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So you’re planning a trip to Disneyland in California and want to plan your day at the park. Must see attractions, where to eat and what to shop for: all very important. But why just have an ordinary day, when you can impress your family and friends with your insider knowledge about the park? You’ll find the following list split up into the themed lands of the park.
Main Street USA
Fire Station – In the upstairs window over the firehouse entrance, there is a light that is always lit in honor of the park’s founder, Walt Disney. The upper floor of the fire house was Walt’s private apartment when he stayed at the park while it was under construction.
Windows above Main Street businesses – You will see names painted on the windows. These names are of animators and park officials back from the early days of the Walt Disney Studios and during the conception of the park. If you look carefully, you’ll see Walt’s brother Roy immortalized.
Plaza Inn – Not only is this a great place to eat, but it was Walt’s favorite eatery.
Tomorrowland
Innoventions – Hidden Mickey’s abound in this attraction. Here is a clue to start you out. Look between the 3rd and 5th rows on the computer keyboards in the Frontier of Tomorrow section. You find Mickey’s name spelled out.
Star Tours – Intercom announcements have clues to George Lucas’ early career and a robot drone has many tales of woe to tell.
Space Mountain – It is said that Space Mountain has a resident ghost. He is said to hang out at the top of the third lift just before you start on the downward part of this wild coaster journey. Be sure and yell out your hello and don’t forget to look up at the large asteroid projected above you. It began life as a picture of a chocolate cookie.
Fantasyland
Snow White’s Secret Grotto – Be sure to visit the wonderful space of quiet solitude next to Sleeping Beauty Castle. Here you can listen to Snow White sing, hear the waterfall as it tinkles a merry tune and make a wish in the wishing well.
Sword in the Stone Ceremony – Several times a day a child is crowned as ruler of the Magic Kingdom and presented a very nice medallion and scroll. This takes place in front of King Arthur’s Carousel and the guide book will tell you the times.
Peter Pan’s Flight – As you enter the attraction, the children’s playroom comes into view, and the letter blocks spell out Disney from bottom to top.
Matterhorn Bobsleds – Only mountain in the world that contains a half court size basketball floor.
Adventureland
Indiana Jones Attraction - As you walk the path to the load area, the walls are strewn with symbols and hieroglyphics. These are the names of the attraction designers and also some cute messages, if you can decode them.
Jungle Cruise – the best thing about this ride is the corny jokes the tour guide tells!
New Orleans Square
Haunted Mansion – Tradition dictates you must say hello to the floating candlestick, affectionately known as Lumiere. Also of interest is the organ in the Grand Ballroom – this was the organ that featured in the Disney Classic ’20,000 Leagues Under the Sea’, and the voice of Madame Leota is that of the Wicked stepmother in the “Cinderella”.
Club 33 – The very exclusive and private club that Walt created for park sponsors sits above Pirates of the Caribbean and the shops of New Orleans Squares. If you look carefully you can see a very discreet brass plaque set in a doorway near the entrance of the Blue Orleans restaurant.
Critter Country
Splash Mountain – Most of the cast of Audio-Animatronics characters were recycled from the old America Sings attraction in Tomorrowland, which closed in 1988.
Frontierland
Mark Twain Paddleboat – This is the best kept secret at Disneyland. If you ask a crew member, they will speak to the ship’s captain and he will let you sail the ship! You get to sit up in the pilot house with a great view of the Rivers of America and at the end of the voyage, you get a great certificate showing you piloted the Mark Twain. A must for any true Disney fan.
Mickey’s Toontown
Everywhere in Toontown there are things to delight the senses. This is the most interactive place in the Magic Kingdom. Touch, open, pull, pound and look at everything. Manhole cover talks to you, post office boxes tell jokes, and characters abound! You never know what is going to pop out at you! One great hint is to check out the fountain and listen to what it is saying!
Well that’s all from me. There are many more discoveries for you to make on your own. Walt Disney created Disneyland as a safe and fun place for families to enjoy and discover. He truly made the Magic Kingdom ‘The Happiest Place on Earth’.
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