I have worked in security at Disneyland California and have since retired. Over the years I have had my own strange experiences while working there and have heard many stories from fellow security staff who worked there during the 80s, 90s, right before I started who have told me they have seen and experienced similar things.
I experienced the most when I worked what we called the graveyard shift, this was probably around 2002 to 2003, the main part I patrolled was at the back tower of the Disneyland hotel between midnight and 5am, which was known as the Bonita tower then. Sometimes I would hear footfalls walking towards me then experience a rush of cold air as if something had walked through me. Another time, I was sitting on one of the end of building stairwells, which was metal and I could hear someone walking up the stairs. I looked down but nobody was there, just the footfalls.
Another time, I was patrolling The paradise pier hotel. There was on top floor a spot where a slight haze could be seen on occasion and when it was there, it would be chilly. No vent issue, no window issue, but it was one of the spots the original manager would like to stand. He died at the hotel before Disney bought it.
Other times when I was in the communication centre on the overnight shift, we would walk the park on my 3am break. A couple of times, saw what looked like a person walking, they were fuzzy image and then would just dissipate when I would call out.
My co-worker, a few years before I started, said he had a call late one night on a shift, there had been a report of a store disturbance on the main street. He walked upstairs to see a few cast members on one side of the room pointing to a spot on other side. He heard things moving around before he turned and saw a couple of items moving by themselves on a table.
Another co-worker told me after Disneyland California adventure opened he was walking around the park after it had closed and he had seen a young girl dressed in a long white dress. He said he called out to her and started to walk towards her. She smiled at him and waved. She then slowly disappeared from the feet up. He never worked that part of the park again.
Sender: Anonymous
Disneyland’s Ghosts
If you didn’t already know that Disneyland is one of the most haunted places to visit in US, then you certainly want to check out its history.
Here is just 10 of the ghosts that are said to haunt the park.
Walt Disney haunts Disneyland – It is common knowledge thatWalt had an apartment over the Fire Station on Main Street. After his death in 1966, a light in the window is never turned off – as tribute to Walt. Before the tradition of leaving the light on began, a cast member turned off the light and left the room only to find the light turned on again when she returned. The story goes that she heard a voice that said, “I am still here.”
Space Mountain’s Mr. One Way – He’s described as a large man with red hair and a red face. The legend is that he sits in the seat next to single riders. Then he disappears by the end of the ride. He has also been spotted in the cast member locker room.
Monorail runner — In June of 1966, a teenager tried to sneak into Disneyland for grad night by climbing a fence and crossing the Monorail track. When he was spotted by a security guard, the teenager ran. But he was struck and killed by the Monorail train. It is said that the ghost of the teenager can be seen at night running alongside the Monorail train.
Matterhorn ghost – In 1984 a woman named Dolly Young was killed when she was thrown from the bobsled. Ever since her death, cast members who are required to walk the tracks when the ride shuts down say they can hear her. Some cast members call the section of track where Dolly died “Dolly’s Dip.”
The crying boy – The exit of the Haunted Mansion is said to be haunted by the ghost of a boy. They story goes that the boy’s mother spread her son’s ashes in the Haunted Mansion without Disneyland’s permission. Legend has it that the ghost also appears on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride.
The man with the cane – A small plane crashed in the 1940s in Anaheim, and the pilot is now believed to be haunting the Haunted Mansion.
The woman in white – A ghost dressed in a 19th century gown has been spotted on Main Street after dark. Legend has it that she guides lost children to the Disneyland Baby Care Centre where they can be reunited with their parents.
The spirit in the river – In June of 1973, two brothers stayed on Tom Sawyer’s Island after the park closed. They tried to escape by swimming across the Rivers of America. The older brother drowned. Cast members have seen a ghost rippling the water.
Legend 9: The ghost prefers blondes – A teenager was killed on the People Mover ride in 1967. Legend has it that his ghost haunts Tomorrowland (the People Mover closed in 1995). The ghost reportedly grabs the hair of blonde guests.
Construction on the Haunted Mansion began in 1963, and the story goes that one of the first test guests was so scared that she died of a heart attack inside the mansion. Her death, legend has it, led to the closing of construction until 1969.