Whether or not you've visited Disney World in Florida or Disneyland in California, you probably already know that they're both theme parks, with a good chunk of their offerings taking place outdoors. And though if you're a human, you'll need a ticket to get in, the same doesn't exactly apply to wild animals. On both coasts, this means you'll see plenty of squirrels, birds, ducks, and sometimes, even rabbits walking the grounds of the park, looking for snacks that visitors have dropped.
But in California, there's one animal experience that simply doesn't happen in Florida, and that phenomenon is a little something called The Disneyland Cats. The cats live at Disney, basically, with cast members taking care of them, and are often seen wandering around. And in the case of the situation that was unfolding in this TikTok video, sometimes, that means you could spot them on a ride!
@danny_mcduck Have you ever seen a Disney cat?!? 🐈🏰 We spotted one recently on the Jungle Cruise! 🌴🌴🚤🌴🌴 The feline residents of Disneyland Resort have a long and interesting history. Feral cats first arrived on the scene shortly after the park opened in 1957 and were originally found residing inside Sleeping Beauty’s Castle! Instead of evicting the cats, park officials came up with a clever solution: the cats were adopted as official members of the park's pest control team. These felines are crucial in keeping the rodent population in check, ensuring a magical experience for all visitors. #Disney #disneysecrets #junglecruise #fypシ゚viral
♬ original sound - DannyMcDuck
On Wednesday, June 12, @danny_mcduck shared footage of a cat walking around the Jungle Cruise ride at Disneyland, completely unbothered by the giant (fake) animals all around him and the boats floating past. Then again, if he spends most of his time hanging out at the park, this is all just home to him, so it's simply no big deal!
It's amazing that the cat is on the ride, though. For as many times as I've visited Disneyland and have spotted the cats myself, I've never seen this happen; usually, they're just walking around near bushes and trees, minding their own business.
Maybe this cat just has some main character energy, though — and let's be real, everyone must have been totally delighted to see him roaming around when they were on the ride!
More About the Disneyland Cats
According to Inside the Magic, there are about 200 feral cats who live inside the Disneyland gates. This goes back to the '50s, shortly after Disneyland's opening. Though it's not 100% clear what happened to lead to the cats calling Disneyland home, legend has it that Walt Disney adopted them all and made them cast members so he could treat them for fleas and keep them around.
As it turns out, the cats served an important purpose at the parks: They were able to keep the rodent population at bay (except for Minnie and Mickey, of course). And since they're skittish around humans, the cats stayed mostly hidden during the day and get rid of the rats at night.
This is basically what's been happening since, though some of the cats (like the one in this TikTok video) are getting just a bit more bold about exploring during the daylight hours! But when that happens, Disneyland allows a cast member to adopt the cat and bring them home.
Disney has taken on the responsibility of vaccinating, spaying, and neutering all of their cats, along with providing veterinary care and making sure everyone is fed and happy.
Next time you're there, keep an eye out — you might just see a kitty lurking. Maybe even on Jungle Cruise!
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