So what is Disneyland all about?

Disneyland Resort, California is a 500-acre Oasis of Disney Magic and fun, providing that unique Disney all encompassing experience as only Disney can provide.

The Mole can only imagine that on July 17, 1955, when Walt Disney [pictured right in a statue with Mickey Mouse] opened his groundbreaking new concept in entertainment called Disneyland, with 18 major attractions and the goal of being a place where adults and children, families and friends, of all ages could have fun together, he can have had no idea what a global institution it would become.

Reputedly running quickly out of cash at the time, today Walt Disney’s dream has evolved into not only an American national but international treasure, encompassing the Disneyland Resort, a sprawling 500-acre resort destination featuring two renowned Disney parks, with over 100 adventures and attractions, but three hotel properties and the exciting entertainment, dining and retail fun of the Downtown Disney District.

Disneyland Resort is the most convenient of the Disney properties for Aussies and Kiwis to visit located a stone’s throw from Los Angeles International Airport in Anaheim, California, some 25 miles south of Los Angeles, providing guests from around the world with amazing thrills, fun and that unique Disney magic, with the Resort voted the “Best Theme Park”, by Reader’s Digest in its “Best of America” survey  in May 2005 and voted one of the top-three family resort destinations, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel in Travel & Leisure Family (2005).

The Disneyland Resort is, in fact, the number one family resort destination in the western United States.

Billed as “The Happiest Place on Earth,” Disneyland is Disney’s flagship park and the centerpiece of the Disneyland Resort, covering 85-acres with Walt Disney’s original park having grown over the past five decades to include eight familiar themed “lands” including Main Street USA, Adventureland, Frontierland, New Orleans Square, Critter Country, Fantasyland, Mickey’s Toontown and Tomorrowland.

Featuring over 65 adventures and attractions, Disneyland boasts some of the most quintessential Disney theme park experiences in the world including such classics as Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise, Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room; it’s a small world, Matterhorn Bobsleds and Indiana Jones Adventure [pictured left].

Disney also features unforgettable seasonal events featuring such popular shows and attractions as Haunted Mansion Holiday, it’s a small world holiday, the traditional Candlelight Processional and Ceremony, snowfall on Main Street, A Christmas Fantasy Parade, etc. Disneyland is an ever-changing, ever evolving experience.

And as Walt Disney dreamed and desired, Disneyland is in constant state of “becoming” with new adventures and attractions always on the drawing boards.

In summer 2006 Pirates of the Caribbean, the classic Disneyland attraction [pictured right] brought to the big screen in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, is adding new characters (such as Captain Jack Sparrow and Barbossa) from the blockbuster entertainment franchise and debuting when the next adventure begins in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest.

And just last week, The Mole was there as the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage surfaced in Tomorrowland, with the all-new underwater adventure featuring the eight submarines of the fondly remembered Submarine Voyage attraction and inspired by the Disney presentation of the Pixar Animation Studios film, “Finding Nemo.”

Watch out for TravelMole tomorrow and all this week to hear more about The Mole finding Nemo and all about Disney’s California Adventure park, right across from Disneyland and also about the great places to stay on property in Disneyland Resort, California.

A special Disneyland California report by The Mole