When you think of Disneyland, you likely picture the immersive attractions, entertainment, and characters the resort is most famous for. However, beyond the typical park experience, there is so much to explore that you might not even know of.
While the Disneyland Resort is much smaller than the Disney World Resort's expansive property, there are numerous interesting secret experiences you can enjoy. You can see our article on the secret things to do at Disney World here!
Our Mickey Visit team visits the parks weekly, and we have found some of the coolest hidden experiences you may have overlooked. Below, we have compiled a list of the top 21 secret things to do at Disneyland, from little-known activities to cool hidden experiences and details in the park you might not be aware of!
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1. Take a Mixology Class During the Food & Wine Festival
Each year during the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival, there are special experiences offered at the Disneyland Resort Hotels. These tend to be a bit pricier than the seminars, but they are really fun and unique opportunities to take advantage of if you're planning a visit during this time.
A favorite experience is the Mixology Class at Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Lounge, which guides participants through making a classic tiki drink in the unique setting of Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar. In the experience, you can enjoy the cocktail and hors d’oeuvres, then take home a Trader Sam’s tiki mug as a souvenir. See more details about this cool Trader Sam's Mixology experience here!
2. Visit Walt Disney's Apartment
Many visitors passing by the Town Square Fire Station look up at the glowing lamp in the window of Walt's apartment and dream of visiting the space. You have the unique opportunity to do so as part of “Walt's Main Street Story Tour.”
During the 90-minute experience, you'll enjoy a walking tour down Main Street U.S.A. learning about the connections to Marceline, Missouri, visit Walt Disney's apartment, and enjoy refreshments and PhotoPass photos with complimentary digital downloads. Though this special Disneyland tour is on the pricier side, it can be worth the splurge to enjoy this rare experience if you're a huge Disneyland history buff or are celebrating a special occasion.
3. Watch the Cars Land Lighting
One of the most magical moments that happens at Disney California Adventure each evening comes straight out of the Cars film. The heartwarming scene from the movie where McQueen shows Sally all of the repaired neon lights in Radiator Springs to the song “Sh-Boom” (“Life Could Be a Dream”) is replicated in Cars Land every day at sunset.
There is a fun story behind the creation of the “Sh-Boom” moment in Cars Land. Before the land's opening, John Lasseter, the Chief Creative Officer of Pixar and Disney Animation and a creative advisor to Imagineering at that time, was walking with one of his sons who reminded him of this moment from the movie! Cars Land is truly one of the most impressive lands in the parks, and magical details like this really make it all the more special.
When to See the “Sh-Boom” Moment
The “Sh-Boom” moment in Cars Land usually occurs at sunset each evening. I recommend looking up what time sunset will happen that day on your Weather app and showing up a bit early. The best spot to watch is in front of Cozy Cone Motel or Flo's V8 Cafe! You can see our article with more details on this coolest moment of the day at Disney California Adventure here.
4. Get “Pixie Dusted” at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
While receiving a royal transformation at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is a fun experience for kids ages 3-12, you may not know that you can also get a really cute freebie here! At Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, you can get “pixie dusted,” which is when Cast Members use a magic wand to sprinkle glitter over your head. The Cast Member will ask you to close your eyes and make a wish, then sprinkle the pixie dust over you. This free experience is available for kids and adults alike!
See our Instagram video below on pixie dusting at Disneyland:
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5. Order Secret Menu Cocktails from Lamplight Lounge
Lamplight Lounge, one of our favorite Disneyland restaurants, has a menu of fun cocktails you can enjoy with names inspired by filmmaking. In addition to the normal menu, there is also a secret menu of fun cocktails you can try! One of the most famous is a boozy Dole Whip that you can get as a shot or over ice as a cocktail, which contains coconut rum, vanilla vodka or absolut citron, pineapple juice, and whipped cream. You can see our review of the boozy Dole Whip at Lamplight Lounge here!
