Barcelona is now creating a new ‘zone’ strategy after crowds of eager tourists put themselves in danger to compete with an emerging TikTok trend
04:00, 18 Jun 2025Updated 08:44, 18 Jun 2025
Barcelona’s city council is introducing a new project to address surging ‘selfie-tourism’ to one historic monument(Image: Getty Images)
Authorities in Barcelona are planning to construct a special zone for people to “take selfies” after a dangerous trend took hold outside its most famous landmark.
A recent TikTok video which went viral in Barcelona saw the tourist-clad destination overrun with social media users clogging metro exits. It’s reported they had been eager to try their hand at replicating the same act in city’s famous square – that is, until the city council stepped in.
Plaça Gaudí, the square in front of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, was fraught with TikTok-enthusiastic tourists balancing their phones on metro escalators to film themselves while the iconic monument appeared in the background.
The sheer amount of visitors looking to capture their individual shots led to severely clogged station exits and was eventually banned. Subsequently, Barcelona City Council has now decided to construct a special zone beside the Sagrada Familia where visitors cantake selfies before entering.
The 6,200-sqm ‘anteroom’ will be located between the Nativity façade of the basilica and Plaça Gaudí on Carrer de la Marina. “The new project helps to resolve a space where it is difficult to reconcile uses between visitors to the temple and the neighbourhood,” the city council said.
Construction on the gathering zone is scheduled to begin after the 2025 summer and be finished by April 2026 to coincide with the 100th anniversary of Gaudí’s death. The €2.7 million (£2.3 million) project is part of a wider €15.5 million (£13.2 million) plan to improve infrastructure and visitor management around the sacred site.
In 2024, the city launched a €44 million plan to regulate crowds in 16 tourist hotspots by deploying more cleaners and police officers to maintain order and safety.
The crypt of the Sagrada Familia has been awarded World Heritage(Image: Getty Images)
The Sagrada Familia is the most visited tourist attraction in Barcelona and welcomes millions of visitors every year. That said, entrance queues can be quite long so you should be prepared with water and sunscreen.
The Sagrada Família is Antoni Gaudí’s best-known work and has been under construction since 1882. Although the architect Francesc de Paula Villar was originally commissioned to carry out the Sagrada Família’s project, just a year later he was replaced by the young Gaudí.
The Nativity façade and crypt have been awarded World Heritage status by UNESCO. To learn more about the history of the building, you can book a walking tour of the church, which also include skip-the-line tickets.
Local protestors in Barcelona have taken to shooting tourists with water guns as tensions rise(Image: AP)
Despite the introduction of a new zone to battle tourist and selfie-stick wielders, Barcelona – like many other popular European cities – is still having a standoff with foreign tourists.
Spain hosted a record 94 million international visitors in 2024, compared with 83 million in 2019. Locals have even taken to shooting water at tourists as a way to protest their presence in cities like Barcelona.
“The squirt guns are to bother the tourists a bit,” Andreu Martínez said in Barcelona with a chuckle after spritzing a couple seated at an outdoor café. “Barcelona has been handed to the tourists. This is a fight to give Barcelona back to its residents.”
A BEACHFRONT Haven holiday park has revealed plans for a huge new adventure attraction and Wetherspoons pub.
Haven operates more than 50 holiday parks across the UK and attracts more than four million visitors a year.
5
A beachfront Haven holiday park has revealed plans for a huge new adventure attraction and Wetherspoons pub
5
Haven’s Presthaven Sands Holiday Park has been given permission to refurbish its adventure village and extend its existing play areaCredit: Google
5
A climbing wall will be one of the new pieces of equipmentCredit: Haven
Haven’s Presthaven Sands Holiday Park has been given permission to refurbish its adventure village and extend its existing play area.
They applied last year to Flintshire County Council for planning permission to carry out the works at its site.
The new equipment at the park will include an aerial adventure and zipwire, climbing wall, bungee trampolines, an inflatable arena, a “kids and tots” play area, and a “bark yard” for dogs.
The application has since been given planning consent by the council, albeit with some conditions attached.
These conditions include that the works start within five years and are carried out in accordance with the details provided in the planning documents.
A biosecurity risk assessment was to be approved by the council too.
Haven has since submitted a biosecurity risk assessment, which the council has accepted.
