3 Things You May Not Have Known About Disneyland

Disneyland in California
Disneyland in California. Photo by steven lozano on Unsplash

With princesses, parades, and fireworks, it’s no wonder that Disneyland prides itself on being the “happiest place on earth”! The theme park was inspired by Walt Disney’s dream of a place where children and adults could have fun together. Disneyland officially opened in 1955 and welcomes around 18 million visitors every year. Here are some things you may have not known about the theme park.

Sleeping Beauty’s Castle

There is no image more iconic than that of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle which served as the Disney logo for 21 years. In real life, the castle isn’t actually as large as it appears… Coming in at just 77 feet tall, paint techniques have been used to make it seem grander. Warmer shades of pink hues were used on the lower towers, while blue was added to lighten the colors near the top. The walkways inside the castle are also dimly lit and retell the famous fairytale. L

Carnation Café

Have you been to Carnation Café? The restaurant was initially an ice cream parlor, but these days serves American comfort food like buttermilk fried chicken, meatloaf, and waffles. The café was one of Walt Disney’s favorite with the chili on the menu being his own family recipe. Walt’s Chili, as it is called, comes topped with cheese, sour cream, and chopped fresh tomatoes. 

Mickey Mouse Flowerbed

As the official Disney mascot, it makes sense that Mickey Mouse would receive a notable mention. Just inside the gates of Disneyland Park lies a giant floral design in the shape of Mickey. The flowerbed is well-maintained, being replanted six times a year to keep it gorgeous.