To say that Disney World is one of the most popular places on the planet is something of an understatement. There’s simply no one alive who doesn’t dream of enjoying the rides, the food and the fun that this one-of-a-kind theme park offers. In fact, this attraction is so beloved that there hundreds of thousands if not millions of people who style themselves as Disney World experts, trying to best one another with knowledge of the park’s incredible details and secrets.
So, it’s entirely possibly that there may be some of you out there who know the park inside and out. Even so, we dug deep and then we dug even deeper to uncover some of the park’s best-kept secrets. In the end, we think that even the biggest Disney World expert in the world might find his or herself surprised by some of the things that you’ll learn below.
Are you ready to expand your knowledge of one of the most beloved places on the planet? Do you want to surprise your family and friends on your next visit? If so, then take a look at these 20 amazing Disney World secrets that you probably didn’t know!
1. Plane as Day
When you’re traipsing through the Hollywood Studios back lot, you might notice part of an airplane. It’s real and belonged to the one and only Walt Disney.
2. Not True Flags
In order not to run afoul of flag laws, the American flags to line Main Street are all either missing a star or a stripe. Cool, right?
3. The Early Bird Catches the Worm
Get the kids up early and head to the park before it opens. If you’re there at least 15 minutes in advance, you can catch the Train Station Welcome Show.
4. No More Smells
You’ve probably heard that they used to pipe in the scent of baked cookies into Main Street? That’s true, actually. However, they’ve stopped doing it, but the vents (and the delivery system) still exist!
5. Waste Not Want Not
Many of the things that you’ll encounter on the jungle cruise have actually be repurposed from other attractions in the park. The spiders, for example, came from the Haunted Mansion!
6. The Hidden Key
Check out the sign on the ticket booth at the Hollywood Studio’s Muppet attraction that says there’s a key under the mat… It’s not lying!
7. 50 Shades of Red
There’s on Mickey Mouse thing you’ll never be able to buy in Disney World… And that’s anything that features the unique shade of red used for Mickey’s trousers.
8. No Modern Bathrooms in Liberty Square
In order to preserve the authenticity of Liberty Square, the modern bathrooms that you can access from it are technically in other adjacent lands.
9. Color Coding
Ever notice the different colors used on the paths through Main Street? Well, they’re used to keep people from falling over at nighttime.
10. Eavesdropping
As you pass underneath Cinderella’s castle, you’ll find a hat store. In that hat store there’s a telephone. Pick it up, and then listen in…
11. Tricking the Animals
Disney World uses a lot of different tricks to get the animals in the Animal Kingdom out where you can see them! For example, the top rock in the lion exhibit is air conditioned in order to get the lions to hang out there.
12. Pushing Tinkerbell
How does Tinker Bell fly over the castle! With a hearty push, of course… And if that push isn’t hard enough, then she’ll have to finish the trip by using her hands…
13. “The Grey Stuff”
Looking for a unique dessert option when you’re at the “Be Our Guest” restaurant? Ask your waiter for an order of “the grey stuff” then…
14. Another “Be Our Guest” Secret
Oh, and if you do dine in “Be Our Guest” really be sure to appreciate your surroundings. That fake snow you see? It was made from animation cels!
15. Monorail Issues
Did you ever think it’s weird that the monorail goes completely around Epcot before stopping? The reason is sinkholes during construction that made building the original stop impossible.
16. The Haunted Wedding Ring
Looking for an activity to keep yourself entertained while in line for the Haunted Mansion? Keep your eyes on the ground, because there’s a haunted wedding ring embedded in the pavement.
17. Déjà vu
Did you ever think that Dinosaur! and the Indian Jones ride were similar? Well, they are! They feature the exact same ride track.
18. Locking Doors
Have you ever noticed the locks on the bathroom doors in the Animal Kingdom? They’re there in case people have to escape an animal on the loose!
19. A Pickle Jar
Have you ever noticed the pickle jar behind the photo pickup area in the Tower of Terror? That’s there as a nod to a prank that the Imagineers who built it played on one another.
20. Reserving in Advance
As you probably know, many of the sit down restaurants fill up their reservations quickly. But, did you know that it’s possible make reservations 180 days in advance?
