Your best Disney fact or insider story...

[PixieMama]

The lantern in Japan (outside Mitsukoshi) was an actual gift to Walt Disney from the emperor of Japan. Before Epcot was built, the lantern was at the Polynesian but was moved to the pavilion when the WS opened.

 

[Plaid Princess]

I'm not saying I don't believe this, but I just can't imagine Disney saying no to someone willing to pay thousands, tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands (there are billionaires out there who might!) for one night in this teeny tiny suite.

This is definitely the idea behind the suite... but Tom and Suri got up there somehow.

 

[Plaid Princess]

In the queue for Muppet Vision 3D, there is a sign that says "Be back in 5 minutes. Key under mat." There is actually a key under the mat.

There is also a net full of Jello hanging from the ceiling in the preshow... a tribute to Annette Funicello.

 

[sephorachick]

I am going to WDW with my father again in June. This will be almost exactly 40 years after he took me as a child in 1973. Even though we have both been back many times on our own, this will be the first time we are returning together. He is kind of a Walt Disney Historian (amateur of course ).

I need some new material to dazzle him on this trip. What are those tidbits of knowledge that you save for the hardest to impress? What are your favorite things to show people? It can be about Walt or anything at WDW. I need your help.

Here is a link to a cool Disney hidden history book he might like?:

http://yohoyohobloggerslifeforme.blogspot.com/2012/06/my-disney-book-recommendations.html

 

[Chuckers]

There is also a net full of Jello hanging from the ceiling in the preshow... a tribute to Annette Funicello.

Okay.. I HAVE to look for this when I go in May.. that's just way too funny and something very few people would understand.

 

[Tbiafore]

Jungle Cuise: Each of the scenes in Jungle Cruise (JC) is taken from the True-Life Adventure Film Series that Walt Disney produced in the early 1960's

Jungle Cruise: Near the beginning of the Jungle Cruise (JC), look very carefully at the tribal head carvings on the three canoes at Pygmy Beach. You may see vague resemblences of Mickey, Donald, and Goofy.

Cinderella's Golden Carousel: Cinderella’s own horse is here and is distinguishable by one very unique feature—it is the only one to have a gold ribbon on its tail. Cinderella’s horse is white, wears a red bridle, and is second rank in from the outside.

Its a small World: In one of the last scenes of 'Small World, there's a balloon and one of the dolls in it is holding a sign saying 'HELP!

Peter Pan: As your ship enters the nursery you might notice the building blocks stacked on the floor (a group is by Wendy's bed, another by the window as you exit). If you look closely, you'll see that these blocks spell "P Pan" and "DISNEY."

Winnie the Pooh: When Mr. Toad's Wild Ride was converted into Winnie the Pooh Adventure around the turn of this century, they included a scene where Mr. Toad hands off the property deed to the ride (to Owl). To see this scene, look to your left as you enter Owl's house. There's a framed picture on the wall, just inside the doors. You really have to turn around and look 'back', almost.

Buzz Lightyear Spin: Some of the big points in Buzz Lightyear are scored when leaving the first room. Turn around and shoot the back of the Orange robots arm or the back of the buzz saw. As you enter the second room, try to shoot the volcano. The jackpot appears to be the 'Z' target at the bottom of Zurg's pulpit, reachable only just as you enter or (facing backward) just as you leave the third room.

Haunted Mansion: at night, look up at the top story right above the front door. If you watch it for a while you'll notice a light pass by it and some shadows, it looks like 2 people are walking by with a lantern.

Haunted Mansion: In the ballroom scene, there is a lady sitting in a rocking chair. This animatronic figure is a duplicate made from the grandmother in one of the side scenes of the Carousel of Progress (CoP).

Cinderellas Castle: Sit on the stone ledge on the right side of the castle, you may hear Stitch giggle and tell you to be quiet because he's hiding.

Cinderellas Castle: Inside the walls of the walk-through of the castle is several mosaics. On the mosaic wall furthest from the entrance are the two stepsisters, Anastasia and Drusilla. The mosaic shows one of them with a red face and the other with a green face. Red with rage and green with envy!

Cinderellas Castle: Try asking the suit of armor for an autograph. what happens?? Sorry Not going to spoil this one!

