What keeps millions of local Southern Californians returning to Disneyland time after time? For many Disneyphiles, the magic of the park lies not in the rides but in the mythos of Disneyland. More than any other theme park, Disneyland fosters a sense of magic that often results in almost obsessive devotion among its fans. Dedicated fans of the park visit sometimes multiple times a month, know the stories and legends of Disneyland inside out, and share – or guard – Disney trivia and secrets jealously on online forums.
Knowing a few secrets about the park can give visitors something to look out for between rides and add an extra layer of richness to the experience.
Things to Watch Out For at Disneyland
The Pirates of the Caribbean ride, which opened – with a breakdown – when Disneyland first began in 1955, features some real human bones. At the time it was difficult to replicate realistic-looking skeletons, so the designers purchased a number of skeletons from medical schools. Over time most of these have been replaced with artificial bones, but one real skull and two leg bones are still on display in the captain’s bedroom.
A number of visual and auditory effects at Disneyland are so subtle they can be easily missed. The image of the Cheshire Cat appears from time to time in the mirror in the Mat Hatter’s shop; the evil witch can occasionally be seen peeping from Sleeping Beauty’s Castle; and Snow White’s wishing well occasionally emits strains of Snow White’s song. Guests can also hear a surprise sound by touching the golden apple at the beginning of the queue to Snow White’s Scary Adventures.
Hidden Mickeys at Disneyland
One of the best-known pieces of trivia at Disneyland is the presence of hidden Mickey shapes around the park. These can be formed by any objects which make the classic three-circled Mickey shape (one for the face, two for the ears). A couple of examples include the lights illuminating the steps in the Main Street cinema, and craters on the moon in the Peter Pan ride.
Asking Cast Members for Special Privileges at Disneyland
Cast members at Disneyland are trained to give guests special privileges upon request. There are no guarantees, as some of these privileges can only be granted to a certain number of guests per ride – but it’s worth a try! Monorail visitors should ask to be seated in the Lilly Belle, the carriage that belonged to Walt’s wife Lillian. The driver might also let one or two lucky guests sit in the front car.
Small guests can also ask the skipper of the Mark Twain for sailing privileges – as the boat runs on rails and does not require actual steering, the skipper is generally happy to surrender the wheel.
Veteran cast members in particular can often be prevailed upon to tell a story or two about the park or Disney legends. Pick cast members who don’t look busy and whose pins indicate they have worked at the park for several years. Ask them about Disneyland ghost stories, memorable incidents in the park, anecdotes about the face characters, ride breakdowns and tips for avoiding long queues.
Disneyland’s Historical Trivia and Artifacts
The history of Disneyland is embedded in the park, sometimes in amusing and unexpected ways. A wall by the locker rentals off Main Street unexpectedly changes pattern midway from uniform to wavy bricks – this was a test pattern to see which bricks looked best, and was never taken down.
Walt Disney’s statue with Mickey Mouse also has a story attached. As a Cast Member might tell you, Walt Disney always regretted his lack of height. When he died, the statue was created a few inches taller than his real height in order to give him his wish. Other tributes to Walt abound around the park. His opening speech – “To all those who come to Disneyland, welcome...” – is played continuously in Morse code near the train station. A light burns constantly in his apartment above the fire station on Main Street, symbolising that Walt is always present in the park.
For the scoop on Disneyland's most sumptuous secret, read about Club 33.
Sarah Tennant - Sarah Tennant is a onetime English major who lives in New Zealand with her husband and two small children. Her interests range from ...
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