Fun Facts about Disneyland
Category: TravelDisneyland is turning 60 this year. It’s hard to imagine a time without “The Happiest Place on Earth.” Disneyland and Walt Disney World have been vacation destinations for families for several generations. They’re not just for kids. Teens, young families, and seniors all enjoy the food, flavors, fun, rides, shopping, music, and the entire Disney experience.
Here are some fun facts about Disneyland:
Since opening day in 1955, the Disneyland Resort has welcomed nearly 700 million guests to the happiest place on earth.
Through the years, a virtual “Who’s Who” of the 20th and early 21st centuries has visited the Disneyland Resort, including U.S. presidents (dating to Harry S. Truman), heads of state and countless athletes, artists, authors and celebrities.
Mickey Mouse ear hats are the most popular Disneyland Resort souvenirs of all time, with more than 84 million “ears” sold since 1955.
The Matterhorn Bobsleds was the first tubular steel roller coaster in the world when it opened in 1959. It set the standard for modern-day roller-coaster design.
Disneyland Park created the first daily operating monorail in the Western Hemisphere. It opened June 14, 1959.
The popular Pirates of the Caribbean attraction in New Orleans Square features more than 120 Audio- Animatronics figures, and guests often sing along with that catchy refrain: “Yo-ho, yo-ho, a pirate’s life for me.”
At nearly 300,000 square feet and 125 feet tall at its peak, The mountains of Ornament Valley in Cars Land make up the largest rock structure in any domestic Disney theme park.
The nighttime water spectacular “World of Color” uses a submersible platform that’s bigger than a football field, with more than 18,000 points of control and revolutionary lighting that infuses nearly 1,200 fountains with color — making it one of the largest show systems ever built. The show is regularly enhanced, with updates including “Glow With the Show” ears that flash in sync with the performance, and an all-new holiday version: “World of Color – Winter Dreams.”
Thirty-eight different languages are spoken among Disneyland Resort cast members.
More than 50 scuba divers work year-round to maintain Disneyland Resort attractions, including “World of Color” at Disney California Adventure and Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage at Disneyland.
From colorful flowers to 18,000 trees and 22 topiary animals and characters, the landscape panorama helps tell the story of each land in the parks.
More than 800 species of plants indigenous to 40 nations grow at the Disneyland Resort, making it one of the most extensive and diverse botanical locales in the western United States.
Guests will find more than 140 food and beverage locations at the Disneyland Resort, including 23 full- service restaurants and themed lounges such as Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar at the Disneyland Hotel.
Disneyland Resort serves more than 6,500 food items, including citrus-marinated turkey breast at Flo’s V8 Café (Disney California Adventure), Hacienda Chicken Caesar Salad at Rancho del Zocalo (Disneyland) and Fire Cracker Duck Wings at Carthay Circle Restaurant and Lounge (Disney California Adventure).
Napa Rose, the award-winning restaurant at the Grand Californian Hotel, has a 17,000-bottle cellar withmore than 1,000 different labels and 80 wines available by the glass. The wine service ranks among the best in the country, with more than 31 certified sommeliers (four who are certified as advanced) on staff.
Fresh fruits and healthful options are available throughout the parks, and guests can look for the Mickey Check on menus to find meals that meet Disney Nutrition Guidelines.
Disneyland Resort employs 26,000 cast members, making it the largest single-site employer in Orange County..
More than 1,200 different costumes are maintained for use by cast members in the parks and hotels.
2015 is the Diamond Anniversary and there’s no better time to visit and revisit “The Happiest Place on Earth.” The Diamond Jubilee festivities kick off May 22, 2015.
About the Author
Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment business for 20 years. She also writes about technology and has been a travel writer for the past 12 years. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.
Follow her on Twitter
Like her on Facebook