Extracts from a supporting statement from agents Planware read: “The proposal represents a major investment by Haven into the Presthaven Sands Holiday Park to enhance existing facilities and the customer experience.
“The existing site comprises a number of existing features and play equipment including crazy golf, play area and activity range, located between the existing entertainment complex serving the park and the swimmingpool facilities.
“In summary, the proposal represents sustainable development and investment into an existing operational holiday park.”
Award-winning holiday park in St Ives
Presthaven Sands caters to thousands of visitors annually reports Rhy Journal.
Plans to open aJD Wetherspoon pubat the park have also been given the go-ahead.
The supporting statement added: “As part of the constant review of improvement, Haven are seeking to upgrade the existing adventure area between the entertainment complex and swimmingpoolcomplex.
“The site of the proposed development lies at the centre of the holiday park, and comprises an existing limited activity range, crazy golf range, play area and show area for new caravans.
How to survive six weeks of school summer holidays
IF you are struggling with the six week summer holidays, you’ve come to the right place…
BATTLING BOREDOM: Despite hours of activities and playdates, if your kids are already complaining there’s nothing to do, parenting expert Liat Hughes Joshi says: “Don’t feel you have to organise every second of the holidays. Kids benefit from boredom and learn to make their own fun.
“Boredom can trigger creative and imaginative play but you need to encourage kids to get used to not being told how to spend their time.
“Ride out the pleas of boredom. Counter it with comments such as, ‘What do you think you could do?’ and maybe have a list of ‘I’m bored’ activity ideas on the fridge.”
SCREEN OVERLOAD: It’s tempting during the holidays to rely on a digital babysitter but don’t let them gawp their whole summer away in front of a screen.
Liat says: “It’s unfair to expect older kids to power down but it’s important to set some ground rules.
“Set family tech rules together. If you’re often distracted by your phone, follow the rules too. Maybe tell the kids they aren’t allowed any screen time until they’ve done set chores, some exercise, or a board game.
“Are there times when you’d like to ban screens completely? Perhaps during dinner or when they have friends over to visit.
“Tech is a battleground for parents, but you have to set boundaries. Stand firm and be prepared to be unpopular.”
TOO MUCH TOGETHERNESS: You love your kids, but being with them 24/7 can be exhausting. Do not feel guilty if you need a bit of downtime.
Liat says: “If you’re juggling work and household tasks as well as occupying the kids, it’s normal to start feeling overwhelmed or jaded and in need of some peace.
“If you can’t afford or don’t want to send your kids to all-day camps, look for free kids’ workshops so you can get on with jobs or have a break for a couple of hours.
“Seeking a spell of quiet every now and then doesn’t make you a bad parent — in fact it will probably make you more positive and enthusiastic when you are with the kids.”
SCHEDULING CONFLICT: Schedules can go out the window during holidays, but late nights and early mornings can mean tired and unhappy children.
Dr Tamara Bugembe, paediatrician and founder of Helperbees.co.uk says: “Children get grumpy, test boundaries and become challenging when routines are broken.
“Sticking to some kind of routine during the holidays is a good idea.
“We release hormones at different times of the day and when regular meal times and bed times are broken, it causes dips and peaks in mood.
“Holidays are about having fun but an early night once or twice a week will make everyone happier.”
EXCESS ENERGY: Make sure kids get out in the fresh air to tire them out — and make them healthier and happier.
Dr Bugembe says: “Sunshine also tops up vital vitamin D levels which helps improve bone strength and energy levels in children. Our levels run low in winter so let the kids stock up in warmer weather.
“Letting them run around in shorts and a T-shirt is the best way to top up. Make sure they’re wearing sun cream, get outside and have fun.
“Encourage them to try healthy habits such as cycling and walking. They’ll hopefully get hooked and want to carry them on when the weather gets colder.”
“This area is currently underutilised given its prominent location within the park, and accessibility to main facilities.”
Previous planning applications at the site which were approved included a “jump tower” and a “junior ropes course”.
The application also involves the introduction of seating areas with LED screens, a sand pit, a briefing room, and storage areas
Existing features at the park will be retained, including the mini golf area, container bar, and Sweet Treats and Chopstix food outlets.
The refurbished adventure village will solely be for the use of holidaymakers already visiting the park.
