How Disneyland Got Started

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In the early 1940's, children began asking to see where Mickey Mouse and Snow White lived. Walt Disney thought of building a character display beside the studio since he figured that watching people making cartoons was boring. He came up with a vision of a place where children and their parents could have fun together; a "magical park"

To help him in designing the park. Walt Disney looked to his movie studio staff for the answers. They decided there would be five different lands; Main Street U.S.A., Adventureland, Frontierland, Fantasyland, and Tomorrowland. Walt Disney planned out every detail of all these lands.

Disney wanted to recreate the typical turn of the century city in "Main Street USA". It was planned to bring back happy memories or turn back time to the days when our grandfathers were young. It was also intended to be something to beckon visitors to "walk this way" to get to the rest of the park.

Adventureland was planned as an "exotic tropical place" in a "far-off region of the world". It was supposed to be experienced as "far from civilization, in the remote jungles of Asia and Africa."

Frontierland was designed to help visitors relive the pioneer days of the American frontier. Walt Disney envisioned adventures that "give you the feeling of having lived, even for a short while, during our country's pioneer days"

Fantasyland was pictured as a way for classic stories like Peter Pan and Alice in Wonderland to become realities for children of all ages to participate in. There would be a large Sleeping Beauty Castle and a Fantasy Village.

Tomorrowland was pictured as a look at the "marvels of the future". It was designed to give visitors "an opportunity to participate in adventures that are a living blueprint of our future". Walt Disney had trouble working on Tomorrowland, and pointed out that "right when we do Tomorrowland, it will be out dated."

Walt Disney once said "I could never convince the financiers that Disneyland was feasible, because dreams offer too little collateral." He borrowed against his life insurance and sold his second house just to develop his idea adequately. ABC-TV helped with financing by guaranteeing a $6 million loan in exchange for part ownership and Disney's commitment to produce a weekly television show called "Walt Disney's Disneyland" that would offer a glimpse of the future Disneyland; thus bringing the idea into reality for it's viewers.

He needed a place to put Disneyland, as the City of Burbank denied a request to build a site near his studio. In 1953, he recruited the Stanford Research Institute to survey a 100 acre site that was affordable, near Los Angeles, and accessible by freeway. He finally chose a 160 acre site in Anaheim, and the construction of Disneyland was started in 1954.

He looked to his movie studio staff for answers to the inevitable questions like "How do you make believable wild animals that aren't real?"; but if Walt Disney didn't like what his studio designers came up with, he'd do it himself. He stayed close to every detail of the construction and visited the site several times a week. There were several obstacles, such as a river that refused to hold water in the sandy soil and required a bed of native clay, and the staff worked around the clock to get ready for opening day.

Opening day was a disaster, in that the temperatures were 110 degrees, and due to a plumber's strike, no drinking fountains were available. There was a gas leak in Fantasyland. More than 28,000 ticket holders arrived, most of them with counterfeit tickets; where only 6,000 had been expected. There was a 7 mile freeway backup and attractions broke down under the enormous number of guests. Most reviewers decided the park was over-priced and poorly managed, and didn't expect it to last long.

Walt Disney subsequently decided to limit attendance to 20,000 quests per day to avoid overcrowding. Within seven weeks, there were one million visitors, and within 10 years, there had been 50 million visitors to Disneyland. He decided to charge $1.00 admission ($6.70 in 2005 dollars) to get through the gate and see three free attractions in four themed lands. Individual tickets for the 18 rides cost 10 to 35 cents each.

Walt Disney once said that "Disneyland will never be completed as long as there is imagination left in the world" and within a year attractions are opening, closing and changing, as they are still doing today.

Disneyland was, and continues to be, an enormous success, and the inspiration for all theme parks that followed it. It took a tremendous vision, unstoppable determination, and careful attention to every detail to create such an unprecedented and exceptional theme park. It is unfortunate that Disney didn't live long enough to see just how successful it was; a fitting legacy for a man whose name is legendary in entertainment.

