Random Facts

[Steve DeGaetano]

Originally Posted by Bob Weaver

Steve, what fuel do the trains use?

They were originally fueled with No. 2 "Red" diesel oil (the "red" indicated that the fuel was dyed red because road-use taxes didn't need to be paid). This was essentially the same stuff that you get at the gas station (except red colored).

Then, in January 2007, the trains were switched over to run on "B98" biodiesel (98% soybean oil, 2% regular diesel). But there were problems with storing this fuel, so a short time later, they went back to No. 2 Red. Then, last year, Disney started recycling its used cooking oil. An outside company reformualtes this cooking oil into the biodiesel the trains run on today.

[Bob Weaver]

Thanks.

About the helicopters seen recently, I'd be very surprised if they were anything other than emergency flights (LifeFlight, etc.) Here's an article:

NO-FLY ZONES SHIELD DISNEY'S RESORTS

[fourmountain]

Originally Posted by Bob Weaver

Thanks.

About the helicopters seen recently, I'd be very surprised if they were anything other than emergency flights (LifeFlight, etc.) Here's an article:

NO-FLY ZONES SHIELD DISNEY'S RESORTS

Thanks for the info. Like I said, it was very curious (in the words of Alice). And, to have it happen twice, was strange. I had assumed it was a tour of some sort, but lifeflight makes more sense. Of course, we wouldn't hear anything about serious injuries in the park or would they have been outside the park?

[Bob Weaver]

I don't know, but Disneyland has been criticized in the past for not allowing EMTs from public agencies into the park fast enough. Disneyland has their own staff of EMTs now, behind the First Aid station. They are able to drive a guest to U.C. Irvine Medical Center.

When the helicopter flights landed at Disneyland, the first two locations for the helipad were just east of Tomorrowland, so I don't see how guests in Tomorrowand could have not seen or heard the huge noisy helicopters used then.



This photo shows a helicopter landing virtually right outside the berm from Tomorrowland:



This photo shows the heliport "check-in gate" and the Tomorrowland station of the Skyway:



These locations were used from approximately 1955 to 1960, and in 1960 the heliport was moved to a location to the west of the Disneyland Hotel. Presumably that was far away enough that guests inside the park would not see or hear the helicopters. That location lasted until 1968, when the 2 crashes resulted in the end of helicopter flights to Disneyland.

[JAG107]

Originally Posted by sleepyjeff

One attraction was so popular when it opened that Walt charged more than an E-ticket to see it.


-The Enchanted Tiki Room-

I believe the cash price to see the show was ninety cents.

[JAG107]

The skull above the skeleton in the bed near the beginning of POTC is an actual human skull


This is about as true as Walt being frozen. I have personally touched said skull, and I assure everyone that it is not from a real human. I have heard this urban legend many many times before, but it's been a while til now!

May I also say that Steve DeGaetano is an awesome source of information! Great posts!

[Bob Weaver]

When the Jungle Cruise was built, they used a lot of plastic plants to make up for the lack of real vegetation. Sometime about 1989 or so they finally removed the last of the plastic plants because the planted ones had grown enough. I remember reading a short article about it in the L.A. Times around that time. Now all the trees and plants you see are natural.

[Madame_Leota]

Originally Posted by Steve DeGaetano

But it is always worth a try to score a ride, so it never hurts to ask!

And even if they say "no" come back and ask again later!

Only two people can fit up there so don't bring a whole group. They also usually have to go refill the water before you can ride, so you may end up waiting a long time because you have to wait for that train to come back, but it's seriously worth it. Also, the conductors are amazing and will talk to you and explain things to you the entire time. I had a blast riding up there and hope to do it again on my next trip!


And speaking of trains, I also want to ride on the opposite end of the train too. Is it true you can ride on the Lilly Belle? I've heard mixed answers.

[JungleCruiseFan]

Originally Posted by Bob Weaver

When the Jungle Cruise was built, they used a lot of plastic plants to make up for the lack of real vegetation. Sometime about 1989 or so they finally removed the last of the plastic plants because the planted ones had grown enough. I remember reading a short article about it in the L.A. Times around that time. Now all the trees and plants you see are natural.

There's a rumor that they also pulled up some oranges trees and replanted them, roots sticking up, to resemble exotic trees.
Can anyone confirm that? It seems pretty unlikely.

[disneyDragon923]

Originally Posted by JungleCruiseFan

There's a rumor that they also pulled up some oranges trees and replanted them, roots sticking up, to resemble exotic trees.
Can anyone confirm that? It seems pretty unlikely.

I've heard that myself and have been wondering that too, I myself don't think it's true, but hey, who knows I mean it is Disneyland were talking about, so who knows

[Bob Weaver]

From "Disney Legends - Bill Evans" (a Disney-owned site): "In the Jungle Cruise, there´s a group of orange trees that most people would never recognize because Bill planted them upside down. He decided the gnarled roots of the orange trees looked like suitably exotic jungle branches."
I have read on other sites that there were some orange trees in the Jungle Cruise landscape and that Walt Disney had all the oranges pulled off them so that guests wouldn't recognize them as orange trees. Don't know how true that is or whether any of those trees are still there.

[orbitalpunk]

There was a breathing apparatus inside of the Bank of Main Street safe in case of a robbery, the tellers could lock themselves inside and wait it out with enough air. Of course this just happened to come with the safe since it was an authentic safe and not a feature Disney actually requested. I haven't checked if its still their or not.

[I Heart Disneyland]

I have a feeling this thread is full of misinformation! ha!

[Madame_Leota]

Originally Posted by I Heart Disneyland

I have a feeling this thread is full of misinformation! ha!

lol me too. :P

[scotchtape]

- the dumbo ride was first conceived as "Pink Elephants on Parade" and was to consist of all pink elephants, like the ones Dumbo envisions in his nightmare in the movie. Walt changed his mind, however, when he realized that it might look like was encouraging kids to drink alcohol.

- during prime meal hours, when the self-serve food operations are at the busiest, the lines on the left side tend to be shorter.

-by request of the Anahiem Fire Department, Pirates of the Caribbean is equipped with a system that, in the event of an actual fire, automatically shuts down the authentic "burning town" effect at the end of the ride, so that firefights can pinpoint the real blaze and not waste time battling artificial flames.

- a journey through it's a small world passes by children over a hundred different nationalities and takes guest through dozens of different countries; however, the Unites States is not depicted. Similarly, while the United States is represented in the overseas parks, you will not find Japan in Tokyo DisneylandFrance at Disneyland Paris.

- despite the securtiy systems now installed inside all of Disneyland's attractions, couples will still try to have s*x while on the "dark" rides, apparently not realizing that the cameras are infrared and can pick up their every move. On occasion they are stopped with a warning of the loudspeaker; other as, as they exit, they are met with applause from knowing cast members.