Little Known Facts About Well Known Places: Disneyland

Little-Known Facts About Well-Known Places

by David Hoffman

Disneyland little known facts

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel, Trivia, Reference, History

200 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Jessica (Odd and Bookish) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Parts of this book is probably outdated now since Disneyland and DCA had improvements done over the years. However, it's still an informative book with fun information about Disneyland's past and present. Like did you know that Splash Mountain is sometimes referred to as Flash Mountain by cast members because some guests like to flash certain body parts at the camera?

[Pretty · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a Disneyland fan you will appreciate all the tid bits of information in this book true harcore fans will know most of it but some of the facts are really neat and aren't so commonly known, such as the boats on the jungle cruise being modeled after the boat in The African Queen starring Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn 😉fun little book

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun book full of interesting trivia about the first theme park opened, designed, and constructed under the direct supervision of Walt Disney. 

A few of my favorite pieces of information are

Steve Martin was one of the employees during the 1960s. He honed his craft for balloon animals while working at the Magic Shop. 

Michelle Pfieffer played Alice In Wonderland in the Main Street Electrical Parade. 

Since November 2005 it has been a tradition that the turkey "pardoned" by the president of the United States on Thanksgiving Day is sent to Disneyland to live on the grounds of Big Thunder Ranch. 

[Marcus · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Little-Known Facts About Well-Known Place Disneyland is a book about stories and secreats behind the happiest place on earth. The stories told in this book tells you things that most people do not know. The history, architecture, and famous personalities behind the curtain of Disneyland. No secret is withheld giving you and eye opening treat to the most magical place on Earth.

This book was so much fun to read I couldn't wait to turn the page. This book had information on Disneyland from unique information about how many leaves on the Tarzan's Treehouse (6,000). To the marketing genius of Walt Disney who had fans blow out the smell of fresh baked goods to get customers to buy them. This was one of so many details in this book. The book was very interesting. I highly recommend this book to anyone
who loves the magic of Disneyland. It will give them a whole new look of how much detail goes into everything in the magical kingdom. This book is part of a series which is Little-Known facts about Disneyworld which I plan to read next.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked this one up in the bargain section at Barnes & Noble. I read the entire thing from cover to cover in one sitting. As a regular Disneyland Resort visitor, it was cool learning a lot of interesting facts about the theme parks. Of course, some facts I was already aware of. But a lot of information included in the book surprised me, e.g., it cost $41,000 to put on a single fireworks show, and that there's a tunnel that runs underneath Tomorrowland.

The next time I visit Disneyland, I'm definitely going to keep my eyes peeled for the things I read in this book.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seriously so much fun! As a Disneyholic I couldn't put it down! Some stuff I knew ( there is a regulation1/2 basketball court in the Matterhorn for employees) and tons of stuff I didn't know ( like the two people who have been doing the voices for Mickey and Minnie for the last 25 years met on the job and have been married ever since). Could share tons more but don't want to spoil it!

[Rick Ludwig · Rating 4 out of 5]

The content is really great. My only complaint is that I want more.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's no secret that I'm a fan of anything Disney related, so I was elated when my boyfriend Tyler got me this book for Christmas a few years ago. After he surprised me with an annual pass to the Disneyland Resort in August, I dug this book out and re-read it, trying to absorb every single awesome detail. While I don't ordinarily read non-fiction books that aren't memoirs, I think this one is worth mentioning!

The Disneyland edition of Little Known Facts About Well-Known Places is full of entertaining information about all things Disneyland. When I first read this book, I was skeptical, thinking that I already know all there is to know about one of my favorite places; but I was happily surprised to learn a variety of facts, tips and secrets that I hadn't known at all! Information ranges from facts about working at Disneyland (including famous people, like Michelle Pfieffer, who used to work at the park!), history (like how the Matterhorn was the first rollercoaster to use a tubular steel track), tips (like how to tell where you are at Disneyland based on the trash can colors), and information on how to maximize your visit at the Disneyland Resort.