Cinderellas Castle: n the room where you get your picture taken with Cinderella, the flag with the three lions on it represents the Disney family crest.

Cinderellas Castle: The little mice up in the rafters of the lobby of the castle are Gus and Jacques in the throne room at Cinderella’s Royal Table.

Tom Sawyers Island: find one of the paintbrushes Tom and Huck left behind. If you find one, don't just leave it there -- take it back to a Cast Member for a special prize, maybe even a "go to the front of the line" pass for a major attraction! Please be kind and don't horde the Brushes. The CM will give you a pass for the whole family.

Wake up Tinkerbell - in her shop, tinkerbell's treasures, its a sweet little surpise for any Disney fan. It can be done many times during the day. There is a bell on the counter, and when it is rung tink flies around the shop and then appears on a flat screen behind the counter. The kids can get pixie dust in their hair too.

Roy Disney Statue - Location: Magic Kingdom Town Square
You may have walked past it many times without realizing it's there. In the center of the Town Square, near the flagpole is a statue of Roy Disney. Roy is sitting on a bench. There is room for a guest or two, especially if you want to have your picture taken with Roy. Many guests are unfortunately unaware of this tribute to Walt's brother. They may not even be aware of his contribution to the development and success of Walt Disney World. This lesser-known Disney is quite unheralded. What I like most about this treasure is that it recognizes the other Disney responsible for WDW.

Lilo and Stitch Restrooms – in Cosmic Rays and reportedly a few other places you can hear Stitch in the Women’s Restroom talking, sometimes looking for Lilo, and you can hear Lilo in the Men’s Restroom looking for Stitch.

Props - In the Main St. train station lower level, up on one of the shelves (Cast members (CM's) can halp you locate it) you can see Aladdin's lamp as well as other characters' belongings waiting to be picked up. Some park guest lost and found items are there too, is the artificial leg with the name Smith on it (a Mary Poppins joke) one of these?

Liberty Square Tree - The 13 lanterns hanging in the Liberty Square Tree representing the original 13 U.S. colonies. Its the big tree to the left when facing the Paddle Wheel Boat.

--Thor

 

[Cobern]

Jungle Cuise: Each of the scenes in Jungle Cruise (JC) is taken from the True-Life Adventure Film Series that Walt Disney produced in the early 1960's
Jungle Cruise: Near the beginning of the Jungle Cruise (JC), look very carefully at the tribal head carvings on the three canoes at Pygmy Beach. You may see vague resemblences of Mickey, Donald, and Goofy.
Cinderella's Golden Carousel: Cinderella’s own horse is here and is distinguishable by one very unique feature—it is the only one to have a gold ribbon on its tail. Cinderella’s horse is white, wears a red bridle, and is second rank in from the outside.
Its a small World: In one of the last scenes of 'Small World, there's a balloon and one of the dolls in it is holding a sign saying 'HELP!
Peter Pan: As your ship enters the nursery you might notice the building blocks stacked on the floor (a group is by Wendy's bed, another by the window as you exit). If you look closely, you'll see that these blocks spell "P Pan" and "DISNEY."
Winnie the Pooh: When Mr. Toad's Wild Ride was converted into Winnie the Pooh Adventure around the turn of this century, they included a scene where Mr. Toad hands off the property deed to the ride (to Owl). To see this scene, look to your left as you enter Owl's house. There's a framed picture on the wall, just inside the doors. You really have to turn around and look 'back', almost.
Buzz Lightyear Spin: Some of the big points in Buzz Lightyear are scored when leaving the first room. Turn around and shoot the back of the Orange robots arm or the back of the buzz saw. As you enter the second room, try to shoot the volcano. The jackpot appears to be the 'Z' target at the bottom of Zurg's pulpit, reachable only just as you enter or (facing backward) just as you leave the third room.
Haunted Mansion: at night, look up at the top story right above the front door. If you watch it for a while you'll notice a light pass by it and some shadows, it looks like 2 people are walking by with a lantern.
Haunted Mansion: In the ballroom scene, there is a lady sitting in a rocking chair. This animatronic figure is a duplicate made from the grandmother in one of the side scenes of the Carousel of Progress (CoP).
Cinderellas Castle: Sit on the stone ledge on the right side of the castle, you may hear Stitch giggle and tell you to be quiet because he's hiding.
Cinderellas Castle: Inside the walls of the walk-through of the castle is several mosaics. On the mosaic wall furthest from the entrance are the two stepsisters, Anastasia and Drusilla. The mosaic shows one of them with a red face and the other with a green face. Red with rage and green with envy!
Cinderellas Castle: Try asking the suit of armor for an autograph. what happens?? Sorry Not going to spoil this one!
Cinderellas Castle: n the room where you get your picture taken with Cinderella, the flag with the three lions on it represents the Disney family crest.
Cinderellas Castle: The little mice up in the rafters of the lobby of the castle are Gus and Jacques in the throne room at Cinderella’s Royal Table.
Tom Sawyers Island: find one of the paintbrushes Tom and Huck left behind. If you find one, don't just leave it there -- take it back to a Cast Member for a special prize, maybe even a "go to the front of the line" pass for a major attraction! Please be kind and don't horde the Brushes. The CM will give you a pass for the whole family.
Wake up Tinkerbell - in her shop, tinkerbell's treasures, its a sweet little surpise for any Disney fan. It can be done many times during the day. There is a bell on the counter, and when it is rung tink flies around the shop and then appears on a flat screen behind the counter. The kids can get pixie dust in their hair too.
Roy Disney Statue - Location: Magic Kingdom Town Square
You may have walked past it many times without realizing it's there. In the center of the Town Square, near the flagpole is a statue of Roy Disney. Roy is sitting on a bench. There is room for a guest or two, especially if you want to have your picture taken with Roy. Many guests are unfortunately unaware of this tribute to Walt's brother. They may not even be aware of his contribution to the development and success of Walt Disney World. This lesser-known Disney is quite unheralded. What I like most about this treasure is that it recognizes the other Disney responsible for WDW.

