Deep in the jungles of Adventureland, nestled into a tree trunk near the entrance to Indiana Jones Adventure, sits a tiny home. Have you ever spotted the Little Man of Disneyland? It’s one of my favorite hidden details to seek out on every visit!
Who is this “little man”, exactly? I’m so glad you asked. We can find the answer from a 1955 Little Golden Book, published the same year as Disneyland‘s opening.
The fable of the Disneyland Leprachaun, Patrick Begorra, takes place before the park opened in Anaheim. Patrick once lived in a tree amongst the Orange Groves where Disneyland stands today. One day, while enjoying his peace and quiet, he noticed Donald, Mickey, Goofy, and Pluto walking through and questioned what they were doing. The gang offered to take him via helicopter to Walt Disney Studios to show him the plans for Disneyland. Upon seeing the plans, Patrick ultimately allows them to build, but asks for a place he can live in the park tucked away somewhere quiet. He selected a tree for himself within the one and only Adventureland, where he has luckily lived ever since.
And this home actually exists in the park today!
Due to the book’s popularity, Disney eventually installed a small house for Patrick near the Jungle Cruise docks… but was eventually lost due to Adventureland renovations. In 2015, for the the park’s 60th celebration, his current home was restored near the Indiana Jones queue and can still be seen there today!
They’ll even decorate the outside for Halloween and Christmas!
This adorable Little Golden Book now has a sequel which was released in 2023: A Change of Luck. Mickey and Patrick enjoy a day at Disneyland together… before the tiny Leprechaun discovers it all really is a smidge too daunting (he’s just a little guy); but ultimately finds peace in the park after the crowds have left. Relatable.
Each of these storybooks are $5 on Amazon, making them an affordable Disneyland souvenir or gift for any Disney Parks enthusiast. If you plan on going to the Disneyland parks soon, pick up the original 1955 book! You’ll then want to go on the hunt for Patrick’s tiny Adventureland home and say hey to this little legend. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