2008 Disney Dining Plan Details Revealed!

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Details of the 2008 Disney Dining Plan for Walt Disney World have recently been released. The Dining Plan will cost $37.99/day for those aged 10 and above and $9.99/day for children ages 3-9 (which is a dollar less per day than the 2007 plan.) The DELUXE Dining Plan will cost $69.99 for those aged 10 and above and $19.99 for children ages 3-9.

For the regular Dining Plan in 2008 you'll receive the following:

2 Meals Per Day: For the regular Dining Plan you'll receive one table service meal and one quick service meal each day of your stay.


1 Snack Per Day: In addition to the 2 meals you'll also receive 1 snack every day. A snack includes one of the following: frozen ice cream novelty, popsicle, fruit bar, popcorn scoop (single serving box), single serving grab bag of chips, single piece of whole fruit, 20-oz. bottle of Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite or Dasani water, medium fountain soft drink or juice, 12-oz. coffee, hot chocolate or hot tea.

Here are some of the key differences between the 2007 and 2008 REGULAR Dining Plans:

Gratuity No Longer Included: Beginning in 2008, the Disney Dining Plan will no longer include gratuity (tips.) This means you'll need to bring some cash along with you to leave a tip for your table service meals. For parties of 6 or more people an 18% gratuity will be added to your check automatically.


Appetizers No Longer Included with Table Service Meals: In 2008 the table service meal will only include an entree, non-alcoholic beverage and dessert (or full buffet meal if applicable.) This is different from 2007 where you received an appetizer with your meal as well.


Wine and Dine Option: For an extra $39.99/day you can add a daily bottle of wine to your package.

Disney has also added a new dining plan for 2007 called the DELUXE Dining Plan. This is a more flexible (and more expensive) option for diners where you'll receive the following:

3 Meals: On the new Deluxe Dining Plan in 2008 you'll receive 3 meals each day of your stay. The 3 meals can be any combination of sit down or counter service so you have the choice of eating at any Disney restaurant on the list. If you choose a table service meal that will include one appetizer, one entree, one dessert (lunch and dinner only) and one non-alcoholic beverage OR one Full Buffet. If you choose a counter service meal that will include one entree (or complete combo meal), one dessert (lunch or dinner only), one juice (breakfast only) and one non-alcoholic beverage.


2 Snacks: In addition to the 3 meals you'll also receive 2 snacks every day. A snack includes one of the following: frozen ice cream novelty, popsicle, fruit bar, popcorn scoop (single serving box), single serving grab bag of chips, single piece of whole fruit, 20-oz. bottle of Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite or Dasani water, medium fountain soft drink or juice, 12-oz. coffee, hot chocolate or hot tea.


Wine and Dine Option: For an extra $39.99/day you can add a daily bottle of wine to your package.

For the DELUXE Dining Plan the same rules will apply as the regular plan when it comes to gratuity. It's not included.

On the surface my initial reaction is that I'm not really happy with the changes in the regular Dining Plan. With the loss of the appetizer on the table service meal and the added expense of paying for gratuity out of my pocket it starts to make more sense to pay-as-you-go. And when it comes to the DELUXE Dining Plan it just seems like a lot of money on a daily basis unless you plan on eating at a lot of table service restaurants. That option could be the better option however I'll have to play with the numbers a bit more to see what is the best way to go so look for future articles regarding this subject. No matter what you're still in for a thrill the next time you dine in Disney so have fun!

London's Famous Portobello Road Market

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The famous Portobello Road Market, with its antiques and flea market treasures, takes place through out the week with stalls open Monday through Friday. However, Saturday is its most famous day when the market is at its best creating the excitement that attracts tourists and Londoners alike.

With all the usual shops and stalls open and the countless weekend dealers added to the fray, even street performers, all help create the brilliant atmosphere for which the Market is most famous. Located in the heart of Notting Hill, the Portobello Road Market stretches, depending on what is included, for around one and a half kilometres (about a mile).

Originally, it was a farm area named in memory of Admiral Vernon after the Caribbean town of Puerto Bello, which he captured in 1739. Beginning as a fresh-food market in the 1800s, antiques dealers in the 1950s arrived and the Portobello Road Market became, and remains, world famous for its antiques.

