This page is dedicated to the various Disney Theme parks that exist on our small earth.  I will try to update this as often as I can.
    My tribute to the Disney  theme park cannot fully be enjoyed unless one knows what a theme park really is.  So what makes a "theme" park different from an "amusement" park?  After all, aren't they the same?  Both have rides, popcorn, cotton candy, and polyester suited employees, right?  Well, the part about the popcorn and polyester may be correct, but that is where the similarities end.  What makes a "theme" park significantly different from an "amusement" park is the fact that "theme" parks involve THEMING.  But what is theming, you might ask?  Theming involves a central topic or subject.  For example, in Disneyland, all the attractions and scenery in Tomorrowland deal all with the future, space exploration, technology, and invention.  The same goes for Fantasyland, which is themed around fairytales, childhood fantasy, the magic of dreaming, and imagination.  Beginning to get the point?  Whereas a theme park involves a theme or themes, an amusement park simply offers amusement.  If you notice, when you go to Disneyland, you forget about reality.  It is almost as if you are in a different world.  That is what theming can offer.  Amusement parks usually use little or no theming, simply a permanent "carnival" of shows, games and rides.

    Well with all that put away, let's get on to my tribute to Disney Theme Parks.  Disney's arsenal of themed parks are among the most visited in the world.  When I last checked, I believe Disney World was number one, Tokyo Disneyland number two, and Disneyland number three.  These figures might have changed since then, but it gives you an idea of how popular Disney's parks are.  In a breakdown, here is a listing of Disney parks around the world.

Disneyland, USA
Magic Kingdom, USA
Epcot, USA
Disney-MGM Studios, USA
Disney's Animal Kingdom, USA
Tokyo Disneyland, Japan
Disneyland Paris, France
Disney Studios Paris, France Opening 2002
Disney's California Adventure, USA, Opening 2/8/01 Which just happens to be my birthday!
Disney's Tokyo Seas, Japan, Opening 2001
Disneyland Hong Kong, China, Opening 2005

    As you can see, there is a healthy number of Disney theme parks all around the world.  Here is a bit of a rumor though.  Last year, I got an e-mail from a person who was in the real estate business.  Apparently, this person was contacted by Walt Disney Imagineering.  What WDI was interested in purchasing was land in South America.  This could mean many things, perhaps a new resort stop for Disney Cruise Lines, or maybe another  international Disney theme park.  The latter would seem very unlikely though, due to it's close proximity to Disneyland and Disney World.
    One thing that makes Disney parks unique is the fact that they have developed some of the most innovative and one-of-a-kind attractions around.  Here is just a few examples of what I mean.

Indiana Jones Temple of the Forbidden Eye- This attraction was the first of it's kind.  The only other attraction to utilize the motion-base/self-steering vehicles is Countdown to Extinction at Animal Kingdom, known as EMV's or enhanced motion vehicles.  Different programing can allow certain vehicles to have a smoother or rougher ride, depending on the situation.

Test Track- The first of Disney's true "thrill" rides.  By far the only known self-steering attraction that reaches speeds up to 65 miles and hour.  The ride was designed within 9 months, and the ride vehicles will be able to travel 5 times the distance that a normal car travels in a year.  Each vehicle has it's own on-board computer and video system.
Tower of Terror-The Imagineers took the "free-fall" type of ride a step further by adding a storyline, video, special effects, and heavy theming.  The ability for each individual "service elevator" to move and track gives the ride a much higher capacity than if they were permanently attached in the drop shaft.  It allows each side to have 2 loading bays and allow several elevators operating simultaneously per side.  The programing of the drop patterns can be changed and have been changed several times.

Alien Encounter - The result of a joint effort with George Lucas and Disney, this attraction is the first type of attraction that I have heard of that uses state of the art special effects techniques to make the guest feel that they are in the same room with a terrifying alien. It uses a good deal of special effects very similar to some stage illusions, and uses your senses to do most of the scaring.

Omnimover System - This is a ride system developed by Disney that lent the advantage of controlling where the audience could see.  Some of the attractions that use this are The Haunted Mansions at Disneyland and The Magic Kingdom, Phantom Manor at Disneyland Paris, and what was known as the Adventures of Innerspace, that was retired when Star Tours was installed at Disneyland.

Audio-Animatronics - It was Disney that perfected the art of using robots to entertain the guests.  The first Audio-Animatronic that was used for public viewing can still be seen at Disneyland.  He is Abe Lincoln, at Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, on Main Street.

Circle-Vision - Although Disneyland no longer has this attraction, Disney World and Disneyland Paris guests can still enjoy this one.   A earlier type of what could be called "virtual reality", in which sight and sound surround you.

Euro-Disneyland's Space Mountain - I believe this was the first looping coaster to use a type of launch system to catapult the riders instead of a traditional chain lift.  I also think that this was the first coaster to have a acccompaning musical score.

Rocket Rods - This attraction also uses a very unique ride system somewhat similar to the technology used in Test Track, which include hydraulic cylinders that allow the vehicles to "pop wheelies" as it races along the former PeopleMover track at Disneyland. Being that the former PeopleMover track was not intended for a high speed type of ride, the track and vehicles are put under more stress since there are no banks on the curves of the track and must rely on heavy transmission down-shifting.

It's Tough to Be a Bug - This one is really cool since it is a good example of Disney show quality.  The extra stings and things (those of you that have experienced this one know what I mean) are what make this a top quality attraction rather than a common 3D film.

Disney Quest - Although this is not a theme park innovation, it is a part of the innovation of the Disney Company.  This chain of virtual fun centers is a unique experience on it's own.  Here you can make and ride your own virtual roller coaster, and be  engulfed in video games and virtual reality fun.

    As you can see, this is just a touch of some of the innovations that Disney Theme Parks have that put them ahead in the theme park industry.
    Disney theme parks also have the reputation of being the most clean, and professionally run parks in the world.    One thing that is due to this is the fact that the Cast Members working these parks make it a priority to make each and every guest feel special.  Also, becuase just about all the attractions and buildings are overbuilt, they are probably the safest parks in the world.

   This page is still under heavy construction, and I will add future references to individual attractions within the parks, as well as other helpful information.  Whenever anyone asks you for proof that magic is real, and dreams can become reality, just tell them to visit a Disney Theme park.