Why is There a Leprechaun in Disneyland?!

Did you know that within the lush jungles of Adventureland lies the secluded home of a reclusive Leprechaun? In this video, I'll unveil the origins of this mystical creature, and how it ties all the way back to the legendary Walt Disney and the inauguration of Disneyland back in 1955.

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I grew up in Disneyland, or rather I grew up in Anaheim close enough to Disneyland to have spent a significant amount my childhood there. Yes, the little man of Disneyland lived in the trunk of a tree in Adventureland. I can remember knocking on the little wooden door in the early 70's. That particular door was in the trunk of a tree that grew in the middle of the pathway through Adventureland. There was a cement ring around the tree with seats molded in, and small "bamboo" railings. You could, however, easily see and reach the little door that was near the base of the tree. That tree was removed in the late 80's I believe. I am also under the impression the tree that I remember was not the original "little man" tree. The story as I know it involves several trees in that area. Walt saved the "Dominguz Palm" and several surrounding trees as a favor to the original owner of the orange grove. One of these trees had a large knot hole a few feet up the trunk. In an effort to keep guests from stuffing the knot hole with discarded cigarettes (Yes, you could smoke anywhere in Disneyland) a small door was fashioned to cover the hole. That little detail is what started the whole story and inspired the Little Golden Book. I believe that tree was removed and, eventually, a new little door was created to sit in the tree in the middle of the walkway. None of these doors ever looked anything like the illustrations in the book, however. Most of the smaller trees saved from the grove have long since disappeared, but it's nice to see the home of the little man of Disneyland has been restored and crafted to look just like drawings in the book.