A Brief History of Disneyland
Disneyland has seen 50 summers pass in procession since its gates first opened July 17, 1955. Forty-five summers of parades and fireworks, of Mickey and Minnie, of playing host to people from all over the world.
Over the years, Disneyland has acquired the unmistakable characteristics of a national institution. It is a "must see" destination for any visitor to the western United States. Many Californian regard Disneyland as one of the states natural assets - like the Pacific Ocean or the Redwood forests. It is indeed a place for all ages.
Sometimes it is hard to remember that before there was a Disneyland... there was only a vision and a dream of one man - Walt Disney.The vision and dream was made possible with some empty sketch pads, canvases and a few sandwiches. It was these first "sketches" of "The Happiest Place on Earth" that provided Walt and Roy Disney the ability to secure the necessary financial backing to build Disneyland.
Inspired and led by Walt Disney over a long weekend in September 1953, artist Herbert Dickens Ryman was selected by Walt Disney as his master imagineer to bring the dream to reality...Disneyland is more than just buildings, attractions and adventures.
It is a virtual "masterpiece" in the making. Virtually every square inch of Disneyland - every building, street corner, attraction, store interior - in fact every little detail from lampposts to trash cans are inspired by a painting, drawing or piece of sculpture... it is the artist's vision that guides the builders hand.
The process of creating Disneyland attractions is lengthy and complex. And yet the artist's role remains pivotal. He or she is responsible for giving initial form to new ideas, for refining concepts through artistic renderings and for providing the inspiration and cohesive vision for turning dreams into reality.
In celebration of Disneyland's 50th Anniversary and the 10th Anniversary of the Ryman Foundation for Young Artists, the Disney Gallery, located above the Pirates of the Caribbean in Disneyland, is pleased to present the art of Herbert Dickens Ryman in release of his autobiography "A Brush with Disney".
在美国动画大师沃尔特·迪斯尼的倡导下，1955年7月17日，世界上第一座迪斯尼乐园在美国加利福尼亚州的阿纳海姆市建成并正式开园。
迪斯尼乐园是大型主题游乐公园。所谓主题公园，就是园中的一切从环境布置到娱乐设施都集中表现一个或几个特定的主题。在主题公园中，人们一会儿走进想象中的未来世界，一会儿又退回到几千年前的古代社会；一会儿在海底世界漫游，一会儿又在太空中翱翔。不管游客走到哪里，都会有身临其境之感。
进入迪斯尼乐园，人们总能感受到无穷的生机和活力，因为这里就是一个童话世界，许多动画电影中的可爱人物都生活在这里。从顽皮可爱的米老鼠、唐老鸭、高菲狗到漂亮的白雪公主、七个小矮人（均由游乐园内的工作人员扮演）等等，人们都可以在这里与他们亲密接触。
另外，迪斯尼乐园每年都会增加一些新的风景，各个季节也都会举行相关的庆祝活动，每到“感恩节”、“圣诞节”、“复活节”等重大节假日时，这里会更为热闹，营业时间也会延长。
每天，迪斯尼乐园以自己独特的魅力，吸引着成千上万来自世界各地的游客，无论成人还是孩子，都会被它深深地吸引，在迪斯尼乐园里流连忘返。
据介绍，第一座迪斯尼乐园1955年建成之后，仅在开放的头6个月里，就有300万人纷至沓来。在来访的人中有11位国王、王后和27位王子、公主以及24位州政府的首脑。
随着不断的发展，如今的迪斯尼乐园已经壮大了队伍，在世界很多地方都有了自己的“兄弟姐妹”。法国巴黎、日本东京、中国香港等地都陆续兴建了当地的迪斯尼乐园，给更多的人带去欢乐。
