Tag: Sounds

Fantastic Find in Fantasyland

Did you know that Disneyland has it’s own Rapunzel tower? It isn’t as large and grandiose as the one in WDW and it doesn’t have it’s own bathrooms but there is definitely some unseen magic to be found in this little hidden nook. This area is part of Fantasyland but is not back behind the castle. If you are standing at the hub, facing the castle, this area will be to your left, towards Frontierland. This is where you can find the Royal Theater and the Royal Hall, where you can meet the princesses (as of May 2021, socially distanced meet and greets with selfies).

As a family, we never ventured back in this area because my kids were never really that interested in meeting characters, but when Karen and I did our walk-every-square-inch-of-the-parks trip we stumbled upon it.

One of our top 10 unseen magic finds to date is the Clopin’s Music Box that is tucked away in this area. It looks just like a pretty castle with people inside but when you get closer you will discover that there is a handle to turn, music will begin to fill your ears and the scenes from The Hunchback of Notre Dame unfold before your eyes. You don’t even have to put a quarter in it!

After you turn the handle on the music box, take a step back and look up all around you. You will see Gepetto’s cat, Figaro, from the movie Pinocchio. This is definitely a lesser know character and it’s so fun to see these details scattered throughout the parks. Once you spot the cat who appears to be sleeping, next to a bird in a cage, don’t walk away just yet. Just pause and watch for a minute to see Figaro wake up and try to get at the bird!

If you enjoyed learning about these hidden Disney secrets check out this post to learn about more unseen magical details on Main Street USA:

https://theunseenmagic.com/the-sounds-of-main-street/

If you have little ones or know someone with little ones that would benefit from a ride height chart I have a great tool for you! I have designed a ride height chart that lists all the rides with height requirements so you can know before you go to the parks if your kids are tall enough to ride the rides. You can also track your child’s growth by using a fine point sharpie to record their measurements. I have a Disneyland and a WDW version. You can find them in my etsy shop at the link below:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/Thebeadedwindmill?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=1182600933

The Sounds of Main Street

What sounds do you associate with walking down Main Street, USA, Disneyland? Is it the the magical music in the background, the beeping horn from the street car, the clip clop of the horse’s hoofs, the announcements from the Disneyland Railroad? I do love hearing all these things, but I have some new sounds for you to discover on Main Street!

If you have ever rented a locker in Disneyland you have walked through this secret sound location. You can find it just past the Market House to your right as you are heading towards the castle. Pre-C0vid, there were tables here where you could sit and rest your feet while snacking on churro or Mickey Pretzel.

Hopefully the tables are still here, and if not, you can just stand and listen for the magical sounds I am about to share with you. If you look around at the shop windows that are lining this little alley you will notice signs for piano lessons, a dentist, a hotel and a detective agency.

Here you see Dr. Bitz’s Painless Dentist office and dental school, where dentists, in training, will happily work on your teeth, oh, and they are licensed to use Laughing Gas.

Would you be willing to let one of Dr. Bitz’s students work on your teeth? After you listen to the sounds coming from this office you may or may not change your mind.

Piano Lessons are also offered, just ask for Sara. Miss Sara is very patient with her beginning piano students, just make sure you practice!

Across the way, look for the Detective Agency where they never sleep. It seems like you should be able to count on them to always be an attentive detective. After you listen to the sounds coming from this office, you may think differently.

Who wouldn’t want to stay in the Hotel Marceline? They have clean rooms and good rates. You might want to stop and listen to the current residents at Hotel Marceline, they might be a little disruptive.

I hope your next stroll down Main Street USA allows you some time to stop and listen to this unique piece of unseen magic. The few times we’ve sat there and listened for these sounds we have been surrounded by many people sitting at the tables eating, having a drink, playing on their phones and I have never once noticed someone actually hear these sounds. They are subtle and you have to be paying attention.

Here is a little background on the name of the hotel: Hotel Marceline. Marceline, is the name of the town where Walt Disney was born and Main Street USA at the Disney theme parks was created after downtown Marceline, MO. Although Walt only lived here for 5 years of his young life it left a lasting impression on him. His family had moved from the big city, Chicago, to this small, quaint little town and Walt said, “The cows, pigs, chickens gave me a big thrill, and perhaps that’s the reason we use so many barnyard animals in the Mickey Mouse and Silly Symphony pictures today—who knows?”-1938 letter to the Marceline News