What makes Disney so magical...?

[Soulquarian]

[dshimel]

I grew up in L.A. going to DL at least once-a-year as a kid. Some of my earliest memories are of Disneyland.

When I was 4, we took a real trip to Yellowstone. I remember being 5 and riding Mine Train through Nature's Wonderland and wondering why the pots didn't smell horrid like in Yellowstone. I remember looking up at the spinning balancing rock thingy on that ride and wondering why they made it look so silly.

I remember being about 8 and realizing for the first time that the atommoblies in the telescope weren't real. Loved Inner Space so much, that when I went to WDW in 1978 (Which was just MK at the time) I was bumbed becuase they didn't have that ride.

Later, I remember being a teen and getting to ditch the parents for the first time. Always had to meet up in one of the bench turrets on the draw bridge.... If you wiat there now, you'll be in hundreds of photos.

I went through a period where I preferred Six Flags to Disneyland.... I was 16-19.... Back then, Six Flags was much better maintained then it is now... Not nearly as much filth... Once upon a time, Six Flags was actually a family park and not just a "teens gone wild" park.

Anyway... I had kids of my own, and when I took them, it was soooo much fun seeing them discover the same magic I discovered.

And what is that magic?

Far-off, fantastic, imaginative.... How did Kevin put it? Immersion toward interesting illusion.

Clean. Safe. Fun. Friendly.

And yes, a big helping of innocense.

[PirateMunkee]

To me, Disneyland is an Artists dream. The entire park is a work of art. Besides, each ride is an adventure. On Big Thunder, you'e not just on some roller coaster, but you are on a wild runaway mine train. Space Mountain-you are flying through outer space on a rocket. And so forth.
Sure the roller coasters are nothing compared to Magic Mountain but the ambiance alone make the coasters kick over anything Magic Mountain has to offer.

[Whatever]

I think it is a lot of things. The nostolgia of growing up with the Wide World of Disney and Disney cartoons, numerous trips to the MK as a child, the total imersion when in the park, the attention to detail not found in other, non-disney parks, the scale and intimacy of the place. There are numerous other things that come to mind such as the soundtracks played throughout the park, the smells on main street. Oh yeah, some really great, unique attractions like POTC and the dark rides in Fantasyland.

DL is the only them park we will go to an do nothing but sit and drink coffee or just walk around: You wouldn't go to six flags or Knotts and do that... We've been many times when we didn't ride a single ride (other that POTC which we always ride, of course...)

[JMike]

For me, take the unique charm and attention to detail, add in great rides (both thrilling and non-thrilling), and take the wonderful atmosphere of the park. This, multiplied by the memories of going to the park annually since childhood (a major factor, for me) makes it as magical as it is.

[CinderellaPrincess]

Just like the rest of us, Disneyland and everything Disney was such a large part of my childhood. I can remember soo many trips to DL as a child and getting that special feeling when walking down Main Street knowing that you were part of something special. I'm an adult now and still collect all things of my favorite Disney character and movie (Cinderella in case you couldn't tell), still get excited when a new special edition Disney DVD is coming out, and still get that special feeling when I walk down Main Street. It doesn't go away and I hope it never will...

Disneyland is magic pure and simple.

[migitmouse88]

its almost like when you pass throgh the opening gate... it sucks any negativity out of you. i have been going to disney with my family since i was three... i vaguely remember my first trip... i feel asleep in my moms arms of the people mover... thogh i am sixteen now my family comes back to disney every year for me... my mom often jokes about it being my second home. and to me disney is always symbolic of that happy time... i was just adopted and my parents took me to disney. from that point i havent gotten uniterested in this form of entertainment... and now that im older there is something that just says to me inside while riding iasw that just says... wow... walt disney sat in this boat 50 years ago!

[MiceMan]

It's the water ... I swear .... We all know it isn't that ... right? I think that is the fact that no matter how horrible or sad I have always felt, when I step onto Main Street those feelings disappear. The outside world doesn't matter and I just want to have care free fun. The magic will never disappear ... the sights, the smells, the millions of people ... that is all part of the magic of Disneyland. I love it.

[SurfedUpDane]

The real reason!

What makes Disneyland so magical you ask? Well there is a myriad of answers, so I will give you one of mine:

I had this visor, it was an orange Abercrombie visor that seemed to emit good luck when ever I was wearing it. Well I was riding thunder mountain one time with my brother and somehow the wind grabbed it and it flew off coming off hill 2. I was blown away (pardon the pun) and was desperate to get it back. I rode the ride two more times after that trying to reach out of the mine car to grab it, but it was just out of reach. I hate to revert to wearing a hat for the rest of the trip and never thought I would see my visor again. So I asked if there was anything that could be done while at the lost and found. I filled out some forms, but never really expected any kind of return.
About 3 weeks later I was at home getting ready to start my junior year of high school when a first-class package arrived from Disneyland. After frantically ripping it open, I was captivated be the sheer joy of being reunited with my old friend! A couple months later I lost it for good! But it just shows how wonderful of an institution Disneyland is!

[SCUBAbe]

I don't find it to be magical or the happiest place on earth. Those are very succesful marketing gimmicks.

I do enjoy going to a clean park that has a variety of rides. Although, I mostly ride the faster ones. When it's not to crowded it can be a relaxing way to spend the day. There are still a few rides that I haven't not gotten tired of riding and I love to just relaxing and take in all the decor and scenery. I get a familair homey feeling when I walk into DL. I think because thats the only amusement park m y parents would take us to anf we would go about twice a year, When I go over to DCA I get instantly energized again. I love DCA...

