Disneyland and Theme Parks
an interactive reading activity
for an ESL classroom
STANDARDS OF LEARNING:
ELP 1 "English language learners communicate for Social
and Instructional Purposes within the school setting."
ELP 2 "English language learners communicate information,
ideas and concepts necessary for academic success
in the content area of Language Arts."
Slides by Michael Selikhov, Arcadia High School
Text courtesy of The Reading Lab, www.geocities.com/yamataro670/readinglab.htm
Disneyland &
theme parks
Directions:
Read the story.
Then, complete
the quiz.
Disneyland and Theme Parks
Among the many tourist sights which
people around the world often wish to visit
in America, the Disney parks hold a rather
special and prominent place. They are
more than just an average vacation spot
for a typical American family. They are a
total experience which is both exciting and
enjoyable. They are self-contained worlds
of magic, mystery and fun.
These Disney Parks are places where
fantasy and reality freely mix with each
other, and you can indulge yourself totally
at whichever age level you want to be.
You can become part of the past or
journey into the future. Attractions in the
park are based on the tales and legends
that nurture the imagination of a child's
world and take the adult back on a journey
into his own past.
These parks are places where an adult can
once again become a child, and children can live
in the dreams of their youth. The Disney
characters made popular through animated films
come alive and invite the visitors of the park to
become part of their world. Children can take a
picture with Snow White and shake hands with
Mickey Mouse himself. Donald Duck, Goofy, and
the Seven Dwarves walk about the streets and
avenues of the park like living celebrities, always
ready for a photo or a signature. The magical
world of Disney creates an innocent homespun
mythology which speaks directly to the child
within each of us.
Although the first Disney park was
opened several decades ago in a suburb
of Los Angeles in Anaheim, California, a
second park was later established on the
East Coast in Orlando, Florida. It was not
long before a Disneyland opened near
Tokyo, and later, one was built in Paris.
One wonders which other cities will
become future satellite centers for the
Disney characters and Sleeping Beauty’s
castle to weave their magic.
Since the advent of Disneyland, other
theme parks have emerged throughout the
country using Disney as their model for
success. Over the years, they also have
established themselves and have grown
and expanded, offering wholesome
entertainment for the family. In the United
States alone, Busch Gardens and Six
Flags Over Texas are representative of
this kind of holiday destination.
Obviously, their popularity is based on
the need to offer a valuable service to the
public. They provide vacationing families
with a wholesome atmosphere especially
designed for children, but which offers
enough diversity to entertain adults as
well.
TIME FOR A QUIZ!
Are you ready?
What's one of the most popular places
for the family to visit in America?
1.
2.
3.
4.
0%
0%
0%
0%
Grand Canyon
Disneyland
New York City
Las Vegas
0
of
6
1
2
3
4
5
6
Which of the following is TRUE
about Disney Parks?
1.
2.
3.
4.
0%
0%
0%
0%
They are only for Americans.
They are for the whole family.
They are only for children.
They are tourist attraction mostly
enjoyed by foreign visitors.
0
of
6
1
2
3
4
5
6
When was the first Disney Park
opened?
1.
2.
3.
4.
0%
0%
0%
0%
In 1955.
In 1840.
In 2002.
In 2008.
0
of
6
1
2
3
4
5
6
How many people visited the first Disney
Park in the first 6 months after it opened?
1.
2.
3.
4.
0%
0%
0%
0%
1,500,000 people
500,000 people
100,000 people
1,000,000 people
0
of
6
1
2
3
4
5
6
What became a symbol of the
first Disney Park?
1.
2.
3.
4.
0%
0%
0%
0%
Neuswanstein Castle
Mickey Mouse
Sleeping Beauty’s Castle
Donald Duck
0
of
6
1
2
3
4
5
6
What made the Disney Park
characters popular?
1.
2.
3.
4.
0%
0%
0%
0%
News
Books
Cartoons
Radio
0
of
6
1
2
3
4
5
6
Kids can do all of the following with
the Disney characters they meet at
the park EXCEPT…
1.
2.
3.
4.
0%
0%
0%
0%
Shake their hand
Dress in their clothes
Take a photo with them
Get their autograph
0
of
6
1
2
3
4
5
6
Which city does NOT have
a Disney Park?
1.
2.
3.
4.
0%
0%
0%
0%
Paris
Orlando
Tokyo
Miami
0
of
6
1
2
3
4
5
6
Which of these is NOT a theme
park mentioned in the story?
1.
2.
3.
4.
0%
0%
0%
0%
Six Flags Over Texas
Freedomland, USA
Busch Gardens
Disneyland
0
of
6
1
2
3
4
5
6
Which statement is NOT true
about Disney parks?
1. At Disney parks, fantasy and
reality freely mix with each other.
2. Disney parks can entertain the
entire family.
3. They offer an experience which
is both exciting and enjoyable.
4. Attractions in the parks are
based on true stories.
0%
0%
0%
0%
1
2
3
4
5
6
0
of
6