(A version of this article was shared with Pirates & Princesses and published on July 12, 2024.)
Disneyland is the heart of Walt Disney’s whimsy and imagination, come to life for guests of all ages to experience for themselves. Disney’s original theme park is chock full of outstanding attractions, famous throughout the world for their combination of creativity, ingenuity, and nostalgia.
But there are a handful of outstanding Disneyland attractions which have fallen off the radar screens of guests who are hustling their way to the next big ride. These attractions no longer attract the crowds they once commanded, but they are nonetheless still fantastic works of art in motion. Let’s stop in on five of the best attractions at Disneyland which are sorely underappreciated.
Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room
Sometimes, the attractions nearest and dearest to Walt Disney’s heart have a tendency to be stuck in the past. Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress in Magic Kingdom is one of these attractions, and Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room is another. This “tropical hideaway” is brimming with Walt’s enthusiasm, and showcases the brilliance of several of Disney’s earliest Imagineers, including Disney Legends Rolly Crump and Harriet Burns, among others.
So if you are passing through a congested Adventureland, duck into the Enchanted Tiki Room for a bit. The open-air (but sort of indoor) attraction gives guests a low-key place to chill. Wanna get two birds with one stone (pardon the pun)? Grab a Dole Whip next door at Tiki Juice Bar, and enjoy your treat during the show. The Enchanted Tiki Room is one of the very few attractions where food and drinks are allowed.
I dare you to leave the attraction without singing the Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki room. This audio gem from the legendary Sherman Brothers brings this cast of birds, flowers, and Tiki gods to life as they sing you a serenade or two.
Fun Fact: Walt Disney originally planned for the Disneyland version of the Tiki Room to be a table service restaurant, where feathered friends would serenade the guests. The project got too complicated to simply be sideshow dinner entertainment, and the final version did not include a restaurant, but it’s still a nice place for a break in the day.
Storybook Land Canal Boats
Walt Disney was always fascinated with miniatures – whether they be tiny trains or small cities. When creating Disneyland, Walt wanted to offer a little boat ride (no, we’re not talking about “it’s a small world”) where guests could relax and see some really cool sights. The Canal Boats float guests by a series of miniature recreations of favorite Disney film scenes (crafted largely by Harriet Burns) including Gepetto’s village from Pinocchio, the Pigs’ houses from Three Little Pigs, the Kensington Gardens from Peter Pan, Alice’s cottage from Alice in Wonderland, the Old Mill from the 1937 Silly Symphony cartoon of the same name, Toad Hall from The Wind in the Willows, the diamond mine from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and even Cinderella’s Castle.
Over the years, several of the original scenes have been replaced, and others have been added, including the Village of Arendelle from Frozen, Prince Eric’s seaside castle and King Triton’s underwater castle from The Little Mermaid, and the Sultan’s palace and the Cave of Wonders from Aladdin.
The Disneyland Story Presenting Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln
As a Chicago native, Walt Disney took an early love and admiration for Illinois’ greatest citizen – Abraham Lincoln. The sixteenth U.S. President was Walt’s childhood hero. While in the 5th grade at his elementary school, Walt honored his hero’s birthday in dramatic fashion by dressing as Lincoln and delivering a stirring recitation of his famous Gettysburg Address for his classmates.
Walt took his admiration for Lincoln to new heights in 1963. His talented team of Imagineers developed an audio animatronic version of Lincoln for the State of Illinois Pavilion at the 1964 New York World’s Fair. Disney’s very first human animatronic spoke portions of several speeches actually delivered by Lincoln.
Lincoln was moved to Disneyland in 1965, after completion of the Fair, and he has resided in Main Street’s Town Square ever since. While Lincoln’s performance may be the highlight of the show, don’t overlook the hidden gems you’ll pass on the way to see him. Besides the American history lesson, guests can sample a taste of interesting Disney history during the pre-show, with a short video of Walt telling the audience about the inspiration behind the attraction.
Out in the lobby, guests can explore a “mini museum” that includes a model of the United States Capitol, and a model of Disneyland on opening day – July 17, 1955.
Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin
Once upon a time (in the late 1980s and early 1990s) Roger Rabbit was the single biggest Disney character on the planet. Who Framed Roger Rabbit – released in 1988 – introduced the zany rabbit, and boosted him to superstardom almost overnight. For a period of time, former Disney CEO Michael Eisner planned for Roger to have a much higher profile in the parks. Disney’s grand plans were scaled back due to financial constraints, but Roger did see one new attraction in Disneyland – Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon spin.
In this dark ride attraction, the dreaded Toon Patrol Weasels are causing trouble in Mickey’s Toontown. Jessica Rabbit has decided to take matters into her own hands by starting her own private investigative service. Guests are encouraged to catch a ride in a taxi and follow Roger Rabbit and Benny the Cab as they try to help Jessica Rabbit put a stop to the weasels and their evil plans (which includes, of course, the toon-melting Dip).
This madcap adventure is tucked into Mickey’s Toontown. Unfortunately, many kids (and plenty of younger adults) visiting the area don’t even know who Roger is. And for this reason, Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin doesn’t attract the attention it used to. This is wholly unfortunate, because the attraction is quite unique in how it merges classic dark ride conveyance with the independence of the spin found in Disneyland’s Mad Tea Party attraction. The result, according to Disney Imagineer Joe Lanzisero, “was a marriage made in heaven. Actually, made in Disneyland.”
The Dapper Dans
This last entry on my list of overlooked attractions isn’t technically an attraction. The Dapper Dans are a vintage (and very talented) barbershop quartet, and they literally bring Main Street alive! They come out around Town Square several times a day, offering a host of choral delights, ranging from favorite Disney tunes to classics from the great American songbook. But it’s not just their singing that entertains. Their witty banter in between numbers, and their active engagement with the audience, make the Dapper Dans a must-see live entertainment option. Check out the daily times guide to make sure you’re around when they come out.
Fun Fact: If you’ve seen the Dapper Dans before, then you may have seen their odd-looking instruments, which are a lot harder to play than they look. They are called Deagan Organ Chimes – patented by John Calhoun Deagan in 1900. Learn more about the Dapper Dans and their Deagan Organ chimes here.
The next time you visit Disneyland, don’t just run to the biggest attractions. Take some time to enjoy a few of these true gems. They are as much a part of the magic as every other attraction, and are very much worth the visit!
Do any of these overlooked attractions happen to be a favorite of yours? Maybe you think they belong on my list of favorite attractions in Disneyland? Reach out with a message on social to let me know what you think: Instagram Facebook X
If you’d like to check out my favorite (and some overlooked) attractions in all four Walt Disney World theme parks, see my favorite attraction lists for Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Are you interested in visiting Disneyland and experiencing all these attractions (and many more) for yourself? Reach out to Facts and Figment Vacation Planning to get the ball rolling. Our vacation planning services are absolutely FREE to you, and I can help you score the best, hardest-to-get deals to make your vacation more affordable and magical!
