The Disneyland Resort has so much to offer guests. From the simple to the state-of-the-art attractions to the live music and colorful parades, Disney is the pinnacle of theme park experiences.

At the same time, Disneyland and Disney California Adventure have a number of special things that the average parkgoer may not know about.

We all love riding Peter Pan and Space Mountain endlessly, or indulging in a delicious churro or Mickey Mouse pretzel. For those looking for a unique experience, here are some of the coolest and most niche activities to put on your Disneyland wish list.

1. Ride Fantasyland Attractions With Characters

Disneyland in Anaheim, California (at least in comparison to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida) sets itself apart in numerous ways. One of these is that Disneyland has many free-roaming characters. On any given day, you can see Peter Pan, Captain Hook, Pinocchio, Aladdin, Belle, Jack Sparrow, and many others meandering through the park. That alone makes the park special, as it allows for a kind of whimsical immersion and opportunity for spontaneous interactions with characters.

However, Disney ups the ante with many of these characters and gives guests a chance to ride attractions with them as well. Notably, you can ride the Carousel with Mary Poppins, Bert, and the Pearly Band, and the Mad Tea Party with Alice and the Mad Hatter.

It doesn’t always happen. It all comes down to luck and timing. But when it does, especially if you’re right beside them on the Carousel or in the same teacup, you’ll have one of the most magical moments ever.

2. Playing Musical Chairs With Alice and the Mad Hatter

Speaking of Alice and the Mad Hatter, park goers are in for a treat nearly every afternoon at Refreshment Corner on Main Street. Guests can enjoy a ragtime piano player while relaxing at one of the outdoor shaded tables, before Alice and the Mad Hatter arrive for a fun game of musical chairs.

Gathering up any unused chairs, Alice and Hatter recruit several children, and even a few adults, for the game. Alice plays while Hatter offers hilarious commentary and directions to keep things zany. It’s a completely unique activity, which kids will especially love and always remember.

The game typically takes place in the early afternoon, but is never listed on the official entertainment schedule. Guests who want to participate should ask guest services at City Hall or the piano player if a game will happen that day.

3. Mail a Letter From the Park

While strolling through Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, most guests admire the architecture and enjoy the music that plays throughout. However, many walk right by something quite surprising. Both parks feature working mailboxes for guests to mail letters and postcards.

That’s right- if you want to send a thank you or invitation from the Happiest Place on Earth, both parks offer services with the U.S. Postal Service. In Disneyland, you’ll find mailboxes in Main Street, Frontierland, Adventureland, Bayou Country, and Tomorrowland. DCA locations include Buena Vista Street, Grizzly Peak, San Fransokyo Square, and Pixar Pier. Between both parks, there are 22 mailboxes in total.

Of course, a few important caveats must be noted. Be sure to come prepared with your own postage. Additionally, if you want the mail to have the official Disneyland stamp and not just Anaheim, head to City Hall and ask for one before depositing your letter in one of the boxes.

4. Ride the Lilly Belle Car of the Disneyland Railroad

One of the most auspicious activities at Disneyland, riding in the Lilly Belle Car has become rare. However, the opportunity to ride has not disappeared altogether. This Presidential car of the Disneyland Railroad is decorated in a lovely Victorian style with plush, red velvet seats and photos of the Disney family.

Originally used for VIP guests, park goers used to be able to request a ride. However, increased popularity required making the Lilly Belle only accessible through a VIP tour. Though it’s a bit of a splurge at $145, the Disneyland Railroad Tour does offer a magical, rare opportunity.

On this 90-minute tour, you’ll hear stories about Walt, his love of trains, and the rich, impactful history they had on his life and Disneyland. You will receive a sweet treat, one Lightning Lane, and commemorative mementos, such as the buttons and name tags, seen in this post from Jared Guynes. Lastly, guests will climb aboard the Lilly Belle and transport themselves to a bygone era.

While the only guaranteed access to the train car is through a guided tour, it never hurts to ask a Cast Member at the Main Street Station about riding. You’ll most likely hear a “no”, but at Disneyland, you never know when something unexpected can happen.

5. Ride in the Wheelhouse of the Mark Twain

Much like riding the Lilly Belle, riding in the wheelhouse of the Mark Twain Riverboat is much less common than it previously was. However, with a bit of luck, you may still get this special opportunity.

Guests can either ask or be discreetly selected by a Cast Member to join the Captain in the wheelhouse. If it happens, a small group of up to four can climb to the top of the boat, can “steer” the ship, ring the bell and whistle, and sign the captain’s log.