Since then the area has been built up with houses, shop fronts, and the growing street market. Now the Market is perhaps equally famous for its stalls offering everything imaginable. There is bric-a-brac, fruit, bread, posters, second hand clothes, ceramics, and music. However, visitors still come from around the world to find the most extensive selection of antiques in Britain.

Multicolored buildings, storefronts, restaurants, pubs and the variety of communities inhabiting the street and the district contribute to the energetic atmosphere. On Saturday, Portobello Road Market's shops and over 2000 stalls offer an extraordinary variety of goods. For the hardy and patient, there are some fantastic bargains. Prices range from a few pounds for second hand clothing to several thousands for an authenticated antique.

You will join thousands of people just milling around, browsing the stalls and shops, or buying those irresistible bargains. Add the street performers to the mix and on a crowded Saturday afternoon walking from end to end will take the morning and beyond. Fortunately, with the hot food stalls, restaurants, and pubs the Portobello Road Market truly provides a place to shop, eat, and shop some more.

Things You Must See, Do and Taste in Disneyland

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The bags are packed, your airline tickets are in hand and your children are bouncing off of the walls. That can only mean one thing...it must be time to go to Disneyland! Planning a Disney vacation can be thrilling, exciting and exhausting if you do not plan well in advanced. Being well prepared for your days at the Happiest Place on Earth is the key to making sure that you and your family has the very best vacation to Disneyland.

If you have small children, consider having your accommodations as close to the park as possible. Spending the entire day in Disneyland is sure to be exhausting for young children and add a long trek back to your hotel room after a tiring day can be overwhelming to some children and parents. Many hotels offer shuttle services to and from the park, but they work on a first come, first served basis, so if you will be waiting for a very long time if you stay until the park closes. There are many hotels within a short walking distance that you can consider. The Portofino Inn and Suites, The Park Place Inn and the Annabella Hotel are three accommodations that are close to the park. If your hotel is a bit farther out requiring a shuttle for transportation, leave the park a bit before it closes to avoid the end of the day crowd trying to rush onto the shuttles.

The Disney dining experience is a fun one to have. Each area in the park tries to have restaurants that accompany the flavor or theme of the certain "land" that it is in. Critter Country hosts the delicious Hungry Bear restaurant, complete with huge roast turkey legs, roasted corn and juicy hamburgers. Adventure Land has a tasty jungle hut that sells teriyaki chicken kabobs and pineapple on a stick. Save your appetite one night, however, for a dinner at the Blue Bayou Restaurant in the New Orleans Square section of the park. This restaurant is truly an experience. Set right inside the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, you truly feel as though you are dining in another time and dimension of old New Orleans. The menu features Creole delicacies like Jambalaya and Gumbo (as well as kid friendly meals). The food is quite tasty, but the experience is even better. Be sure to make reservations well in advance for this restaurant.

Pacing yourself during your visit is the way to planning your Disney vacation right. Take your time walking through Disneyland and enjoying the sites all around you. Get some great photos of your family with some Disney characters or in front of the infamous Sleeping Beauty's Castle. If you get tired, take a few hours to go back to your hotel room for a swim, a nap or just a little time to relax in the peace and quiet of your room. Your Disneyland vacation will be perfectly lovely and perfectly exhausting in the best possible way!

Disneyland Vacations - Have a Family Reunion at Disneyland

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Simply put, everyone loved Disneyland. Imagine having your next reunion in the Magic Kingdom. Well you can have your cake and eat it too by having your reunion at the wonderful world of Disney. And arranging it is easy to boot.

You can begin your family reunion planning by contacting the helpful staff at the Disney Vacation Planning department. They will take care of arranging entrance tickets and reserving rooms at Disney properties. Family reunion members can often get discounted tickets as it is considered a bulk purchase.

The Happiest Place on Earth Picnic is a necessary service so you may take care of all your family reunion participants. It includes Disneyland entry for your entire family and is offered throughout the year. You also are offered several options for a fully catered meal during your family get together. For mid sized reunions, up to 300 people, Disney's Big Thunder Ranch is recommended. For larger groups, up to 1000, your family reunion will most likely be held at Disney's Festival Arena.

