Most baby boomers grew up watching the very early days of Disneyland, witnessing it become the American brand that it is. If you've been, you've felt firsthand the magic that engulfs the theme park. Children and adults alike are captivated by what the genuis visionary, Walt Disney, created. It's safe to say that Walt Disney forever changed and influenced the travel industry. Marketwatch featured an article that points to ways in which he was able to so, especially when it comes to consumer spending.

Disneyland was built amost at the same time that the first shopping mall was built in America. Before that, people had never experienced indoor shopping. When you first enter Disneyland, you walk onto Main Street U.S.A, which offers connected shops so you don't have to walk outside. Visitors would flock to the unique setup, especially in the heat and rain, prepared to spend money. While no longer a unique concept, but it was huge in spreading the shopping mall concept across America.

Disney created an emotional connection to its audience, helping sell the brand to children and adults. Brand loyalty is passed from generation to generation, with people treating a trip to Disneyland almost like a pilgramage. This has allowed Disneyland (and of course, Walt Disney World in Orlando) to push the envelope with pricing.

Disney has found clever ways to get consumers to spend more money. When it first opened, admission was cheap but visitors had to pay extra for rides and attractions. Now, most rides are included in a pricey admission ticket, however consumers can "upgrade" to more thrilling attractions and special events, creating endless opportunities for visitors to spend more and more money.

The monorail was born at Disneyland, influencing many other theme parks and cities to follow suit. It allows consumers to save time and energy, and helps keep visitors within the theme park, where they will spend their money.

Entertainment became much more interactive with Disneyland. The consumer is constantly bombarded with the brand; with Mickey Mouse and other characters everywhere you turn, the ability to engage with the brand is almost infinite. This concept has spread all over to other entertainement venues and creates an experience that consumers are willing to pay more for.

While Disneyland wasn't the first theme park, it was the first to really revolutionize the industry. By incorporating characters and stories into the rides and atttractions, Disney made them special. When children are fascinated by characters or a movie, parents are willing to shell out even more money for upgraded experiences and events. This concept quickly spread throughout the entire amusement park industry.

It's hard to escape the magic of Disney. Many of us took our children there when they were little and if you have grandchildren, you're likely to take them there at some point too. And why not? It is the happiest place on earth - even if it puts a dent in your bank account!