A Few of My Favorite Things – Happy Anniversary, Disneyland!

July 17 is a special day for so many of us! It’s hard to believe it’s been 58 years since the gates to Disneyland park first opened. How many of you Disney fans are joining us here at the Disneyland Resort today? I know I am.

This anniversary makes me think about some of my favorite things over the years here.

• Putting the pedal to the metal on Autopia (yes, I really know how to drive; no divider needed to keep me on track).
• Captaining my very own motorboat with my crew (otherwise known as my family).
• Filling my day with characters (which over the years has changed from Minnie Mouse, Chip n’ Dale and Pluto to some of the “characters” I work with on a daily basis).

Today I found something else to add to my list. A piece of art created by artist and local restaurateur, Daniel Samakow, called Lady and Tramp’s World. “Lady and the Tramp” was one of my favorite movies growing up, so this piece naturally ignited a bit of nostalgia in me when I first saw it.

I caught up with Daniel briefly after his appearance at WonderGround Gallery for the Pop Fusion signing, as he traveled between his three restaurants in Venice, California, to see just what inspired him to create this piece. “I asked myself one question,” said Daniel, “what would Lady and Tramp see? The film is mainly shot from the dog’s perspective, but I wanted to take this painting a bit further and really show their point of view and the emotional transformation of the world around them. Love reflects feeling, so it’s no surprise that everything Lady and Tramp see appears in the shape or form of a dog, including the clouds and trees. When you combine their view with intense and beautiful colors, it reinforces their magic connection and the world around us.”

If you’re a fan of this piece, too, be sure to check out the Pop Fusion exhibit at WonderGround Gallery in the Downtown Disney District to see Daniel’s newest works, which evoke the spirit of Disney from the time the park first opened, such as Mickey’s Enchanted Tikis, as well as artwork from some of our other renowned Disney-inspired artists.

Do you have favorite memories of your happiest times at the Disneyland Resort? Share them in the comments!

A Few of My Favorite Things – Happy Anniversary, Disneyland! by Michelle Harker: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog