You can still visit the California amusement park that inspired Disneyland — here's what it's like today
A little-known but much-beloved amusement park in Oakland, California, pint-size Children's Fairyland may have provided Walt Disney with some key inspiration for his Disneyland theme park.
The tiny theme park opened five years before Disneyland in 1950. It features a collection of fairy tale-inspired rides, exhibits and performances that seem Disney-esque in their style and stories, but in a much smaller setting.
Walt Disney's visit to Children's Fairyland in 1954, and perhaps a few other times, likely gave him a couple of ideas for the mood, features and operations for his Disneyland project in development at the time.
Today, you can still visit the quaint park to enjoy its retro charms and decades-old rides and judge for yourself whether Disney borrowed some of its ideas. You may declare, as Disney did, that Children's Fairyland remains a "swell" place to visit for adults and their kids.
Disney drew inspiration from Children's Fairyland
The 10-acre Children's Fairyland property by the shores of downtown Oakland's Lake Merritt was the brainchild of local businessman, Arthur Navlet.
It opened after the Oakland parks program raised $50,000 for Navlet's proposal to create "a storybook theme park, featuring fairy-tale sets, farm animals and live entertainment," according to the park's website.
The theme park offered visitors a fun escape from everyday life through interactions with costumed characters, rides and various storybook dioramas.
Walt Disney visited Children's Fairyland in May of 1954 when Disneyland was still under development. "With his own enterprise in mind, he studied design, cost of operations and technical aspects" of the park, according to an Oakland Tribune news story from the time.
"The man who has delighted millions with the charm he has built into motion picture cartoons was in turn delighted with Oakland's Children's Fairyland. Walt Disney, readying to build his own Disneyland in the Southland, visited Oakland to see firsthand the playland operation which has given this city one of its great tourist attractions," read the Oakland Tribune story.
During his visit, Disney rode the park's Jolly Trolly, a colorful miniature train launched in 1954 and still open for rides in 2022. Other areas he likely saw while at the park include The Alice in Wonderland Tunnel (which was created a year before the release of the Disney animated film) and the Peter Pan-themed Jolly Roger Pirate Ship.
After spending the day in the park, Disney was hooked. So much so that he hired Children's Fairyland's then-director Dorothy Manes to become Disneyland's youth director. He also recruited the park's chief puppeteer to work for him.
The concept of Disneyland was created prior to Disney's visit to Children's Fairyland. However, it's clear he gained some inspiration from what he saw in Oakland. His experience at the park combined with Dorothy Mane's nearly two-decade tenure at Disneyland helped pave the way for the magical world he'd build at his Anaheim, California, park.
Related: Disneyland vs. Disney World: Which is the better park to visit?
What it's like to visit Children's Fairyland today
Even after seven decades of operations, Children's Fairyland remains popular with local Bay Area families and visitors. The park runs summer camps, theater programs, sleepover events and even adults-only parties.
Beyond its various events, the park continues to be a haven for younger kids. While nobody will mistake Anansi's Magic Web (Children's Fairyland's miniature Ferris wheel) for Space Mountain or its small petting zoo for Disney's Jungle Cruise, its array of kid-appropriate rides and animals make it an ideal place to bring little ones.
In addition to The Alice in Wonderland Tunnel and The Jolly Roger Pirate Ship, which remain at the park today, kids can play like cowboys in Old West Junction, clamber through the Fairy Music Farm Tunnel and zip down the park's sizable Dragon Slide. The puppet programs of yesteryear are still present, too, so adults and kids alike can continue to see fairy tales come to life at Children's Fairyland's intimate outdoor theater.
The old-school charm of the park's offerings provides a pleasant break from the high-tech attractions of Disneyland, giving kids the opportunity to embrace their youth and act on their imaginations in a simple way. Plus, the entrance fee of $15 per person is much lower than what you'll pay in Anaheim, making the park a budget-friendly way to pass the time.
You may not see Mickey and Minnie while at Children's Fairyland, but all the park's vivid sets, play spaces and critters are bound to spark some creativity in your kids. Perhaps they'll even gain some inspiration of their own and one day outdo Disney's fantastical concept.
Related: 11 regional theme parks that are closer to home but just as fun as the big names
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.