Your BEST WDW theme park secret! Part II

[Dcanoli]

In case you don't get Allears' newsletter, here is what she posted today about Castaway Cay.

Since our master document is just about THE WORLD, I guess I'll leave it out, but I thought you'd find it interesting to read:

Originally called Gorda Cay, the first known European settlers probably arrived around 1783. It's thought that the pirates Blackbeard, Anne Bonney, and Mary Read may have made many visits to the Cay. The Spanish Galleon San Pedro is also thought to have sunk in nearby waters.

In the 1960s, part of the island belonged to a private owner, a man who made his fortune in oil. This owner built the 2,400 foot airstrip for his own plane to land on when he and his family visited. He sold his part of the Cay in the mid-1970s and that's when it began to be known as a popular place for smuggling. This continued until the mid-1980s when Disney bought it. These days, as you know, it's used solely for the enjoyment of Disney Cruise Line guests.

Island facts, figures and info:

Castaway Cay is located in the Bahamas near Great Abaco Island. It measures 3.1 by 2.2 miles (approximately 1000 acres) and remains mostly undeveloped. In locations tucked away from guest areas, some 40 Cast Members live and maintain the island assisted by various crew members when a ship is in port.​

 

[WeatherbySwann]

I've been enjoying Jack Spence's blog lately, too!

Was this the thread where the medallion from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies being in the POTC ride gift shop was discussed? I can't remember quite where I had read about it, but it was somewhere on the Disboards. We asked a CM about it, and he kindly directed us to where it was located, and even pointed out Davy Jones' key, which I hadn't heard of being there!

He also told us that Davy Jones' pipe is in the new Pirates League. I just thought I'd pass those "secrets" along if they weren't already included!

 

[Dcanoli]

I've been enjoying Jack Spence's blog lately, too!

Was this the thread where the medallion from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies being in the POTC ride gift shop was discussed? I can't remember quite where I had read about it, but it was somewhere on the Disboards. We asked a CM about it, and he kindly directed us to where it was located, and even pointed out Davy Jones' key, which I hadn't heard of being there!

He also told us that Davy Jones' pipe is in the new Pirates League. I just thought I'd pass those "secrets" along if they weren't already included!

Hey WBS! Long time, no see! (By my own fault...)

Yes, we did discuss the medallion in this thread, and I think I put it in the master document. There is another artifact in the POTC gift shop too--I just can't remember it off hand.

I think I'm even the one that first posted it!

(Last year, a CM showed me both props.)

One is the necklace Elizabeth wore in the movie, and gosh, I cannot remember the other one!

...and I just checked...I didn't put it in the master document! (What WAS I thinking???)

If someone will remind me what the 2 props are, I'll add them along w/the Davey Jones pipe bit in the master document!

 

[WeatherbySwann]

Hey WBS! Long time, no see! (By my own fault...)

Yes, we did discuss the medallion in this thread, and I think I put it in the master document. There is another artifact in the POTC gift shop too--I just can't remember it off hand.

I think I'm even the one that first posted it!

(Last year, a CM showed me both props.)

One is the necklace Elizabeth wore in the movie, and gosh, I cannot remember the other one!

...and I just checked...I didn't put it in the master document! (What WAS I thinking???)

If someone will remind me what the 2 props are, I'll add them along w/the Davey Jones pipe bit in the master document!

Nice to see you, too! I think the other artifact is the key to the chest, it's on the opposite side of the gift shop from the medallion necklace.

 

[Dcanoli]

Nice to see you, too! I think the other artifact is the key to the chest, it's on the opposite side of the gift shop from the medallion necklace.

Are you pretty sure? My over-40 memory cells aren't cooperating tonight!

I'll go ahead and put the three artifacts in the document, and if we're wrong, we can always change it later! Thanks WBS!

 

[Dcanoli]

Okay, I just asked my kids, and they think it's the key too!

 

[WeatherbySwann]

Okay, I just asked my kids, and they think it's the key too!