The Dole Whip drink is not the only secret menu item you'll find at Lamplight Lounge. Some drinks remain from the Cove Bar from the previous version of the restaurant. Some of the fun secret menu drinks at Lamplight Lounge include the Fun Wheel, the Zombie, Neverland Tea, the Sea Witch, and more.
6. 21 Royal
While many parkgoers know about some of the most luxurious experiences offered at Disneyland like VIP Tours and Club 33, they might not be aware of another exclusive experience that reportedly costs $18,000—21 Royal. Up to 12 guests can enjoy a lavish dining experience and an opportunity to explore the suite.
This special dining experience is hosted in the suite that was intended to be a private space where Walt and Lillian Disney would host dignitaries and other special guests. The space has served a few different purposes over the years, including housing the Disney Gallery and serving as the Disney Dream Suite, where select lucky guests got the opportunity to stay as part of promotions and sweepstakes over the years.
21 Royal Dining Experience
Guests will enjoy a magical evening with VIP treatment during the 21 Royal dining experience. On the evening of the dining experience, you'll enjoy signature cocktails served by professional butlers, a casual reception on the patio, and the opportunity to explore the different rooms of the suite.
For dinner, the chefs work with local and international premier suppliers to gather top-quality ingredients for the meal, with pairings from the 21 Royal wine collection. The evening ends with dessert on the private balcony where you can view entertainment like Fantasmic! on some nights.
7. Look for Feral Cats
Some are surprised to learn that there is a colony of feral cats that live at Disneyland! Though they usually stay hidden and come out to hunt at night, they will sometimes emerge during the day. These cats serve an important purpose dating back to the park's early days, when feral cats were discovered at Disneyland and kept there to keep the rodent population under control. Disneyland developed a system to care for the cats, who were spayed/neutered and re-released, with Cast Members caring for them to refill their food at feeding stations, give medical treatment if necessary, etc.
Reportedly, there are around 200 feral cats still at Disneyland today, who typically stay away from the most crowded areas of the park. Guests are discouraged from getting too close, but there are certain spots where you'll see them appear more often, like in the trees near the final drop of Grizzly River Run. We have also spotted the cats along the route of the Disneyland Railroad. You can read more about the Disneyland cats here!
8. Watch Fireworks from Outside the Parks
This activity is technically outside of the resort, but if you're looking for a unique perspective on the Disneyland fireworks, you can watch from certain vantage points outside the parks.
Locations like the Parkestry Rooftop Bar at the JW Marriott, Top of the V at The Viv Hotel Anaheim, the FIFTH at Grand Legacy at the Park, and RISE Rooftop Lounge at the Westin Anaheim (pictured above) all have great views of the fireworks. This can be a relaxing way to end the day seeing this show from a different perspective while enjoying some food and drinks. You can see more details on the hotels with the best Disneyland fireworks views here!
9. Go Inside the Sleeping Beauty Castle
This walkthrough attraction at Disneyland is not actively kept a secret, but it's still extremely underrated to the point where some visitors might not even know about it. This experience takes you inside Sleeping Beauty Castle, where you'll follow the story of Princess Aurora through 3-dimensional displays, sound, and special effects. The walkthrough is short, but it's worth it to take a few minutes to appreciate this visually beautiful experience that is unique from many of the attractions at the parks.
10. Hotel Fitness Classes In the Parks
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A particularly unique way to experience the parks is through various special fitness classes and activities offered. There are some really cool experiences like Yoga in the Redwood Creek, a Power Walking Workout in Disney California Adventure, Paddleboard Fitness at the Disneyland Hotel, Sunrise Yoga in Disneyland Park for guests of the Disneyland Resort Hotels, and more. You can view the schedule of fitness activities on the Disney website here. These experiences are a super special way to experience Disneyland outside of regular park hours!
Fitness Classes at Disneyland Review
The founder of Mickey Visit, Gavin, has taken some of these hotel fitness classes including the Disney California Adventure speed walking class. This class included a warmup in Grizzly Peak, some workouts in the World of Color viewing area, a sprint down the street of Cars Land from the front of the land to the Stanley statue, and more. During the class, you stop at a few different points for exercises.
