Understanding the Disney Difference
Do you live in the continental United States?
If you answered yes, the odds suggest that you live within a reasonable distance of a Six Flags amusement park.
Six Flags
For those of you who reside in densely populated parts of Europe, the same statement applies to places like Gardaland, Europa-Park, and Efteling.
In short, amusement parks are everywhere. But Disney’s not in that business.
Six Flags
No, Walt Disney created something entirely different, and it’s essential to recognize what that is.
Today, my goal is to help you in understanding the Disney difference.
To All That Come to This Happy Place
Photo:visitorlando.com
Do you understand the difference between an amusement park and a theme park?
If you’re like 99 percent of society, you don’t, and that’s okay! It’s like knowing how the world’s most popular soft drink got its name.
Personalized Coca-Cola Cans at the Coca-Cola Store in Disney Springs
Coca-Cola is a term you’ve heard all your life, but you’re probably unaware that it’s because the drink comes from Coca leaves and Kola nuts.
I mean, how could you guess that? Cola isn’t even spelled right! And that same logic applies to amusement/theme parks.
Photo: orlandoattractions.com
I’m going to do something that’s rare for me. I’m going to quote Wikipedia directly.
“An amusement park is a park that features various attractions, such as rides and games, as well as other events for entertainment purposes.
Photo: Disney
“A theme park is a type of amusement park that bases its structures and attractions around a central theme, often featuring multiple areas with different themes.”
While a theme park in Indiana begs to differ – and holds a reasonable argument – society recognizes Walt Disney as the creator of this idea.
Photo: CNtraveler.com
Technically, Disneyland wasn’t the first entertainment-based park to offer a detailed theme, but it popularized the idea.
As I detail in my book, Behind the Ride, and this MickeyBlog article, the Disney brand is what elevated the theme park concept.
Photo: DIsneyland
Approximately 90 million people watched Walt Disney welcome all to The Happiest Place on Earth in 1955. It was a seminal moment in pop culture.
The underlying explanation for Disney’s decision is our focus today, though.
What’s in a Name?
Six Flags
Amusement parks already existed long before the 1950s. Many smaller areas with mining facilities repurposed heavy machinery.
Some of these devices turned into early precursors to roller coasters and other theme rides.
Knott’s Berry Farm
A few enterprising individuals constructed entire parks based on the premises. Knott’s Berry Farm was one of these groups.
After Walter Knott built his ghost town, Walt Disney experienced his epiphany that the family park was a grim place.
Knotts Berry Farm
So, Uncle Walt decided to build something akin to what Knott had done. However, Disney knew he had a unique hook.
By the early 1950s, the Disney brand was among the most iconic in the entertainment industry.
Disney
So, Walt decided to build a family-friendly gathering spot full of rides and other attractions. But he knew he had an ace in the hole.
When you visit an amusement park, you’re there for the rides, many of which justify the visit.
cedar point
As an example, I’m a Cedar Point fanatic. Nothing makes me happier than Millennium Force, although Magnum XL-200 and Raptor are way up there, too.
I also happen to live near Dollywood and feel strongly about two things. 1) Dolly Parton is a living saint who should be canonized. 2) Blazing Fury is a classic.
Photo: Getty Images
Both these amusement parks would earn placement on any credible list of the best in the United States.
Here’s the thing, though. They lack that Disney touch. Dollywood’s homespun charm is delightful for what it is.
cedar point
Meanwhile, the awesome thrill rides at Cedar Point will delight any adrenaline junkie.
What both parks lack is the overall coherent theme you’ll find at Disney. And that was Uncle Walt’s plan from the beginning.
cedar point
He didn’t build another amusement park. He created a theme park overflowing with recognizable Disney characters.
Disney from Day One
When Disneyland opened in 1955, these were some of the most memorable rides:
- Alice in Wonderland
- Autopia
- Jungle Cruise
- Mad Tea Party
- Toad’s Wild Ride
- Peter Pan’s Flight
- Snow White’s Scary Adventures
Photo: Disney
Dumbo the Flying Elephant debuted the next month, while Davy Crockett’s River Canoes opened within the year.
So, I suspect many of you can identify the connective tissue here.
Photo: Also D23
Save for Autopia, which is really just a driving sim, every attraction I listed is based on Disney intellectual property.
Jungle Cruise had its basis in the Disney adventure-documentary series playing on ABC at the time. Everything else is self-explanatory.
Photo: D23
Walt Disney spent the 1920s-1940s creating unforgettable brands via cartoons and feature-length animated fairy tales.
Then, when he embarked on the Disneyland project, he stacked the deck by injecting all his beloved brands.
Photo: Dutchess of Disneyland
Thus, he popularized the concept of the theme park. It’s right there in the name. The Disney difference stems from the theming.
You can find a roller coaster anywhere. When you want one that looks like Tron, you must go to Disney.
TRON Lightcycle / Run
Anyone can build a log flume ride, but Disney has themed one to The Princess and the Frog.
From the beginning, Disney parks have differentiated themselves by telling stories.
That’s why I laugh whenever critics denounce Disney’s expansion plans.
To some, Disney demonstrates a lack of new ideas by injecting IP into its attractions.
Photo: Disney
In reality, that’s been Disney’s playbook since day one, and it’s worked so well that the company dominates the industry.
Disney’s parks claimed as many tourists in 2023 as the second- and third-place parks in combination. The gap is that dramatic.
And the Disney difference has remained the same this whole time. It’s the Disney characters and brands we love.
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