The Palace of Versailles is one of Europe’s most popular tourist attractions – but it seems to be a victim of its own success, with visitors claiming they felt like ‘sheep’
Thousands of tourists queuing to visit the Palace of Versailles(Image: Getty Images)
Over tourism is rapidly becoming an issue in top European countries like France and Spain. A recent study by the experts at Holidu scoured Tripadvisor comments, scouting for frequent references to “overcrowded” or “too crowded”. The majestic Versailles Palace, renowned and flocked by tourists in France, emerged as the prime example, with over five per cent of reviews mentioning one of the words.
This former seat of royalty, nestled just outside Paris, is maybe best-known as Marie Antoinette’s home. Boasting the illustrious Hall of Mirrors and lush gardens, this historical gem draws close to 15 million visitors each year, sparking a debate on whether it’s reached its visitor saturation point.
One exasperated Tripadvisor user, ‘Wanderer35996’, lamented: “The building was stifling. With the overcrowding (literally could not move, much less see anything), it was miserable.”
Another, ‘ATLpch’, recalled the experience, sharing: “We were all herded like cattle through the same palace rooms and single passage doorways for about an hour.”
Yet another compared their visit to an unwieldy procession, commenting: “Once inside, there was a conga line of people who moved through the palace like sheep. It was a circus!”
Versailles’ Palace and Gardens(Image: Getty Images)
A different tourist remarked on the irony of the situation, observing: “The amount of people kills all the pleasure. Even though the place is beautiful, it’s hard to enjoy and admire it.”
However, amidst the critiques, the Palace did enchant some of its guests, , reports the Express. A charmed visitor confessed they “fell in love with the Palace”.
And yet another delighted guest heaped praise, describing it as a “must visit” while saying: “it was amazing to see the Palace in all its glory. It was outstanding”.
Batu Caves, located just outside of Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, are sacred for Hindus across the world, but also have issues with cheeky monkeys and piles of rubbish
Batu Caves in Malaysia has been named and shamed(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
A sacred tourist spot has become overrun by monkeys and plagued by litter.
Batu Caves, located just outside of Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, took first place in a recent study of the world’s most littered tourist attraction, with 1.67% of reviews mentioning rubbish out of a total 13,950 reviews.
The huge cave complex is one of Malaysia’s most iconic tourist destinations and has particular religious significance due to its Hindu temple complex dedicated to Lord Murugan, the Hindu God of war. The limestone caves themselves are more than 400 million years old, while the temple at their heart was built in 1920.
Hindus from all over have come together during festivals to celebrate and pray as a community in the Batu Caves, where magnificently built shrines and statues are strikingly set against a captivating background of limestone hills.
The caves topped the litter rankings (Image: AFP/Getty Images)
Unfortunately, several factors have chipped away at the beauty of the unique attraction.
The site’s litter issue has often been attributed to its popularity with milions of annual visitors, many of whom discard rubbish and often feed the resident monkeys. The large size and complex nature of the site also make it difficult to maintain.
Following a recent visit to the Caves, a man from Burnley wrote: “The whole area surrounding the shrine was filthy and covered with litter, discarded food, refuse bins overflowing with plastics etc, used face masks and litter in general.
“If this is a sacred shrine, I find it difficult to understand why those responsible for its upkeep allow it to be abused in this way. Entry to the sacred shrines requires visitors to remove shoes, but having seen the filthy state the floors were surrounding these areas, there was no way my wife nor I would risk doing so.
“I appreciate that the matter was exacerbated by the presence of monkeys at the caves that scavenge for food, but surely those responsible for health and safety should introduce a programme of cleaning throughout the day to ensure all litter etc is removed.”
A holidaymaker from Essex added: “The area is strewn with rubbish and very stinky. It needs a good clean-up.”
Some visitors have had issues with the monkeys(Image: Getty Images)
Mark Hall, general waste expert at BusinessWaste.co.uk which conducted the study, said: “It is concerning to see so many reviews mentioning litter at iconic tourist attractions around the world. Many of these sites have religious, spiritual, or historic importance, so it’s vital that travellers treat them with respect. Sadly, overtourism is now a huge issue in many countries and this often brings the issue of litter.
“When tourists visit in such vast numbers, it can be difficult for the operators of tourist attractions to manage waste. Therefore, it’s vital that travellers are mindful of the impact of their own waste. You should never litter, and if a bin isn’t available or is full, always take litter home with you to dispose of properly. That way, we can ensure that these sites remain preserved and enjoyable for years to come.”
