I grew up about 15 miles from both Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm. We used to go to each at least 3 - 4 times a year. Here are some experiences that have stuck with me over the last 40+ years.
E ticket rides were the best
When I was a kid, early 1970's, Disneyland still used individual tickets for each ride. Tickets ranged in price, the more desirable rides cost the most. 'A' tickets were the cheapest, and the 'E' tickets were the most expensive, and used for the latest greatest ride at the time, whatever it was.
Space Mountain opened
I was, and am still not a big fan of roller coasters, so when Space Mountain opened, I was the only person in my family who declined to go on the ride. And as you might imagine, at that time, that ride was probably the biggest attraction in Disneyland's history to that point, and so the line was many hours long. Since none of us had been on it yet, we never realized how long the line was... so after waiting nervously by the exit for a few long hours for my family to come out, I started to panic and wandered all over Disneyland looking for them. Naturally it was night by then, so it was even harder to recognize a familiar face from a distance. I finally went back to the exit and waited long enough that they did come out, and we were reunited once again. I believe I was in junior or senior high school at the time... early to mid 1980's I think it was when Space Mountain opened.
Marching Band in a Parade at Disneyland
As I grew up in the Los Angeles area, my high school was a part of the LA Unified School District. As such, my high school could send marching band members to the Los Angeles All City Marching Band, which was a special unit formed each year specifically to represent the LA school district in the New Year's Day Rose Parade. The year I was in the band (1984-85), and for many years before and after my time, as a reward for many weeks of long weekend marching practice for the 7+ mile long Rose Parade, the band want to Disneyland to participate in one of the many parades that would pass through "Main Street" and various other areas in the park, about 2 or 3 days prior to New Year's Day itself. Then of course, we were allowed to remain inside the park for the remainder of the day/night as regular guests (we got in for free).
Grad Night
Around the time I graduated high school (1985), Disneyland had, and maybe still has, a program to encourage graduating high school kids to engage in safe, non-alcohol or drug related graduation night activities. The program was called "Grad Night" and it ran a few nights a week for several weeks throughout the summer months. High schools from literally all over the U.S. would send students. Disneyland closed to the general public early on those nights (something like 6PM instead of their normal summer hours of 11PM), and opened for the Grad Night activities from like 8PM to 6AM. There would be well known bands playing concerts throughout the park, food and everything was provided free by Disneyland. I of course attended for my own senior year, and the next two years after I graduated (while I was in the Army), I came home and attended as a chaperone, as you had to be 18+ to be a chaperone.
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