"it is "as miniature and uncynical as a toddler's beating heart."Walt Disney made a beeline for it, likely during an April 17, 1954, visit to the Bay Area with colleagues Nat Winecoff and C.V. Wood. He was so impressed that he used Fairyland as an inspiration for Disneyland, which opened on July 17, 1955. Disneyland, in turn, led to many other such parks for youths worldwide."
"Although Fairyland will turn 75 this September-it opened on September 2, 1950-the park still feels like a magical discovery that retains a certain pure and humble spirit, especially when compared to the more commercial and brightly hued Disney parks. Don't get us wrong. Members of our team enjoy those parks too, but let's face it. Oakland is a perpetual underdog."
Children's Fairyland in Oakland opened on September 2, 1950, and influenced Disneyland after Walt Disney's April 17, 1954 visit. The park retains a modest, magical charm compared with larger, more commercial parks. Oakland's industrial entry points contrast with cultural treasures like Fairyland, which has remained beloved across generations. The park reaches its 75th anniversary in 2025. On Labor Day, Monday, September 1, 2025, a birthday celebration will begin with a sidewalk parade at 9:30 am from BART's 19th Street Station and conclude at the Fairy Gates. Planned entertainment includes performances by DJ Lance Rock, bubble play with Daisy the Clown, and circus acts.
Read at San Francisco Bay Times
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