Last Updated on April 30, 2021
Disneyland is a playground for the child in all of us.
Looking back on our recent family Disneyland adventure (and wishing we were still at the happiest place on earth, of course), we thought it would be fun to share some of the interesting facts about Disneyland that we learned while we were there. It had been seven years since our last visit, so we found we were rusty on Disney know-it-all, so all of this information seemed so new to us.
Enjoy!
- Mickey Heads – There are hidden mickey heads everywhere. If you take a moment to pay closer attention as you wander around Disneyland, you will find Mickey heads placed where you would least expect to find them. One of the Mickey heads we found was near the bottom on the “Fairies Welcome” Pixie Hollow sign. When you’re all Disneyland’ out, scoping out Mickey heads is a great way to extend your time in the park while still having fun.
- Main Street U.S.A. – This ‘town’ is modeled on Walt’s memories from his childhood in Marceline, Missouri. It is rooted in a simpler time. Though it does not reflect the town as it actually was, it reflects the memories Walt had of the town. It has been said that Walt used to come into Disneyland before opening so he could drive the Carnation milk truck around Main Street.
- The lantern that is visible through the upstairs window of the Fire Station is a reminder of the days when Walt would keep watch over the park from up there. He would leave the lamp on in the window to let the cast members know that he was staying over. It now remains lit to show that Walt’s spirit is present. Walking through the park, you can definitely feel that he is indeed watching over the park — the magic he created is very much still alive. The only time it is turned off is said to be when his daughters are in the park, out of respect.
- Main Street is built in perspective. If you are walking toward the castle, it doesn’t seem very far away. If you are exiting the park, Main Street will look longer. Also, the buildings are designed to look bigger than what they actually are.
- Sleeping Beauty’s Castle is only 77 feet high. It was designed to appear taller through using forced perspective.
- Disneyland’s address is 1313, for the thirteenth letter of the alphabet, which is the letter M. The Address spells “MM” for “Mickey Mouse”.
- Main Street is based on 1910 America, while Tomorrowland was designed to represent 1986. Both years were chosen because they were Halley’s Comet years.
- A treasured tradition of the Walt Disney company is getting to have your name on a window on Main Street. It is a great way to discover the people who have made the magic happen. Taking the time to read several of the windows was interesting – and we even found the one dedicated to Walt Disney himself. There are three criteria that must be met before recieving a window dedication: (1) Only on retirement, (2) Highest level of service, respect, and achievement and (3) Must be an agreement between top individual park management and Walt Disney Imagineering.
- The Disney family crest is located above the drawbridge on Sleeping Beauty’s castle. The drawbridge has only ever been used twice (it actually works!): once on opening day and the second for the opening of the remodeled Fantasyland.
- The Dream suite is located directly above the Pirates of the Caribbean. This luxury apartment was meant to entertain VIP guest during special events. It includes a living room, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and an open air patio. Park guests are also randomly selected to stay inside the suite.
- The Indiana Jones line has fun, interactive features: (1) Once you are inside the temple and have made it through the caves there is a part of the line that looks like a bridge. Over head there will be spikes in the ceiling and certain bricks on the ground will have a diamond insignia carved into them. As you walk through you will notice on the left there is a peculiar looking bamboo post that is slightly curved. If you pull on this post something will happen. You will hear a loud noise and the ceiling will drop just a little bit. (2) As the line moves on you will come to an open room that has a big obelisk in the middle. As you walk around it you will notice a sign that says do not pull rope. Pull on it! you will hear the “person” inside say something to you!
- Disneyland has an underground system of tunnels for the purpose of taking out trash and deliveries. The tunnels do not connect and are not extensive, like those at Disney World.
- With Disney parks in Asia, Europe, and North America, the sun literally never sets on Disney parks.
- There is never a trash can more than 30 steps from where you are in Disney parks.
- Devices called “Smellitizers” can be found all over Disney parks, and emit scents in certain areas to match the surroundings. Whether it’s a waft of sea salt in Pirates Of The Caribbean, or vanilla in Main Street, your senses are constantly being played.
- The Disneyland Matterhorn is 147 feet tall, making it exactly 1/100 the size of the actual mountain. Disneyland is also the only Disney Park where you can experience this ride.
- Employees can enjoy a little basketball game or two while on break from their work. And they can do it inside the Matterhorn. Apparently, there’s a half-court basketball court located in the top of the Matterhorn. Workers can hang out, shoot hoops and even play a game of ping-pong.
- A legion of some 200 feral cats roam the Disney grounds after sunset, keeping the rodent population in check. The animals are well cared for: Disney spays and neuters adults, and brings kittens to shelters. Food stations are set up throughout the park.
- From groundbreaking to opening, Disneyland was built in just 365 days.
- Disneyland was supposed to fail. Opening day was such a disaster that every press organization that attended the celebration had predicted the park’s failure within one year.
What cool Disneyland facts did we miss? What do you think are the coolest Disneyland facts?