New Orleans might be one of the most famous waterfront cities in the world. When Disneyland built a square paying tribute to the city in the 1960s, Imagineers had an impossible challenge. How do you build a waterfront city in firmly landlocked Anaheim? Well, one tiny visual trick came to the rescue: the Port of […] Read more…
It’s amazing how quickly Disneyland memorabilia changes over time. How could we have known back in the day that 50s and 60s souvenirs would be so highly coveted? Originally, Disneyland didn’t have any official place preserving mementos of the past. But in 1995, on the park’s 40th anniversary, cast members buried a time capsule (called […] Read more…
Adventureland has no shortage of stunning palm trees, towering above visitors. But one tree has a unique history, predating the rest of the park. Meet the Dominguez Tree, the tall palm to the right of the Jungle Cruise boathouse. Source: Disney Parks Blog This tree’s story begins in 1896, almost 60 years before Disneyland’s opening. […] Read more…
Out of all the lands in Disneyland, Fantasyland might just have the most charm and detail. Every pillar, lamp, and windowsill plays a role, building the magical fairytale village that houses so many of Disney’s iconic characters. One of those characters, Princess Aurora, anchors the land with her magnificent castle. But she also has a […] Read more…
If you’ve ever been on Main Street USA, you’ve undoubtedly seen the Disneyland Fire Department. Mickey Mouse himself often meets guests outside the station, and the fire house band performs periodically in the square as well. But did you know you can actually step inside the fire department? Parked inside, you’ll see Walt’s favorite vehicle: […] Read more…
Take a stroll through Mickey’s Toontown, and you’ll come across tons of little shops and storefronts. As you exit Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin, take a right into the alleyway and you’ll arrive right in downtown Toontown, home to most of these unusual shops. The power plant, town gym, camera shop, and many other little […] Read more…
Main Street USA is Disneyland’s charming turn-of-the-century town. Though the road may be busy with its fleet of vehicles, Main Street also pays tribute to earlier American transportation: horses. On Main Street and in New Orleans Square, you’ll notice pillars with giant rings. These are the Hitching Posts, places for guests of yesteryear to tie […] Read more…
One of the unfortunate pieces of Tomorrowland is the empty PeopleMover track. It looms above the land, unused, and most guests don’t pay much attention to it. But if you do stop to look up at the Tomorrowland skies, you may notice a complicated structure on top of the PeopleMover’s former loading dock. Meet the […] Read more…
Whenever I visit Downtown Disney, I like to walk the grounds of the Disneyland Hotel. Even if you aren’t staying at the hotel, it’s fun to visit Trader Sam’s and explore the scenery. On the path across from Trader Sam’s, toward Frontier Tower, you’ll find a small walkway. Follow this walkway, and you’ll stumble across […] Read more…
Disneyland’s Critter Country is a land for all kinds of woodland creatures, but its most notable resident is definitely Winnie the Pooh. Pooh and friends have their own attraction, shop, and lots of little hidden tributes scattered throughout the forest. As you exit Winnie the Pooh’s ride, look to your left. See that sign? Pooh […] Read more…
Main Street USA‘s shops draw in thousands and thousands of visitors per day. Guests circle each display, to the point where many guests have merchandise locations memorized. But even the most frequent visitors sometimes miss the street’s hidden details. At first glance, the Penny Arcade seems more like a candy shop than an actual arcade. […] Read more…
If you’ve ever stopped to admire the beautiful buildings along Main Street USA, you may have noticed a few names on the second story windows. These are the legendary Windows on Main Street, an extremely rare and much coveted Disney honor. Disney legend Marty Sklar shared the qualifications for a window: Only upon retirement Only […] Read more…
Mickey’s Toontown may be a busy city center, but a few residents still manage to have beautiful yards. Goofy, in particular, has a small playground on the side of his house. En route to the playground, observant visitors will spot a raised bed poking out of the shade. You’ve stumbled into Goofy’s Garden! Goofy grows […] Read more…
If you’ve ever strolled down Main Street USA, you’ve seen the overwhelming variety of shops, window displays, and signs covering each block. But there’s more to Main Street than just shopping! This street, modeled after Walt’s hometown of Marceline, MO, has the workings of a functioning town. You’ll see City Hall, the fire house…even a […] Read more…