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Trivia

Snow White Wishing Well and Grotto in Disneyland

There’s quite a story behind the Snow White Grotto just off the East side of Sleeping Beauty Castle. One account claims that it all started with an unexpected gift from an Italian sculptor to Walt Disney. Could Snow and her 7 dwarfs have been based on a European boxed, soap set?

Snow White Grotto in Disneyland with wishing well in foreground
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Trivia

How Disneyland came to be

We don’t have to guess – Walt Disney told us in his own words. He was sitting on a bench in Griffith Park, Los Angeles, watching his daughters ride the Merry-Go-Round when he had a thought. There ought to be a place where both parents and children can enjoy themselves together.

Walt Disney Griffith Park Bench at Opera House in Disneyland California
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Trivia

Disneyland Popcorn Turners or “Popcorn People”

Roastie Toasties

Have you seen those little dressed-up characters cranking popcorn canisters all over Disneyland? They’re called Roastie Toasties and they’re awesome. In the early days, they were all clowns. Not any more …

Clown popcorn turner roastie toastie at The Castle Hub in Disneyland
Roastie Toastie at the Castle Hub
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Trivia

Jolly Holiday Restaurant

Mary Poppins themed restaurant in Disneyland

Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe Sign at Disneyland

The Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe in Disneyland, CA is no ordinary restaurant. Why? Because it’s “practically perfect in every way.” This restaurant in Disneyland is loaded, and I mean loaded, with Mary Poppins references. From stained glass penguins on the windows, to Bert’s chalk drawings on the floor, to the weather vane on the roof and everything in between! And I don’t think I’ve seen HALF of what’s actually there. Let’s take a tour.

Jolly Holiday Restaurant at Disneyland California exterior view
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Trivia

Disneyland Partners Statue – 3 Secrets

Walt Disney and Mickey Partners Statue

You’ve walked past the Disneyland Partners Statue many times, but have you really looked at it? I will show you 3 hidden details on the Walt & Mickey Partners Statue that you probably haven’t seen or heard of before.

Partners Statue Disneyland California with Sleeping Beauty Castle in the background, Walt and Mickey statue

This is one of the most famous and recognizable scenes in all of Disney. The view above captures three Disney icons – Walt, Mickey and Sleeping Beauty Castle.

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Trivia

Disneyland Chesire Cat Magic Mirror

Have you seen the chesire cat appear and disappear in the magic mirror at Disneyland? You know, the one that looks like a normal mirror, but then the grinning chesire cat suddenly appears? And then disappears?

Chesire Cat smiling in magic mirror in Mad Hatter store Disneyland California Fantasyland
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Trivia

Disneyland Griffin, Gryphon, or Gargoyle

I found a scary-looking griffin (or gryphon) in Disneyland, and it was hiding in plain sight. Do you know where it is? And, by the way, what is a griffin anyway?

Closeup of a Griffin or Gargoyle at Disneyland Haunted Mansion New Orleans Square
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Trivia

Disneyland Petrified Tree

What is 55-70 million years old and been on display in Disneyland since 1957? If you guessed a 10-foot petrified tree stump, you’d be right. Find out all about it.

Petrified Tree in Frontierland Disneyland with the Columbia sailing ship in background
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Trivia

Dominguez Palm Disneyland

Did you know that there’s a palm tree in Disneyland that was planted way back in 1896, and is still there today? This story has to do with a promise Walt made to a family whose land he purchased to help build Disneyland in the 1950’s. That palm tree was already over 50 years old then, and the Disney company continues to protect this proud tree to this very day.

Arrow pointing to top of Dominguez Palm Tree in Adventureland Disneyland CA
Picture taken from Enchanted Tiki Room looking toward Jungle Cruise ©DizBuff.com
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Trivia

Disneyland Mugo Pine

The oldest living tree in Disneyland

You will never guess what the oldest living thing in Disneyland is. If you’re thinking along the lines of a plant, or hedge, or tree, you’re on the right track. This has everything to do with Walt’s meticulous attention to detail and desire to get things precisely right for his guests. It’s a fascinating story to hear about the lengths to which Disney went in 1955 to get everything as perfect as possible. (2020 update – this is definitely not a Mugo Pine – it’s been misidentified for years. Read further below for the correct identification of this oldest-living tree in Disneyland.)

Mugo pine Disneyland's oldest tree in StoryBook Land Anaheim California

Arrow points to a Mugo Pine – Disneyland’s oldest living tree