With the original Disneyland having spread across the globe, you would think that going to any of them would result in the same experience. But that is not the case at all. Here are some experiences that are unique to the original Disneyland that you must do.
The experiences I am sharing are only found at the original Disneyland in Anaheim. While there are experiences that Magic Kingdom doesn’t have but Disneyland does, it could also be found at Disneyland in Paris and Tokyo and those are not included. California Adventure is not included as well.
New Orleans Square
The land in the bayou is solely found in Disneyland and is the home to swashbuckling pirates and 999 ghosts, as well as mint juleps, beignets, and jazz music. You can find it between Adventureland and Critter Country and it has a stop on the Disneyland Railroad too.
Haunted Mansion
Speaking of New Orleans Square, one of its attractions is the Haunted Mansion. While there are similarities for most Haunted Mansions, each one is a unique experience. At Disneyland, you are touring an antebellum-era mansion in New Orleans with many grim grinning ghosts waiting for you. The story of this particular mansion differs from the others and has some characters and characteristics unique to the southern plantation home. An example is the infamous Hatbox Ghost, which is only in Disneyland’s attraction.
The Haunted Mansion is not the only attraction like this, but it is the one with the most differences between versions. Pirates of the Caribbean has differences across versions, as well as Indiana Jones.
Walt Disney’s Apartment
The original Disneyland is the only theme park in the company that opened in Walt Disney’s lifetime. And within the park is an apartment that was actually used by the man behind the mouse. It is located above the fire station near the front entrance of the park and is only visitable through special VIP tours. But you can still spot it from outside because a lamp is in the window. When Walt was alive, that lamp would indicate that he was present in the park when it was on. Now it is always on as an homage to him.
Mr. Toad and Alice
This wasn’t always a Disneyland-only attraction, but the Magic Kingdom version was closed and replaced by The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. So now you can only journey through a wild ride to hell in Anaheim.
Also in Fantasyland and unique to Anaheim is Alice in Wonderland. While many parks have the spinning tea cups, only Anaheim has the omnimover attraction that takes you through the story.
Matterhorn Bobsleds
It’s true! This iconic attraction that can be seen all across the park can only be found in the original Disneyland. It is based on a real mountain located in Switzerland, but that certainly doesn’t have the world’s first tubular steel roller coaster with a yeti waiting for you.
Blue Bayou Restaurant
Another featured experience in New Orlean’s Square is the Blue Bayou Restaurant, a cajun-cuisine eatery that is located within the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction. That is right you can enjoy your meal and watch the boats leave the starting dock and begin their sailing. It is incredibly atmospheric and quite an experience to have.
As Walt Disney said, “Disneyland will never be complete as long as there is imagination.” So many new things could come and some of these currently unique experiences could be duplicated in the future. And that is part of the magic.
Did I miss an experience? Share in the comments!
