Friday, September 28, 2018

Disneyland Fast Facts: 6th Update




Are you ready for more Disneyland trivia? We've been gathering the latest and most unusual Disneyland facts for you. So who's ready to start?

Sign Your Name in the Hidden Mailbox!


This one is super new to me and I'm very excited about it. Anyone here ever go geocaching? Basically, it's a treasure hunt that can take place anywhere. You leave something behind for people to find. Sometimes you can take/leave a small prize, or sometimes you just sign your name in a log book to show you've found it. Well, some dedicated fans have found a small, out of the way mailbox on Main Street and left something for other guests to find and sign! Now, sometimes Cast Members clear it out, so if you find this little box and there's nothing inside, you can start your own log! I've even heard of someone starting a new one at Mr. Bluebird's house near the exit of Splash Mountain. Who's going to go find it???

Hidden Initials in Fantasy Faire

Photo Credit: Mice Chat
Fantasy Faire is an adorable spot for anyone who loves the Disney Princesses and character interaction. But if you miss the original Carnation Gardens Plaza, an awesome place to relax, eat (until 1999), hear music, or even go swing dancing on the weekends, then you might be interested to know that they left a little tribute when it closed back in 2012. The initials CPG (for Carnation Plaza Gardens) along with a trio of carnations can be spotted on the archway that leads from Fantasy Faire to Rancho del Zocalo restaurant.

Peter and Wendy Left Initials Too

Photo Credit: I'm Your Fairy Godmother

Speaking of initials...did you know that Peter Pan and Wendy Darling carved their initials in a tree near Snow White's Wishing Well? See if you can spot it on your next visit!

Home Alone at the Monorail Station

Photo Credit: Disneyland Celebrities
This one is so bizarre, I wish I had more answers. There is a VHS copy of Home Alone 2 hidden in the rafters above the Monorail Station in Downtown Disney!!! All you have to do is look up. Let's hope it doesn't get mysteriously removed now that it's getting a little publicity.

Roger Rabbit Original Design Left Behind

Photo and Fact Credit: DisneylandOnDemand
Did you know the original design for Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin had the ride go up to a second story and outside in front of the building? (Much like when you're out on the leaves during Alice in Wonderland.) Well, the idea was abandoned during construction due to the weight of the cars, but not before the second story area was already built. If you take a look in the pic above, you can see that there's plenty of space where cars would have been able to ride in front of the building facade and enjoy a little ToonTown atmosphere.

A Little Shakespeare in the Haunted Mansion



This one sure was news to me when I first heard it. Did you know that the iconic lyrics "Grim Grinning Ghosts" in the Haunted Mansion were lifted from the William Shakespeare poem Venus and Adonus? Take a look for yourself:

Look, how the world's poor people are amaz'd
At apparitions, signs, and prodigies,
Whereon with fearful eyes they long have gaz'd,
Infusing them with dreadful prophecies;
So she at these sad sighs draws up her breath,
And, sighing it again, exclaims on Death.
'Hard-favour'd tyrant, ugly, meagre, lean,
Hateful divorce of love,'—thus chides she Death,—
'Grim-grinning ghost, earth's worm, what dost thou mean
To stifle beauty and to steal his breath,
Who when he liv'd, his breath and beauty set
Gloss on the rose, smell to the violet?

Hidden Harold in the Candy Store


Credit for both Photos: Howard Johnson Hotel
We've mentioned the Big Rock Candy Mountain in the window of Trolley Treats Candy Store before (if you need a little reminder, click here), but now we have even more to add! If you look carefully (like SERIOUSLY carefully, its tiny) you can spot a little version of Harold, the abominable snowman from the Matterhorn, lurking around in the mountain. He's even wearing the world's tiniest Mickey ears!!!

Get Your Disneyland Recipes!

Photo Credit: Disneyland Tour Guide
Love the food at Disneyland? Who doesn't?? Well, if you ask for the recipe for your fave Disney food over at City Hall, they'll give you a copy! Now, this doesn't work for every recipe, but they'll do it for any that are original to Disneyland.

Walt Had the Only Key to a Decorative Truck on Main Street

Photo Credit: Daveland Web
According to the legendary Tony Baxter, Walt Disney had the only key to the Global Van Lines truck that used to be parked on Main Street (and btw sold for $100,000 at the That's from Disneyland auction), and would drive it around Disneyland before the park opened, then put it back in its spot by the time guests would arrive.