Do you know which teacup spins the fastest? Do you know where the flag pole on Main Street originated? What common items are banned from sale at Disneyland and how much did it cost Walt Disney to build the park? You can find all of these facts and so much more in this priceless collection of information. This book is beautifully compiled with a fact or breakdown of data on each page so it's not overwhelming to read. I might even tote it around Disneyland on my next visit!

Bottom Line: Whether you're taking a rare visit to Disneyland or you visit the park on a regular basis, this is a must read for any fan of Disney! It will really help you to appreciate the talent and detail that Walt Disney poured into his dream and you will love and respect the Walt Disney Company for continuing with Walt's principles long after his passing. 5/5 stars.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a really quick, enjoyable read. My only problem was that these "little known facts" weren't exactly, well, little known. Maybe because I've read a couple of books and watched documentaries about Disneyland, it was like rereading a book. I knew 99% of these facts and though enjoyable to read about them again, I was expecting something entirely different. So though it's an enjoyable read, I wasn't exactly swept off my feet and therefore, it is a 3 star rating from me.

[Carolina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of the facts are very interesting, but this is an unofficial book-not affiliated to the park and it's laking in some images. I have never been to Disneyland, so it could had been nice to have picture to link the facts to, but I guess because of copyrights that wasn't possible.

[Alberto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very easy to read and interesting.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun, quick little read with some very interesting and entertaining facts about Disneyland, it's history, the attractions and Walt himself! Some it is a little outdated, since Disney's California Adventure park received a major overhaul and upgrade in 2012, 4 years after this book was published (i.e. there's no mention of Cars Land, and the book has some details about the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror pre-show area, but that ride has been replaced by Guardians of the Galaxy now). Recommended for anyone going to Disneyland and any Disney fans!

[Mark Blane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick and fun read that I decided to add to my TBR list for 2023. It was a total change of pace as to what I have been reading this year. If you like Disneyland, then you might like some of the interesting history surrounding the park including DCA. This book does the trick, and it will make you look at the things you learn in this little book in a new way on your next Disneyland visit.

[Dasha Slepenkina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not even sure if this counts as having read a book, but in my defense, I was recovering from a concussion.

It was entertaining, but contained the sort of information easily found online. Nothing really secret or unknown. It was given to me, so I didn't mind reading it. But I would not recommend buying it.

[Marissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, interesting facts about Disneyland. I would have liked to see pics but that's ok. No big deal. I found myself wondering if some facts are true with Disney World as well. I've never been to Disneyland but would love to one day.

[Jen Scott · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is definitely for the casual Disneyland fan, and not someone who has already read countless books about it. Most of the facts I already knew, and some of the facts have been disproven. It was fun to read, but nothing outstanding.

[Guy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's an outdated book of secrets and details.some are outdated, some no longer exists, I don't know if some were even true (I couldn't find data after researching). It was an interesting read, mostly a list of "facts" with some background behind each.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Nicely designed little trivia book with about 200 brief facts about Disneyland. Some of these I knew, but some were new to me. Read it all in one sitting, and it kept me engaged.

[Brandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not entirely accurate, but a quick, fun read of interesting one-sentence facts about Disneyland.

[Katie Solt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I joy it I learned all about Disneyland

[Cecelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very fun to read for all ages - fans of Disneyland!

It's so informative and written in a basic form to keep attention!
You must go to the park after reading this to really have a new insight!

[M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Fun and quick read!

[Reba · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute little book. Definitely made me want to visit Disneyland!

[Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read filled with little tidbits of information about the making and existence of Disneyland. A great read for enthusiasts and those about to embark on an adventure to Disneyland!

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Outdated at this point but still an enjoyable quick read. Some facts were already known, some not, but all enjoyed.

[Greg Dale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable. Quick read.

[Jen Rentner · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[Laura B unata · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read for any Disney fan. This book has many interesting and little known facts.

[Andria · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s dated now but a fun vacation Disney read

[Rebekah Rowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I pride myself on keeping up with the latest Disney news, this was a fun little read that helped expand my intense Disney knowledge. As an east coast girl, I know a lot about Disney World so it was interesting to learn more about Disneyland specifically. If you’re a Disney fan like me, I’d recommend checking this one out. Now I’m dying to take a trip to the happiest place on Earth and get a Mickey shaped ice cream sandwich.