Discovering Walt's Park

Back in 2003 Paula and I decided to make our first vacation with James & Michael, a trip to Walt Disney World. 

As soon as that decision was made I became obsessed with planning our trip. I ate, slept, and drank Walt Disney World for almost a year. 

By the time January 2004 came, I had packs of colored index cards to use as a guide for our day in each park. This was years before "Touring Plans", Lines or My Disney Experience apps were invented. The plans helped. It was a trip we still talk about 17 years later. 

Since that '03 trip I have been back to WDW 5 more times and with exception of my two solo trips, each have been planned as extensively as the first; sans the index cards. 

Despite being, a devoted WDW fan and getting to Orlando whenever I can, I've never had a real desire to visit the park that started it all; Disneyland.   

Now, as a "boomer" I grew up when Walt Disney was on TV every Sunday night.  My favorite episodes of "The Wonderful World Of Color" were those where Mr. Disney showed us behind the scenes of the latest attraction or event happening at his magic kingdom in California. There was no doubt that Disneyland and the attractions that were created for it, were Walt Disney's ideas come true. 

The episodes that featured The Enchanted Tiki Room and Pirates Of The Caribbean particularly fascinated me. 

But from my childhood days until recently, I've been convinced that a visit to "Walt's Park" all the way across the country would never be possible for me. 

So ironically as a defense mechanism  against continually wishing my "impossible dream" would come true, I totally dismissed any interest in Disneyland. 

I must point out that, ironically, dreams coming true is the theme of most Disney animated features, and the subtext of the building of Disneyland, itself.  

Over the last few years, the Walt Disney World podcasts I listen have become much more inclusive when it comes to the California resort.  

Many of the podcasters, most of whom are 10 times the WDW fan than I am, have become fans of Disneyland as well. 

Their visits to Anaheim have given them an appreciation for "Walt's Park" that, they say, completes them as a Disney Parks fan.  

Because I have gotten a lot of valuable information from them over the years, I was influenced by their opinions and began, considering the possibility of, one day, making a trip to Disneyland. 

As of August of last year, "one day" became a specific date on the calendar. 

This coming July, the National Color Street Conference is being held in Las Vegas. Of course, my wife is very interested in attending. Disneyland is only a 4 hour drive from Vegas. 

This means, if I go with her to the conference, I will be within a days drive of Anaheim. Which creates an obvious opportunity to make my first trip to Disneyland. 

Let me take you back, once again, to before our 2004 WDW vacation. At the time I approached this event as though it was the only chance I would ever get to go there. That's why I went so "all in" when it came to making sure that I made the most of every minute while there. 

I go into this Disneyland opportunity with the same mind set. Thus, I need to learn all I can about the park. This will be a bit of a job because, although I know a lot about the resort and it's role in Disney history, I know almost nothing about the logistics of visiting the area. Essentially, I am starting from scratch. 

I will begin with reading the 2020 edition of the Unofficial Guide To Disneyland I got for Christmas. Next I will search for info the Disneyland devoted websites and travel guides on the internet. 

Third, I will find some podcasts that focus exclusively on DLR (Disneyland Resort). 

Finally, I will seek to tap the knowledge of family, friends, and social media groups I'm a part of, who have visited Anaheim. Nothing is more valuable than someone who's been there and done that. 

If you have any favorite resources for learning about Disneyland, I would appreciate it if you would share them with me on my Facebook page or by pm. 

So, as I progress in this new aspect of my Disney education, I will be sharing what I learn in this blog. 

I go into this research project with one goal in mind. I want to do my best to make this chance to walk where Walt walked, a memory I will smile about for the rest of my days.