Walt Disney had
planed out all the lands, to every detail. Main Street, U.S.A.,
the very front of the park, was where Walt wanted to relive the
typical turn of the century city Main Street. He said:
- "For those of us who remember the carefree time it
recreates, Main Street will bring back happy memories. For
younger visitors, it is an adventure in turning back the
calendar to the days of grandfather's youth."
Walt made Main Street U.S.A the entrance to a "weenie," as he
called it. He said:
- "What you need is a weenie, which says to people
'come this way.' People won't go down a long corridor unless
there's something promising at the end. You have to have
something the beckons them to 'walk this way.'"
Walt also had planed for an "exotic tropical place" in a
"far-off region of the world." Called Adventureland.
Walt said, "To create a land that would make this dream
reality, we pictured ourselves far from civilization, in the
remote jungles of Asia and Africa."
Frontierland was made to relive the pioneer days of
the American frontier. Walt said:
- "All of us have a cause to be proud of our country's
history, shaped by the pioneering spirit of our forefathers.
. .Our adventures are designed to give you the feeling of
having lived, even for a short while, during our country's
pioneer days."
Fantasyland was created with the goal to "make dreams
come true" from the lyrics of "When You Wish Upon a Star."
Walt said:
- "What youngster. . .has not dreamed of flying with
Peter Pan over moonlit London, or tumbling into Alice's
nonsensical Wonderland? In Fantasyland, these classic
stories of everyone's youth have become realities for
youngsters-of all ages-to participate in."
Fantasyland would feature a large Sleeping Beauty Castle, and
a Fantasy Village.
Tomorrowland was created as a look at the "marvels of the
future." Walt said:
- "Tomorrow can be a wonderful age. Our scientists
today are opening the doors of the Space Age to achievements
that will benefit our children and generations to come. .
.The Tomorrowland attractions have been designed to give you
an opportunity to participate in adventures that are a
living blueprint of our future."
Although, Walt had trouble working on Tommorrowland.
He said that "right when we do Tommorrowland, it will be out
dated."
Walt Stayed close to every detail of the Park's Construction,
and he visited the site in Anaheim several times a week.
Progress went sporadically despite exasperating obstacles.
The Rivers of America, carved out of sandy citrus grove soil,
refused to hold water. The answer was finally found in a bed of
native clay: an inch layer on the river bottom formed a pad as
hard as cement. Although, minor set backs did follow, progress
did continue. |