Since its opening in 1955, Disneyland has welcomed generations of families, including my own. The theme park resort is known for its two incredible theme parks, three on-site hotels, and a sprawling shopping and dining district. What makes Disneyland so special to so many people is it’s the only park that Walt Disney himself saw to completion. Many of his ideas and guidelines are still in place at the park today, giving it a nostalgic feel that can’t be replicated. But there’s also plenty of Disneyland secrets to discover.
While most repeat visitors have traditions and things they love to do when they pass through the gates to the Happiest Place on Earth, even the savviest of park guests don’t know everything there is to do at Disneyland or Disney California Adventure Park. If you’re looking for something new to do at Disneyland then you’re in luck. I’m sharing a full day’s worth of things you didn’t know you could do at the Disneyland Resort.
Lesser-known things to do at Disneyland
In fact, some of the best things to do at Disneyland are the secret ones—the lesser-known parts of some of the most popular park attractions and locations. Here are the most exciting and unique things you can do at Disneyland that many people don’t know about.
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1. Look for Toy Story characters in Cars Land
Cars Land is one of the most popular areas of Disney California Adventure. As you walk deeper into the land, you’ll spot the Cozy Cone Motel. This is actually a few quick-service stands for snacks and drinks, but in the center of it all is the main building for the motel. While you can’t go inside, you can walk around the building to see hidden nods to the Cars franchise. If you look closely, you’ll also spot Buzz Lightyear’s feet peeking out from a cone on a shelf. While it’s mainly Disney lore, I think this is a reference to Toy Story 2 when Buzz and the gang crossed the road underneath traffic cones.
2. Enjoy your Dole Whip inside a classic attraction
One of my favorite snacks at Disneyland is a Dole Whip. The iconic pineapple soft-serve is a treat on warm California days. But did you know you can take your Dole Whip inside a classic Disneyland attraction to enjoy too? It’s true. After you buy your Dole Whip get in line for the next showing of Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room. If you time your snack purchase just right you can grab the soft serve and walk right into the attraction to find a seat and start enjoying both your Dole Whip and the show right away.
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3. Hot dog enthusiasts will want to go to this poolside lounge
Every month at GCH Craftsman Grill at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa, a new hot dog of the month graces the menu. These gourmet hot dogs have themes that I’ve never even thought of before like a Philly cheesesteak hot dog, a chicken parmesan hot dog, and birria beef hot dogs. The wilder the toppings the better the hot dog is going to be in my opinion. The hot dogs are available at lunch and dinner and are always worth stepping away from the parks to try. This goes to show that some Disneyland secrets aren’t always found in the parks.
4. Say hi to the Little Man of Disneyland
In Adventureland, you may spot a tree trunk with a tiny house at the bottom. That house belongs to the Little Man of Disneyland. The house is a reference to the Disney Little Golden Book from 1955 titled The Little Man of Disneyland. In the story, a leprechaun lived in a tiny house at the roots of a Disneyland tree. Throughout the year the house is adorned with holiday decorations.
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5. Lamplight Lounge has a secret dining room for larger parties
Lamplight Lounge is one of my favorite spots to eat at Disney California Adventure. Since I usually travel with a small group of people, we often choose to enjoy the Boardwalk Dining section of the restaurant, which does not require a reservation. That said if you do opt for a reservation at the restaurant, you may find yourself in a secret dining room called The Office. The downstairs room is for larger groups of five or more and features artwork from Pixar animators, a private balcony to see Paradise Bay, board games, and more. You cannot request this space, but if you do get to dine here it’s like winning the Disneyland secrets lottery.
6. Find a reference to Country Bear Jamboree in Bayou Country
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure recently opened at Disneyland, and with it came a name change for the land the attraction is in from Critter Country to Bayou Country. The other attraction in this area is The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, which is in the same location that the Country Bear Jamboree used to take up residence. After the Heffalumps and Woozles scene of the Pooh-themed attraction take a quick look behind you. You’ll spot three animatronic heads from the now-defunct Country Bear Jamboree. Add this to your list of Disneyland secrets that few people find on their own.
7. Your family can ride in the front of the monorail
One of my fondest Disney memories is riding in the front of the monorail at Walt Disney World. Even though you can’t do that at the Orlando, Florida theme parks any longer, you can still hitch a ride to Disneyland in the front of the monorail. The experience is like no other, with great views of Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure, plus you get to chat with the monorail pilot who gives great insight into the history of the parks. Of course, riding in the front of the monorail is never guaranteed. You do need to ask if it’s available before assuming you can just pop up to the front.
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8. See if you can spot a yeti in the queue for Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT
Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT is my favorite ride at Disney California Adventure. I love all of the little details in the queue. One I always try to find is a yeti lurking in a corner, which just so happens to be an old animatronic from the Matterhorn Bobsleds across the esplanade at Disneyland Park. This is one of the many Disneyland secrets that avid park fans know, but it’s always fun to explore the Collectors, well… collection.
