The Little Things

[HaveCourage&BeKind]

What are the little things you like to do at Disneyland or DCA? Where are your favorite spots to just enjoy the park atmosphere and/or character/people watching?

(ASD info dump overshare incoming...) I'm born and raised in LA, but live in NC now. I've been to Disneyland & DCA more times than I can count from 1983-2003. I'm from the time of $99 annual passes and watching DCA being built from a viewing platform (then those APs jumped to $119 for both parks!), the skyway, rocket rods (loved them, but I deeply miss the people mover), OG Fantasmic! , decoding in the Indiana Jones line, and maybe possibly but definitely not admitting to still having a neon apple from the Snow White ride... ANYWAY...my point is, I have lots of wonderful memories and I love what Disneyland & DCA were, what they are, and what they will be. For my upcoming two day visit (a Monday and Tuesday) in late October (spouse is attending a conference there), I'd like to seek out the little experiences since I won't have my kids nor my non-Disney spouse weighing me down with cruise directing their experience (yeah, I said it!). Please share any and all of your favorite little things!

 

[KPeterso]

I love the flag retreat ceremony and try to go anytime I am at the parks. It currently is at 4:15 in Town Square and is when the Security Honor detail lowers the flags. It honors all current and retired military as part of the ceremony. And the Disneyland band and Dapper Dans provide music (most days - I believe they do not always perform on Wednesdays and Thursdays (or maybe it is Tuesdays and Wednesdays). There are a lot of regulars who attend and I have made friends with quite a few of them over the years, but always looking for new guests to join us. For best viewing, I try to be at the area between 3:30-3:45.

 

[HaveCourage&BeKind]

This is great! I've never done that and will definitely check that out. Thank you!

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

For me its all the bits of Disney History that most people walk past.
Main Street - The Lamp Posts, The Brick Wall, The Native American statue
Frontierland - The Petrified Tree
Adventureland - The Little Man of Disneyland

I usually do rope drop to late at night without an afternoon hotel break, so over the years Ive found lots of places to have a quiet chill time in the afternoons.
Harbour Galley
The seating area at the back of Edelweiss Snacks
The seating area at Boardwalk Pasta

My rope drop morning hack is to get coffee from the shop in Tropicana Hotel, about half the price or more than Starbucks without having to wait in line.

 

[ClaraOswald]

I love the little extras around the parks...

Like the party line phones where you can listen in to the "conversations."



Or the recordings you can hear coming from some of the windows, like at the Painless Dentist.