Happy Birthday, Disneyland!!

On July 18, 1955, Walt opened his first theme park, Disneyland, to the general public. I'm very proud to say that on that same day 32 years later, I came into the world. I get to share my birthday with Disneyland! What Disney geek doesn't LOVE saying that!! :) LOL Anyway, I thought I'd start my 25th birthday (and Disneyland's 57th) with a little post about something that people often ask me:
"What's the difference between Disneyland and Walt Disney World??"
While I have had the opprotunity to visit Disneyland yet, I am fascinated with its history. Disneyland was the first theme mark of its kind, the model all theme parks we enjoy today are built by. Back in the 1950s, safe, clean, fun family parks didn't exist. But Walt wanted to changed that. He invisioned a place so wonderful and filled with imagination that both kids and parents could come and have a great time. It was his biggest dream yet, and it didn't come without problems.
The Disney company didn't own a large amount of land where Disneyland was built, so cheesy hotels and restuarants popped up all around the park, ruining the entrance. That's when Walt decided to start over... in Florida :). He secretly bought up thousands of acres of land near Orlando, and began planning what would become Walt Disney World. But Walt's vision of Disney World is not what we see today. Sadly, Walt died before he could see any of his ideas completed. Without their leader to guide them, the Disney  Imagineers modeled the first theme park (the Magic Kingdom) after their already successful Disneyland, and Walt Disney World grew from there.
So what are the differences between the two? Well, there are a lot, but here are just a few of the more noticable:

1. Disneyland is in Anaheim, California. Disney World is in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
2. Disneyland's central icon is Sleeping Beauty's castle. Disney World has Cinderella's.
3. Disneyland now has two theme parks: Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure Park. Disney World has four parks: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom.
4. Disneyland has the Matterhorn. Disney World has Expedition Everest.
5. Pirates of the Carribbean, It's a Small World, Peter Pan's Flight, Space Mountain, Mad Tea Party, Tomorrowland Speedway, and others were all at Disneyland first.
6. At Disneyland, the monorail is a theme park attraction. At Disney World, it's transportation.
7. Disneyland has New Orlean's Square. Disney World has Liberty Square.
8. Disneyland now has Cars Land in the California Adventure Park. Disney World has a double-sized Fantasyland (to be completed in 2014).
9. Disneyland has 2 resort hotels. Disney World has 24.
10. Disneyland was once an orange grove. Disney World was a cow pasture.

Still confused? Maybe a visual demonstration will help. Check out this neat video from the Disney Parks YouTube channel:

So, a very Happy Birthday to Walt's Disneyland! One day we'll celebrate together, and I will scream the whole way down the Matterhorn :). So long for now! 

Miranda