I thought I'd start a thread about the "little things" people miss when getting taken over by the "we must ride each ride" bug when at DL. Not saying that's a bad bug, we've all been there, but some 1st timers might benefit from the little things they should see if they get a chance. This thread is meant for that.

One thing we love to do is the Flag Retreat Ceremony. Nothing beats watching all of the veterans go up and stand around the flag as their affiliation is announced.

Hearing the sound when my ticket is scanned. Walking down Main St. for the first time of the trip. The first ride on PoTC. And my all time fave-being a grumpy mommy but taking the time to see Parade of Dreams with my 4 year old and then her telling me that it magic-ed her heart. BEST!!! :D

#1 Billy Hill- can't even describe how much I am looking forward to seeing these guys again. With a side of the big chocolate cake this is heaven for my family.
#2 People watching in New Orleans Square. Or having hot chocolate there at night. I could do that every night of my life and not get tired of it.
#3 The song before the grand marshall for the parade. (you know "it's the happiest place on earth" song) I get the shivers when its starts to play. So many people wait until the last minute to get a spot for the parade, but we are always there early and seeing Pooh, Mary Poppins etc. come down the street and then hear the song makes my day. When my daughter was 17 months all she could say was Wow-Wow when she saw Pooh. A perfect moment every time.

I guess really my hidden gems are all about taking time out to enjoy just being there. No lines, no hurry-up, just sit back and take it all in.

Little moments...

Taking the time to stop and listen to the street musicians over in NoS area....or to watch the tap dancers when they are out...

Listening to the dapper dans sing Happy Birthday to my daughter...

Taking the 'squished penny' tour ...very inexpensive way to find the nooks of the park....

Feeding the ducks popcorn....

Taking a moment to watch the swans on the moat....

The flag ceremony. Nothing can bring a tear to my eye faster than watching it.

I listen for my favorite Main Street Song, "Put On Your Sunday Clothes", from Hello Dolly!, and skip down Main Street arm-in-arm with my Mom singing. My son and hubby think we're crazy, but we do it every time. As many times as hear it, in fact!

What a blast!:D

Sitting on a bench at the hub eating popcorn and people watching.

Watching the animated fish fountain at Snow White's grotto.

Making a wish in the well at the same place.

Making a wish at Minnie Mouse's wishing well.

Watching the Saturday night dancing or any performance at the Carnation Plaza.

Playing with the gags in Toontown

Playing with the gags in the Indiana Jones queue.

Watching PUSH interact with the kids at DCA.

taking a trip on a sunny warm day on the Mark Twain around the Rivers of America . . . . try to get a seat on one of the benches right as you get on . . . it's one of the most relaxing things I have ever done at DL!

#1 of course is the Flag Ceremony

Go in to the market (can't remember name) on main street and listen to the old fashion party line on the phones (when they work)

eat downstairs near the back at Hungry Bear - it's so peaceful there and it's fun to watch all the ducks and coots

watch the various street performers

as someone else said - just people watch

Go over to the Grand California Hotel and sit outside in that round area surrounded by the redwood trees or go sit in the lobby and people watch

Depending on the time and only if my friends have been to the park before go watch the Mickey cartoons in the theater

I love to take main street slow, I love the atmosphere, smells etc.

We love going to Pooh's candy shop everyone picks a piece (chocolate & carmel covered pretzle rod for me) and watch everyone coming off splash.

My middle son LOVES the Nestle cookie baking class. The CM's are awesome and really get the kids involved, it's fun to watch and a nice break on the feet.

1) People watching while I eat breakfast on the River Belle's outdoor eating terrace.

2) Snow White's grotto with my kids, just fooling around

3) Water fountains in Toon Town with the kids, watching them have enormous amounts of fun

4) Hanging out in the DL Baby Center. So sweet and peaceful!

5) Listening to the back chatter from the top windows on Main St. and while approaching the station at the end of the BTMRR.

Playing with the gags in the Indiana Jones queue.