You can read about the full experience in his review of this Disneyland fitness class here which also includes reviews on classes like Paddleboard Fitness and Yoga Burn as well.
11. Skip the Line With Buddy Pass
There are two rides at Disneyland that offer a pass that works similar to Single Rider, except it allows for small parties to fill remaining spots in ride vehicles without splitting up. At Monsters Inc., Mike and Sulley to the Rescue! it's called the Buddy Pass, and at The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, it's called the Roo Pass.
If a Cast Member is currently handing these passes out, you'll be able to bypass the standby line by going through the exit of the attraction to join a line of other pairs waiting to fill the empty spots!
12. Watch World of Color From a Unique Perspective
While we recommend watching Disney California Adventure's World of Color show in a traditional viewing format (or with the World of Color Dessert Party) if you haven't seen it before, those who have already enjoyed the show before may be interested in these unique ways to view it…
Grand Californian Hotel Deck World of Color View
Hotel guests staying at the Grand Californian have access to a deck on the sixth floor overlooking Disney California Adventure. This is where some of the yoga classes we mentioned before are held in the mornings! At night, you can enjoy a unique perspective on the World of Color show from this vantage point. You can read more about this secret deck with a World of Color view here.
Lamplight Lounge World of Color View
You can get another unique perspective on World of Color by timing your reservation at Lamplight Lounge around that night's showing. Gavin experienced the show this way recently and says the details on the projection screens look crisper and you get to see an up-close view of the programmed fountains. The angle from Lamplight Lounge isn't as head-on as it would be if you're viewing the show from the front, but it's a unique and relaxed way to experience the show.
Incredicoaster World of Color View
While you'll only catch glimpses of the show as you're zooming by on the Incredicoaster, I can say from personal experience that it's amazing to see the beautiful colors light up the darkness during the ride (just make sure not to hurt your neck when you're turning to look)!
13. Have a Picnic
Some Disneyland visitors aren't aware of this secret spot at Disneyland. Outside of the Disneyland entrance gates to the west, there is a secret picnic area tucked away near the tram loop with tables and lockers where you can store your food, utensils, and picnic gear. If you're bringing your own food or snacks to Disneyland to save money at the parks, you can take a break from the parks and enjoy a picnic in this removed spot! See some of our best Disney snack ideas here.
14. Sign a Secret Guest Book
Another fun hidden activity at the parks is signing the secret guest book at Storyland Canal Boats in Fantasyland! Every morning, a Cast Member brings out the “Captain's Log” for the first party of guests for the day in the queue to sign.
If you are the first there, you can sign this special book containing the signatures of the other first riders of the attraction before you. You can see more details about how to sign this secret guest book here!
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15. Enjoy Activities at the Disneyland Hotels
In addition to the fitness classes mentioned earlier, you can also take advantage of other special offerings at the Disneyland Resort Hotels, like movie nights or activities. For example, at the time of writing this article, there is a seasonal bracelet-making activity where you can make a bracelet inspired by favorite characters each week.
You can participate in special guided tours of the Disneyland Hotel and the Grand Californian that will give you a unique look at these hotels and their stories. In the Disneyland Hotel Tour, you'll be able to learn about “the hotel’s history, its founders, and the Disney artists who created the magic and turned Walt’s dreams into a reality.” The Art of the Craft Tour, available to guests staying at a Disneyland Resort Hotel, will allow you to learn how the Arts and Crafts Movement inspired the architecture and design of the Grand Californian.
You can check out these fun activities if you want to mix things up from your time in the parks! Note that a Disneyland Resort Hotel reservation is required for many activities, and you need to make reservations or pay an additional fee for some.
16. Ride in the Nose Cone of the Monorail
Another fun Disneyland experience is riding in the very front of the Monorail (in the “nose cone”) with the driver. This is a unique way to experience the attraction and lots of fun to chat with the Cast Member and watch them at work driving the Monorail! You'll be able to enjoy the full Monorail journey from Disneyland Park to the Downtown Disney station from a unique perspective during this experience.
You can 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.
