Anyone know any interesting Disney facts??

[disneyatl]

Not sure if I should be posting this here but after being at WDW last week there were lots of questions my family thought of that would be intersting to know. Anyone know of any disney facts?

Things like...

How many acres does Disney World own?

How many buses run a day?

How many people are employed by Disney?


Anyone know of a good book telling of Disney's history?

 

[zcomic]

Since the World Began : Walt Disney World The First 25 Years
by Jeff Kurtti is a great book. Amazing details the history of WDW

Another book on Amazon.com is

The Walt Disney World Trivia Book: Secrets, History & Fun Facts Behind the Magic by Louis A. Mongello

Looks like it should have everything Disney trivia nuts like you and I would want

 

[wickey's friend]

I just got my Walt Disney World Trivia Book by Louis A. Mangello yesterday, and I have it with me at work today (grin).

How many acres does Disney World own?
more than 30,000

How many buses run a day?
more than 230

How many people are employed by Disney?
Disney World most of the year: about 55,000; Disney World at holidays, etc.: about 60,000 (which is 1/2 of of all Disney employees -- cast members -- worldwide)


It is a very cool book. My family theatened me last night -- I kept reading "one more" trivia entry out loud, lol!

 

[tiggerwannabe]

Here's a link to Lou's site-

http://www.disneyworldtrivia.com/


My niece still has my book! (It's only been since May)
LOL

 

[yasuern]

I just ordered the book!

Sue


What was Mickey Mouse originally going to be named? (I know its easy)


Mortimor Mouse(sorry if I spelled it wrong)


Sue

 

[JamesD]

This site will keep you busy!
http://www.wdisneyw.co.uk/inside.html

 

[disneyatl]

Thanks for the great info. Looks like I'll be buying a book this weekend!!!

 

[Horizons16]

I have something that is a little useless tid-bit.

Gum isnt sold at any of the stores at the Disney Parks. Too much of a pain to scrape off the roads and walks.

 

[Golter]

Little know fact....I was born one day prior to the opening of WDW (Oct. 1, 1971). I view it as a birthday gift from Walt himself.

 

[Snoopymom]

I asked this on the resort board and someone recommended this article, History of the World at mouseplanet.com
http://www.mouseplanet.com/mark/mg040630.htm

 

[tiggerwannabe]

~Quote~
Little know fact....I was born one day prior to the opening of WDW (Oct. 1, 1971).
~end Quote~

Another little known fact: I was conceived when Walt died,
only a good thought because sometimes I can see myself as Walt reincarnate!

 

[AngieBelle]

Here's a good one for you!


Question: How much of Disney property is actually developed?


Answer: Only 30%!

 

[AKQJ10]

Originally posted by AngieBelle
Here's a good one for you!

Question: How much of Disney property is actually developed?
Answer: Only 30%!

Even though some of that land has been designated a wildlife preserve (about 7500 acres), it's still pretty scary (in a good way) about how much more room they still have for expansion!!

 

[peter11435]

Even though some of that land has been designated a wildlife preserve (about 7500 acres), it's still pretty scary (in a good way) about how much more room they still have for expansion!!

True, However in the early 90's Disney bought more land and created the Disney Wilderness Preserve about 15 miles south of Disney property. This land is about 12,000 acres itself. I believe that this purchase makes it possible for them to develop even more of their WDW property.

 

[mmccoy]

One trivia fact I thought was pretty interesting, particularly during an election year -

Walt purportedly never rode the Dumbo ride because he was a staunch Democrat, and didn't want to give anyone a chance to use it against him.

Don't know if its true or not, but it makes for a good story!

 

[PatriciaH]

I have a big Disney book collection-I LOVE Disney books! My favorites are on the parks. A lot of the good ones are out of print and expensive. You might have to check the library or a site like alibris.com for them. Some of my favorites are:

On Disneyland:

"Disneyland, Inside Story" R. Bright

"Window on Main Street" V.A. Frank

"Disneyland, The Nickel Tour"

"Disneyland, World of Flowers" Bill Evans

On WDW:

"The Making of Disney's Animal Kingdom" Melody Malmberg

"Walt Disney's Epcot Center, Creating the New World of Tomorrow" Richard Beard

"Gardens of the WDW Resort"

"Since the World Began : Walt Disney World The First 25 Years"
Jeff Kurtti

Others:

"Walt Disney Imagineering: A Behind the Dreams Look at Making The Magic Real"

"The Haunted Mansion" Jason Surrell

"Disneyland Paris, from Sketch to Reality"

"Designing Disney's Theme Parks: The Architecture of Reassurance" Marling

"Building a Dream, The Art of Disney Archtecture" Beth Dunlop

"Disney The First 100 Years" David Smith, Steven B. Clark

"One Day at Disney"

"The Disney Treasures" Robert Tieman

"Walt Disney an American Original" Bob Thomas


I am also reading this awesome book "Florida's Disney World- Promises and Problems." by Leonard Zehnder

It was published in 1975 by a small press in Florida and very hard to find. My wonderful DH got a great library in North Carolina (!) to lend it to our local library. I have wanted to read it for a long time but it is big $$$ online. The cheapest I have seen it was for $125 and I did not want to buy it sight unseen. I may now though since I have been reading it. It is all about the creation of WDW, the buying of the land, press releases, local reactions, economic impact on Florida- with pictures. I love books like this one!

 

[AKQJ10]

I agree about the Zehnder book... both about its content and it's (unfortunate) current high price. I have not found one in good condition in recent years under $250-300, which is a shame. (Lou still looking for good, less expensive copy)

Then again, I'm also partial to the Walt Disney World Trivia Book , too.

 

[soupy11]

Great plug, Lou.

I like Lou's site as well, great reading material there.


I will have to pick up the book, any chance of an autograph? LOL

 

[AKQJ10]

Originally posted by soupy11
Great plug, Lou.

I like Lou's site as well, great reading material there. Thank you!!

I will have to pick up the book, any chance of an autograph? LOL

If you order from my site, I will be happy to autograph and personalize the book to you!

 

[soupy11]

The river water on "Jungle Cruise" was dyed brown to make it look more authentic. (that tidbit from secrets of wdw site linked above.)