Hidden Attractions and Things to do in Disneyland, CA
Main Street, USA
Image: Disneyland Main Street.jpg by wikimedia commons
Look for the feral cats that live in the park
Disneyland is home to around 200 cats that act as pest control. They are usually kept away from the public, but you can catch sight of one every once in a while. They are all spayed or neutered and kept on a feeding schedule.
Fun fact
The statue of Cinderella looks different to kids than it does to adults. To adults, she seems downcast and forlorn, but those looking up at her from kid level will see her smiling back at them.
Look for the feral cats that live in the park
Disneyland is home to around 200 cats that act as pest control. They are usually kept away from the public, but you can catch sight of one every once in a while. They are all spayed or neutered and kept on a feeding schedule.
Fun fact
The statue of Cinderella looks different to kids than it does to adults. To adults, she seems downcast and forlorn, but those looking up at her from kid level will see her smiling back at them.
Image: Disneyland monorail by Prayitno
Ride in the nose of the Monorail
Riding in the very front of the monorail will give you the best view of the park as you pass through it. Just ask a cast member if you can sit up front and let the viewing begin. In order to ride in the nose of the monorail, you must have an admission ticket to the park, so you’ll have to board the monorail from inside Disneyland.
Fun Fact:
Riding in the front of the monorail was discontinued in Disney World, and is now only available at Disneyland in California.
Ride in the nose of the Monorail
Riding in the very front of the monorail will give you the best view of the park as you pass through it. Just ask a cast member if you can sit up front and let the viewing begin. In order to ride in the nose of the monorail, you must have an admission ticket to the park, so you’ll have to board the monorail from inside Disneyland.
Fun Fact:
Riding in the front of the monorail was discontinued in Disney World, and is now only available at Disneyland in California.
Image: Lilly-belle.jpg by wikimedia commons
Ride in the Lilly Belle
The last car on the Disneyland Railroad is a very special car. Called the Lilly Belle, it was named for Walt’s Wife Lillian. It is theme in a Victorian style and contains family photos and artifacts from Disney history.
In order to ride on the Lilly Belle, arrive at the park extra early and ask a cast member for the privilege. Only a few guests are allowed on the Lilly Belle every day.
Fun fact
Disneyland employees are not allowed to point with one finger because it is considered offensive in certain countries. Instead, they must us a two-finger point.
Ride in the Lilly Belle
The last car on the Disneyland Railroad is a very special car. Called the Lilly Belle, it was named for Walt’s Wife Lillian. It is theme in a Victorian style and contains family photos and artifacts from Disney history.
In order to ride on the Lilly Belle, arrive at the park extra early and ask a cast member for the privilege. Only a few guests are allowed on the Lilly Belle every day.
Fun fact
Disneyland employees are not allowed to point with one finger because it is considered offensive in certain countries. Instead, they must us a two-finger point.
Image: Club 33, Disneyland.jpg by wikimedia commons
Try to become a member of Club 33
Disneyland has a secret club called Club 33. It was originally created so Walt could entertain sponsors and VIP’s. It remains a very exclusive club, costing up to $100,000 to join. But not anybody can become a member. You have to know a member first, be put on a 15 year waiting list, and pay a large sum.
Fun fact
Just as Disney uses bright colors to attract guests, it also uses drab colors to turn people away from places that aren’t meant for guests. The door to Club 33 is painted in a bland green color that Disney invented called, “No-see-um green,” designed to make you look the other way.
Try to become a member of Club 33
Disneyland has a secret club called Club 33. It was originally created so Walt could entertain sponsors and VIP’s. It remains a very exclusive club, costing up to $100,000 to join. But not anybody can become a member. You have to know a member first, be put on a 15 year waiting list, and pay a large sum.
Fun fact
Just as Disney uses bright colors to attract guests, it also uses drab colors to turn people away from places that aren’t meant for guests. The door to Club 33 is painted in a bland green color that Disney invented called, “No-see-um green,” designed to make you look the other way.
