Anaheim: Beyond Disneyland, the Birthplace of Mickey

Anaheim, Calif., is the city Mickey Mouse built. Yes, there were orange groves and a small suburban community in place before Walt Disney sprinkled Anaheim real estate with pixie dust back in 1955 (when the landmark park opened its doors). But it was Disneyland that made Anaheim the family-travel mecca that it is today.

Although the area was mostly residential and agricultural when Disney moved in, by the late 1960s and early 1970s, a flurry of cheap motels and sleazy tourist traps clustered just outside the park’s perimeter—prompting Walt Disney to lament the fact that he didn’t buy up more property in Anaheim, so that he could control his park’s surroundings. But thanks to concerted efforts by the city and a host of private investors, by the ‘90s, these less-than-attractive neighbors had been driven out. Guests to the city today will find a wide variety of accommodations and eateries that contribute to the family-friendly ambiance “Uncle Walt” envisioned for Anaheim.

There is more to Anaheim than the childlike nirvana of this ultimate theme park, but Disneyland remains at the epicenter of the fun. Touting itself as the “happiest place on earth,” Disneyland offers something to enchant every visitor, from tikes in strollers to thrill-seeking teenagers to nostalgic grandparents. Of the more than 15 million visitors who come to Anaheim a year, it is estimated than 13 million of them spend at least one day in Disneyland.

• Astro Orbiter in Tomorrowland
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Disneyland

More than 500 million visitors have passed through Disneyland’s turnstiles, and judging by the increasingly long lines to enter, the park shows no signs of lagging popularity. The theme park is an escapist’s dream, because the streets are perpetually (stunningly) clean; the “cast members” (as employees are called) are ever cheerful; and the visual appeal of the imaginative gardens and storybook architecture is compelling even if you don’t step foot on a ride.

The 85-acre park is divided into various themed “lands” that offer rides and attractions that build on a central theme, beginning with Main Street, a re-creation of an idyllic Midwestern town built at a three-quarters scale, to make the Victorian facades more pedestrian friendly. Pass through Main Street to Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, modeled on real castles in southern Germany, which serves as the iconic centerpiece of the park. As soon as they see the castle, my daughter and husband start to sprint, so eager are they to pass over the drawbridge and immerse themselves in the excitement. (I’m always eager, too, of course, but I know how important it is to conserve energy in a place where we’ll be on our feet for the good part of 12 hours!)

• Adventureland at Disneyland
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Each of the eight lands radiate out from this central castle. The elaborately designed areas include the rough-and-tumble Adventureland; the glittery, frothy Fantasyland (a toddler favorite); the Old West Frontierland; the cartoon-inspired Mickey’s Toontown (the most likely place to spot Mickey and his gal pal, Minnie); and the futuristic Tomorrowland.

Live entertainment is available throughout the park, all day long. In addition to daily parades and fireworks extravaganzas on the weekends and throughout the summer, look for the fiddling ensemble known as Billy and the Hillbillies (they often headline at the Golden Horseshoe review); a barbershop quartet that enlivens the street corners of Main Street; and high school and college bands from around the country, who compete for the chance to be guest performers.

Holidays are truly special at Disneyland. Christmas is celebrated at the park starting the week after Thanksgiving (and running through the first week in January) with tens of thousands of twinkling lights and holiday decorations; there are also special holiday fireworks shows and Christmas parades, which culminate in a “snow” shower that satisfies the winter-deprived Southern California population. Day passes: $56 for children 9 and younger; $66 for adults and children 10 and older.