Surprising Secret Disneyland Facts (Revealed)

As any Disney Nerd knows, there are so many layers to uncover and explore when it comes to secret Disneyland facts.

Secret Disneyland facts reveal intriguing details: Adventureland houses the exclusive Dream Suite above the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. Some skeletons in the Pirates ride were real, sourced from UCLA Medical School. The Jungle Cruise hides a concealed hippo, and the Indiana Jones ride line has hidden messages and tributes.

These secrets add layers of magic to the iconic park.

From hidden attractions and special events to movie props and real skeletons, there’s always something new to discover at Disneyland.

In this article, we’ll be focusing specifically on secret Disneyland facts, sharing some insider knowledge and debunking some common myths.

(The Ultimate Guide to Disneyland)

Introduction to these secret Disneyland facts

For example, did you know that Disneyland was the first theme park of its kind in the world?

It was also the first Disney park to be built outside of the United States, with Disneyland Paris opening in 1992 and Tokyo Disneyland opening in 1983.

Disneyland has also been the site of many firsts, including the first-ever live televised event in color (the Disneyland opening ceremony in 1955) and the first-ever ride to use the Omnimover system (Adventure Thru Inner Space in 1967).

Whether you’re a seasoned Disneyland veteran or planning your first visit, there’s something here for everyone.

So get ready to take a deep dive into the inner workings of this iconic theme park and learn some of the lesser-known facts and secrets that make it so special.

Who knows, you might even discover a few secrets of your own!

Adventureland: Secret Disneyland Facts

Adventureland is home to one of Disneyland’s most exclusive secrets – the Dream Suite.

Located above the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, this luxurious apartment was originally built to host VIP guests during special events.

It features a living room, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and an open-air patio.

Today, park guests have the chance to be randomly selected to stay in the Dream Suite, making it a truly unforgettable experience.

From 1987 to 2007, the Dream Suite served as the Disney Gallery, but it was later converted back into a guest suite.

Pirates of the Caribbean

Pirates of the Caribbean is another popular ride at Disneyland, and it has a few secrets of its own.

Did you know that some of the skeletons on the ride are real? When the ride first opened in the late 1960s, real skeletons from the UCLA Medical School were used because they looked more realistic.

Today, only one real skeleton remains, and you can find it by looking for the skull on the bed’s headboard.

Another fun fact about the Pirates of the Caribbean ride is that the dog holding the keys was modeled after Walt Disney’s own dog.

Indiana Jones

Indiana Jones is a must-see attraction at Disneyland, and there are plenty of secrets to discover while you wait in line.

As you make your way through the temple, keep an eye out for the strange-looking bamboo post on the left.

If you pull on it, the ceiling will drop a bit!

Later, you’ll come across a room with a large obelisk in the middle and a sign that says “Do not pull rope.”

Of course, you’ll want to pull on the rope to hear the secret message hidden inside.

Throughout the line, you’ll also see messages written on the walls in Mara. To decode them, you can get a special decoder card.

Additionally, if you look closely, you may spot a hidden tribute to the employee parking lot that was used to build the Indiana Jones ride.

In the screening room, look back at the projector and you’ll see an Eyeore sign – a reference to the Eeyore parking lot that used to be in this spot.

And speaking of movie props, just after the newsreel section, the queue passes by Indiana’s office, which is filled with props from some of the Indiana Jones movies.

There’s so much to discover on the Indiana Jones ride, and these are just a few of the secrets to look out for.

Keep your eyes peeled and you may discover even more hidden gems as you make your way through the line.

The Jungle Cruise

The Jungle Cruise is another classic ride at Disneyland, and it has a few secrets of its own. For example, if you keep an eye out as you float through the jungle, you may spot a hidden hippo lurking in the water.

There’s also a hidden Mickey Mouse to be found in the jungle – can you spot it? And if you listen closely, you might hear the sounds of a hidden shrine as you pass by.

The Enchanted Tiki Room is another popular attraction at Disneyland, and it’s full of secrets to discover.

As you sit and listen to the singing birds and tiki gods, keep an ear out for the hidden Mickey Mouse that can be heard throughout the show.

