Something that separates Disneyland apart from Disney World, at least to me, is that Disneyland is really in touch with its weird and wacky side in a way that Disney World would NEVER. I mean, you can meet DEADPOOL in Disneyland. DEADPOOL.
Then there’s a ride in Fantasyland that literally takes you to hell and back (I love you, Mr. Toad). Plus you’ve got The Halloween Tree, which exists because of famed sci-fi author Ray Bradbury. And we can’t forget about the charming Little Man of Disneyland. Disneyland has always been in touch with its weirder side throughout its 70-year history, which brings me to something you may not know about: Pancake Races.
Okay, just the name alone is intriguing, especially for someone who writes for the Disney FOOD Blog. So I had decided to learn more about these Pancake Races. In 1957, Disneyland held a race among real housewives, dressed in their normal attire of skirts and aprons, flipping PANCAKES while they ran down Main Street. Y’all. You can’t MAKE this kinda’ thing up.
Disney didn’t create the pancake race, though. It actually goes back to the 1400s in the U.K. and, apparently, was a national pastime there in the 1950s. The race was generally held on Shrove Tuesday, the Tuesday before Lent, with the finish line being at a church door. The Pancake Race eventually became an international hit, and so, it made its way to Disneyland.
In August 1995, Quaker Oats opened a restaurant in Disneyland, Aunt Jemima’s Old South Kitchen, in Frontierland. So Disney partnered with Quaker Oats to hold the first Disneyland Pancake Race in 1957. Women from all over the country had to compete in several cities to qualify.
So how did the Pancake Races work? Women would start with a skillet and pancake and start running down Main Street looking for ribbons that were stretched across the street above their heads. When a racer neared a ribbon, she had to flip her pancake OVER THE RIBBON in her skillet and catch it, WHILE STILL RUNNING. All the while, she has to NOT trip on the trolley tracks in the middle of the street. So, let’s just say that these races took a bit of deftness and skill.
The fastest woman to the finish line was declared the winner and she received $100, as well as a plaque signed by Walt Disney, a huge Disneyland food basket, and more. Were these events huge publicity stunts for Disney and Quaker Oats? Yes, definitely. But the Disneyland Pancake Races ran every year from 1957 through 1964.
I love the idea of the Pancake Races because, although it didn’t originate in Disneyland, it still feels SO VERY Disneyland, but also one of those things that you can’t even imagine being witness to. So here’s to the Disneyland Pancake Races — may they be forever remembered fondly.
Stay tuned to DFB for more.
The Secret History Behind Disney’s Halloween Tree
Want to Learn More About Disneyland?
Check Out the Links Below!
DFB Disneyland Restaurants Guide
Disney Genie and How to Use it in Disneyland
What You Need to Know About the Theme Park Reservation System for Disneyland and Disney California Adventure
Closures and Construction at Disneyland
Learn All About Disneyland Park
See What Marvelous Stuff You’ll Find at Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure
Learn About Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure
Get All the Details About the Disneyland Mobile App
Everything You Need to Know About Mobile Order in Disneyland
Learn More About Disneyland’s Magic Key Program
Full Details About the Holiday Season in Disneyland
Full Details About Halloween Time at Disneyland
Get Some STRANGE Tips for Disneyland
Click HERE to Check Out Lots of Other DFB Posts About Disneyland
Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox! Click here to Subscribe
What’s your favorite wacky story from Disneyland history? Let’s hear about it in the comments!
TRENDING NOW
There are a TON of new Loungefly deals you need to see online ASAP!
The day when Disney California Adventure's Red Car Trolley closes for good is nearly upon...
We're always looking for the best deals on Loungefly bags to add to our collection,...
We found construction walls in Magic Kingdom but not where we thought we would!
We love heading to Disney World but there are some times you need to avoid...
It may be 23 years since the movie's initial release, but it's never too late...
Let's try a NEW pride treat in Disney World.
There are some good Disney World hacks and some back Disney World hacks and we...
Let's go over your thoughts on the controversial announcement by Disney regarding the Star Wars:...
Staying in a Disney World hotel this year? Here are some essentials you'll want to...
Disney just recently had their 2025 Q1 earnings call and revealed how things have been...
Here's how to get a chance to stay in Disney World's Cinderella Castle Suite.
We bet you didn't expect these things to be banned from Magic Kingdom!
This new Disney World treat is almost too cute to eat... almost.
Make sure to check out this lounge aboard the Disney Treasure for discounted alcohol!
Cast Members are the best part of the Disney Parks and we have 7 secrets...
Is this the ultimate upgrade to your Magic Kingdom day? We're giving you all the...
Let's have a chat about the 3 Disney World Hotels the experts refuse to book!
Reservations will no longer be required for this experience soon.
Disney just announced the closing date for an iconic Disneyland attraction!