Lilo and Stitch Restrooms – in Cosmic Rays and reportedly a few other places you can hear Stitch in the Women’s Restroom talking, sometimes looking for Lilo, and you can hear Lilo in the Men’s Restroom looking for Stitch.

Props - In the Main St. train station lower level, up on one of the shelves (Cast members (CM's) can halp you locate it) you can see Aladdin's lamp as well as other characters' belongings waiting to be picked up. Some park guest lost and found items are there too, is the artificial leg with the name Smith on it (a Mary Poppins joke) one of these?

Liberty Square Tree - The 13 lanterns hanging in the Liberty Square Tree representing the original 13 U.S. colonies. Its the big tree to the left when facing the Paddle Wheel Boat.

--Thor

Love this! I so want to try the Tom Sayers island paintbrush one! My DD would love a treasure hunt

 

[jennylyn_b]

Love this! I so want to try the Tom Sayers island paintbrush one! My DD would love a treasure hunt

The paintbrushes are no longer on Tom Sawyer Island. They stopped doing this over a year ago. Just so you know and don't waste time looking for something that isn't there.

 

[PrincessTori96]

Jungle Cuise: Each of the scenes in Jungle Cruise (JC) is taken from the True-Life Adventure Film Series that Walt Disney produced in the early 1960's
Jungle Cruise: Near the beginning of the Jungle Cruise (JC), look very carefully at the tribal head carvings on the three canoes at Pygmy Beach. You may see vague resemblences of Mickey, Donald, and Goofy.
Cinderella's Golden Carousel: Cinderella’s own horse is here and is distinguishable by one very unique feature—it is the only one to have a gold ribbon on its tail. Cinderella’s horse is white, wears a red bridle, and is second rank in from the outside.
Its a small World: In one of the last scenes of 'Small World, there's a balloon and one of the dolls in it is holding a sign saying 'HELP!
Peter Pan: As your ship enters the nursery you might notice the building blocks stacked on the floor (a group is by Wendy's bed, another by the window as you exit). If you look closely, you'll see that these blocks spell "P Pan" and "DISNEY."
Winnie the Pooh: When Mr. Toad's Wild Ride was converted into Winnie the Pooh Adventure around the turn of this century, they included a scene where Mr. Toad hands off the property deed to the ride (to Owl). To see this scene, look to your left as you enter Owl's house. There's a framed picture on the wall, just inside the doors. You really have to turn around and look 'back', almost.
Buzz Lightyear Spin: Some of the big points in Buzz Lightyear are scored when leaving the first room. Turn around and shoot the back of the Orange robots arm or the back of the buzz saw. As you enter the second room, try to shoot the volcano. The jackpot appears to be the 'Z' target at the bottom of Zurg's pulpit, reachable only just as you enter or (facing backward) just as you leave the third room.
Haunted Mansion: at night, look up at the top story right above the front door. If you watch it for a while you'll notice a light pass by it and some shadows, it looks like 2 people are walking by with a lantern.
Haunted Mansion: In the ballroom scene, there is a lady sitting in a rocking chair. This animatronic figure is a duplicate made from the grandmother in one of the side scenes of the Carousel of Progress (CoP).
Cinderellas Castle: Sit on the stone ledge on the right side of the castle, you may hear Stitch giggle and tell you to be quiet because he's hiding.
