golden spike?

[Sandi12404]

My DH's friend went to WDW a couple years ago and is now giving my DH loads of information on his trip. Tonight my DH tells me he can't wait to find the golden spike . The what? He said that his friend told him that it is in the castle and it marks the direct center of the WDW resort area. I told him I didn't think so. On the WDW map the Magic Kingdom seems to be pretty far north and I'm thinking the direct center would be somewhere around Epcot. Not to mention that if it is in the castle it would be pretty hard to miss because there's only one passageway through it. Anyway, is there such a thing and what does it represent? And is there a spot that marks the direct center of WDW?

 

[schmitty]

It is in Epoct my the Land I think. And not a golden spike but like a sign.

 

[BethR]

What I am picturing in my mind is like a golden medallion embedded in the pavement at Epcot somewhere in Future World. Near some restrooms if I am remembering correctly. (But I could be wrong. )

 

[southernbella]

I think the golden spike is at Disneyland. Sbella

 

[mking624]

There IS a golden spike at MK in WDW (although due to age and being walked on all the time, it's not a sparkling golden)...it's at the back entrance of the castle. It's supposed to mark the center of MK, not WDW. I have a picture of it somewhere...if I can find it, I'll post it. I got a lot of funny looks when I was taking a picture of the ground.

 

[safetymom]

What was the center of Disney property is by the big fountain in Future World. They just released a pin with this.

 

[Jill-in-MN]

Outside of the Land Pavillion in Epcot, there is a "compass" type decoration in the pavement. Around it are quotes from famous people. I was once told that this marked the center of the WDW complex.

 

[Seahunt]

There's actually even a website that shows most ALL of the "benchmarks" at Disney and is really interesting- click on:

http://www.wintertime.com/OH/GC/Disney/disneymarks.html

 

[mking624]

All those seem to just be survey markers.

I'm still on the hunt for my picture. We've moved since the trip which the picture was taken, so it might be a few days before I discover its location.

 

[SnwflkCts]

The Compass at Epcot is easily found. It is quite large -- and does have the quotes. I found it without even looking so it must be fairly easy to spot. (Of course I can't remember where exactly I was!) ... but I am interested in the golden spike too. Never heard of it before!

The survey markers are quite interesting too. Will keep my eye out for them. DH says he has seen similar survey markers in DC.

Interesting thread -- I hope mking624 can find a picture. That would be great!!

 

[BethR]

OK, I did a search on Golden Spike and Disney and I think that this does exist AT DisneyLAND!

I haven't found anything "official." Everything that I have seen has been people's personal websites. But here is a good one where the Golden Spike is discussed: http://www.burnsland.com/tgd/fantasyland.html . Here is a quote from that page:

In the castle courtyard is a huge directional marker showing north, south, east, and west. To the south of this marker is the location of the Time Castle, a time capsule buried on Disneyland's 40th anniversary and to be opened on the 80th anniversary. Just in front of the castle entrance is a golden spike driven into the ground, which represents the geographical center of Disneyland.

 

[mking624]

OK, I did a search on Golden Spike and Disney and I think that this does exist AT DisneyLAND!

I haven't found anything "official." Everything that I have seen has been people's personal websites. But here is a good one where the Golden Spike is discussed: http://www.burnsland.com/tgd/fantasyland.html . Here is a quote from that page:

Yes there is one at Disneyland, but there's also one at WDW. My guess, though, is that with there not being things all over the net about it, that it's not anything official, but more of a "replica" of the DL one. I don't know if it's in the same location...I've never been to DL. The quote you gave said the spike is in front of the castle for the DL one...the one at WDW is at the back entrance of the castle.

 

[mking624]

Found the pic....as I look at it closer, I think I'm right in the sense it's simply meant to replicate the DL one and not meant to be an "official" marker.
There is nothing on it like the survey markers...just plain like the DL spike.

 

[SnwflkCts]

Thanks for the pic mking624 -- now can someone say where they found it? Somewhere behind the castle is what I hear ... like closer to CRT/right past the mural? Anyone w/better directions? I hate when I am searching too hard -- people just think I am !

 

[JulielovesDisney]

The very center of WDW property is in Epcot, right near The Land. It's just a big gray circle that has a bunch of quotes from Walt Disney and inventors. Its nice to stop and take a look at it once in a while. And if you stand in the center, it feels nice to know you are completely surrounded by WDW property on every side.

 

[hiwaygal]

There's actually even a website that shows most ALL of the "benchmarks" at Disney and is really interesting- click on:

http://www.wintertime.com/OH/GC/Disney/disneymarks.html

THANK YOU FOR THIS LINK!!!!

We saw a few survey markers on our trip and took pictures of one of them. We want to try to find all of them next time we go (I'm an engineer, not just )

 

[safetymom]

No the marker at Epcot is near the fountain in Future World.

http://www.dizpins.com/archives/2006/2006june_2.htm

Hidden Disney 2006 Collection
Center of Walt Disney World® Resort

Tinker Bell marks the approximate center of the Walt Disney World® Resort in this Limited Edition pin. This spot is located behind the Fountain of Nations located in Future World at Epcot®. Tinker Bell is mounted on a spring while the fountain features a glitter fill. Spaceship Earth is also pictured in this special pin. This is the sixth pin in the Hidden Disney 2006 collection. Tyler Dumas from Disney Design Group created the artwork for this pin.

 

[mking624]

No the marker at Epcot is near the fountain in Future World.

http://www.dizpins.com/archives/2006/2006june_2.htm

Hidden Disney 2006 Collection
Center of Walt Disney World® Resort

Tinker Bell marks the approximate center of the Walt Disney World® Resort in this Limited Edition pin. This spot is located behind the Fountain of Nations located in Future World at Epcot®. Tinker Bell is mounted on a spring while the fountain features a glitter fill. Spaceship Earth is also pictured in this special pin. This is the sixth pin in the Hidden Disney 2006 collection. Tyler Dumas from Disney Design Group created the artwork for this pin.

OP was referring to two different things...
1. the golden spike at MK (which I've posted a pic of)
2. The marker that indicates the center of WDW (located in Epcot)

Thanks for the pic mking624 -- now can someone say where they found it? Somewhere behind the castle is what I hear ... like closer to CRT/right past the mural? Anyone w/better directions? I hate when I am searching too hard -- people just think I am

Ok, I took the pic about 2 years ago so bear with my fuzzy memory...
If I'm not mistaken, when you're facing the back entrance of the castle, the marker will be towards the right (the opposite side of CRT). It's not inside the entrace...it will be outside it, but not very far away...maybe a couple of feet or something like that.

 

[SnwflkCts]

Thanks "m" -- I will be on the look-out for the spike in November. I was so happy to find the "ring" in HM and now I have something new to look for (besides those numerous Hidden Mickeys!) ...

 

[Lorelai]

There's actually even a website that shows most ALL of the "benchmarks" at Disney and is really interesting- click on:

http://www.wintertime.com/OH/GC/Disney/disneymarks.html

Excellent link - thanks!!