DISNEYLAND’S EXPANSION : Disney Theme Park Empire

Disneyland--Opened in 1955, it’s the granddaddy of all theme parks. The park opening marked the first time that the fun and spontaneity of a carnival was re-created into a family adventure centered on themes--children’s storybook fantasies, the Wild West, adventures and the world of the future. While the public areas of the park are still about 80 acres, new rides and adventures have been added regularly through the years.

Walt Disney World--Is situated on a 28,000-acre site southwest of Orlando, Fla., where Walt Disney originally planned to build a futuristic city. Instead, the company built the world’s largest concentration of hotels and theme parks: the Magic Kingdom, which closely resembles Disneyland; Epcot Center, sort of a permanent world’s fair; and the Disney-MGM Studios, a working TV and film studio and tour.

Tokyo Disneyland--Disney’s first theme park outside the United States, this transplant was an instant hit. It proved so popular that on one day more Mickey Mouse ears were sold than the number of visitors present.

Euro Disneyland--This Disneyland clone is the biggest single construction project in Europe. When it opens outside Paris in the spring of 1992, Euro Disney will sport several American-style resort hotels.