It’s hard to deny that magical feeling when leaving the real world behind and entering the gates of Disneyland. No matter how many trips have been made to this wonderful amusement park, part of the magic of the “Happiest Place on Earth” is that millions of people have been visiting for more than half a century, and there are still secrets to be revealed.
Many people know the Disneyland Firehouse nestled on Main Street is not just for show. The Disneyland Fire Department is fully functional and ready at the drop of mouse ears to stop a fire in its tracks. While the fire department may not be a hidden Disney treasure, what sits above it, Walt Disney’s only finished apartment, is. Although the light in the upstairs window used to signal his presence to cast members, it now stays on continuously as a salute to the man who started it all.
While delving deeper into the magical world of Disney, don’t be surprised to see a cat or two roaming the premises. When Disneyland first opened its gates in the 1950s, about 50 cats were released throughout the park out of necessity to control a pesky mice problem. While it’s unsure how many there are today, they still roam Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure, keeping the rodent population to a minimum.
Even though Disney passed away in 1966, he has never really left the park. Ever notice the telegraph clicking at the New Orleans’ train station? It’s ticking out the speech Disney gave on the park’s opening day.
Not only does the park itself hold a certain air of mystery, but there are many secrets to be discovered inside the rides as well.
Next time aboard Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin in Mickey’s Toontown, look for a guest appearance from the poison apple from “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” At one point the car nearly slams through a fruit stand of “wishing apples.” The wishing apple is what the Evil Queen gave Snow White in the timeless Disney movie and has nothing to do with Roger Rabbit.
There is more to the story of the poisonous apple. In Snow White’s Scary Adventures (renamed to warn children of the ride’s scary nature), the old hag previously offered a real apple, but when riders kept stealing the edible prop, “Imagineers” replaced it with a holographic version.
It is also interesting to note the original ride did not include any visuals of Snow White, as riders were supposed to feel as if they were the fairy tale character themselves. However, after disappointment and confusion from the riders, she was added in a Fantasyland overhaul in the early 1980s.
When taking to the skies in Peter Pan’s Flight, look down at the floor of the nursery in the first scene of the ride. The toy blocks spell out “DI5NEY” and “PPan.”
It’s almost impossible to spend a day at Disneyland without hitting one of the most infamous rides, which is technically located outside the park. The Haunted Mansion is not actually on Disneyland grounds. While traveling down the elevator of doom to the “Doom Buggies,” riders unknowingly leave the park to experience this spooky mansion.
Keep an eye out for Eeyore signs throughout Indiana Jones Adventure, as the ride is built where that section of the parking lot used to be. While riding this treacherous underground adventure, make sure to say hi to “Bones,” a skeleton wearing Mickey ears. Can’t say anyone blames him for not wanting to leave the magical (and secretive) world of Disney.
