Mickey Mouse's ears are well known all over the world, and this year will be an especially fun one for Disney. The company is celebrating 60 years since its first theme park, Disneyland, opened in California, US in 1955.

Disney has opened many more parks all over the world since it made history in California, Shanghai Disneyland is expected to open in 2016, bringing Disney's popular parks here to the Chinese mainland for the first time.

So why has Disneyland been so popular for 60 years? Well, it's described as "the Happiest Place on Earth" and "a place for the young and young at heart”. Many Americans have grown up with the parks, as ex—Disneyland president Paul Pressler said in 1995: " There is an emotional relationship that people have with this park.”

Disneyland was one of the first theme parks anywhere in the world that had “lands” and rides with themes. Disney's storytelling in rides like roller coasters is a big reason for their parks' success. “We tell a story in everything we do,”Pressler said. Disney rides such as The seven Dwarves Mine Train and Peter Pan's Flight come from its movies. One ride from its 2013 hit movie Frozen will surely be coming soon, perhaps at the new Shanghai Disneyland.
Disney's parks haven't always been popular everywhere, however. When Disneyland Paris opened in 1992, some French people felt that American culture was invading(入侵)France. But still, the park stayed open and today it is a popular place for European visitors.

Whatever you may think of them, you can't say that on their 60 th birthday, Disney's parks aren't still going strong. How many Disney theme parks will you have visited by the time their 70 th birthday comes around?

    Even nowadays there are a lot of misunderstandings between nationalities. Let's have a look at what the following people have to say.

Maria Conti: I find the English people insincere (虚伪), cold and unfriendly. They keep saying "Thank you", "I'm sorry", even when they don't know each other. They are even polite to their own relatives! Except for helping you find your way in the streets, they aren't really friendly and never invite you to their houses.

Giannis Sinios: On the contrary I found them both broad-minded and friendly. I was invited to people's houses and they all showed great interest in my ideas, Greek life and people. In England I learned that it was possible to be warm, friendly and polite at the same time.

Judy Brown: I lived in both Italy and Greece for a few years. At first there were a few misunderstandings between my foreign friends and myself. For example, I once gave a Greek friend a present for her birthday. I was rather sorry that she didn't unwrap it immediately. What's more, she even didn't thank me until I asked her if she liked it! I've learned from different experiences that a lot of foreigners find our attitude to what we English people call politeness is rather insincere. They feel that politeness isn't necessary between friends.

    As I was leaving to meet Lynne, my roommate told me that I'd better take some money. But I didn't listen to him. I thought that Lynne would pay because she had invited me. I arrived at the restaurant exactly on time. I'd been told that Americans expect you to be on time. Lynne and I sat at a table in the corner of restaurant and a waitress came and took our order.

    The dinner was a great success. I talked a lot about Saudi Arabia and Lynne told me all about herself. After two hours, the waitress finally came and asked if we wanted one check or two. Lynne said two. We went to the cashier and Lynne paid her check. I was embarrassed (尴尬) when the cashier gave me my bill. I had no money to pay for my meal. Then I had an idea. I pretended to look for something in my pockets and said, “Oh! I forgot my wallet! Can I call my roommate, please?” The cashier showed me where the phone was and I quickly called my roommate. In a few minutes, he arrived with some money, but he couldn't hide how he felt. He laughed all the way home. Now, I think it's funny too, but at that time I was terribly embarrassed. I thought that an invitation to have dinner in the United States meant the same thing as that in China. I guess you have to understand that your customs are only your customs. When you visit a foreign country, you have to learn about their customs, too.

    Each year, we celebrate many holidays here in America.

    On January 1, we welcome the coming of a new year like many people in other countries. And we have another, four holidays on the first day of a month: April Fool's Day, May Day, Friendship Day ( Aug.1 ) and Grandparents Day ( Sept.1).

    The most important holiday for the young people comes in February. It is Valentine's Day. Lots of boys give red roses to girls as a present.

    People celebrate some holidays for their family members. We say thanks to our mothers in May and celebrate Father's Day in the following month. In November many people return home for Thanksgiving Day, so the whole family can stay together.

    There are also some interesting holidays for children. For example, Halloween comes at the end of October. Children often play with pumpkin lanterns (南瓜灯) and put on all kinds of masks (面具).

    Of course, the most important festival is Christmas. After a year of work and study, people can enjoy a long holiday, eat big meals, and visit family and friends.