Memories of Disneyland

I read with much pleasure all of the articles in the Travel section on July 12 about Walt Disney and the development of Disneyland [“Walt’s World”]. My family migrated from Michigan to Whittier in summer 1957. I was a boy of 13, and at the top of my want list was a visit to Disneyland.

I have made numerous visits in the many years since. Some in my youth, some as an adult with my children and grandchildren. Some especially fond times were in my late teens when several friends and I would get off from our part-time jobs on a Saturday nightand rush down to the park to go see the Clara Ward Singers.

My visits to the Magic Kingdom have been touched with sadness too. On Oct. 28, 1979, while treating his granddaughter, my niece, to a birthday celebration, my father, Robert R. Robinson, suffered a fatal heart attack at the park.

Since then, Disneyland has been the happiest place but also the saddest place on Earth to me. I have found comfort in knowing my father was doing one of the things that brought him the most joy in his life: doing something special for and with one of his grandchildren. JAMES ROBINSON

Hemet

:: As a lifelong fan of Disneyland, I was pleased with the wonderful Travel section commemorating its 60th anniversary.

When I was a child, we would watch “Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color” (on our black-and-white TV) every Sunday night.

When a new ride was opening, the series showed just enough that you couldn’t wait to experience it.

Even now that I am a year older than the park and have traveled to many interesting places around the world, I still feel it is the happiest place on Earth. CHERYL CRAWFORD

Fallbrook

In 1955, my parents, grandmother, my brother and I visited Disneyland for the first time. It really was magical for us kids.

My father complained that he spent $20, which included admission, rides and food for all of us. Imagine that. DIANA CAUBLE

Torrance

As a 5-year-old boy, I found the opening day of Disneyland wonderful. I am glad that 60 years later, The Times could tell me how everything was a disaster.

But don’t tell me Peter Pan used cables to fly. I never saw them when I attended the play at 6, 21, 31 and 62.

Maybe Walt was right when he welcomed kids of all ages. BARRY NICHOLS

Los Angeles

Regarding fact No. 41 (Club 33), which should have held spot No. 33 [“Mousekefacts,” by Brady MacDonald and Christopher Reynolds, July 12]: They failed to mention that Club 33 was designed for the 33 original lessees that operated the Sunkist Citrus House, Coke Corner, the Pendleton shop, etc.

I know, because from 1971 to 1977, I worked at the Citrus House. Because alcohol was allowed at Club 33, my boss left for lunch with a quart of OJ and came back happy.

JUDY SILK Pacific Palisades

To read more letters about Disneyland and other travel topics, go to www.latimes.com/letters26.