Cinderellas Castle: Inside the walls of the walk-through of the castle is several mosaics. On the mosaic wall furthest from the entrance are the two stepsisters, Anastasia and Drusilla. The mosaic shows one of them with a red face and the other with a green face. Red with rage and green with envy!
Cinderellas Castle: Try asking the suit of armor for an autograph. what happens?? Sorry Not going to spoil this one!
Cinderellas Castle: n the room where you get your picture taken with Cinderella, the flag with the three lions on it represents the Disney family crest.
Cinderellas Castle: The little mice up in the rafters of the lobby of the castle are Gus and Jacques in the throne room at Cinderella’s Royal Table.
Tom Sawyers Island: find one of the paintbrushes Tom and Huck left behind. If you find one, don't just leave it there -- take it back to a Cast Member for a special prize, maybe even a "go to the front of the line" pass for a major attraction! Please be kind and don't horde the Brushes. The CM will give you a pass for the whole family.
Wake up Tinkerbell - in her shop, tinkerbell's treasures, its a sweet little surpise for any Disney fan. It can be done many times during the day. There is a bell on the counter, and when it is rung tink flies around the shop and then appears on a flat screen behind the counter. The kids can get pixie dust in their hair too.
Roy Disney Statue - Location: Magic Kingdom Town Square
You may have walked past it many times without realizing it's there. In the center of the Town Square, near the flagpole is a statue of Roy Disney. Roy is sitting on a bench. There is room for a guest or two, especially if you want to have your picture taken with Roy. Many guests are unfortunately unaware of this tribute to Walt's brother. They may not even be aware of his contribution to the development and success of Walt Disney World. This lesser-known Disney is quite unheralded. What I like most about this treasure is that it recognizes the other Disney responsible for WDW.

Lilo and Stitch Restrooms – in Cosmic Rays and reportedly a few other places you can hear Stitch in the Women’s Restroom talking, sometimes looking for Lilo, and you can hear Lilo in the Men’s Restroom looking for Stitch.

Props - In the Main St. train station lower level, up on one of the shelves (Cast members (CM's) can halp you locate it) you can see Aladdin's lamp as well as other characters' belongings waiting to be picked up. Some park guest lost and found items are there too, is the artificial leg with the name Smith on it (a Mary Poppins joke) one of these?

Liberty Square Tree - The 13 lanterns hanging in the Liberty Square Tree representing the original 13 U.S. colonies. Its the big tree to the left when facing the Paddle Wheel Boat.

--Thor

Unfortunately the paintbrushes on Tom Sawyer Island and the stitch recording are gone from the parks. Also Roy and Minnie have been moved next to the fire station. And Tinker Bell's treasure has been refurbished into the royal dressmaker's shop, so you cannot wake Tink any longer. The clown's help sign has been removed from it's a small world as well. So upset that these have been removed from the park! :'(

 

[Tbiafore]

Unfortunately the paintbrushes on Tom Sawyer Island and the stitch recording are gone from the parks. Also Roy and Minnie have been moved next to the fire station. And Tinker Bell's treasure has been refurbished into the royal dressmaker's shop, so you cannot wake Tink any longer. The clown's help sign has been removed from it's a small world as well. So upset that these have been removed from the park! :'(

Oh man! Some of my info is outdated! Thanks for clarifying.

