DizBuff.comYou’ve probably walked down Main Street USA in Disneyland a number of times, but I’ll bet you never noticed the large Indian Head Cent mounted above the entrance to the Penny Arcade. And it’s not just any old large-prop coin either. Again and again, Disney Imagineers work their magic…
There are two signs in front of City Hall in Disneyland California that say “Lost Parents.” Did you know that the two characters on top of the sign are actually George and Mary Darling from the Peter Pan story by J.M. Barrie?
George and Mary Darling look a little worried. Could it be that their three children, Wendy, John and Michael, have just flown off to Neverland with Peter Pan?
Disneyland has not one, but two working, vintage orchestrions. What’s an orchestrion? It’s kind of like a one-man band, only there’s no man, and it’s 100% mechanical. Disney’s Welte orchestrion is pretty well known, but their 2nd one is a bit more hard-to-find, buried deep in Frontierland.
Did you know that a little leprechaun has a secret home in Disneyland, California? Read on and I’ll tell you exactly where it is, and how he came to live there – even today! Hint: his name is Patrick Begorra and his wee-little house is in a land Disney guests flock to when they’re looking for “Adventure.”
In 1955, a new Little Golden Book was released titled, “Little Man of Disneyland.”
Most people are so excited to get into the park that they hurry past two authentic, French cannons in Disneyland Town Square. Have you ever noticed them? How long have they been there? Are they just props, or are they the real deal? Stay tuned and I’ll tell you all about them.
Above is a picture of one of the cannons on the West side of Town Square, directly across from The Emporium.
There is an unusual, red brick test wall just off Main Street in Disneyland, California. The bricks are neat and even on one side and crooked and jagged on the other. How long has it been there and what’s the story?
A Disney legend says that during the construction of Disneyland in the 1950’s, Walt wanted to see different brick patterns and textures for use in various buildings around the park. So brick masons installed this test brick wall in an out-of-the-way location to help him decide which style he liked the best.
Have you ever seen the famous red and white light bulb at Coke Corner in Disneyland, California? Why is it there? Read on to learn the quick story, and hint-hint, it involves a decision Walt Disney made himself!
Refreshment Corner (or Coke Corner) has about a bazillion red and white flashing light bulbs that look absolutely fantastic and authentic on this turn-of-the-century themed, quick service restaurant. As they flash on and off, it gives the building a kaleidoscope look, especially at night.
Did you ever hear the clickety-clack of the telegraph machine at Disneyland’s New Orleans Square Train Station? No? Well, neither have I. Haha, just kidding.
Well those dots and dashes you hear coming out of the “telegraph” are not some random mumbo jumbo. They’re actually tapping out a real message. It’s a paraphrasing of the first two lines of Walt’s Opening Day speech in 1955. As I have often said, Disney’s genius is in the details. And these details are everywhere in the parks, if you just look for them. Check out this two-minute video (after the jump) to learn the actual words being telegraphed…