The theme park rivalry in Orlando, Fla. is heating up.
This week, Universal will open its latest park, Epic Universe, a reportedly $7 billion bet for the Comcast-owned company and the newest salvo in its ongoing push to expand its tourism and entertainment empire.
That puts pressure on Walt Disney Co., whose Walt Disney World Resort has long dominated the Orlando vacation landscape, but is now seeing increased competition, particularly from Universal.
Sprawled across 750 acres, Epic Universe represents the biggest Universal theme park expansion since the opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter 15 years ago.
It touts five different themed areas, four of which are tied to well-known franchises: “Harry Potter,” “How to Train Your Dragon,” Universal’s Dark Universe of classic movie monsters and Nintendo video game properties, in addition to a cosmic central Celestial Park hub.
The resort, which also includes three hotels, features technologically-advanced animatronics and detailed rides like Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, which showcases many of Universal’s monsters. Reviews of the park have been largely positive, with critics highlighting the immersive nature of the attractions.
“Comcast has come on so strong with what they’ve developed and brought forth in the Orlando market,” said Dennis Speigel, founder and chief executive of Cincinnati-based consulting firm International Theme Park Services Inc. “Over the last 15 years, they have brought that distance between Universal and Disney much closer, and it has really become a prize fight. It’s the most intense and competitive situation in the industry.”
Disney was the first of the two to the Orlando market back in 1971, when it opened the Magic Kingdom at Disney World. It wasn’t until 1990 that Universal opened its own Orlando park, giving Disney a nearly two-decade head start.
Today, Disney World has four theme parks and two water parks, while Universal Orlando will have three, including Epic Universe and Islands of Adventure (opened in 1999), and a water park, Volcano Bay (2017).
Though Universal was late to market, its 2010 opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter land across Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure in Orlando pushed the theme park competition to new heights. Building a land solely around a specific intellectual property — instead of a general theme — was novel at the time, and the concept would later show up in Disney parks, such as Cars Land in Anaheim and later, “Star Wars”-themed lands in California and Florida.
Demand at the time for the “Harry Potter”-themed land pushed Universal’s attendance up 36% compared with the previous year, Speigel said.
“They realized after ‘Harry Potter’ that it was a new world order,” he said. “They’ve just kept the pedal to the metal on everything they’ve done in terms of growth and internal experience.”
There’s good reason for that.
Both Universal and Disney have honed in on theme parks as a profit-generating part of their business that is less volatile than the ever-changing media, television and film markets. Disney’s experiences division, which includes its theme parks and cruise lines, has long brought in the lion’s share of the company’s profit, particularly as pay TV shrinks.
“Disney has been pretty steady and consistent, but Universal is very rapidly expanding,” said Carissa Baker, an assistant professor of theme park and attraction management at the University of Central Florida’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management. “They’re highly encouraging their theme park sector right now.”
Both companies have recently announced new properties — Disney in Abu Dhabi and Universal with a smaller kids resort in Texas, a theme park in Britain and a year-round Halloween Horror Nights-esque experience in Las Vegas.
“The plan is to keep driving growth in a business that we think we’re one of two players in a market that is, within media, not at all exposed to the shift in time on screens from one venue to another,” Comcast Corp. President Mike Cavanagh said during the company’s fiscal first quarter call with analysts last month. “Live experiences, parks experiences have been thrilling to people, and we think we lean into that and continue to do so.”
So far, he said, advance ticket sales and hotel bookings are “strong” for Epic Universe and the other Universal parks in Orlando. A one-day ticket starts at $139.
That’s why analysts have consistently flagged the upcoming park during earnings calls for rival Disney, querying executives about the potential pressure on Disney World and how the company plans to compete.
But if Disney is worried, it has shown little sign of it. Last week, Disney Chief Financial Officer Hugh Johnston said hotel bookings for the fiscal third quarter are up 4% compared with last year, with about 80% of available nights reserved. For the fourth quarter, bookings are up about 7%, with about 50% to 60% of capacity filled, he said.
That’s despite broader worries that concerns about a potential recession — spurred by President Trump’s tariffs on foreign goods — will dampen travel and consumer spending.
“Experiences is obviously a critical business for Disney and also an important growth platform,” company Chief Executive Bob Iger said on a recent earnings call. “Despite questions around any macro-economic uncertainty or the impact of competition, I’m encouraged by the strength and resilience of our business.”
