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Samland

SAMLAND: Notes from Walt Disney World

Like many dedicated Disneylanders, every now and again I must visit that other Mecca of theme parks... Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. So...

Disneyland’s Front Porch For The Wizard Of Bras

When we discover a space that has a higher degree of life, how do we explain how it got there to others? What language...

Welcome to Mickey’s Toontown

I'll admit that I just love Mickey’s Toontown. It is one of my most favorite immersive environments at Disneyland. This is not to be...

Disneyland’s Big River System and Private Places

When you peel back the layers at Disneyland, you find a lot of very interesting stuff that is hidden right in front of your...

Disney’s America Part 5 – The Story Comes To An End

We have spent 4 weeks discovering the history behind the never built Disney's America theme park in Virginia. Michael Eisner was determined to...

The Story of Disneys America Part 4

Last week, we took a look at the details and concept art for Disney's America theme park in Virginia. That was how the...

The Disney America Story – Part 3

Our tale of a real life American adventure continues this week as we explore the proposed attractions of Disney's America theme park. If...

The Disney’s America Story – Part Two

Last week, we launched ourselves back into Disney history to find the spark which ignited the Disney's America project . . . and Part One of...

Disney’s America, a Story of Desire and Failure – Part One

There are few Disney projects with greater mystique than Disney's America, a never built park which nearly became a reality. But why was it...

The Samland Grabbag of Disneyland Stories

One of the great things about Disneyland is pulling back the various layers of history concentrated in such a small site. Disney historian Jeff...

Traveling on the Mysterious Rainbow Caverns Mine Train at Disneyland

1956 was an a year filled with amazing new attractions and the Rainbow Caverns Mine Train promised to be one of the most spectacular....

Walt Disney on the 10th Anniversary of Disneyland

The Disneyland tenth anniversary, what the Park called the "Tencennial," was a high watermark. Walt Disney was certainly proud of his Park and he...

Through the Mysterious Doorway of Disneyland’s Club 33

Once upon a time there was a very secret society within the earthen berm that surrounds Disneyland. Very few knew the actual number of...

The Genesis of Epcot According to Marty Sklar

Sitting Next To Famous People This past weekend, I was invited by the fine people of the Disneyana Fan Club to participate in the Author's...

If I Were King Of EPCOT

Back in the early 1960s, author Ray Bradbury was concerned that the quality of life in the Los Angeles region was being threatened by...

SAMLAND: How Walt Disney Studied and Built Disneyland

Maybe it was inevitable that Walt Disney would build Disneyland. He certainly had been studying the idea his entire life. His daughter Diane Disney...

Deja Flew, A Look Back at Disneyland’s Flying Saucers

In honor of the opening of Luigi's Tires at Disney California Adventure, I bring you... Disneyland's Flying Saucers, an extinct attraction that has become the...

Bob Gurr – Design Just For Fun

Bob Gurr is the design and mechanical genius behind many of your favorite Disney attractions. From the Autopia to the Monorails, the PeopleMover or...