Image: Disneyland Fire Dept by wikimedia commons
Get a glimpse of Walt’s apartment at Disneyland.
Just inside the entrance to the park, in the large roundabout before the shops, stop in front of the firehouse and peek up at the second story window. You’ll see a lamp lit in behind the glass. This is the apartment where Walt Disney would stay when visiting his amusement park, and he left a lamp burning in the window to let guests know that he was there. Now a lamp burns perpetually to symbolize the Disney spirit that still lives on in the park.
Get a glimpse of Walt’s apartment at Disneyland.
Just inside the entrance to the park, in the large roundabout before the shops, stop in front of the firehouse and peek up at the second story window. You’ll see a lamp lit in behind the glass. This is the apartment where Walt Disney would stay when visiting his amusement park, and he left a lamp burning in the window to let guests know that he was there. Now a lamp burns perpetually to symbolize the Disney spirit that still lives on in the park.
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Adventureland
Image: Indiana Jones Adventure by HarshLight
Indiana Jones Pole and Rope
While standing in line in the long underground caverns of the Indiana Jones ride, you’ll notice a pole with a sign that reads “Danger! Do Not Touch Pole.” This is a prop meant to entice. If you push on the pole you will hear a loud crash as if the ceiling of the cave were crumbling in on you.
Continue through the cavern and you will discover a well with a plaque next to it which states, “Caution. Do Not Pull Rope! Handling Fragile Artifacts.” This is another prop. Pull the rope until you hear a crash, as if all of the “artifacts” tumbled down the well shaft.
Indiana Jones Pole and Rope
While standing in line in the long underground caverns of the Indiana Jones ride, you’ll notice a pole with a sign that reads “Danger! Do Not Touch Pole.” This is a prop meant to entice. If you push on the pole you will hear a loud crash as if the ceiling of the cave were crumbling in on you.
Continue through the cavern and you will discover a well with a plaque next to it which states, “Caution. Do Not Pull Rope! Handling Fragile Artifacts.” This is another prop. Pull the rope until you hear a crash, as if all of the “artifacts” tumbled down the well shaft.
Image: Jungle Cruise, by Ken Lund
Get a map of the Jungle Cruise
While at the Jungle Cruise ride, make sure to ask a cast member for a map of the cruise. These maps outline the entire Jungle area and the path of the cruise through it.
Fun fact
When the Jungle Cruise first opened, there were five live alligators in the water near the waiting line for the guests to look at.
Get a map of the Jungle Cruise
While at the Jungle Cruise ride, make sure to ask a cast member for a map of the cruise. These maps outline the entire Jungle area and the path of the cruise through it.
Fun fact
When the Jungle Cruise first opened, there were five live alligators in the water near the waiting line for the guests to look at.
Image: Disneyland Tarzan Treehouse by wikimedia commons
Check out a remnant from an old ride
Tarzan’s Treehouse used to be Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse. If you go to the upper room of the treehouse, look for the phonograph that still plays the theme song for Swiss Family Robinson.
Check out a remnant from an old ride
Tarzan’s Treehouse used to be Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse. If you go to the upper room of the treehouse, look for the phonograph that still plays the theme song for Swiss Family Robinson.
Tomorrowland
Image: C3P0, Star Tours by Ken Lund
Catch the real C-3PO and R2-D2
These icons from the “Star Wars” movies greet you as you enter the Star Tours ride. They are both real props from the movies. George Lucas wanted the ride to be realistic and authentic to the world he had created, so he sent real movie props to Disneyland to be used as part of the experience.
Say hi to George Lucas
At the end of the Star Tours ride, when the ship makes a rough landing, you’ll notice a man ducking out of the way and then picking up a phone. That man is George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars.
Fun fact
While waiting in the queue for Star Tours, you’ll hear the overhead speaker call for Egroeg Sacul. This is how George Lucas is pronounced backwards.
