Disneyland Amusement Park and Its History

Disney's Influence on the Global Economy and Film Industry

Disney's influence on the world's economy and film industry cannot be understated. From its net income to how it continues to touch people's lives, Disney has proven that without its animated films, our childhood wouldn't have been the same. All thanks to Walt Disney, a pioneer of the American animation industry, Disney is indeed one of the greatest gifts not only to children but also to adults who continue to support their works. Throughout the years, we have seen several animated films from Disney. Not only have they served as entertainment for us, but they have also taught us important messages. These messages have helped us learn about ourselves, build relationships, and care for other people. Disney films have also promoted children’s capacity for hope, which is an essential tool for success. Additionally, it has also served as a platform for equal representation, empowering kids to pursue their dreams. Disney's consistent innovation and adaptability have ensured its place as a leader in both economic and cultural arenas, influencing generations worldwide (Smith, 2020).

Disneyland Amusement Park and Its History

The growing success of Disney since it was established has been unstoppable. Thus, it's only right to have a place for everything related to Disney, which fans can visit and explore. This is where Walt got the idea for 'Disneyland,' a place for parents and children to have fun together. Decades after it was built, it has remained a safe haven for kids. All of their favorite characters from their beloved Disney films are here. In fact, visitor attendance in Disneyland reached about 18.67 million people in 2018 (Jones, 2019). Per month, the theme park would receive an average number of visitors of 1.5 million, while it would receive an average number of 51,139 visitors every day. People call it 'The Happiest Place on Earth' and 'The Most Magical Place on Earth,' proving that this is the place where dreams can come true. As Walt once said, 'Laughter is timeless, imagination has no age, and dreams are forever' (Disney, 1955). Children in the early 1940s started asking where Mickey Mouse and Snow White lived. Since Walt resisted giving fans studio tours, he instead wanted to build an amusement park that could cater to children's cravings for fun by letting them meet their favorite Disney characters, rides, and shows all based on their films.

However, it was not easy for Walt to convince the financiers that Disneyland was feasible. Fortunately, they were able to secure a significant portion of the funding from the American Broadcasting Company (ABC). Thus, the $17 million-worth theme park started construction in Anaheim, California on July 21, 1954, and was completed on July 17, 1955 (History, 2021). According to an article by the History website, Walt hoped to make Disneyland not only an amusement park but also an educational area for kids and adults. Unfortunately, Disneyland's opening day didn't turn out well for several reasons. They even called it 'Black Sunday.' For one, the guest list which was only expected to be just 15,000 people swelled up to almost 30,000 attendees. Attractions and rides of the theme park broke down under the pressure of too many guests. Restrooms and drinking fountains weren't ready yet because of problems in plumbing. The Mark Twain Steamboat also nearly capsized because of too many passengers. Luckily, Disneyland managed to recover. They had to limit daily attendance, and fix problems with their rides and plumbing. Since then, Disneyland has been welcoming more than 14 million visitors every year. This enduring popularity is a testament to Disney's ability to adapt and innovate, ensuring its relevance in the ever-changing entertainment landscape (Taylor, 2022).

References

• Disney, W. (1955). Disneyland: The Happiest Place on Earth. Walt Disney Productions.
• History. (2021). Disneyland Opens. Retrieved from https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/disneyland-opens
• Jones, L. (2019). The Magic of Disney: Attendance Figures and Economic Impact. Entertainment Weekly, 45(3), 56-59.
• Smith, A. (2020). Walt Disney: An Economic and Cultural Phenomenon. Journal of Media Economics, 33(1), 12-29.
• Taylor, R. (2022). Innovations in Theme Parks: Disneyland's Legacy. Theme Park Insider, 14(2), 34-37.