The company has previously announced it is investing $30 billion into its parks in Florida and California, which will fund such additions as a “Monsters Inc.”-inspired land and a villains land in Disney World. The parks have also added attractions throughout the last 10 years, including the revamped Tiana’s Bayou Adventure ride (which replaced Splash Mountain).
Disney is betting that the influx of visitors coming to Florida for Epic Universe will still make a stop at its parks. Last year, Orlando tallied more than 75 million visitors, up 1.8% compared with 2023, according to the Visit Orlando trade association. Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences, said at an investor conference last week that Disney gets more tourists any time something new opens up in central Florida — even if it’s not a Disney property.
“If we just go back five or 10 years, and you think about what’s happened at Walt Disney World, we’ve always been on the offensive,” D’Amaro said. “If something is built new in Central Florida, like Epic Universe, and if it brings in additional tourists, I can almost guarantee you that new tourist coming into the market is going to have to visit the Magic Kingdom.”
There’s an oft-repeated Disneyland creation myth: Artist and animation art director Herb Ryman was given 48 hours to draw an early, heavily detailed and romanticized map of the theme park, which would be used to help sell the project to investors. Although that’s all true, Ryman’s work — one of the most famous and important Disneyland drawings — was far from the first map of Disneyland, as it is often colloquially referred to.
Ryman’s work was in fact an iteration of sorts, based upon years of master planning from Walt Disney and early collaborator Marvin Davis, a cinematic art director responsible for much of Disneyland’s early designs. Some never-before-seen work of Davis and other Disneyland designers will be unearthed in the new book “The Happiest Place On Earth,” from animation producer Don Hahn and theme park designer Christopher Merritt. Both Hahn and Merritt have over the years morphed into theme-park historians, and the book is being released July 15 to coincide with Disneyland’s 70th anniversary.
“Marvin Davis claimed that, as he sat there, probably in a room by himself at the studio with Walt standing over him poking him in the shoulder, he did 133 revisions of these maps to get to the Disneyland layout by 1955,” Merritt says. “A few of these maps have been shown before but a lot of these have not been seen before.”
The archives at Walt Disney Imagineering, the secretive division of the company responsible for theme-park experiences. Found in the archives were multiple maps from Marvin Davis that explore Disneyland’s roots.
(Walt Disney Co.)
The book will trace the development of Disneyland, starting in the early ’50s when Disney flirted with the idea of placing the park next to the studio in Burbank — concepts drawn by Harper Goff — to many of Davis’ gradual advancements of the theme-park form. Study them, and they reveal how many of Disneyland’s core ideas were in place by the early 1950s, although they morphed. Alice in Wonderland, for instance, was once envisioned as a walk-through attraction, to be placed across the way from an archery in Fantasyland.
Hahn makes the case that many of the early seeds for Disneyland were planted during a 1948 trip that Disney and animator Ward Kimball took to Chicago. There, the two attended the Chicago Railroad Fair, which had, among its attractions, Abraham Lincoln reenactments and a re-creation of a frontier town.
“His first memo he did when he got home from the Chicago Railroad Fair was all about trying to create these certain regions,” Hahn says. “If you look at the early Burbank parks, there was a western village, there was a stagecoach, there was a railroad station, there was a Tom Sawyer-ish island. A lot of those things came from the Railroad Fair.”
And there was a lot of early experimentation and many a discarded idea. One of Merritt’s favorite rejected concepts was a Tomorrowland exhibition dedicated to hunting for uranium. The attraction has been referenced by Disney and others over the years as a “lost” attraction, but “The Happiest Place on Earth” will feature some never-before-seen concept art from Imagineer Claude Coats.
“Uranium Hunt was an attraction strangely enough to be placed in Tomorrowland, although Claude designed it with Southwestern rock work,” Merritt says. “It was kind of outside rock maze, and the idea was they would hand you Geiger counters, and there was going to be real radioactive uranium embedded in the rock work that you would measure. In the end, they would give you a souvenir uranium to take home with you, which is just crazy-pants.”
Not all of the early Disneyland ideas are as outlandish. What follows are a few of the maps — and some early designs — that led to what would become Disneyland as we know it today.
Early sketches reveal an opera house, general store and more
A Harper Goff-drawn concept for a Disney theme park in Burbank. This is believed to have been drawn in 1951.