I have a question maybe you can answer it for me. ONE time we went through where the spears area, and someone grabbed a spear and then some started coming down from the ceiling. Am I making sense? I am not even sure they are called spears. Anyway my son has tried every spear within reach, and it has never happened again...so which one is it?

--enjoying coffee and a sticky bun in the area by the lockers before we go on any rides.
--eating a Dole Whip in the Tiki Room
--sitting under the heaters outside Pacific Wharf Cafe, having soup in a bowl watching the Electric Parade - only got to do this once, but really enjoyed it.
--last trip we got refillable coffee & hot choc at the Plaza Inn (?), waited for the fireworks sitting under a heater, deleting any pics we didn't want on our cameras. We actually had a decent view of the fireworks there.
--eating lunch at the saloon and then watching the Billy Hill show. ....hmmm these all involve food....

I have a question maybe you can answer it for me. ONE time we went through where the spears area, and someone grabbed a spear and then some started coming down from the ceiling. Am I making sense? I am not even sure they are called spears. Anyway my son has tried every spear within reach, and it has never happened again...so which one is it?

It's actually the rope on the side (with the sign that says "do not pull on rope") that you pull on that makes the spikes come down. Sometimes the rope is missing and sometimes, it's just not working.

It's actually the rope on the side (with the sign that says "do not pull on rope") that you pull on that makes the spikes come down. Sometimes the rope is missing and sometimes, it's just not working.

I thought it was the spinning pole that made the ceiling cave? The rope is later right before you get to the viewing room (where the man in the box screams when you pull the rope?)

I thought it was the spinning pole that made the ceiling cave? The rope is later right before you get to the viewing room (where the man in the box screams when you pull the rope?)

Yeah, I guess some people call it a pole. I sometimes call it a rope, but yes, the one that comes out of the ceiling as opposed to the one that you pull by the well.

Yeah, I guess some people call it a pole. I sometimes call it a rope, but yes, the one that comes out of the ceiling as opposed to the one that you pull by the well.

Yes, there are two gags. One is the well rope with the sign that says "do not pull rope". The other is a bamboo pole but it is kind of rubbery (and it doesn't spin, but it does kinda hoola when you swing it), and when you tug on it, the roof rattles and a booming noise occurs. The pole has been missing for some time, but it was back on Saturday, although when I pulled it, I got nothing, so either my timing was off, my pull was not hard enough, or they are still working out the kinks. :(

The best little thing about Disneyland:

Being there with my family.

My daughter whispering, "Can you put your hand on top of mine?" right before we soar on Soarin'.
My other daughter screaming, "I LOVE DISNEYLAND!" at the peak of GRR.
My husband admitting, "This IS a pretty amazing place."

Aside from enjoying my family time, I think the "little thing" for me (although not so little) is the landscaping. I always enjoy the flowers and plants. I wonder how long some of those citrus trees have been there and appreciate all the time and effort that goes into maintaining the vegetation.

Our hidden gems would be:
- sitting on any park bench and watching all the different people
- having lunch way in the back by the water at the Hungry Bear restuarant
- The courtyard at the former Disney Gallery
Ahh, how I miss those wonderful memories

Seems to me Main Street is the place! I like to watch the artist in the window of the Watch Shop.

Every time I go on Space Mountain I remember how much I love that ride!

The beignets at the Jazz Kitchen.

Bacon wrapped asparagus.

Tiger tails.

Dole Whips.

Hmmm, I'm almost all about food, too!

Watching the 50 Years show at the Opera House.

Watching the 50 Years show at the Opera House.

Twice now, we've caught the very last show - they show it one more time after the park closes when Main Street is still open. Such a neat way to end the day. (especially when the people you're with haven't seen it before) :)

We always need to see the Cheshire Cat appear, then disappear, in the Mad Hatter Shoppe in Fantasyland.

It's so funny how we all have so many of the same things that we enjoy away from the rides!

Another one of mine: at DCA, watching the geysers spray people that thought they were safe from the bridge over GRR.

Otherwise, I agree with all of the things people have said thus far! Hopefully some people new to disney will stop and smell some of these "roses" that we all love!