Operation Catch The Mouse: Expert Final
Operation Catch The Mouse
Investigating Disneyland Park Conspiracy Theories
Date: February 3, 2024
Location: Disneyland Resort, Anaheim, California
Background: Since Disneyland’s opening in 1955, the park has been shrouded in rumors and conspiracy theories. Unearthly sightings have surrounded the park for years; from curses to abandoned islands, Disney’s haunting history transcends its fairy tale persona. These urban legends—some denied by Disney, some corroborated—persistently shadow the park as it maintains its status as a leading theme park empire.
Objective: Investigate Disney’s Guarded Mysteries
Field Notes: Our team has been tasked with infiltrating the park. Today, our primary goals are to gather intel on
(1) Real Dead Bodies at Disneyland
(2) Disney’s Secret Societies
Wish us luck.
Investigation Notes
Real Dead Bodies at Disneyland
Dead Men Tell No Tales. Except, This One Did.
Background
The Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyland is considered the most immersive attraction ever created for a theme park (Disney). A boat ride flows guests through Dead Man’s Cove, a cavern located on the Caribbean Island known for its graveyard of pirates who have died while searching for the island’s treasure.
The image on the right features one of the many skeletal pirates strewn about the attraction. Except, these were previously real human remains.
Faux skeletons were “too unconvincing” at the time, and as confirmed by Disney Producer Jason Surrell, Disneyland refused to allow unrealistic skeletons to cheapen its $15 million ride. These skeletons have since been given a proper burial and replaced with faux skeletons. Regardless, guests still speculate that some of the original remains are still on the ride and frequently visit Disneyland to find evidence of this.
These aren't the only dead bodies at Disneyland. Over twenty-six deaths have occurred at the park, from both rides and construction fatalities (Safer America). Cast members claim these individuals continue to roam Disneyland after their death. Some even spotted by guests. However, this isn’t exactly what we’re referring to. For years, Disneyland has struggled with preventing tourists from scattering ashes of loved ones around the park (News18). Authorities have gotten involved, but guests continue to sneak in ashes by hiding them in purses, medicine bottles, or even makeup compacts. With Disneyland’s history of skeletons, death, and other human remains, it's not difficult to believe the park is haunted.
Task: Investigate paranormal activity at the park and instances of unexplainable phenomena.
Field Notes
Our team began with site reconnaissance. We charted park inconsistencies and remained on the lookout for paranormal activity. We interviewed unsuspecting guests, following proper investigation protocols. Never ask leading questions (National Investigative Academy). After guests were asked “can you tell me about anything unusual or out of the ordinary that you’ve noticed recently?” most responded with confusion and continued with their exciting day at Disneyland.
However, guests who were aware of the ongoing investigation reported feeling occasional gusts of wind and submitted evidence of paranormal activity.
Exhibit 1A, 1B
Photos entered into evidence of ghost sightings at Disneyland
Given Disneyland’s daily attendance averaging 46,000 visitors (Orange County Register), detecting unusual activity proves challenging. Regarding paranormal sightings, distinguishing between actual ghosts and hurried guests in the fast-paced Disneyland environment remains impossible. Additionally, oftentimes perceptual bias comes into play in these situations. This bias refers to the tendency of humans to interpret experiences based on existing beliefs or expectations. When individuals expect to or believe they may encounter supernatural phenomena—such as at Disneyland—they may interpret ordinary occurrences as paranormal events (National Library of Medicine).
Our investigations of supernatural activity will be put on a hold. Recently, our team stumbled upon whispers of secret societies rumored to lurk within Disneyland’s confines. Club 33, founded by Walt Disney himself, seemed innocuous on the surface but hinted at a deeper realm of exclusivity and mystery. As we delved deeper, we pondered if it was merely a facade for something greater—a gateway to a realm where secrets are whispered and alliances forged in shadows. Our investigation blurred the lines between fantasy and reality, revealing a tapestry of intrigue woven into Disneyland's history. The following lies our documented journey into the enigmatic world of secret societies.
Investigation Notes
Secret Societies
Background
President Ronald Regan (1955)
Dr. Achmed Sukarno, President of Indonesia (1956)
King Mohammed V of Morocco (1957)
President Richard Nixon (1959)
The Shah of Iran and Empress Farah (1962)
A few notable political figures that visited the amusement park in its opening years – most of which Walt Disney met in person while he was alive (PBS).