(Walt Disney Co.)
An early 1950s sketch layout of Disneyland, focusing on merchandising outlets.
(Walt Disney Co.)
Disney first considered a theme park across from its studios in Burbank, land that is today occupied by Walt Disney Animation Studios and the West Coast headquarters of ABC. The idea, in its early conceptions, included much of what would later make its way to Disneyland — a train, a steamboat and less detailed versions of Main Street and a Frontierland.
Of particular note here is the second photo, unearthed in “The Happiest Place on Earth” for the first time. The focus is on merchandising locations, but those who study the image will spy an opera house and a general store, believed to be the first time such concepts appear. There’s also a spaceport, a haunted house and a re-creation of London’s Tower Bridge. Shops are said to be themed to properties such as “Cinderella” and “Pinocchio.”
“It shows the holistic thinking, too, of not just the attractions but commerce,” Hahn says. “Where the stores would be, where the cafes would be, and kind of a guest-experience mentality. That was a real theme-park innovation, where you’re transported in time to Frontierland but the food and the costumes add up to Frontierland as well. You see the beginnings of that in a map like this.”
The beginnings of Frontierland and the Storybook Land Canal Boats
An early Disneyland map drawn by Marvin Davis. This map was likely drawn around 1953.
(Walt Disney Co.)
These early Disneyland schematics from Davis begin to capture Disneyland’s “hub” idea, that is, a central area that leads to and from its themed spaces. There’s a large theater space, believed to be designed in the hopes of Disneyland becoming a television production locale, and a significant plot dedicated to a river with surrounding attractions — the map calls for a space for otters, as well as a swamp area.
The Frontierland concept is still present, complete with a pony ranch and a stagecoach, as is a haunted house and a land themed to miniatures, a concept that would ultimately become the Storybook Land Canal Boats. Merritt notes that this design is location-agnostic, as Anaheim had not yet been decided upon for Disneyland.
Of particular note here is an introductory land like a Main Street, U.S.A., leading to a central hub. “These maps are revelatory when you look at them all in sequence,” Merritt says.
Davis’ early maps also highlight a residential street with large Victorian homes. The second image, in particular, mentions a town hall and a church. Hahn and Merritt believe this land was heavily influenced by the look and tone of “Lady and the Tramp.”
Main Street starts to materialize
An early Harper Goff design that influenced the look of Frontierland.
(Walt Disney Co.)
Some early Harper Goff designs for what would become Disneyland.
(Walt Disney Co.)
Early Disneyland concept art from Harper Goff
(Walt Disney Co.)
These, says Merritt, are a selection 1951 drawings from Harper Goff. The work is exploratory, in that it could have been envisioned for multiple parts of the park. While Goff’s impact on Frontierland is well documented — and Hahn notes, perhaps, an influence from Knott’s Berry Farm’s Ghost Town in these images — it’s also believed some of these designs were kicked around as a potential Main Street, U.S.A., concept.
Main Street, says Hahn, is often noted as being largely influenced by Disney’s time as a child in Marceline, Mo. While that isn’t really doubted these days among Disney’s fan base, Hahn says that theory wasn’t arrived upon immediately. He notes that some of Goff’s early concept work has a slight Victorian bent, which Goff drew from both “Lady and the Tramp” and his own childhood.
“It’s really the childhood of nobody,” Hahn says of Main Street. “It’s an idealized America. Goff grew up in Colorado, and a lot of these are his Victorian memories of his Colorado hometown. These are set designers who were bringing their movie chops to Disneyland.”
Welcome to the park’s destination: Anaheim
A pivotal early Disneyland map drawn by Marvin Davis.
(Walt Disney Co. )
Merritt and Hahn believe this third early schematic of Disneyland from Davis — the drawing is undated — is perhaps the first to envision Anaheim as the park’s destination. The image needs only to be rotated and one can see many of the pieces that would comprise the park — a Main Street, a central hub and, for the first time since Goff’s drawings of the Burbank park, a train that encircles the grounds.
Zoom in, and one will see there’s a large “emporium” to greet guests — and shoppers — on Main Street, U.S.A., as well as a castle-like moat to mark the entrance to Fantasyland. Still present are TV production spaces at the front of the park, and the map lists a host of attractions, including a horse-drawn carriage, train rides and boat rides.