17. Dine at the Lamplight Lounge Secret Dining Room
Part of what makes Lamplight Lounge the best Disneyland restaurant is the variety of cool experiences available here, like the secret menu drinks and view of World of Color we mentioned earlier.
There is another unique experience you'll find at the Lamplight Lounge as well, which is a private dining room called “The Office” hidden behind a vault door!
Inside the Secret Dining Room
This unique space has red walls filled with sketches of Pixar animators and seats up to 13 people with leather booth seating and chairs. There are also games on the wall that you can take down and play! There is even a private patio with views of the Incredicoaster launch.
How to Dine in Lamplight Lounge's Secret Room
You're not able to reserve this private room, but you can see if it happens to be available when you check in with a larger party. Some groups may also be randomly seated in this room as a surprise! We suggest going straight to the restaurant when it opens for the day to ask if it's possible for your party to be seated here. You can check our article on this secret dining room here!
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18. Observation Outpost
There are several reasons why visitors may not be able to ride Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage in Tomorrowland—the confined space in the ride may trigger claustrophobia, or it may be difficult to navigate the narrow steps to access the ride vehicle. However, this ride has a special way for visitors who can't ride the attraction to still join in on the fun!
How to Access Observation Outpost
If you go through the exit of the ride and ask the nearest Cast Member, 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 you can still experience the ride in a more comfortable and accessible format!
19. Draw Characters at Animation Academy
One of our favorite spots to escape the crowds at Disneyland is the Animation Building in Disney California Adventure, where you can take a class on how to draw a Disney character. At Animation Academy, you'll receive step-by-step instructions from an animator, then you'll get to keep your finished artwork as a souvenir! The instructor will often give their artwork to someone in the class as well.
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.
20. Aim for the Secret Target in Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters is a fun, interactive shooting ride in Tomorrowland where you're tasked with stopping the Evil Emperor Zurg, who is stealing batteries to power a weapon of destruction. While there are certain tricks to maximizing your score, some might not know that there is a secret target in the ride that will give you 50,000 points!
Unlike the other targets, this one is not lit up. It's a tiny unmarked hole in the gap between Emperor Zurg's chest plates that you can aim for during the two scenes where he appears. When you enter the first room with Zurg, aim for the green square beneath his gun, and he will turn towards you, then you can aim for the secret target on his chest.
21. See the Confectionary Displays At the Grand Californian
We always love the ambiance of the Grand Californian lobby, but what makes it even better are the confectionary displays you can admire during special or seasonal events throughout the year! Each year during Christmas at Disneyland, The Grand Californian has a holiday tradition of creating a “Grand” Gingerbread House that is a replica of the hotel. To give you a sense of this impressive feat, here are some facts about the gingerbread creation from a past year…
The gingerbread house in the above picture stood 7 feet tall and 12 feet wide, created from more than 600 pounds of gingerbread, 600 pounds of powdered sugar, 250 pounds of fondant, and 1 pound of pixie dust, and featured 25 hidden Mickeys.
Grand Californian Halloween Confectionary Display
You'll also find some fun confectionary displays throughout the year—here is a fun Halloween one from a past year of Oogie Boogie from The Nightmare Before Christmas, which was created with:
- 160 pounds of powdered sugar
- 180 eggs
- 110 pounds of rice cereal
- 95 pounds of marshmallow
- 80 pounds of butter
- 120 pounds of dark chocolate
- 80 pounds of white chocolate
- 480 pounds of fondant
- 370 hours of planning and hands-on work
- 13 hidden Mickeys!
Grand Californian Millennium Falcon Display
This was an awesome Millennium Falcon confectionary display that was featured as part of the Season of the Force Star Wars celebration at Disneyland! This “Galactic Creation” was made by the Disney culinary team with ingredients including 300 pounds of powdered sugar, 80 pounds of crisped rice cereal, 60 pounds of marshmallows, 100 pounds of dark chocolate, and more.
If you're visiting during a seasonal celebration featuring a confectionary display in the Grand Californian lobby, be sure to take some time to visit and admire it!
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