Get ready for a very special episode of the Park Streamers Hangout Podcast as we welcome two incredible guests: Don Hahn and Christopher Merritt, the authors behind the brand-new book, The Happiest Place on Earth. Mark your calendars for Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at 6:05 PM PT, when we’ll go live for an unforgettable conversation celebrating Disneyland’s rich history and its 70th anniversary.
This episode is a must-watch for any Disney fan, history buff, or theme park enthusiast. Don and Christopher will be joining the Park Streamers crew to share insights, stories, and behind-the-scenes details about the creation of their book—an extraordinary illustrated history that takes readers inside Walt Disney’s original theme park like never before.
The Happiest Place on Earth is the ultimate tribute to Disneyland’s early years, capturing the spirit and creativity that defined Walt’s dream. The book includes more than 750 images, many of which have never been published before, along with rare documents, concept art, and photographs sourced from the Walt Disney Imagineering Art Library, private collections, and the Library of Congress. Readers will get an exclusive look at the pre-production and planning process Walt and his team undertook in the 1950s and early 60s to bring Disneyland to life.
Organized by the five original lands—Main Street, U.S.A., Adventureland, Frontierland, Fantasyland, and Tomorrowland—the book offers a comprehensive look at the park’s earliest attractions, architectural designs, and storytelling innovations. It even highlights several “lost lands,” such as Liberty Street and Edison Square, which were planned but never built. These fascinating sidebars reveal how fluid and ambitious Walt’s original plans for the park truly were.
Whether you’re a longtime Disneyland fan or just beginning your journey into the park’s history, this episode will offer new insights and spark your imagination.
During the podcast, Don and Christopher will discuss their research process, share stories about working with archival materials, and reflect on what Disneyland meant to Walt during the 11 years he walked its streets and continued to shape its future. With their deep knowledge and creative backgrounds, this promises to be a dynamic and inspiring conversation. Whether you’re a longtime Disneyland fan or just beginning your journey into the park’s history, this episode will offer new insights and spark your imagination.
Join the Park Streamers team—Berry Place 28, Cordy in California, and Theme Park Casual—for this one-of-a-kind discussion as we celebrate the magic, the memories, and the making of The Happiest Place on Earth.
Berry Place 28
Vlogger, Podcast Host, Ice Cream Aficionado
A life long thrill seeker, Berry Place 28 has always been captivated by entertainment and theme parks. BP28 was a former Cast Member for Disney, many years ago, who now enjoys vlogging at Disneyland and covering the history, rides and attractions that Walt Disney created. In addition, he enjoys covering Knott’s Berry Farm, SeaWorld, and other theme parks and local attractions. Berry Place 28 was named after the “Berry Place” market that Walter and Cordelia Knott opened in 1928 and after Mickey Mouse which was created in 1928.