The sights and sounds of the Mark Twain are steeped in Disney history, being an opening day attraction and an indelible emblem of the park. Indeed, due to its current rarity, anyone given this opportunity should thank their lucky stars.

6. Sign the Guest Book and Be a Whale Watcher on the Storybook Land Canal Boats

Almost all park goers know by now that the key to a successful Disneyland day involves showing up for “rope drop.” In other words, arrive before the official opening time and be ready to head to your desired location. For your next trip, instead of heading straight for Space Mountain or Indiana Jones, head into Fantasyland. Likewise, bypass the typical attraction of Peter Pan’s Flight and go to the Storybook Land Canal Boats.

In addition to being a lovely, peaceful ride, if you are the very first guest, you get to sign a very special guest book. It may seem small, but in life, it’s the little joys that mean the most sometimes.

Likewise, for toddlers and small kids, ask if they can be a whale watcher. Two kids get to sit at the very front of the boat, and for a kid, getting to do something special like that remains the best feeling. The best part is that this can happen at any time of the day.

7. Special Photo Pass Photography Sessions

One of the best things at any Disney park is Photo Pass Photography. At Disneyland and DCA, photographers are at various locations throughout the parks and will take incredible photos of you and your party. They then scan a code on your Disneyland app, which uploads them all. You can choose to buy individual ones or a package for the day. If you get a Lightning Lane Multi-pass, it includes Photo Pass.

What many guests don’t know is that some photographers will take you on what’s called an “excursion” upon request. This takes about 10-15 minutes with the photographer leading you to several non-typical places and posing you in fun ways. Not every photographer does this, but when you find one who does, it’s well worth it because it has no extra fees.

Park Pass has a fun video about one of these excursions that’s worth checking out for those looking for more unique photos from their trip.

8. Sit in the Front of the Monorail

As popular as the Monorail remains for the average park-goer, many do not know of one fantastic opportunity available to all guests. Anyone can ask to sit in the very front of the Monorail with the pilot. The “nose” of the train has spacious seating and offers some of the best views in the park.

As someone who’s done this multiple times, I can attest to how incredible it feels to look down at the beauty below from this unique perspective.

Riding in this section comes down to timing, persistence, and a bit of luck. It’s best to be at the front of the line to ensure you’re the first to request this. If you’re not, and don’t mind waiting, simply wait for the Monorail to return to the Tomorrowland station, and head straight to the front once the gate opens.

9. Interact With a Magician

Many are unaware that Magic comes in many forms at Disneyland. In addition to Pixie Dust and Princesses, they employ talented magicians who perform close-up magic, especially card tricks. The one place guests are guaranteed to meet one of these illusionists is at the Magic Shop on Main Street. Actor Steve Martin famously relates the story of being a magician at Disneyland when he was very young.

Although it’s less frequent, magicians are also known to pop up around Frontierland and on the Mark Twain Riverboat. The individual always performs a mystifying trick that will awe and amaze even the most skeptical of travelers.

10. Lamplight Lounge’s Secret Room

Ever since it first opened in 2018, Lamplight Lounge (located in DCA’s Pixar Pier) has quickly become one of the entire Resort’s most popular eateries and coveted reservations. Indeed, getting reservations for Lamplight is as difficult as getting reservations for the Blue Bayou because it offers scrumptious food with a beautiful, unique atmosphere.

Those who dine here typically love the outdoor seating the most. However, there’s another sought-after area that many do not know about. Located on the bottom floor, behind a door filled with gadgets and lights, is a secret room for groups to enjoy their meal.

There are sketches of Pixar artists everywhere, a plush booth, plus a few tables to play the board games that adorn the walls. Perhaps the best spot is the small, private balcony that offers an amazing view of Paradise Bay Lagoon and the Incredicoaster.

Getting into the “secret room” comes down to luck and timing. You can’t reserve it. You can, however, ask a cast member upon arrival if it’s available. Celebrating a special occasion helps, and your group should be at least six people but no more than 13.

11. Watch Cars Land Light Up

Many theme park enthusiasts will agree that Cars Land in DCA is one of the most spectacular lands ever created by Disney. A feat of creativity and engineering, stepping inside Cars Land literally feels like you’ve stepped into the film and Radiator Springs itself.

Though a simple, unassuming event, something that many guests enjoy, but not all know about, is the lighting of Cars Land. Every evening at dusk, as the sunlight slowly fades, all of the neon and string lights come on, while the 50s classic song “Sh-boom” plays. It’s a sweet moment that evokes a sense of nostalgia, inviting everyone to stop and enjoy the ambiance for a few minutes.

Additionally, guests should stick around after this to see Cars Land fully lit in all its glory at night. It remains a true wonder to behold.