Take a spin on Dumbo the Flying Elephant, and you’ll have a panoramic view of Fantasyland – with a beautiful soundtrack in the background. So, where does this music come from? Source: Dismodo Meet the magical Dumbo Organ, standing right behind the attraction and queue. This authentic organ, built by Gavoili, dates back to 1915. […] Read more…
In Disneyland, sometimes it’s easy to forget the park has only been around since 1955. So many of the park’s fixtures just feel like they’ve always been there, from the stone architecture of Fantasyland to the dense forests of Critter Country. In fact, most of Disneyland’s components serve that specific purpose – to alter your […] Read more…
One of my favorite places in California Adventure is the long walkway at the back of Cars Land. The path connects Pacific Wharf and the plaza by Radiator Springs Racers. The whole area just has an amazing view, and a hidden gem along the roadside: the Cars Land Road Signs! The signs serve as a […] Read more…
I know I’ve said it a million times before, but Disneyland’s meticulous attention to detail never ceases to amaze me. Fantasyland might just top the list of the most detailed lands, and every accent has a purpose, helping immerse you in the magic kingdom. One of my favorite details in Fantasyland appears right as you […] Read more…
The Indiana Jones queue is by far the most elaborate in Disneyland. Visitors wander through the jungle, into an ancient temple, and through a maze of caves and stone walkways. The details carry all the way to the last piece of the attraction’s exit: the Indiana Jones Truck. This patrol truck isn’t just a piece […] Read more…
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…