It’s indisputable that Disneyland revolutionized themed entertainment. However, Walt’s personal connection with world leaders fueled theories of political power and secret societies with global impact. Money equals power, and it’s no secret Walt had an abundance (Equity Atlas). Furthermore, letters from President Nixon in 1970 revealed the president’s desire to use Disneyland in diplomacy (Nixon Library). This led to further conjectures regarding the extent of Walt’s political power.
Task: Investigate this situation and any secret societies formed consisting of high profile figures that boosted Walt’s authority beyond entertainment.
Field Notes
After extensive research, our team has found the following facts:
In 1967, Walt himself formed an exclusive secret society called Club 33.
The 33 alludes to the park’s original investors, of which all were given club membership.
Members had exclusive access to a private lounge within the park that was hidden in plain sight.
This private arena allowed Walt to entertain important visitors, including celebrities, corporate executives, and diplomats (WDW Magazine).
Door to Club 33 on the farthest right. Entrance hidden seamlessly in ‘New Orleans Square’.
Our team’s visit to Club 33 was futile; strict security and fees upwards of $35,000 keeps the lounge a mystery. However, it is unlikely that the club itself is anything but an oasis for wealthy guests to enjoy exclusive entertainment and dining arrangements away from the loud bustling streets of Disneyland. This conclusion stems from our investigation of his political journey.
Walt—on multiple occasions—has endorsed candidates in elections. Franklin D. Roosevelt, Thomas Dewey, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Richard Nixon, Barry Goldwater, and Ronald Regan are all presidential candidates he publicly supported (PJ Media and D23). Their similarities? Candidates with economic policies that would support Disneyland’s growth. As mentioned in the case background, most of these figures had visited Disneyland on multiple occasions and were personally greeted by Walt. Further, they were likely invited to Club 33 during their trip. While this did expand this network of influential figures, he never employed it beyond the expansion of his business empire. Any “authority” he garnered from his network was directly fueled back into the theme park itself. Thus, no evidence was found regarding Walt’s desire to use Disneyland and its secret society as a stepping stone for power beyond the entertainment industry.
His park’s magic and allure simply drew everyone to its doorsteps.
Works Cited
Elk, Michiel. “Perceptual Biases in Relation to Paranormal and Conspiracy Beliefs.” National Library of Medicine, 26 Jun. 2015, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4482736/
Feldman, Sharon. “How Many Deaths Have Happened at Disneyland?” Safer America, 5 Dec. 2022, safer-america.com/how-many-deaths-have-happened-at-disneyland/.
Long, Evelyn. “What Is Club 33? Inside Disney’s Most Exclusive Club.” WDW Magazine, 24 Aug. 2023, www.wdw-magazine.com/what-is-club-33-inside-disneys-most-exclusive-club/.
MacDonald, Brady. “Disneyland Crowds Return to 90% of 2019 Levels, Report Says.” Orange County Register, Orange County Register, 22 June 2023, www.ocregister.com/2023/06/21/disneyland-crowds-returns-to-90-of-2019-levels-report-say/.
Potter, Courtner. “Disney’s Presidential Past: Connections to Commanders-in-Chief.” D23, 17 Feb. 2017, d23.com/disneys-presidential-past-connections-to-commanders-in-chief/.
Strans, Susan. “Walt Disney Net Worth at Time of Death.” Equity Atlas, 17 Nov. 2023, equityatlas.org/walt-disney-net-worth-at-time-of-death/#.
Surrell, Jason, et al. Pirates of the Caribbean: From the Magic Kingdom to the Movies. Disney Editions, 2006.
“The Nixon and Disney Newsletter.” The Nixon and Disney Newsletter | Richard Nixon Museum and Library, Presidential Library and Museum, 14 Jan. 2021, www.nixonlibrary.gov/news/nixon-and-disney-newsletter-part-3.
Queen, Chris. “Walt Disney’s Fascinating Political Journey.” Pjmedia.Com, PJ Media, 3 May 2013, pjmedia.com/chris-queen/2013/05/03/walt-disneys-fascinating-political-journey-n145297.
“Who Went to Disneyland?” PBS, Public Broadcasting Service, www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/visitors-disneyland/. Accessed 9 Feb. 2024.
Wilson, Ann Leigh. “How to Conduct an Investigative Interview.” National Investigative Academy, 16 Nov. 2022, investigativeacademy.com/how-to-conduct-an-investigative-interview/.
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