Catch the real C-3PO and R2-D2
These icons from the “Star Wars” movies greet you as you enter the Star Tours ride. They are both real props from the movies. George Lucas wanted the ride to be realistic and authentic to the world he had created, so he sent real movie props to Disneyland to be used as part of the experience.
Say hi to George Lucas
At the end of the Star Tours ride, when the ship makes a rough landing, you’ll notice a man ducking out of the way and then picking up a phone. That man is George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars.
Fun fact
While waiting in the queue for Star Tours, you’ll hear the overhead speaker call for Egroeg Sacul. This is how George Lucas is pronounced backwards.
Image: Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters by wikimedia commons
Hit the hidden target on Buzz Lightyear Astro Blaster
There’s a part on the ride in the second room where Emperor Zurg turns toward the audience. Notice the small “z” on his chest. It doesn’t seem like a target, but it is a hidden target, and it’s worth 50,000 points.
Hit the hidden target on Buzz Lightyear Astro Blaster
There’s a part on the ride in the second room where Emperor Zurg turns toward the audience. Notice the small “z” on his chest. It doesn’t seem like a target, but it is a hidden target, and it’s worth 50,000 points.
Frontierland
Steer the Mark Twain Riverboat
When boarding the Mark Twain Riverboat, make sure to find a cast member and ask if you can enter the wheelhouse. If the cast member is able, he or she will lead you to a door marked “Private.” If you knock on the door, the captain will let you up a ladder into the wheelhouse, where you will be able to actually steer the Riverboat. Before you exit the wheelhouse, make sure to sign the guestbook and receive your captain’s certificate.
Fun Fact
The Mark Twain Riverboat was dedicated in 1955. The guestbook contains the signatures of every guest to enter the wheelhouse and steer the Mark Twain since it’s dedication.
When boarding the Mark Twain Riverboat, make sure to find a cast member and ask if you can enter the wheelhouse. If the cast member is able, he or she will lead you to a door marked “Private.” If you knock on the door, the captain will let you up a ladder into the wheelhouse, where you will be able to actually steer the Riverboat. Before you exit the wheelhouse, make sure to sign the guestbook and receive your captain’s certificate.
Fun Fact
The Mark Twain Riverboat was dedicated in 1955. The guestbook contains the signatures of every guest to enter the wheelhouse and steer the Mark Twain since it’s dedication.
Image: Doritos.jpg by wikimedia commons
Visit the birthplace of Doritos chips
Make sure to go inside Casa de Fritos in Frontierland. This is where Doritos were invented. Disney had leftover tortilla bits and needed a way to use them, so they deep fried the tortillas and flavored them, creating everyone’s cheesy chip. The snack was so popular with guests at the park that Frito Lay decided to expand it into a global brand.
Visit the birthplace of Doritos chips
Make sure to go inside Casa de Fritos in Frontierland. This is where Doritos were invented. Disney had leftover tortilla bits and needed a way to use them, so they deep fried the tortillas and flavored them, creating everyone’s cheesy chip. The snack was so popular with guests at the park that Frito Lay decided to expand it into a global brand.
Fantasyland
Image: Mad Tea Party by Ken Lund
Ride the fastest teacup
There are 18 teacups, and they all vary in speed.
When you are in line for the teacups, look for the purple one and the orange cup with the diamonds on it. These two cups are faster than all the others. If you want a slower ride, choose one of the two cups embellished with hearts. These two are the slowest.
Ride the fastest teacup
There are 18 teacups, and they all vary in speed.
When you are in line for the teacups, look for the purple one and the orange cup with the diamonds on it. These two cups are faster than all the others. If you want a slower ride, choose one of the two cups embellished with hearts. These two are the slowest.
Image: Evil Queen by HarshLight
Find the Evil Queen’s Lair
While standing just outside Snow White’s Scary Adventures, shift your eyes upward to a window with purple lighting. Every once in a while throughout the day, the window opens the reveal the evil queen looking down over the park guests.