Space Mountain is Much Bigger Than it Seems


Have you ever though about how huge the Space inside of Space Mountain is, compared to the somewhat short building you see on the outside? That's because it actually goes two stories underground to fit both the large ride space and queue areas.


So what do you think? Did you learn something new? Let us know what you love!

Thursday, September 6, 2018

HalloweenTime at Disneyland, 2018





It's September, so you know what that means...Disneyland is ready for Halloween! Get your costumes on and open a bag of Halloween candy, because we're going to run down all of the spooky fun that's coming September 7!

Special Foods

This is always our favorite part so we're starting here! Below you'll find the amazing guide to HalloweenTime food that the Disney Food Blog put out. Both parks will have specialty fall/halloween churros! There are 10 distinct flavors to try and they all sound pretty incredible. There are special desserts (like a Black Rose at the Red Rose Taverne, Spider Bundt Cake at the French Market, Pumpkin Spice Funnel Cake Fries at Award Weiners), new meals to try (we're excited about the Anti Vampire Pizza at the Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta, Haunted Firehouse Chicken Sandwich at the Carnation Cafe, and the Musubi Special at the Bengal BBQ), and even some special drinks (we're looking at you Pumpkin Hard Cider at Bayside Brews, Green Apple Spell Lemonade at Smokejumpers Grill, and Caramel Apple Smoothie at Schmoozies!). What looks best to you?



Ride Overlays

All of the fun from last year is back! Over in Disneyland expect to see (our very favorite) Haunted Mansion Holiday as well as (not a fave, but still fun) Space Mountain: Ghost Galaxy. And check out this year's spider themed Gingerbread House in the Haunted Mansion!


There are more Halloween overlays in California Adventure! ALL of Carsland gets a spooky makeover, more on that in a bit, including special decorations and music for Mater's Graveyard JamBOOree and Luigi's Honkin' Haul-o-ween.



Head over to Guardian's of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout to see the super scary Monsters After Dark. Groot was left behind during the breakout during the day, and now you have to help Rocket get past all kinds of monsters to get him back...like that ride wasn't scary enough???

Spooktacular Decorations

We were lucky enough to get to visit Disneyland during Halloween last year, and it was amazing! Scroll through for our fave decorations pics.

Adorable Jack O Lanterns surround the Partners statue on Main Street
The Halloween Tree is up in Frontierland!
Unique Jack O Lanterns decorate the shops all up and down Main Street. Elvis is my fave!
Of course, Haunted Mansion Holiday is one of the spookiest places in the park.
While there's no Matterhorn overlay for Halloween, the Halloween balloons really spook the place up, don't you think?
Oogie Boogie guides your way into California Adventure
Bats are tearing out of the tower above Carthay Circle!
Don't forget to see the Headless Horseman. And be sure to check him out at night for an extra spooky glow.
Speaking of night, purple trees are all along Buena Vista Street and in Carsland
Have a seat in a spider car, if you dare!
Halloween movies, Cars style!
Lightning and friends are in their costumes!
Head into Ramone's shop to see the Offrenda for Doc for Dia de los Muertos.
Villains' Tea

Brand new this year is the Villains' Tea Party at the Disneyland Hotel. "Trick or Tea" will run Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through Halloween and will feature food and desserts inspired by the nastiest Disney villains. Make your reservations now because this might book up fast! Premium Party is $65 per adult, Classic Party is $52, and Children are $35 each.

Photo Credit: Disney

Mickey's Halloween Party

Photo Credit: Disney

Mickey's Halloween Party is back! On select nights from September 19-Halloween, you can see the exclusive Frightfully Fun parade (led by the Headless Horseman!), the Halloween Screams fireworks show, have a meet and greet with your favorite Disney Villains, and go trick or treating around the park. I've heard the candy haul is pretty amazing. Your ticket gives your entrance to BOTH parks 3 hours before the party starts (if you don't have tickets for that day already), but you can't get all day access with only the Halloween Party tickets.

Speaking of tickets, the Halloween Party sells out fast. As of writing this blog, every Friday night party is already sold out. BUT most other nights, including Halloween itself, are still available starting at $105.

**Keep in mind if you're visiting Disneyland during this time but NOT going to a Halloween party, Disneyland Park will close early, so plan to be over at DCA during party time.