[barrel]

I tried to anwser why Disneyland is so magical in a psycology project.
Results......................................incon clusive!

[Star Speeder]

What makes Disneyland so magical you ask? Well there is a myriad of answers, so I will give you one of mine:

I had this visor, it was an orange Abercrombie visor that seemed to emit good luck when ever I was wearing it. Well I was riding thunder mountain one time with my brother and somehow the wind grabbed it and it flew off coming off hill 2. I was blown away (pardon the pun) and was desperate to get it back. I rode the ride two more times after that trying to reach out of the mine car to grab it, but it was just out of reach. I hate to revert to wearing a hat for the rest of the trip and never thought I would see my visor again. So I asked if there was anything that could be done while at the lost and found. I filled out some forms, but never really expected any kind of return.
About 3 weeks later I was at home getting ready to start my junior year of high school when a first-class package arrived from Disneyland. After frantically ripping it open, I was captivated be the sheer joy of being reunited with my old friend! A couple months later I lost it for good! But it just shows how wonderful of an institution Disneyland is!

I told you to keep your head down so the wind wouldn't blow it off.

[StephanieA]

I love the food. When I think of Disneyland, my memories are connected with the food they serve at the park more than anything. When I was a wee little girl they used to sell round ice cream sandwiches with characters inprinted on the cookie part. Those were the best things ever! I love the Monte Cristo sandwich at the Blue Bayou, I love the corn dogs at the cart on main street, I love the blue icees at the stand near the Matterhorn. BUT most of all I love the Mint Juleps. My sister and I have gone to Disneyland just to get a Mint Julep...there is nothing better in the whole park. I have tried to recreate it at home, but it just isn't the same.

[SurfedUpDane]

I told you to keep your head down so the wind wouldn't blow it off.

But then I wouldn't have been able to see! Some day I am going to find that visor...but it is funny how by now I have also managed to lose the hat that I had to wear since the visor got lost! Let alone on my brithday coming back from seeing POTC in the theater!

[CA_Man_In_HI]

It actually becomes sad for me to think what it was, and what it now is. Sometimes I wonder if it's just me getting older, but then I think of everything I loved, and how almost all that is gone. As a child who made the annual pilgrimage from northern California, it was waking up early in the morning and standing outside our motel room. We would often stay at a motel/hotel across the street from the park, and I would stare at the Rocket Jets, watch the monorails go by, and see if I could get a glimpse further inside.
Then after breakfast, we would pull into the parking lot, and I would read the sign with disbelief as it read "open until 1am". Walking towards Disneyland from the parking lot and seeing the Main Street station as well as the face of Mickey Mouse get closer with each step, built so much anticipation, I could barely contain myself.
After getting in, and walking through Main Street we would start at the back of the west side (crittery/bear country) and work out way down and east. Tomorrowland was my favorite and I couldn't wait till we got there. Big, white, spacious, and so full of movement! InnerSpace/Star Tours, Captain EO (when you're a kid in the 80s, it rocked!), Mission to Mars, Space Mountain, America Sings, the Skyway, the Rocket Jets, the Subs, CircleVision, even the Mary Blair murals were all just amazing to me. Then of course came my favorite, the Peoplemover! It was my absolute favorite ride. Seeing everything from above, on a nice long ride was the climatic moment of the day. But then, when I thought it couldn't get any better, I would hear, "Warning, you have entered the electronic realm of the Master Control Program, prepare for the game-grid of Tron". On the Peoplemover and in the Tron tunnel was what life was all about. It's what 9 months of school and a day long car trip was worth enduring for.
Then in the summer of '95, I realized the Skyway was gone. Over the next couple of years I would see almost every ride I loved dissappear. What was left was painted with a bronze/rust look. Though I love Disneyland dearly still, the white, spacious innocence and magic of Tomorrowland seems to have faded, and detracted enormously to the rest of Disneyland.

[Rainfully]

Disney is pure and simply based on fantasies coming true. When you watch the movies, you see fantasies coming true. When you visit the parks, you become a part of the fantasy. For most of us, this is rooted deeply in our childhood. It brings us back to that feeling we had when we were so young. Some of us never lose that feeling when we enter a park, or watch a movie. I think we are quite lucky to understand and embrace the magic.

[Soulquarian]

I think I can also say that the people who love Disney contribute to the magic. When can all attest on what it feels like to share a Disney experience with another Disneyphile, or the delight we have in seeing someone enjoy a Disney park for the first time. It is the quality that is so synonymous with the Disney that keep generations as enthralled as we are! There are so many different types of people on this board, but we are all united under the fact that we have a special place for Disney. I have talked and discussed so many great topics with people of which I would probably never have a reason to talk with as a result of Disney. So here's to the fans!

[Tom Chaney]

Disneyland is hope. Disneyland is foresight. Disneyland is an unabashed celebration of humanity. Uncle Walt created Disneyland to memorialize the limitless boundries of mankind. Have fun. Ride the rides. See the sights. Feel the glow of knowing that you are good...intelligent...creative...respectful and good.

[mamabot]

My kids firmly believe that Mickey Mouse is Magic. Not just Disney Magic, but all things magical in the world. I think that they hold Mickey Mouse on a higher pedastal than Santa Claus. Mickey makes everything magical.

[The Mad Hatter]

Why is DL magical??? Two words....






















.....Dole Whip!