7 Secret Things to Do at Disneyland You Have Walked Right By

Disneyland is full of hidden details and secrets that regular visitors and locals know best. Aside from its many historic details, there are also plenty of things to do that most guests simply walk right by. These secret things to do aren’t usually on the average guest’s radar and are worth pausing to experience.

Let’s get into our favorite overlooked things to do at Disneyland that most guests simply walk right past without realizing what they’re missing.

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1. Go Inside the Sleeping Beauty Castle

While this walkthrough experience isn’t truly a secret, since it is listed on the Disneyland, app, it’s so underrated that many guests don’t even know it exists and walk right past by. This walkthrough attraction takes guests inside Sleeping Beauty Castle to learn the story of Princess Aurora through 3-dimensional displays, sound, and special effects. It is a short walkthrough but it’s worth the time to appreciate the visuals of this unique experience. Plus, you get to go inside the castle!

2. Ride in the Nose Cone of the Monorail

Many guests miss out on the Disneyland monorail, simply because it’s mainly used as transportation to and from Downtown Disney, which many guests don’t always need to utilize. A fun way to incorporate this overlooked historic attraction is to take the time to experience riding in the very front of the Monorail (in the “nose cone”) with the driver.

Just ask a Cast Member at the Monorail station if you can ride in the nose cone, but you may need to wait if others have already requested the experience. During the ride you can see the visual of Disneyland through the front window of the monorail and chat with the Cast Member operating the attraction.

3. Different Way to Experience the Submarines

Many guests walk right past the accessible version of Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, which offers a different way to experience the attraction through the Observation Outpost. Just go through the exit of the ride and ask the nearest Cast Member if you can access the Observation Outpost. You’ll enter a small room, which will go dark and show a video version of the voyage via an onboard “SubCam,” complete with narration and sound effects. This is a fun way to experience the ride in a more comfortable format that many guests do not know exists.

4. Draw Characters at Animation Academy

Animation Academy in Disney California Adventure is a great place to escape the crowds and heat. In this building, you can take a class on how to draw a Disney character. During this overlooked experience, you’ll receive step-by-step instructions from an animator, then you’ll get to keep your finished artwork as a souvenir! Classes take place every 30 minutes, and no reservations are required. If you want to participate in this activity, go to the Animation Building, and you can join when space becomes available.

5. Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes

This is another experience that’s not a secret but often overlooked since the entrance to the queue is so subtle. The Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes are located across from Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, just on the shore of the Rivers of America.

These canoes are named after the 19th-century icon Davy Crockett and take guests around the Rivers of America. A journey of these means a ride in a real, free-floating canoe. Since the entrance is by the river, it’s often overlooked by many guests who walk right past. These canoes do require some exercise, which might be why so many guests keep on walking.

6. Disney Gallery at the Main Street Opera House

Located in the Main Street Opera House, the Disney Gallery is a seasonal art exhibit that showcases different moments in Disney Parks history. Since July 2025, the current exhibit features images, art, and artifacts from the history of Disneyland, which includes more than 30 artifacts from The Walt Disney Family Museum.

This rotating gallery experience is often overlooked as guests rush right past as they enter the parks. Most guests don’t even realize this space exists unless they’re coming inside to view Walt Disney – A Magical Life, which rotates with the Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln show.

7. See Walt Disney’s Apartment

One of the best secret things to do at Disneyland is to go inside Walt Disney’s apartment. Most guests walking past the Town Square Fire Station don’t realize that the glowing lamp in the window is actually part of Walt’s apartment.

Guests can experience this inside look during “Walt’s Main Street Story Tour.” Guests can experience a walking tour of Main Street, U.S.A. as they learn about Walt’s connections to Marceline, Missouri, which ends with a visit to Walt Disney’s apartment. 

While this tour hasn’t been offered for a while, as the 70th anniversary tour and other offerings have been running, we expect it will be back soon.

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