9. Spot Disney characters making popcorn around the parks
As you walk into Disneyland or Disney California Adventure you’ll likely start to smell the buttery saltiness of freshly popped popcorn. If you’re like me and love a box of fresh popcorn to enjoy while waiting for a parade, be sure to take a closer look at the popcorn carts around the parks because there’s Disneyland secrets hiding at each one. All of the carts have a miniature version of a Disney character “turning” the popcorn, called “Roastie Toasties.” Each of the popcorn carts has a character that’s themed to the area of the park they are in. For example, near the Matterhorn, you’ll find the Abominable Snowman turning popcorn, and at California Adventure, Duke Caboom turns popcorn at Pixar Pier.
10. Take a Bakery Tour at Disney California Adventure
Disney California Adventure Park is a glorified (and Disney-fied) version of California, especially in the San Fransokyo Square area of the park, which is themed after the Disney movie Big Hero 6. I love this area, especially at night when the lanterns hanging above the tables and the bridge are lit up.
With the Bakery Tour, you can get a glimpse of a working replica of Boudin Bakery in San Francisco, and see how Disneyland’s tasty sourdough bread is made. During the tour, you’ll get to sample some fresh bread baked on-site too. I like picking up a loaf of bread to take back home with me, especially the cute Mickey Mouse-shaped loaves. These loaves are also used for bread bowls at one of the quick-service restaurants in San Fransokyo Square.
11. Paddle your own canoe at Disneyland Park
Did you know there’s one attraction at Disneyland that’s fully self-powered? The Davy Crocket Explorer Canoes are completely propelled by guests and cast members. And unlike the other boats that travel along the Rivers of America, the canoes are not on a track.
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The attraction is often overlooked by guests for more thrilling rides like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad or Pirates of the Caribbean, but the canoes should be on your list of things to do next time you go to Disneyland for the pure joy of a serene trip around Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island. And don’t worry if you get tired while paddling, one of the biggest Disneyland secrets here is that your canoe guides have enough strength to make it around the river in a full boat of people without much help. Talk about a workout!
12. Peek inside Walt Disney’s apartment at Disneyland Park
Just after entering Disneyland, you’ll find the Main Street Fire Station in the main hub near the train station. Above it is a second-floor apartment where a small window light is always on. That apartment is where Walt Disney and his wife Lillian would stay whenever they were at Disneyland.
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If you book Walt’s Main Street Story Tour, you’ll have the chance to go into this normally off-limits area and see where Walt Disney and his family enjoyed their private moments in the park. A highlight of the tour is getting to see the view from the window where Walt looked out onto Main Street, U.S.A., usually before going into the park to greet guests himself. As a fan of the theme parks and Walt Disney, my favorite part of the tour is learning about Disneyland secrets and facts that I didn’t know before.
13. Spot the test wall of bricks at Disneyland Park
There’s an unusual wall in a secluded corner of Main Street, U.S.A., where a variety of bricks seem to be stacked in a haphazard way. This is known as the test wall and is a bit of Disney history in plain sight.
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The wall is said to have been used to show Walt Disney and others who worked on building Disneyland a few options for how bricks could look on the main thoroughfare in the park. But with supplies and time running short, the test wall actually made it into the park. You can find this little slice of history on the right side of Main Street, U.S.A., between Starbucks and Disney Clothiers.
14. Watch Cars Land be illuminated every night at Disney California Adventure
With three attractions and multiple dining spots, it’s no surprise that Cars Land is one of the most popular areas of Disney California Adventure. Every night, the themed area’s neon signs light up and you can hear the fan-favorite song “Sh-Boom” playing throughout the land.
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Guests often line the street or dance in the middle of the street during the music and watch everything come to life at night. It happens at a different time each night (coordinated to sunset) so be sure to ask a cast member when the lighting will take place. I like to ask about timing early in the afternoon, then arrive about 10 minutes before the lighting takes place to get a good spot to see all of the neon come on.
15. Walk through Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Park
Most guests know you can walk through the tunnel of Sleeping Beauty Castle into Fantasyland, but there’s also another entrance into the castle that leads to a walkthrough attraction. Look for the small opening just behind the castle in Fantasyland that leads into a dark corridor where you’ll be able to see displays showing the story of Sleeping Beauty.
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The walkways through Sleeping Beauty Castle are narrow and can be very dark, so if you’re taking kids to the park you may want to consider whether it’s appropriate for your little ones. I enjoy this walkthrough because it’s often not too crowded and the details in the display are beautiful.
16. Snap a photo with a petrified tree at Disneyland Park
One of the strangest Disneyland secrets is that you can spot a genuine petrified tree with a unique history in the heart of Frontierland near The Golden Horseshoe. Walt Disney originally bought the tree to be displayed at his home, but in 1957 his wife Lillian gifted the tree to Disneyland. There’s a small plaque that tells the history of the tree, and it’s a cool spot to take a photo and marvel at another nod to Walt Disney’s legacy in the park. This is the one thing I tell all of my friends and family about when they ask about weird things at Disneyland because it is truly a strange sight to behold.
