by Cynthia Wall

Created on: November 07, 2009   Last Updated: November 08, 2009

When Disneyland opened in 1955 in Orange County, California, we were there within the week. We already knew about the ticket books A, B, C, D, and E and knew that we would each have a booklet to spend. While the experience itself was incredible, the anticipation was even more wonderful. All of the rides had been described in glowing details in the L.A. Times so we planned and re-planned how we would spend our tickets. Jungle Cruise, Mad Tea Party, and Autopia were top of the list. Since I grew up in L.A., trips to the magical park were frequent and not that expensive. Today, a day at Disneyland costs roughly $80 plus and that's not even considering all the extras.

My high school spent their grad night at Disneyland and while we all said that it was our behavior that caused Tom Sawyer Island to close at dusk, I know that was just a myth. Still, it was a wonderful night and my first taste of the unlimited ticket which is used today. It was possible to ride the Matterhorn (the most thrilling ride at the time) all night long. The lines were short and the screams were intense as we rocketed around the corners in the night. Today, adventurers get their thrills from Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, and the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, but happily, the Matterhorn is still there.

All visitors are greeted by the lovable Disney characters of their childhood. Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Pluto, Tinkerbell they're all there to entrance small children, hug children and adults and pose for photos. The Main Street has added more stores to buy must-have souvenirs, but the same gentle ambiance with horse drawn carriages is still there.

We moved away from California when our children were very small so it was a much anticipated event when we took them there for their first visit. I wanted them to have the same rush of happy anticipation that I'd had so we discussed the various rides at length and studied the map so we'd know where to begin. While a trip to Disneyland in the 50's or 60's was a day event, today, by the 70's. local hotels at the park's periphery started offering attractive deals that included meal packages, monorail transportation, and 2-3 day passes. So what is a wonderful park experience in itself became enhanced by an evening of play in a swimming pool and going to sleep in a high rise hotel with a view of the park. Our children's last words at night were about what rides they planned to re-visit the next day.

The Magical Kingdom of Disney is intended to draw

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