Maps begin to show the Disneyland attractions we know today
A fall 1953 map of Disneyland from Marvin Davis.
(Walt Disney Co.)
A September 1953 map of Disneyland from Marvin Davis.
(Walt Disney Co.)
A September 1953 map of Disneyland from Marvin Davis.
(Walt Disney Co.)
These three Davis maps are from September 1953, made just days apart. The bottom drawing is a bit more simplified, as it was designed to be shown to TV networks and financiers. One can see a ride inspired by Disney’s “True-Life Adventures” on the right side of the park. This would ultimately become the Jungle Cruise and be flipped to the left side of the park.
All three maps, however, were instrumental in the final design of Disneyland, envisioning Anaheim as the ultimate destination. Of note in the middle image is a Recreation Land, home to a ball field, a mini-golf course and a bandstand. At this time, Disneyland was still envisioned as housing a circus, a concept that was explored in the actual park after opening but soon discarded. Yet Fantasyland, a Land of Tomorrow, Frontierland and what would become Adventureland are all present.
Fantasyland is home in these drawings to attractions themed to “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” “Peter Pan,” “Alice in Wonderland,” Pinocchio” (denoted as Pleasure Island) and “Fantasia.” Also present is what would become Autopia, signifying that Disneyland in late 1953 had many of its early attractions solidified. Still, many, such as a Mother Goose area, would pop-up and then disappear from the maps.
Says Merritt, “You’re going to want to get your magnifying glass to look at some of this stuff.”
Europe is home to some fantastic cities and one has been voted the best for value – with a pint costing around £2.41. Here is why you should visit it this year
The streets of Bucharest old town on a sunny summer day(Image: Alexander Spatari via Getty Images)
City breaks are a dream for those looking to quickly escape and hit the reset button. And if a European jaunt is what gets your travel juices flowing, then you’ve struck gold, as the experts at Flight Hacks have dished out a summer bargain travel list. They’ve crunched the numbers, factoring in daily averages for flights from any London airport, food and digs per night, to pinpoint the top bang-for-your-buck holiday spots.
Topping the charts as Europe’s most economical holiday spot is Bucharest, Romania. You can revel in all its delights for a neat £215.52 a day, with hotel stays hitting the jackpot as the continent’s cheapest averaging a mere £86.72 a night.
So if you’re tempted by the cheapest place let’s take a look at Bucharest more closely.
What is there to do in Bucharest?
Nestled in Southern Romania, this historical gem not only served as the stomping grounds for Vlad The Impaler but also snagged the moniker “Little Paris” for its elegant early 20th-century architecture. It boasts a population of about 1.83 million (circa 2019) and promises a cultural feast.
Tripadvisor’s crowned jewel for the city is the Stavropoleos Monastery, scoring an impressive 4.5 rating. Dating back to 1724, it stands proudly among the capital’s oldest structures.
Culture vultures can either discover its charms solo or opt for a guided tour around the monastery, reports the Express. One visitor raved about a church on Tripadvisor, calling it “beautiful” among numerous five-star reviews.
Bucharest is one of the cheapest spots in Europe(Image: Emya Photography via Getty Images)
A user remarked: “What I loved most was the quiet and cosy atmosphere of the place, even if this architectural beauty is located in the middle of Bucharest, in the most crowded place.”
Another shared: “One of my favourite places in Bucharest! Amazing monastery is full of peace and harmony. I recommend visiting it Saturday and Sunday at 6pm and to listen to the prayers.”
And a fourth enthused: “Standing inside this monastery, takes your breath away. The walls and high ceilings adorned with beautiful religious artwork, it hard to put to words just how beautiful it really Is.”
Other must-see spots in the Romanian capital include the world’s second-largest building, the Palace of Parliament, and of course, the Old Town is a must-visit spot.
Expect to discover a host of bars and eateries offering traditional Romanian cuisine there.
Bucharest is also a magnet for those seeking vibrant nightlife, with a pint going for as little as £2.41 according to Numbeo statistics. There are plenty of top-tier venues to enjoy, including Player Club, Shoteria, and Club Revenge.
How to get to Bucharest
Getting to Romania is straightforward with many airlines offering flights. Direct services are available from London, Birmingham, and Glasgow with carriers such as Ryanair, BA, easyJet and Wizz Air flying to the destination.
Kayak reveals that one-way flights to Bucharest kick off from the capital, with the journey clocking in just over three hours from London.
