Walt's dream.

Walt Disney's dream of a perfect, happy place lives on. The rides, streetscapes, buildings, characters and various 'lands' are what you experience. But what I notice is the attention to detail. In each land,  the plants, balustrades, signage, buildings, pavings, light posts, and costumed staff all combine to create atmosphere and transport a visitor to another place and time.

Balustrade on the Matterhorn ride with a definite Swiss atmosphere.

The 'alpine meadow' on the Matterhorn Ride.

This is my favourite! A recreation of the desert in Radiator Springs, home to the Cars Ride. Note the plantings. That mountain range in the background and all the rocks are fake. They are huge and three dimensional.

Even the rubbish bins change.

Generic bin at the entrance to the theme parks.

Toon Town, Disneyland

New Orleans Square, Disneyland

Tomorrow Land, Disneyland

Main Street, Disneyland

The Matterhorn, Disneyland

Main Street, California Adventure

Radiator Springs, California Adventure

Pacific Wharf, California Adventure

Paradise Pier, California Adventure

The whole place is amazingly well-maintained. There is no peeling paint, no broken or worn parts. Both Disneyland and California Adventure Parks are immaculate because they are attended by an army of men and women wearing spotless white uniforms. They empty bins, wipe up spills and swoop to sweep up the tiniest bit of rubbish and even errant leaves.

I didn't see a single gardener while I was there, but evidence of their work was everywhere. Check out the precise edge between this lawn and garden bed.

I must say the Americans do 'fake' really well. Have you ever been to Las Vegas?