Over 200 feral cats kill all the mice at night… and 18 other things you never knew about Disneyland
YOU might think the Disney theme parks in America are all princesses and fairy tales, but there's a bit more going on that that.
If you're a Disney fan you'll probably already know about the string of tunnels employees use to nip around the parks and the secret suite in Cinderalla's castle which is so special you can't even book it.
But there are a load of other secrets nestled behind the gates you'll have no idea about, so allow us to offer some titbits.
1. Cats keep it clean
We're not sure Mickey Mouse would approve, but it's thanks to 200 feral cats that Disneyland is so spic and span.
Given it's a kids' paradise, A LOT of food gets dropped on the floor each day.
That should spell a rodent problem, which is where the cats come in.
After dark, 200 felines are let loose behind the gates to make sure there are no mice.
They're cared for during the day too - staff feed them and they're spayed or neutered.
2. You won't find chewing gum on the shop shelves
As per above, Disneyland is CLEAN which means there is no room for unsightly gum splotches on the ground.
To make sure they're not an issue, the chewing stuff isn't sold on site.
3. President's input
There's a Presidential Seal in the Hall of Presidents attraction, but it didn't come easy.
There actually had to be a real law passed by the House of Congress so it could be included.
There are only two other seals in the world - one in the Oval Office and the other in the hall with the Liberty Bell.
4. There's a bin at 30 paces
This is a pretty cunning way to make sure there's no litter issue.
Apparently Walt Disney himself went to some other amusement parks and watched how long it took for people to ditch their rubbish on the floor.
The answer was 30 steps - which is why you'll never have to walk more than that to find a bin.
5. Smellitizers
Yep, these are a real thing.
They're little devices hidden at strategic areas around the park to enhance your experience.
That translates as making certain parts smell a set way - so you'll get wafts of sea air when at the Pirates of the Caribbean ride.
6. Your Kodak moment
Kodak and Disney took part in a study and found that putting coloured concrete on the floors of the park would reflect light so photographs looked more vivid.
So that's why different areas of the Magic Kingdom are different colours.
7. Toilet trouble
Ever wondered why there's a brown bit of the path in Liberty Square in Magic Kingdom?
That whole area is based on colonial America, so the idea is the path is a stream of running sewage which would have been flowing at it. Nice.
8. Toy Story, take two
The Toy Story characters used to fall to the floor whenever someone shouted, "Andy's coming!" You know, just like in the movie.
Unfortunately health and safety rules put a stop to that, so now they respond with a much less exciting (although accurate), "Andy's at college." Better hope he doesn't have a holiday guys.
9. Leisure time
Working at Disney isn't always tough.
The upper third of Disneyland's Matterhorn ride has a secret basketball court in it.
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10. Secret codes
In the queuing bit of the Dinosaur ride in Animal Kingdom there are three pipes which have chemical formulas on them.
So what do they stand for? Mustard, ketchup and mayo.
11. Disco Yeti
When Expedition Everest in Animal Kingdom opened in 2006, it boasted a 22-foot Yeti.
It was supposed to lunge at people as they zoomed past, but the plan was too elaborate and so it had to be turned off.
Now strobe lighting is used to cover the fact it doesn't actually do much, hence the nickname.
12. So silent
When they are dressed up, staff have to really embrace their characters.
That means they only know about their world, so there's no point asking Cinderella about Snow White because she'll have no idea who you mean.
13. First name terms
All staff have to wear a name badge, but it only says their first names because Walt liked it that way.
If you're unlucky enough to have the same name as someone else in your area, one of you will need to swap for work.
14. We Can't Work It Out
John Lennon was at Disney's Polynesian Rresort in December 1974 when he decided to sign the papers which meant the Beatles were over.
15. Want fries with that?
The steam engines at the Disneyland Railroad are no ordinary transport.
They're run on old oil used to make CHIPS.
Once the oil has been used in the kitchen it's put into a tank, shipped off site and made into bio diesel.
16. Secret dinner club
Disneyland's New Orleans Square boasts a special restaurant called Club 33.
It's hidden, so to access it you need to look for the greyish door neat the Blue Bayou restaurant.
Oh, but that's not all - you also need to reserve a spot.
No problem you might think and you're right, as long as you have 18 years to wait and a spare $10,000 to enter.
17. Toned down pirates
When Pirates of Caribbean launched in 1967, it had pirates who ran around chasing women.
As time ticked on people got a bit irritated by that, so Disney switched it up and soon ladies who seeing off the pirates instead.
18. Actual antiques
There are gas lamps which light the way along Main Street in Disneyland.
You might think they're replicas, but they actually date right back to the 19th century.
19. Cinderella secrets
Cinderella's Castle has to be one of the most iconic bits of the Magic Kingdom.
But... it's maybe not as impressive as you first thought.
It's built higher than everything else in the park to make it look bigger, and optical illusions help with that too.