Your best Disney fact or insider story...

[patrickpiteo]

Mariah Carey was turned down. I don't know how much she offered to pay, but she was told no. She was there visiting at the same time a friend of mine won a night there during the Million Dreams promotion. The CM's that gave them their Castle key told them Mariah asked to stay there that night and how lucky they were that they were chosen when Mariah was turned down. The CM said not even celebrities could buy their way into the castle. It was reserved for the magic of being won.

Since they are no longer doing the Year of a Million Dreams promotion and no longer giving out Castle stays, it would be reasonable to assume Disney would rent it out to a celebrity or millionaire for the right amount of money. It makes sense to make money off of it rather than it sitting empty. But I'm sure Disney won't confirm that because it would take away from the magic of the public thinking it can only be won.

Last summer when we were there when Tom Cruise was there with his daughter. It was said he was staying in the castle.

 

[glammadiva]

I highly recommend the Keys to the Kingdom tour and the Epcot tour! Lord of good stuff.

 

[Kaitlyn279]

Is it true that no one under 16or so years of age is not allowed to go on the KTTKT. Because Disney imagineers felt it would ruin the magic for young kids?

 

[mesaboy2]

Is it true that no one under 16or so years of age is not allowed to go on the KTTKT. Because Disney imagineers felt it would ruin the magic for young kids?

I'm pretty sure it's for liability purposes.

 

[juliebug1997]

I'm pretty sure it's for liability purposes.

Or seeing Donald without his, er, hat. Kind of traumatic for DH to see his idol like that....

 

[aribelle]

I'm pretty sure it's for liability purposes.

Except that there are other tours that younger kids are allowed on that would have the same concerns......and if it were liability wouldn't that also apply to 17 year olds who are still considered minors?

 

[mesaboy2]

Except that there are other tours that younger kids are allowed on that would have the same concerns......and if it were liability wouldn't that also apply to 17 year olds who are still considered minors?

What other tours go backstage and allow under 16s on them? I honestly don't know.

As for the age, I don't expect it boils down to the legal definition of adult, but rather an age that analysts have determined is "safe" versus "unsafe" to allow--whatever that means.

 

[disneyshakeygirl]

Last summer when we were there when Tom Cruise was there with his daughter. It was said he was staying in the castle.

He has stayed in the castle. He offered to pay, so that Suri could stay, and was turned down numerous times. He eventually offered to donate an amount of Disney's choice to a charity linked with Disney and he and Suri got to stay. Neil Patrick Harris did the same thing.

 

[aribelle]

What other tours go backstage and allow under 16s on them? I honestly don't know.

As for the age, I don't expect it boils down to the legal definition of adult, but rather an age that analysts have determined is "safe" versus "unsafe" to allow--whatever that means.

Liability is seldom looked at in that way, but whatever, we'll just have to disagree. I've been gone a while so I forgot to not disagree with you.

 

[mesaboy2]

Liability is seldom looked at in that way, but whatever, we'll just have to disagree. I've been gone a while so I forgot to not disagree with you.

I don't "disagree". My answer is my understanding is it is due to liability, not ruining the magic. I could be completely wrong. Please set me straight if you care to.

Could've done without your last sentence.

 

[HollowGrl]

Wow! Thank you so much for sharing all these great stories, I'm in love with this thread.
Now I really want to do the KTTKT next October, but being our first time there maybe we should just enjoy the parks and think about doing the tour on our next visit.

 

[grizzy77]

Animal Kingdom is the only Park that has doors on the washrooms. This is due to the safety of guests in the very unlikely event that a dangerous animal escapes. The doors all have deadbolts on them.
The entire park has enough enclosed rooms/buildings to safely keep guests if such an even occurs.

Hmmmm, are you sure? I feel like there are doors on the restrooms inside the walkway between Adventure and Frontier, on Tom Sawyer, on the side of POTC, just off the top of my head. Pretty sure there are also doors around World Showcase (like before Canada....across from where Greece sets up for F&W).

 

[bcrook]

Hmmmm, are you sure? I feel like there are doors on the restrooms inside the walkway between Adventure and Frontier, on Tom Sawyer, on the side of POTC, just off the top of my head. Pretty sure there are also doors around World Showcase (like before Canada....across from where Greece sets up for F&W).

If ALL the bathrooms in DAK have doors for the reason stated, it is still a good story. I plan on sharing it with my group in October!

As for that bathroom you mention in Epcot before Canada...WORST bathroom at WDW!

 

[epcotty]

Don't know if someone already said this but on small world it was going to be a lot of national anthems at once but that caused a cacaphony and Walt wanted one song that can be easily translated

 

[matt&jakesmom]

For as much as I thought I knew, there is alot that I didn't know. Thanks to everyone for posting.

 

[Sundancer UK]

Oh no! I've just come to the end of the thread - and I was enjoying it SO much!

Bumping now, because I've realised that I don't just love Disney - I'm a Disney geek - I need to know Disney I neeeeed more! The books are all on my list now, I will get them to keep me going after our next trip as it will be our last for a long time.

 

[Hootch]

book coming out today by Marty Sklar; Dream it Do It. Sklar Moved up the ladder starting out editing the Disneyland newspaper before the park opened to President of WED. He was involved in the design of a number of the parks. His book should be downloading to my reader soon so I can't tell you anything about it yet.

I just started reading "It's Kind of a Cute Story" by Rolly Crump. Crump was one of the "nine old men". I am at the point where he is in his early years in animation. I know he was involved with designing some of the attractions as was Sklar. Crump's writing style is very accessible, like a conversation.

A third book I have is Disney World Secrets by Tom Mitchell. It is not by an insider. Mitchell provides background and descriptions of the attractions at Disneyworld. One unique twist is that he provides movie references to go with each ride. They are not always obvious. He proposed African Queen for Jungle Cruise for example. I had a sample put in my library that was 27 pages long. I liked it enough that I bought the book. I think I paid $4 for the ebook.

 

[Katie In Wonderland]

I know four facts about Be Our Guest in new Fantasyland.

1- The backdrop in the ballroom was painted on property in HS. It could be seen from the tram for the backlot tour at the time. (I actually saw it in person being painted.)

2- The snow falling outside the windows in the ballroom is the actual snow from the movie. Technology has allowed them to lift it from the movie and project it on the backdrop.

3- there's a hidden Minnie in the ballroom. If you're coming out of the Rose Gallery walk towards the door, staying under the dome until you come to the end of the dome. Move to the left, stand with your back to the wall on the border of the floor. Look up and Minnie's sillouate is in the clouds. If you can't find it, ask a CM. One actually told me the 2nd, 3rd and 4th facts.

4- Outside on the bridge facing the castle, look over the left side. The imagineers figured out how the water would go and there is always a Hidden Mickey.

 

[RedHeadedFairy]

2- The snow falling outside the windows in the ballroom is the actual snow from the movie. Technology has allowed them to lift it from the movie and project it on the backdrop.

Great facts in your post - but THIS one is AMAZING!!

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Great facts in your post - but THIS one is AMAZING!!

I second that! Just read it myself about the snow outside the window in BOG and got snow blinded by it! If there was an award for the best fact on thread I would give it to the this one!