You might also catch a glimpse of the talking tiki gods, who come to life in unexpected ways.

Secret Disneyland facts about Frontierland

Frontierland is a land of adventure and excitement at Disneyland, and it has a few secrets of its own.

One of the most well-known secrets is the Golden Horseshoe, a saloon-themed theater that was once home to the popular live show “The Golden Horseshoe Revue.”

The show ran from 1955 to 1986 and featured a variety of musical and comedy acts. Today, the Golden Horseshoe is open for special events and private parties, and it’s also home to a secret menu.

If you ask your server, you might be able to order off the secret menu, which features dishes like the “Boot Hill” burger and the “Deadwood Stage” salad.

Tomorrowland

Tomorrowland is a land of the future at Disneyland, and it’s full of innovative attractions and secrets to discover.

One of the most well-known secrets is the Submarine Voyage, a ride that takes you on an underwater adventure through a simulated submarine.

What many people don’t know is that the subs are actually real and were used in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

After the war, they were purchased by Walt Disney and retrofitted for use in the ride.

Another secret to look out for in Tomorrowland is the Innoventions building, which was once home to the “House of the Future.”

The house, which was sponsored by Monsanto, was a fully furnished home built entirely out of plastic and featured many futuristic technologies that never caught on, such as the microwave oven and the touch-sensitive kitchen counter.

Critter Country

Critter Country is a land of fun and adventure at Disneyland, and it’s home to one of the park’s most beloved secrets – the Splash Mountain log flume ride.

Many people don’t know that the ride is based on the old Disney movie “Song of the South,” which was released in 1946 and is now considered controversial due to its depiction of African Americans.

Despite the controversy, the ride remains popular and is beloved by many guests.

Another secret to look out for in Critter Country is the beaver dam in the Rivers of America.

As you float past, listen carefully and you might hear the sounds of the beavers working on their dam.

New Orleans Square

New Orleans Square is a land of mystery and adventure at Disneyland, and it has a few secrets of its own.

One of the most well-known secrets is the Haunted Mansion, a classic ride that takes you on a tour through a haunted house filled with ghosts, ghouls, and other spooky creatures.

What many people don’t know is that the mansion is actually two stories tall, with the second story being used for storage and as a workshop for Imagineers.

Another secret to look out for in New Orleans Square is the Club 33, a private members-only club that is located above the Blue Bayou restaurant.

The club, which was originally created for Walt Disney’s use, is known for its exclusive atmosphere and luxurious amenities, including a fine dining restaurant and a jazz club.

Toontown

Mickey’s Toontown is a land of fun and whimsy at Disneyland (especially after Mickey’s Toontown reopening), and it’s full of secrets to discover.

One of the most well-known secrets is the Toontown Tunnels, a series of underground tunnels that connect the various areas of Toontown.

The tunnels were originally built to allow cast members and maintenance personnel to move around the park without being seen by guests.

Another secret to look out for in Mickey’s Toontown is the Mickey’s House and Meet Mickey attraction, which features a replica of Mickey Mouse’s house.

Many people don’t know that the house is actually a fully furnished home that was built to scale and includes many authentic details, such as a working refrigerator and a functioning fireplace.

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is a land of adventure and excitement at Disneyland, and it’s full of secrets to discover.

One of the most well-known secrets is the interactive experience known as the Play Disney Parks app, which allows guests to participate in various activities and games throughout Galaxy’s Edge.

Using the app, guests can scan objects and interact with various characters and elements of the land.

Another secret to look out for in Galaxy’s Edge is the animatronic figures that can be found throughout the land, including a life-size R2-D2 and a towering AT-AT.

These figures are highly detailed and are operated by Imagineers using a complex system of hydraulics and motors.

Final thoughts on these secret Disneyland facts

Disneyland is a land of magic and adventure, and it’s full of secrets to discover.

From the exclusive Dream Suite in Adventureland to the hidden hippo in the Jungle Cruise, there’s always something new to explore and learn at this iconic theme park.

Whether you’re a seasoned fan or visiting for the first time, Disneyland has something for everyone.

So next time you’re at the park, keep your eyes peeled and your ears open, and see how many secrets you can discover!