General Disneyland Secrets
A note to readers: As I put together this site, I wasn't sure what level of Disney fans it would attract. For example, people who have been to Disneyland once or twice would have a very different level of secrets knowledge than, say, die-hard Disneyphiles! So, to prevent anyone from being bored or overly confused, I tried to make a good balance of content. However, if you are pretty familiar with Disneyland and its history, I recommend skimming this page, then continuing on to the lands.
In the beginning...
Before delving deeper into Disneylandia, it's best to get a basic overview of Disneyland's early concept and history. So, here's a highly condensed version of the conception of the Happiest Place on Earth!
The concept:
Prior to the construction of Disneyland, Walt Disney was already very successful. He was known primarily for his animations, which were extremely popular (ie: Pinocchio, Cinderella, Snow White & the Seven Dwarves). But legend has it that on one hot summer's day, Disney came up with one of his greatest ideas.
Walt would often take his young daughters. Sharon and Diane, to Griffith Park in Los Angeles to ride the carousel. At this time, "family entertainment destination" meant either cheap, dirty carnivals, similarly dirty and un-maintained boardwalks, or children's play parks. Walt had never liked the first two of those, so, as he sat on a bench and watched as his daughters rode the carousel, he came up wiht an idea. What if he could create a place that was clean, and fun for small children... but was also fun for adults? The idea never really left his mind, and before long, plans for Disneyland were coming together.
However, Walt's "Disneyland" had more critics than fans. People said it was way too expensive, that the time frame for construction was unreasonable, and that it was just impossible. The latter wasn't true, but the first two very much were, and so that might have contributed to the fact that
The concept:
Prior to the construction of Disneyland, Walt Disney was already very successful. He was known primarily for his animations, which were extremely popular (ie: Pinocchio, Cinderella, Snow White & the Seven Dwarves). But legend has it that on one hot summer's day, Disney came up with one of his greatest ideas.
Walt would often take his young daughters. Sharon and Diane, to Griffith Park in Los Angeles to ride the carousel. At this time, "family entertainment destination" meant either cheap, dirty carnivals, similarly dirty and un-maintained boardwalks, or children's play parks. Walt had never liked the first two of those, so, as he sat on a bench and watched as his daughters rode the carousel, he came up wiht an idea. What if he could create a place that was clean, and fun for small children... but was also fun for adults? The idea never really left his mind, and before long, plans for Disneyland were coming together.
However, Walt's "Disneyland" had more critics than fans. People said it was way too expensive, that the time frame for construction was unreasonable, and that it was just impossible. The latter wasn't true, but the first two very much were, and so that might have contributed to the fact that
Opening day was a disaster!
Looking at the park nowadays, it's hard to believe that it had such humble beginnings, but it's true! In fact, if the first guests had liked the park any less, then there might not even be a Disneyland today. Some of the worst stuff that happened was-
- No drinking fountains! Walt Disney was low on funds, so he had to choose- Drinking fountains? Or restrooms? Needless to say, he went with restrooms.
- The general public was convinced that Disneyland was going to be a collosal flop (papers called it "Disney's Folly") so many potential guests steered clear on opening day!
- It's a very common misconception that the cement was still wet on opening day, and ladies' high heels stuck in it. However, this is not true- the cement was poured very hastily the night before, but ladies' high heels stuck in it because the asphalt was so rough, and had huge divets in it. Regardless, I doubt the ladies who got their heels stuck appreciated the difference!
- Despite the bad press, vendors at the park were not expecting that many guests, and they ran out of food really quickly!
- There was a gas leak in Fantasyland, and it caused Fantasyland, Frontierland, and Aventureland to be closed for most of the afternoon!
- Rides were breaking down right and left, and nearly all of them were closed for repair for some period of time during the day.
Yet even though the day was a catastrophe from a managing standpoint, the visitors all LOVED it! More and more people came every day- and, as they say, the rest is history. :)
- No drinking fountains! Walt Disney was low on funds, so he had to choose- Drinking fountains? Or restrooms? Needless to say, he went with restrooms.
- The general public was convinced that Disneyland was going to be a collosal flop (papers called it "Disney's Folly") so many potential guests steered clear on opening day!
- It's a very common misconception that the cement was still wet on opening day, and ladies' high heels stuck in it. However, this is not true- the cement was poured very hastily the night before, but ladies' high heels stuck in it because the asphalt was so rough, and had huge divets in it. Regardless, I doubt the ladies who got their heels stuck appreciated the difference!
- Despite the bad press, vendors at the park were not expecting that many guests, and they ran out of food really quickly!
- There was a gas leak in Fantasyland, and it caused Fantasyland, Frontierland, and Aventureland to be closed for most of the afternoon!
- Rides were breaking down right and left, and nearly all of them were closed for repair for some period of time during the day.
Yet even though the day was a catastrophe from a managing standpoint, the visitors all LOVED it! More and more people came every day- and, as they say, the rest is history. :)
A ticket to Disneyland? That'll be $1, please.
When Disneyland first opened, admission cost just one dollar! Even with inflation, that would be just $8.57 by today's standards. Of course, back then, a ticket into the park only did just that- it allowed you into the park. If you wanted to actually go on any rides, or see any shows, you would have to buy a ticket book. These contained tickets labeled with various letters- A, B, C, D, and, starting in 1959, E.
"A" connotated a minor attraction, like King Arthur's Carousel, or a ride on a Main Street Fire Engine. "B" was slightly better- The Swiss Family Treehouse (now Tarzan's Treehouse) and Casey Jr. Circus Train were both accessible with a B ticket. "C" allowed you into most of the Fantasyland dark rides as well as the Mad Tea Party.* "D" was originally the highest ticket, reserved for Flight to the Moon, either of the Rivers of America boats, and a few others. "E" ticket, though, the best of the bunch, got you into the really "cool" rides, like Pirates of the Carribean, Matterhorn Bobsleds, or the Haunted Mansion. (For more cool info about ticket books, check out Yesterland.)
"A" connotated a minor attraction, like King Arthur's Carousel, or a ride on a Main Street Fire Engine. "B" was slightly better- The Swiss Family Treehouse (now Tarzan's Treehouse) and Casey Jr. Circus Train were both accessible with a B ticket. "C" allowed you into most of the Fantasyland dark rides as well as the Mad Tea Party.* "D" was originally the highest ticket, reserved for Flight to the Moon, either of the Rivers of America boats, and a few others. "E" ticket, though, the best of the bunch, got you into the really "cool" rides, like Pirates of the Carribean, Matterhorn Bobsleds, or the Haunted Mansion. (For more cool info about ticket books, check out Yesterland.)
A famous first guest...
The official first person to enter the park with a ticket was Walt's brother Roy, but a little boy who entered a little bit later would grow up to be even more famous! George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars, was one of the first guests to enter Disneyland. He was 11 years old.
Listen closely, and keep your eyes to the ground...
This isn't a huge secret, but did you ever notice that, as you go from land to land, the ground beneath you changes? For example, in Fantasyland, there are cobblestones, and on Main Street,