For smaller reunions, up to 100 people, you will not qualify for Disney's special catering program. However, this policy is regulated on a case by case basis. You should consult a Disney representative about your particular situation. Keep in mind that if Disney's catering program is not applicable to your situation, there are plenty of great themed restaurants where you can arrange dining for your event.

By booking a block of rooms and planning your event during the off season, you may be able to obtain a significant discount on rooms for your reunion members. This same discount may apply to airline tickets to Disneyland, if purchased well in advance.

It is recommended that you use Disney's Planning Services as much as possible for arranging details pertaining to Disneyland. However, your travel agent may be of great assistance in organizing the particulars that are not Disney related.

Family reunions take much effort and work in the planning stages, however, the results will leave lasting memories forever. contact the Disney Planning Department and discover what options are available to make your reunion a truly unforgettable experience.

Luxury Breaks and Luxury Treats to Be Had on the Isle of Wight

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If you're planning on going to the Isle of Wight, there are great choices for things to do on your holiday there. The natural beauty of the area cannot be ignored. The miles and miles of unspoiled views and the coastline are some of the best out there, and people love to just come and have a look at everything that nature has done on the Isle of Wight.

There are other things, though, that you can do while you're there if you don't feel that being with nature is enough pampering. Spa treatments are a good choice for many people to help them relax on their holiday and feel rejuvenated by the time they have to go home again. You can get these spa treatments at many fine hotels, although they generally cost extra. Most people think that they are well worth the cost because they are so enjoyable and relaxing. They are a great way to feel pampered while you're enjoying your time away from work and the stresses of everyday life. Many people also play tennis, card games, squash, or use the gym. Indoor pools are popular for pampering, too. The possibilities are almost endless, and they come down to what you enjoy most on your Isle of Wight holiday.

You can also visit a steam room or sauna, enjoy gourmet meals, and stay in a luxury hotel. Shanklin has much to offer in that respect, and you'll always feel like you're being pampered there.

Luxury is important to a lot of people, and that's true whether they are interested in a five-star hotel or a self-catering cottage. They still want their accommodations to be nice and to reflect high quality at a good price. These are the kinds of things that you can get on the Isle of Wight year-round.

However, if you're really looking to pamper yourself as much as possible for the lowest price, you might want to book well in advance and go during the off season. There will be fewer people, and those who provide the services you'll be looking for will often be offering discounts because they are low on clients during that time. You can get better rates on lodging and stay in finer hotels than you would otherwise be able to, so it's worth looking into going at a time of year when not everyone else will be taking their holidays.

If you are like many other people are looking for a piece of luxury in one of the best Shanklin Hotels then do your research before you book to avoid disappointment.

Find the Cheapest Hotel Rates Near Disneyland

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Vacation trips do not necessarily be expensive. Accommodations also do not have to be costly to enjoy luxurious and comfortable place to stay. Price concerns should not be a hindrance to visit and take pleasure in Disneyland. There are a lot of packages where one can enjoy in group. Travelling around in pack can surely make you save money than going solo or in two. Some hotels are now into tour packages that offer big discounts and provide itinerary plan and tour guides.

On the other hand, should you want to be spontaneous with your trips, it is easy to plot and organize your own trip. The whole planning could be a lot of fun for your whole family or group of friends.

Two major concerns are transportation and accommodation. Arranging your transportation is easy. You just need to book and buy your tickets. Nest is your accommodation. You can surely find the cheapest hotels rates near Disneyland. Cheap hotels do not mean the hotel services are incompetent and the facilities are poor. There are hotels around Disneyland that offer deluxe services at affordable prices.

How do you find these hotels? You can explore this information in the internet. You can use the cheapest hotels rates near Disneyland as keywords in the search box. In 0.25 seconds or less than a minute you get information about cheapest hotels rates. You leaf through the results and skim info that you need. You can find also sponsored links on the sites related to the keywords that you were looking for. Some of the links give you ideas of hotels that offer big discounts like saving 75%. Make sure that you read carefully the ad or you will end paying more rather than saving more.