George & Mary Darling
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?
This is just another example of how Disney Imagineers work brilliant-little details into every nook and cranny of this park.
There are actually two “lost parents” signs on either side of the entrance to City Hall in Disneyland. If you follow the arrow on the right (below), you might just be able to make out one of the signs.
And here’s a closeup of that sign, which is on the north side of City Hall.
And this is the sign on the south side of the entrance to City Hall …
YouTube video
Click below for a 1:39 video on the Lost Parents Sign …
Inspiration for Peter Pan
The character, Peter Pan, is based on Scottish novelist, J.M. Barrie’s older brother, David.
His brother, David Barrie, died in an ice skating accident when he was only 13 years old. J.M. and his mother then thought of him forever as a boy.
We first heard about Peter Pan in a novel that came out in 1902 called, The Little White Bird.
You can read more about the story of Peter Pan here, or about the author, J.M. Barrie here.