Beginner's Guide: What’s the point?

What makes Disney Parks so special? What makes them the most popular vacation destinations in the world? And what’s the point? It may seem like the point is just to make money off tourists, but that’s not why the Disney Parks were created. Walt created his park not as a money-making machine, but as an escape. Like with his films, he wanted to tell stories that could be immersive and serve as an escape from reality. The story goes that he came up with the idea for Disneyland sitting on a bench in Griffith Park watching his two girls on the merry-go-round. He wanted to create a place where kids and adults could have fun and enjoy such rides together. And that's exactly what he did. And he nearly drove the company and himself bankrupt because of his big idea. Walt never concerned himself with money, to him all that mattered was creating a place for people to have fun. So the parks may make money for the Walt Disney Company, but that's not what they're about. They are about creating joy for the guests, making them feel like they've been transported into a magical world where anything is possible, and they never have to grow up. The Imagineers who create these places put enormous amounts of effort into making sure every detail is perfect. The Cast Members that work in the parks work incredibly hard to make sure guests have the best possible experience. And they do it all to bring smiles to people's faces.

Some may complain about how “fake” stuff is here, like the piped in background noise and the costumed Cast Members. My response to that is: of course it’s not real, movies aren’t real and the Disney Parks are essentially movies you walk through. Each area and ride tells a story, right down to the restrooms and trash cans. From the pavement beneath your feet to the upper windows of the buildings, the small details work to tell an overarching story that you can only find here. So no, it’s not real, but it is a collection of stories inspired by reality just like in the movies.

Imagineers and Cast Members dedicate themselves to making magic real for those who visit and they do an incredible job. They keep Walt’s legacy alive for all to enjoy. The point of these parks is to immerse guests into a story and allow them to never have grow up or worry about everyday life. Here magic is real, and anything is possible “to all who come to this happy place.”

The sign above the entrance to Magic Kingdom