Listen to Snow White Singing
Located in Snow White Grotto near Sleeping Beauty Castle, there is a Wishing Well. But it is no ordinary Wishing Well. If you put you ear to the well, you will hear Snow White singing softly from within.
Find the Evil Queen’s Lair
While standing just outside Snow White’s Scary Adventures, shift your eyes upward to a window with purple lighting. Every once in a while throughout the day, the window opens the reveal the evil queen looking down over the park guests.
Listen to Snow White Singing
Located in Snow White Grotto near Sleeping Beauty Castle, there is a Wishing Well. But it is no ordinary Wishing Well. If you put you ear to the well, you will hear Snow White singing softly from within.
Image: Mary Poppins and Bert on the king Arthur Carrousel - Disneyland by JeffChristiansen
Ride on Julie Andrews’ carrousel horse
In 2008, Disney dedicated on of the horses on King Arthur’s Carrousel to Julie Andrews for her essential role in “Mary Poppins,” and for being an ambassador of the Disney amusement parks. When riding the carrousel, make sure to pick the horse called “Jingles” who is cover in bells.
Fun fact
The King Arthur Carousel was not built for the park. It is much older. The carousel was built in 1922 and bought for the amusement park.
Ride on Julie Andrews’ carrousel horse
In 2008, Disney dedicated on of the horses on King Arthur’s Carrousel to Julie Andrews for her essential role in “Mary Poppins,” and for being an ambassador of the Disney amusement parks. When riding the carrousel, make sure to pick the horse called “Jingles” who is cover in bells.
Fun fact
The King Arthur Carousel was not built for the park. It is much older. The carousel was built in 1922 and bought for the amusement park.
New Orleans Square
Image: Haunted Mansion, Disneyland, CA.jpg by wiki commons
Receive a Death Certificate at The Haunted Mansion
Before boarding the Doom Buggie ride, be sure to ask a cast member for a death certificate. If the cast member decides to issue you a certificate, it will be waiting for you to pick up at the end of the ride.
Fun fact
Throughout the years, many guests have brought the ashes of loved ones with them to the park. Once inside the Haunted Mansion, they scatter the ashes into the ballroom. This practice is forbidden if guests are to ask cast members, but guests have done it anyway, ignoring the park’s rules.
Receive a Death Certificate at The Haunted Mansion
Before boarding the Doom Buggie ride, be sure to ask a cast member for a death certificate. If the cast member decides to issue you a certificate, it will be waiting for you to pick up at the end of the ride.
Fun fact
Throughout the years, many guests have brought the ashes of loved ones with them to the park. Once inside the Haunted Mansion, they scatter the ashes into the ballroom. This practice is forbidden if guests are to ask cast members, but guests have done it anyway, ignoring the park’s rules.
Image: Pssst, avast there. by Danny Thompson
There’s a real human skull on Pirates of the Caribbean
When you come to the part on the ride with a skeleton in bed, look above him at the headboard. You will see a skull and crossbones. All three bones are real human bones.
Fun fact
When Pirates of the Caribbean was opened, Disney tried to use fake skulls for the skeletons, but the bones were too flimsy. They decided to go with real human bones, so the UCLA Medical School donated some human bones for use. Later, when technology improved enough to make stronger fake bones, most of the human bones were replaced by the fakes. The skull and crossbones on the headboard are the only ones left that are real.
There’s a real human skull on Pirates of the Caribbean
When you come to the part on the ride with a skeleton in bed, look above him at the headboard. You will see a skull and crossbones. All three bones are real human bones.
Fun fact
When Pirates of the Caribbean was opened, Disney tried to use fake skulls for the skeletons, but the bones were too flimsy. They decided to go with real human bones, so the UCLA Medical School donated some human bones for use. Later, when technology improved enough to make stronger fake bones, most of the human bones were replaced by the fakes. The skull and crossbones on the headboard are the only ones left that are real.
