Barbie recently visited the happiest place on earth; Disneyland,
in Southern California. She went in late
Fall, which was a perfect time to go.
There were far less crowds, and the weather was pleasantly warm.
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| Famous photo spot just as you enter the park |
Barbie went dressed in a 1990 “modified” Heart Family outfit
which was released for Disney’s 35th anniversary. When looking for the right clothes for her
trip, I had searched my daughter’s old Barbie dolls and there it was. Disney Heart
Family set, used, but completely intact.
I added a navy blue mini skirt to update the outfit, and she was off on
her adventure.
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| Vintage doll and 35th Anniversary Doll (1990) |
Once at the park, besides all the amusing rides, tasty food,
and entertaining performers, Barbie found some fascinating hidden gems that most
people don’t realize are there.
Disneyland had its grand opening on
the afternoon of July 17, 1955, to invited guests and media only. The park only had eighteen attractions at the
time, and many think that the Matterhorn Bobsleds were one of the original
attractions. In reality, the first
“thrill” ride didn’t open until 1959, the exact same year Barbie debuted.
The structure has had several modifications throughout the
years, but the 147 foot tall mountain still remains one of the most popular
rides in the park. The first tubular
steel track coaster in the world zigzags throughout the bottom two-thirds of Matterhorn
Mountain. The top one third of the
mountain houses a basketball court, which was built for Disney employees to use!
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| Matterhorn Mountain (1st thrill ride at Disneyland) |
When you arrive at
Disneyland, you first walk down picturesque Main Street. It was built as a replica of Walt Disney’s
childhood hometown of Marceline, Missouri.
You will even smell the scent of vanilla most of the year, except at
Christmastime when it changes to peppermint!
Walt Disney also wanted his family dog Lady somewhere in the
park. You can find that famous pooch inside
the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction.
He is the medium-size mixed breed poodle holding the keys in his mouth guarding
the jail cells, as you approach the end of the ride. I knew I would have liked that man!
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| Pirates of the Caribbean |
As you stroll through New
Orleans square you will come upon a door that has the number 33 next to
it. This is Club 33, which is a VIP
private club with a very long waiting list (years), as well as very expensive
initiation and annual fees. Many
celebrities and other distinguished guests have frequented the place. It’s the
only establishment in Disneyland that serves alcohol. However, alcohol is served at California
Adventure, which is another Disney theme park.
It is a lot of fun and right next
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| Club 33 |
The Disneyland Fire Department, which is located on Main
Street’s Town Square, is one of the original attractions from 1955. Inside there is wonderful memorabilia, such
as the old horse drawn fire wagon that was used during the first 5 years, taking
guests up and down Main Street. Also since
opening day in 1955, the Disneyland barbershop quartet still performs several
times each day in front of the station. Above
the fire department there is a small apartment where Walt Disney would stay
when he visited the park. If the light was on, that meant he was on site. Today, since his death, it remains on all the
time.
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| Disneyland Fire Department |
The last little tidbit of information that you might find
interesting as you stroll the streets of this happy place is in Sleeping
Beauty’s Castle, on your way to Fantasy Land.
Look down at the floor and find the spike. It marks the exact center of
the park (well, that was until Mickey’s Toon Town was built!).
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| Sleeping Beauty's Castle |
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| Spike in the floor in Sleeping Beauty's Castle |
If you’re looking for some vintage Disney clothing for your dolls,
you’ll have to look past the vintage years to the 1980’s and 1990’s and
beyond. For some reason, Barbie and
Disney didn’t team up until then. In
2005, for Disneyland’s Golden anniversary, the “Barbie Then and Now” doll
debuted. The 1955 “Then” doll was
dressed in a “Mouseketeers” outfit, which is the outfit that was worn on The
Mickey Mouse Club that premiered in 1955.
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| 2005 Disneyland's 50th Anniversary "Then and Now" doll |
Barbie loves Disneyland and if you have never visited, be
sure to add it to your bucket list.
You’ll be glad you did!
