Family TimeTag Archives:

Going To The Happiest Place In The World!

Monday, July 16th, 2012


Disneyland - The Happiest Place on EarthHave you ever been to Disneyland?  What about Disney World?

Did you know that Disneyland has the most visitors of any theme park in the entire world?

Over 600 Million people have walked through the turnstiles at the “Happiest Place On Earth” since opening day on July 17th, 1955!

In fact, Disneyland was second only to Magic Kingdom in Disney World with 16,140,000 people making that magical ride from the parking lot on the tram or the monorail from the hotel properties to enjoy a day in the land of wonder.

How Does Disneyland Stack Up Around The World?

Another cool tidbit; of the top 10 amusement parks based on attendance in the world in 2011, the top 8 were all Disney properties.

That total includes numbers 3 and 4 in Tokyo, Japan and at number 5, Disneyland Park in Marne-la-Valee, France.

The park was so popular after it opened that Nikita Kruschev, the Premier of the Soviet Union during the Cold War, asked to visite Disneyland as one of the two things he wanted to do on his first trip to America.

What was the second, you ask? Well, to meet the Duke, John Wayne, of course!

Unfortunately, due to security concerns related to Cold War Tensions, Mr. Kruschev was denied entry into the park.

And to think, it all started with Walt Disney, a guy who everybody said was a little crazy, making drawings of a mouse!

Isn’t that just how life is?

Sometimes the people who take on the most ridicule and finger-pointing from others are on the verge of ideas that can and will change the face of the entire world forever.

Here’s to Walt Disney and the “Happiest Place On Earth!” and their continued commitment to excellence.

“To all who come to this happy place: Welcome. Disneyland is your land. Here age relives fond memories of the past, and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future. Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams, and the hard facts that have created America, with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world.”

—Walter E. Disney, July 17, 1955

The Best Summer Camping Spots in the USA

Saturday, June 23rd, 2012

Grand Canyon SkywalkSummer is on its way and the warm weather means that thousands of families across the USA will be bringing out their tents, tarps, folding chairs, camping stoves, fishing rods, and sleeping bags.

The summer camping holiday is somewhat of an American family tradition which is celebrated on every long weekend and school break of the year.

There is nothing quite like the experience of eating hot dogs roasted over an open fire, making smores, telling ghost stories and falling asleep in the peaceful silence of the forest.

Camping is a great way to spend a holiday with your family. Camping sites are cheaper than motels, you can cook your own food and the kids will love playing in the forest and swimming in the lake.

Camping can also be a romantic way to spend a getaway with your sweetheart, as you take scenic walks together and cuddle by a roaring fire.

If you are planning on taking a camping trip this year, here are some of the very best camping spots in the USA where you can enjoy the best of the outdoors:

Yosemite National Park, California

This rugged and stunning wilderness area is special because it was one of the first wilderness parks in the USA.

It is over 1200 square miles of ancient forests, lush green meadows, deep valleys and roaring waterfalls.

Within the park there are thirteen different campgrounds to choose from, most of which need to be reserved in advance, so plan your holiday ahead of time in order to enjoy this amazing area of natural beauty.

Acadia National Park, Maine

If you are looking to enjoy some of the scenic beauty of the East Coast, you can visit this gorgeous area located on an island just south of Ellsworth, Maine.

It is a perfect spot for fishing and the views of the ocean from the rocky shoreline will take your breath away.

There are also plenty of biking trails, hiking routes and even sea-cliff rock climbing.

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

When it comes to iconic camping spots in the USA, it would be wrong not to mention the famous Grand Canyon National Park.

This is one of America’s most popular vacation destinations and the sheer magnificence and size of the canyon has to be seen to be believed.

While you are camping at one of the many campsites in the area, you can go on a river rafting adventure or take a donkey tour down to the bottom of the canyon.

These are just a few of the most popular camping areas in the USA.

No matter where you camp, be sure that you respect the environment; clean up after yourself and don’t leave anything in the campsite after you leave.

That way these natural areas can remain beautiful and can be enjoyed for many generations to come.