Disneyland and the Art of Imagineering

“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.” – Walt Disney

Disneyland and the Art of Imagineering

Today marks the 57th anniversary of the opening of Walt Disney Imagineering’s (WDI) first project, Disneyland, in Anaheim, California. We’ve talked at length about Walt Disney as the man behind the mouse and the impact he has had on the art of animation, but Disneyland represents a side of Walt Disney that is often overlooked, but no less innovative or artistic: his theme park creations.

Disneyland and all of the theme parks it has inspired are a far cry from the carnivals and amusement parks that litter towns around the world. As their name implies, amusement parks are simply built for peoples’ amusement, while theme parks are built with a certain artistic theme and direction in mind.

Furthermore, Disney theme parks are designed and constructed by WDI, and the designers themselves are known as “Imagineers.” Pause, let’s stop and think about that for a moment.

The word “Imagineer” is a combination (known as a portmanteau, for those who are wondering) of the words “imagine” and “engineering.” By definition, then, the designers working on Disneyland and all of Walt Disney Imagineering’s theme park destinations are imagination engineers. That’s a big title to live up to.

But live up to it they have. Walt Disney Imagineering has created worlds that transport guests to times that have been and times that may be, places from the world of Disney animation and places drawn purely from their own imagination. They truly are imagineers but, more than that, they are artists.

In his weekly column, titled Samland, Disney expert and MiceChat contributor Sam Gennawey reaffirms this notion by providing insight into the creative process that goes into planning and designing a Disney theme park. His subjects range from the planning of Walt’s Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow (EPCOT), the research that went into his initial concept for Disneyland and the intricate design details behind some of the most beloved Disney theme park attractions. It’s a must read for any Disney fan, and anyone interested in theme park design.

Disneyland is much more than plushies and mouse shaped ice cream bars. It’s more than a theme park or the dream of the man who created it. It’s an interactive work of art, and one that I will continue to appreciate for another 57 years.

What do you think Studio 602ers? Sound off in the comments section below!