Since we now have a Disneyland tab on the site, I decided it might be fun to share some random facts about Walt’s original Happy Place! I have to confess, I had to do some research when it comes to Disneyland, because I personally have never been there. I’ve been to Disney World more times than I can count, so I’m well versed there, it was Disneyland that I needed to fine tune my knowledge on. So, during my reading and research, I came across some facts that I never knew, and thought I’d share them with you all. Some you might know, some maybe not, but here are a few that I found interesting!
* The official address of Disneyland is 1313 Harbor Boulevard. Because there were no buildings in the neighborhood when the park was under construction, Walt was able to choose a number. Some people believe that 13 stands for M, the 13th letter of the alphabet~ therefore making the address “M.M.” for Mickey Mouse. But, 1313 was also the number that Disney artists used as Donald Duck’s address, and 313 was Donald’s license plate number. So, it’s possible that Walt just liked the “lucky” number 13!
*The gold decorating the exterior of It’s A Small World isn’t paint, but actually 22-karat gold leaf.
*The most unusual souvenir ever sold at Disneyland was the opportunity to have a personalized tombstone placed in the graveyard at the Haunted Mansion. It sold at auction for $37,400 and the proceeds went to charity.
*On the image of Walt in the bronze Partners statue at the end of Main Street, it shows him wearing a tie pin with the logo “STR” on it. Those initials are in reference to the Smoke Tree Ranch in Palm Springs, CA, which was a favorite vacation spot of Walt’s.
*The tracks running down Main Street are greased every morning with vegetable oil. This is done so the streetcars can round corners safely, smoothly, and quietly!
*Each light in Disneyland is replaced when it has reached 80 percent of it’s design life, rather than waiting until it completely goes out.
*One of the best in park views of the fireworks display is from the second floor platform of the Main Street train station. It also is a great place to give guests the quickest way out of the parks once the fireworks are over!
These are just a few of the fun facts that I read up on. There is so much more that I want to share, so watch for future blogs on interesting Disneyland facts, more to follow! ~M
Michele also contributes theme park news for Fox 35 Orlando 11pm news and on the radio on WDBO.
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Thank you for the information. I saw the movie, “Saving Mr. Banks” in the theater, and then again tonight on DVD. He makes reference to the “gold leaf” on Sleeping Beauty’s castle as well. (It was when he was walking Mrs. Travers around Disneyland.) Did any of your research show that it was anywhere else in Disneyland?