Bucharest has an historic centre(Image: Alexander Spatari via Getty Images)
When is the best time to visit Bucharest?
The milder months of April, May, June, September and October are ideal to dodge the sweltering summer climes, as it can get quite toasty in those parts.
Conversely, winter might charm with snow, but be wary as it can throw public transport into chaos. Also, tourist hotspots sometimes shut their doors owing to harsh weather, and expect the nights to start nipping at 4pm.
Top 10 budget-friendly European destinations to visit (average cost per day):
Immanuel Debeer, CEO at Flight Hacks, said: “Going on holiday in Europe doesn’t need to cost an eye-watering amount of money. This study demonstrates that by exploring various travel sites and researching the cost of living in certain cities, you can visit some of the most beautiful and culturally rich areas Europe has to offer without breaking the bank.”
As the temperatures are set to get warmer, now is the time to get out into the great outdoors and make the most of the weather.
Hereford’s beautiful city centre(Image: joe daniel price via Getty Images)
With the mercury on the rise, it’s the perfect opportunity to embrace the great outdoors and bask in the delightful weather. For those who relish a good stroll, accompanied by tunes, podcasts, or audiobooks, you’ll find that time whizzes by while you’re getting your steps in.
Walking isn’t just a calorie burner; it’s also fantastic for elevating your spirits, enhancing circulation, reducing blood pressure, and increasing your heart rate. Recent findings have pinpointed the UK city that reigns supreme for a leisurely walk. This accolade comes from Injury Claims, who analysed over 200,000 park reviews from 74 key UK cities and towns.
Hereford emerged victorious, with a plethora of Tripadvisor reviews praising its “relaxing”, “peaceful”, “calm”, and “tranquil” ambiance, earning the city an impressive score of 28.88%.
What is there to do in Hereford?
Nestled in Herefordshire, this cathedral city sits gracefully along the River Wye, a mere 16 miles from the Welsh border. Boasting a population exceeding 53,000, Hereford stands as the largest settlement in Hertfordshire, reports the Express.
The city’s crown jewel for nature lovers is Weir Garden, celebrated for its lush woodlands and immaculate gardens. As a proud part of the National Trust, it boasts a stellar 4.5 rating on Google.
Some visitors have left glowing reviews about the beauty of the gardens. One enthused: “Beautiful gardens in any weather, the area down by the river is stunning, also from the top of the hill, the view of the river is great for any photographer.”
Another shared their serene experience: “A quiet walk round the gardens for a moment of reflection. Lovely views from the top of the gardens, looking down to the river Wye.
The River Wye runs through Hereford(Image: Chris Griffiths via Getty Images)
“Quite a few families with their children and people with their dogs, which was lovely to see.” And another commented on their recent visit: “Had a lovely walk here last weekend, really beautiful views of the river and the gardens.
“I also really loved the walled garden here too, lots of plants and vegetables being grown that you can look at as well as a greenhouse you can go in.” Castle Green is another recommended spot – it’s a public park set on the old grounds of Hereford Castle and entry won’t cost you a penny.
This park boasts a stellar 4.4 rating on Google, with one visitor remarking: “Lovely spot on a sunny day. Gardens well tended. Stroll along the River Wye, or walk over the bridge into the bigger King George V Playing fields.
“Huge space, great for picnics, games, relaxing.” Yet another said: “A lovely place to chill out in the sun! Very beautiful.”
And a third added: “Lovely area to relax with a picnic etc. Grassed area where you can sit or play games. Path that goes around the outside so good for jogging.”
They also highlighted its convenience: “Ideally situated as close to town and also other places like swimming pool and Bishops Meadow.”
How to get to Hereford
If you’re planning a road trip from London, it’s a journey of roughly four hours covering 135 miles – though do bear in mind that traffic could add to your travel time.
For those setting off from other major cities, the distances are considerably less: Birmingham is just 58 miles away, Cardiff is a mere 56 miles, and Manchester is a bit further at 138 miles.
Public transport links are also plentiful. Direct trains run daily to Hereford, Ledbury and Colwall from Birmingham New Street Station, and there’s a regular service between Manchester and Cardiff.
And for those in the capital, direct trains from London Paddington to Hereford will get you there in about three hours.
Here are the top 10 places to go for a walk, according to Injury Claims:
