Any Fantasyland fan knows about Pinocchio’s Daring Journey, a celebration of Disney’s 1940 classic. But the dark ride is not the only Pinocchio tribute in central Fantasyland. In fact, there’s a very important artifact from Pinocchio’s life hidden in plain sight: Stromboli’s Wagon. Walk past the entrance to Pinocchio’s attraction, and turn left as Fantasyland […] Read more…
The largest gift shop in Critter Country is known as Pooh Corner; it’s a place where you can meet characters, shop for handmade sweets, or build your pin collection. Most visitors to Critter Country have undoubtedly wandered through the shop’s sweet smelling rooms or wandered along the old-fashioned porch. But few notice a hidden detail […] Read more…
You know them, you love them. I wouldn’t dare suggest the beautiful mountains of Radiator Springs are themselves a hidden gem – it’s one of the most recognizable views in all of the Disneyland Resort! But look closer at the parts, not just the whole, and you’ll see seven hidden gems inside this landmark. The […] Read more…
Buena Vista Street celebrates 1920s Los Angeles, where Walt and Roy founded Walt Disney Productions and changed the world of animation forever. So where better in the park to hide a little tribute to his legendary team? First, we have to know who we’re looking for. You may have heard of Walt Disney’s Nine Old […] Read more…
Cars Land is the undisputed car capital of Disneyland. Car-themed attractions, restaurants, shops, meet & greets…not to mention the entire place is an exact recreation of the town from the movie Cars! But hop across the park gates and you’ll find another land in the resort is also full of cars, each with its own […] Read more…
A while back, I wrote about a hidden gem in Splash Mountain‘s shadow: Mr. Bluebird’s House. Like its neighboring mountain, this house comes from Song of the South; it’s the home of the “bluebird sittin’ on your shoulder’ in “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Da”. Recently, Disneyland made a few cosmetic upgrades to Critter Country. One of these changes meant the arrival […] Read more…
All the birds sing words and the flowers croon…in the Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Room! Well…all birds but one. If you’ve ever visited the Enchanted Tiki Room, you’ve heard Jose’s unanswered question: “I wonder what happened to Rosita?” This mysterious lady disappeared long ago from the Tiki Room, but until recently, her fate remained […] Read more…
When most people think of Mickey’s Toontown, they think of Mickey, and maybe Roger Rabbit. But this little land tucked beyond Fantasyland celebrates all kinds of Disney lore. You’ll find a toon version of the Windows on Main Street, tributes to Disney legends, and even a nod to Walt Disney Animation Studios. Toontown’s Department of […] Read more…
Everyone knows the place to find Jack O Lanterns at Disneyland is Main Street during Halloween; they line the windows of shops, adorn balconies, and sometimes sit on restaurant tabletops. But one special pumpkin hides in Disneyland all year long, in a place you probably wouldn’t expect. Swing by Goofy’s Playhouse during any season, and […] Read more…
Downtown Disney isn’t known for its attention to detail in quite the same way as the resort’s two parks. But if you wander the shops, restaurants, and hotels with sharp eyes, you’ll definitely spot some amazing little details. One of my favorites is in the last place you’d guess: Starbucks. Head over to the Starbucks […] Read more…
Buena Vista Street is California Adventure’s primary nostalgia spot. Guests here can enjoy handmade sweets, listen to the 5 & Dime, or hop on the Red Car Trolley. Like Main Street, Buena Vista Street’s nostalgia doesn’t fully extend into the shops; virtually every retail space sells the newest Disney goods. But one shop has a […] Read more…
There’s a very distinct Disneyland experience to be had in Mickey’s Toontown. Sure, in Fantasyland you can meet tons of characters, but in Toontown, you get to snoop through their houses. You have uninterrupted access to Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, and Chip & Dale’s homes. Mickey and Minnie’s houses offer particularly revealing tours, where you […] Read more…
When Walt and his Imagineers designed Disneyland, they included tons of little nods to Walt’s interests, loved ones, and life. Imagineers continued these tributes without Walt during the design of California Adventure, so both parks at the Disneyland Resort celebrate the things Walt loved most. Take Buena Vista Street for example. This street is supposed […] Read more…
Fantasyland is the epicenter of royalty in Disneyland. Beneath the towers of the castle, you’ll find wandering princes and princesses, evil queens, even the occasional fairies offering counsel to various members of Disney monarchies. Fantasyland provides a regal backdrop for these characters, right down to the tiniest details. On various signs, banners, and gold detailing, […] Read more…