--Thor

 

[FlightlessDuck]

All of the animals on the Jungle Cruise are real. They are trained so well that they LOOK like animatronics.

Meanwhile, all of the animals in Animal Kingdom are animatronic.

 

[Plaid Princess]

All of the animals on the Jungle Cruise are real. They are trained so well that they LOOK like animatronics.

Meanwhile, all of the animals in Animal Kingdom are animatronic.

When I was a safari driver, I had a guest get very angry when a couple of animals were... ahem... getting busy.

She thought they were all animatronics and Disney had designed them that way.

 

[songkat]

Roy Disney Statue - Location: Magic Kingdom Town Square
You may have walked past it many times without realizing it's there. In the center of the Town Square, near the flagpole is a statue of Roy Disney. Roy is sitting on a bench. There is room for a guest or two, especially if you want to have your picture taken with Roy. Many guests are unfortunately unaware of this tribute to Walt's brother. They may not even be aware of his contribution to the development and success of Walt Disney World. This lesser-known Disney is quite unheralded. What I like most about this treasure is that it recognizes the other Disney responsible for WDW.

Last April was my adult sister's first trip to WDW (I'd been there many times already). When we first walked onto Main Street, construction by the bakery storefronts made it difficult to see the castle from the right angle at first. We stopped at this great statue of Roy and Minnie, and my sister sat for a picture. I looked up, saw the castle, and told her to stand and turn around for a view of the castle. I took some pictures and kept looking around, until I looked at my sister and saw her crying! I'd been there so many times that I forgot how impacting the first look at the castle can be. Our last photo at MK that trip was of her (with a huge smile) in front of the castle, which was still lit up after the evening fireworks.

Great memory.

 

[mickyminnie890]

Just finishing reading all these! I go to Disney all the time. I will keep a look out and find these things.

 

[bcrook]

On the backstage safari tour at AK, the guide told us that they were having trouble enticing the lions to stay on "Pride Rock" because of the heat when it was first built. There was no shade and it was too hot, so the lions kept going under the trees, and you couldn't see them from the trams. So they drilled holes up through the rock and pumped cold air up through the holes - problem solved!

That is a good one too.

The lantern in Japan (outside Mitsukoshi) was an actual gift to Walt Disney from the emperor of Japan. Before Epcot was built, the lantern was at the Polynesian but was moved to the pavilion when the WS opened.

I read somewhere that there is an real letter from the king of Morocco to George Washington. Apparently, morocco was the first country to recognize the U.S. as a sovereign country. I wonder if both are in Epcot?

 

[bcrook]

When I was a safari driver, I had a guest get very angry when a couple of animals were... ahem... getting busy.

She thought they were all animatronics and Disney had designed them that way.

.

 

[goofy_joe]

The left-most pagoda style building at the Japan pavilion is modeled after the world's oldest wood-construction structure, which is in Japan, is over 1,000 years old, and was built completely without nails or screws - just interlocking wood pieces. Obviously, given the demands of Florida weather, they hurricane-proofed their model, but the building is otherwise a near-exact replica of the original.

 

[LBIJim]

All of the animals on the Jungle Cruise are real. They are trained so well that they LOOK like animatronics.

Meanwhile, all of the animals in Animal Kingdom are animatronic.

I've always suspected this. Thanks for confirming.

Jim

 

[bcrook]

The left-most pagoda style building at the Japan pavilion is modeled after the world's oldest wood-construction structure, which is in Japan, is over 1,000 years old, and was built completely without nails or screws - just interlocking wood pieces. Obviously, given the demands of Florida weather, they hurricane-proofed their model, but the building is otherwise a near-exact replica of the original.

This fact set off bells! Here are some pictures from a travelogue. The Epcot complex looks almost the same.

 

[bcrook]

All of the animals on the Jungle Cruise are real. They are trained so well that they LOOK like animatronics.

Meanwhile, all of the animals in Animal Kingdom are animatronic.

I've always suspected this. Thanks for confirming.

Jim

When I was a safari driver, I had a guest get very angry when a couple of animals were... ahem... getting busy.

She thought they were all animatronics and Disney had designed them that way.

this is all very funny stuff!