The Story of DISNEYLAND: It Should Be Surrounded By A Train

When initially asked what DISNEYLAND should look like, Walt's response was this:

"I just want it to look like nothing else in the world. And it should be surrounded by a train."

-Walt Disney

Walt's love of trains began when he was very young. When he was old enough to choose his own summer job, he decided to become a "news butcher", a job that allowed him to ride trains all day selling newspapers and refreshments to passengers. 

Walt would often provide free refreshments to the train engineers in exchange for lessons on running the train. It is said that he was an expert at it by the end of the summer. Years later he fondly recalled those summer days when he could forget his worries and just run that train. He dreamed that one day he would own his very own train, one that he could run in his very own backyard-

And maybe even a fleet of trains that would encircle his very own Magic Kingdom:

Walt Disney made his wildest dreams come true; dreams that are still enjoyed by millions from around the world at his one and only Magic Kingdom of DISNEYLAND.

Rest in Peace, Rod Taylor

Australian born actor Rod Taylor, who provided the voice of "Pongo" in Walt Disney's Classic One Hundred and One Dalmatians has passed away at the age of 84, just a few days shy of his 85th birthday.

Mr. Taylor starred in many classic non-Disney films like The Time Machine and The Birds. As Pongo, Mr. Taylor gave a voice to a memorable character who is still beloved by children from around the world.

DISNEYLAND Secrets: The Kate & Ella Martini

Looking for a nice drink at the DISNEYLAND Resort? Amble on over to the Napa Rose Lounge at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and ask for a secret drink you won't find on the menu- the Kate & Ella.

Described as a citrus martini, the Kate & Ella is named after Kate & Ella Rea, whose family owned part of the land that eventually became the DISNEYLAND Resort. We previously mentioned the sisters as being the true inspiration for the name of Katella Avenue, which runs south of the DISNEYLAND Resort.

Pictured below with their parents, Kate & Ella actually lived on the land where Disney's Grand Californian Hotel currently sits. So why not honor them by ordering a drink off the secret menu?

Disney Street in London

Imagine how excited Walt Disney was when he learned that a street in London was renamed after him. Lillian Disney once recalled the time when he forced her to accompany him on a whirlwind quest to find the street so that he could take a picture of the street sign.

Mrs. Disney always got a kick out of telling the story because that was when they found out the original name of "Disney Street"- Dunghill Lane

Leslie Nielsen Sings!

Before he was making people laugh as the bumbling Frank Drebin, Leslie Nielsen was Walt Disney's Swamp Fox. Airing on the Disneyland television show, Swamp Fox told the story of Francis Marion, a real life soldier who fought against the British in America's Revolutionary War.

Amazingly, Leslie Nielsen even sang the theme song to the show. The show didn't have the same success as Davy Crockett, but it is still fondly remembered by Disney fans.

The Real Mystery Shack!

The Mystery Shack in Disney's Gravity Falls is a roadside attraction of dubious value run by the notorious cheapskate Grunkle Stan.

Show creator Alex Hirsch has admitted basing the establishment on the real life Santa Cruz, California landmark The Mystery Spot.

Disney Quote Weekends

"I have a scrapbook full of all your newspaper clippings! Of course, it isn't a very big scrapbook."

-Launchpad McQuack

Disney Quote Weekends

"The doctor says it's the first time he's ever been called because a baby was sleeping in the day. And then I think he called me an idiot."

-Rose Nylund from The Golden Girls

The Story of DISNEYLAND: The Beginning of a Dream

2015 marks the 60th Anniversary of the opening of Walt Disney's greatest dream- DISNEYLAND. Throughout this special anniversary year, RetlawYensid.com will feature The Story of DISNEYLAND every Friday. Please join us as we tell the story of how Walt Disney's greatest dream came true- how he guided it through its first ten years and how it grew to become, as Julie Andrews called it, 'The Happiest Place on Earth to millions the world over; a place where anything is possible- where every dreamer may wish upon a star.'

The story of DISNEYLAND begins in Kansas City, Missouri. Fresh from the stinging failure of the Disney farm in Marceline, Elias Disney moved his family to Kansas City where he purchased a contract to deliver the Kansas City Star newspaper. He drafted his sons to deliver the newspaper for him, a miserable experience on cold Missouri mornings. Walt Disney would have nightmares about the experience many years later. Once the morning editions were delivered, it was time for school, then time to deliver the afternoon papers, then homework, then sleep. There was very little time for dreaming. Especially since little Walt's father put no stock in dreams or artistic endeavors.

Walt Disney's sister Ruth recalled the dreariness of their childhoods but noted that Walt always tried to make things fun or magical for her. She recalled a particularly magical place in Kansas City- Electric Park.

Walt and Ruth would try to go to the park as often as they could, despite their father's disapproval. Featuring magical lights, fantastic rides and immaculately landscaped grounds, this magic electric city was a fun getaway from the drudgery of home.

Due to Elias Disney's disapproval of any type of artistry or frivolity, Walt and Ruth's visits to Electric Park were few and far between. Sometimes they would only reach the front gates where Ruth recalled Walt staring into the park. Ms. Disney believed that her brother wasn't just pondering the fun they weren't having; he was plotting out his own park and his own dream.

Electric Park suffered a massive fire and eventually became just a memory. It closed completely in 1925. By that time Walt Disney was already out in California following his dreams. Dreams that would lead him to his destiny and DISNEYLAND.

Happy New Year!

"There's a great big beautiful tomorrow- just a dream away!"