I went to Disneyland last week with my grandson for the time in 40 years. We used the single rider line at Radiator Springs Racers six times in a row, and each time my grandson and I ended up racing each other.

Once while having a late afternoon snack, four younger feral cats (maybe 6 months old) played in some flowers under a nearby tree. They were absolutely beautiful - orange cats with turquoise blue eyes. All of them.  They weren’t afraid of us, but stayed to themselves with a bit of curiosity as to who we were.  I wanted all of them!!

TIP: bring a dollar store plastic rain poncho and hit Splash Mountain/Tiana's (or Grizzly Rapids) right after rope drop; most guests are avoiding it then because they don’t want to get wet in the morning chill, but when we go there first, we often see nobody ahead of us in line, get right on, have fun and stay nice and dry in our $1 ponchos…and the cast members ask us if we’d like to go around again because there’s still nobody in line and they want to attract more guests by having us holler all the way down the drop ;-)

My sister and I worked there in '80-'81. Weekends I had a 8=4:30 shift. Walking through the park in the morning on a clear So. Cal. morning when it is empty and spotless is pretty cool. One morning I did see a cat in Tomorrowland. Orientation included a tour backstage. What goes into that place just in the costumes is incredible. Our dressing rooms were behind Tomorrowland.    I was walking out one day and walked past one of those flatbed push carts. It was stacked with boxes of rolls of coins quarters, dimes, nickles just sitting there. But who's going to touch it? Nobody. The security and overall organization there is incredible.
  A couple other things. Disney had it so that nothing can be built outside of the park that can be seen from inside the park from the ground. Also Main Street narrows so it appears longer. Railing on Haunted Mansion are actually a type of foam rubber. Objects are repainted with paint given a charge so that the overspray is pulled back and paints the backside. In 1980, the goal on a summer day was each guest spending $20 and 50K guests. Back then the "Fantasy in the Sky" fireworks cost $5k a night. They were shot off from an enclosed firing room in the back of the park.

Rope drop tip: Go all the way to the back of the park as soon as they drop the rope.  People tend to stop at the first thing they pass that interests them.  If you make a beeline for the back of the park, you'll have it nearly to yourself until those people work their way deeper into the park.

I am a huge Disney fan. I’ve always wanted to visit Walt’s private room and to be invited to Club 33. Those are my bucket list wishes!
When you wish upon a star.💫

I was a cast member on third shift back in the late 90s to early 2000s. One of my attractions was Big Thunder. It was around 4 AM and I was walking back to the maintenance area. It was silent and as I walked past the storefronts of Rainbow Ridge, one of the feral cats was in the shadows. It hissed and howled at me and took a swipe at my head. Scared the pudding out of me! Good times!!!

I feel that I have always headed left from the hub because I have always enjoyed hitting Big Thunder, Jungle Cruise, Pirates and Haunted Mansion right away. I have recently learned about heading left in the queue's with the exception of Big Thunder.

Hoping on the train at opening, going to the back, then working your way forward, works great as well!

My dad was a 33rd Degree Mason. Walt started in the DeMolay, and my son was in DeMolay. I have a photo of my son  at 17, when he spontaneously kneeled a d showed the DeMolay salute of respect. The numberc33 means the highest degree of honor.

I always started left because I liked finishing up in Tomorrowland at the end, which looks especially amazing at dusk.

The rope drop when I was kid was fun. You could get to rides faster if you went through the stores. Now the stores have a wall between them.

Another Rope Drop Tip: Plan to arrive at the parking structure promptly by 6am, when it opens. You'll be at the front of the line for the 7am parking gate opening... AND, the traditional honking parade minutes prior to opening.

That positions you to park first, and get on the first tram out.

I've always gone left. Start off with the Jungle Ride to get the juices flowing. I learned this in the early 1970's when I went with my G-Paw. After parking, in what is now Cali Adventure, and purchasing tickets for individual rides (just like you do at a fair), he asked what I wanted to ride first. I noticed everyone going to the right, towards Tomorrow Land. So it's been the Jungle Ride first. 50 years later and I still go left (-: Cool video btw!

Nothing here that I didn't already know.

It’s unfortunate to see some hate towards Disney. It’s a great place once you embrace it and let yourself free for a while.

I did not know about the cats! Cool. Thank you for explaining "Go Away Green" . I try to ignore it because it's awful to look at. It's effective but gives a jaded look. Perhaps that's what keeps the sixties charm.

By staying at the Disney Hotels and getting in 2 hours before the public, one day we ride Space Mtn 5 times without having to get out. Next day we rode Indiana Jones twice before seeing other guests. Well worth the extra money to about 2 to 2-1/2 hour lines.

I actually knew at least something about most of these, but it's always good to get more information about something you've heard.  #10 was a complete surprise though!  That's a real gem.  And yes, I've seen one or two of the Disney cats at Big Thunder Mountain - during the daytime, even.

The single rider is new to me. I wish I had known this before. I have gone to the park alone before, and that tip would have saved me time in some of the rides!