The Disneyland You Thought You Knew

The Disneyland You Thought You Knew Did you know that the organ in the ballroom of the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland is the same organ that was in the 1954 version of 20,000 Leagues under the Sea? Or that the reason the Tiki Room has bathrooms is because it was originally designed to be a restaurant?

You may have thought that you had experienced Disneyland before; after all, you’ve ridden the teacups and taken pictures with all your favorite Disney characters. What more does Disneyland have to offer?

There can’t be much more to discover. Let’s not be too hasty! The amusement park holds many secrets unbeknownst to even the most fanatical of Disney enthusiasts—hidden Mickeys, architectural illusions, and historical memorabilia just to name a few. These secrets you never knew are the perfect way to captivate you in a childlike trance. Get ready for an entire week of pirate-­‐themed swimming pools, Broadway-­‐worthy performances, and adrenaline-­‐pumping roller coasters.

So if you want a new kind of Disney adventure, throw into your agenda of churros and parades a quest to discover the many secrets and fun facts that this park has in store. You just may find that entering “the world of yesterday, tomorrow, and fantasy” can be far more than you experienced before.

Disney Deals At any vacation destination, travelers are always looking for that secret deal to help stretch their wallets, and Disney is no exception. The park has several packages that are all available on their website, http://disneyland.disney.go.com/. You can also get discounts for being a Southern California resident or for being a AAA member. However, if you’re looking for additional discounts, you may be disappointed.

Disney does a good job at maintaining its prices without the need for promotions. Besides, saving money isn’t the secret to happiness but a slew of Disney mysteries might be! Check out our online exclusive for in-­‐park favorites and the best bangs for your buck.

Tricking Your Senses Walt Disney took a lot of care and used a lot of creativity when designing Disneyland. He wanted to make sure that it was a place where adults could feel like kids, and kids could feel like adults. Even the most minute of details were considered in the production of his land. For instance, Walt was so careful that he refused to have 90-­‐degree angles on the sidewalks. He thought they would be too harsh, so instead he had all curbs curved.

Disney also implemented a lot of what is called forced perspective. You may notice that Main Street, USA seems longer going toward the castle than it does leaving. That is because the street narrows slightly, giving the illusion of a longer street as you enter, and a shorter street as your tired legs walk you out at the end of the day. Forced perspective is also used on the Matterhorn and Sleeping Beauty’s Castle. Larger trees are planted at the bottom of the Matterhorn, and they slowly decrease as they go up. The trees at the top are a mere two feet tall, though they appear much bigger. The lower elements of the castle are larger than those at the top, giving an illusion of a building much taller than the 77 feet that the castle really is.

The Disney design team also did their homework when they created what they call, Noseeum (no-­‐see-­‐ um) green. This, along with several variations of the color, is what Disney paints things when they do not want you to notice them. For example, the door to Club 33, an elite Disney club with a three-­‐year waiting list, a $25,000 initiation fee, and yearly dues of $10,000, is painted Noseeum green in order to detract attention from its entrance.

As you try to find hidden doors and admire while admiring the architectural genius of Disneyland, you will smell wafts of fresh-­‐baked waffle cones, popcorn, and candy. This is no coincidence. Disney actually uses a Smellitzer, a machine that blows delectable scents through the vents of Disney stores. Disney

employs this technique to draw more customers into the store. They know that guests are more likely to buy something they smell than something they simply see.

Riddles of the Rides Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, the Matterhorn, Space Mountain, and It’s a Small World are all classic rides that appear on every Disney patron’s to-­‐do list. But there is more than meets the eye with these classics. As you and your friends take the plunge down Splash Mountain or whirl in a Mad Tea Party teacup, think on these fun facts and tips to make the experience a bit more magical.

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The Haunted Mansion is actually located outside of the Disneyland Park. The room you first enter is an elevator that takes you underground, where you will then walk under the railroad tracks outside of the park to begin the ride.

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If you ask the captain of the Mark Twain Steamboat to let you steer the boat, he will let you man the helm and will also give you a free souvenir certificate.

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Actresses dressed as mermaids used to sit on the rocks in the middle of the water where the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage now stands. However, Disneyland stopped this because too many men were jumping into the water and swimming out to meet them.

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Each horse on King Arthur’s Carousel has a name. The lead horse with gold bells on its harness is named Jingles, and was Walt Disney’s favorite. You can get the complete horse roster at City Hall, located at the beginning of Main Street, USA.

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Snow White’s Scary Adventures was originally just Snow White’s Adventures. Scary was added after the fact to inform guests of the ride’s frightening nature.

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Within the top of the Matterhorn, there is a basketball court where Matterhorn hikers can shoot hoops after reaching the top.

Whoever you are, whatever your age, Disneyland holds the keys to free your inner child and to make magic a reality. Now you can enter its gates and discover anew the Disneyland you thought you knew.

Side Bar – Did You Know?

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Over 200 cats roam Disneyland Park at night helping keep down the rodent population.

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The show Fantasmic! lasts only 22 minutes, but costs $75,000 to produce.

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Disneyland does not sell chewing gum in the park to better maintain its clean atmosphere.

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If you’re a coffee drinker, the Market House on Main Street, USA is the only place where you can get free refills.

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The Disney family crest adorns the archway of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle.

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You can watch the fireworks show with audio from the rooftop pool at Paradise Pier Hotel.

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Sleeping Beauty’s Castle has a functioning drawbridge. It has only been lowered twice, however.

The first was on opening day, and the second was in 1983 when Fantasyland was remodeled.

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You can ride in the front of both the Monorail and the train. All you have to do is ask!

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Goofy’s water at Mickey’s Toontown gas station is lit with different colors after dark.

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Whenever Walt Disney was in his apartment above the firehouse, he left a light burning so guests knew he was in. Since his death, a light remains burning in his window to let guests know that his spirit is always there.

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Every cast member, including the horses, wears a nametag.

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At the New Orleans Train Station, you will hear a tapping sound. What you are listening to is a Morse code version of Walt Disney’s opening day remarks.

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The left track of the Matterhorn is faster than the right.

Online Exclusive Facts

Hidden Characters

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There are hundreds of hidden Mickeys throughout the park. There are even entire books and websites dedicated to finding them all. You can purchase books dedicated entirely to helping you find the hidden Mickeys. One of the most popular ones is Hidden Mickeys: A Guidebook to Disneyland’s Best Kept Secrets.

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Mrs. Potts and Chip can be found in Tarzan’s Treehouse.

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There is an Eeyore Parking Lot sign in Indiana Jones Adventure, Temple of the Forbidden Eye because the ride was built on what used to be the Eeyore parking lot.

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You can find Dumbo illuminated by a black light on the left-­‐hand side of the first cave on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

More fun facts

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The vocal talents of the narrator throughout the Haunted House belong to Paul Frees, the same man who rendered his voice for the Pillsbury Doughboy.

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The cannons in the Town Square are actual cannons used by the French Army in the 19th century.

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The holographic apple offered by the hag in Snow White’s Scary Adventure used to be a real prop. Riders kept stealing it though, so a holographic one was put in its place.

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The Dumbo the Flying Elephant ride that is currently in Fantasyland is not the original. The one that stands today was originally made for Disneyland, Paris. However, when the original broke down, Disney decided to install the new one in Disneyland, and Paris had to wait.

Tara Walker 10/10/12 1:52 AM Comment [1]: You discuss finding the hidden Mickey’s in the article—do you think this fact should be there as well?

Cameron 10/10/12 4:52 PM Comment [2]: I think that if it’s on an online exclusive, then yes. We can even turn the book into a link that will take it to where the reader can purchase it