Ok!

 

[diberry]

I managed to find the bluebird in Harper's Mill on Tom Sawyer Island last week.

 

[DollyXXXX]

How could they possibly have taken nails from Liberty Square shingles for the Revolution when it wasn't built until 1963?

Also, if Main St. is only 15 feet above sea level, how does that account for the "underground" Disney???

 

[tinkbutt]

How could they possibly have taken nails from Liberty Square shingles for the Revolution when it wasn't built until 1963?

Also, if Main St. is only 15 feet above sea level, how does that account for the "underground" Disney???

The "Utilidors" are not under ground they are technically like the first floor. think of a parking garage, but guest usually only see the second story unless you go on keys to the kingdom tour and get an up close and personal look at the Utiolidors

 

[Hootch]

How could they possibly have taken nails from Liberty Square shingles for the Revolution when it wasn't built until 1963?

exactly sure which post you're referencing so I'll guess. One of the secrets for Liberty Square is that the shutters are slanted. Most people don't notice. The British stopped shipping most items made of lead to the colonies to starve them of material for shot. Some American locations took down the hinges on shutter to melt down. Often leather straps were used to replace these to hold the shutters in place. Over time the leather stretched and the shutters hung slanted.

This is just an historical note of you might have seen at that time.

 

[Dcanoli]

...on facebook:

3,536 marbles adorn the 2 doors you see as your enter the queue area of Rock ‘N’ Roll Coaster.

 

[mmkk]

...on facebook:

3,536 marbles adorn the 2 doors you see as your enter the queue area of Rock ‘N’ Roll Coaster.

ITs funny you mention this because DH noticed these doors when he went on Rock n Roller Coaster and now wants to do the doors on our linen closet like this! I didn't get to ride it b/c I was pregnant so I don't know what they look like. Does anyone have a pic of them?

 

[wdwlovers5]

so I don't loose track of this thread

 

[wdwlovers5]

sorry I just noticed that I should not have subscribed that way - I apologize

 

[snykymom]

ITs funny you mention this because DH noticed these doors when he went on Rock n Roller Coaster and now wants to do the doors on our linen closet like this! I didn't get to ride it b/c I was pregnant so I don't know what they look like. Does anyone have a pic of them?

I don't have a picture, but be advised that the marbles, while held in place, do roll. So unless you want to hear marbles every time you open the linen closet doors, I'd advise against it!

 

[Hootch]

...on facebook:

3,536 marbles adorn the 2 doors you see as your enter the queue area of Rock ‘N’ Roll Coaster.

any significance to this or is this just one of those facts?

I finally got my son to ride this this year but I don't remember the doors.

 

[Goofyseven]

Hi Deb,
Its been a while but when you update the Master List does this also update the list at http://www.wdwinfo.com/best-kept-secrets_MK.htm?. If not, I will pm you a request for the Master List


Thanks,

Paul

 

[Dcanoli]

Hi Deb,
Its been a while but when you update the Master List does this also update the list at http://www.wdwinfo.com/best-kept-secrets_MK.htm?. If not, I will pm you a request for the Master List


Thanks,

Paul

Hey Paul,

No, it doesn't link there automatically. When the "mother site" found out about the list, they got really excited and talked about it on the podcast.

Then, they asked me for a copy of it, and asked if they could put it on the site.

But, I think that was back in 2006, can't remember now...so, if you want a new one, you'll have to e-mail or PM me and ask for it.

I update it every time we find out some new information. It takes me no time at all to send it out, so you can keep requesting it over and over again!

.......as for the marbles, no significance....and I do have a picture...let me get it from my PB acct., and I'll post it for you to see...brb....

 

[Dcanoli]

I'm not sure where I got this. I can't remember if I took it or someone else did, but it's a close up of what the doors look like.

Now, remember--these doors are HUGE - if I am remembering right, they are from floor to almost ceiling.

Is that right? Anyone?