moment in time and take a trip to the 1964 World’s Fair.