Your BEST WDW theme park secret! Part II

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I don't remember seeing on this thread. I knew the two parts separately but just recently connected them.

The artist behind the Cinderella murals in the castle, Hans-Joachim Scharff, is also considered the most successful interrogator for the Germans in WWII. Scharff used simple interrogation methods such as befriending the prisoner, letting them know he knew some information about the prisoner already and allowing some to have special privileges - especially if they were viewed as having high value information. Even with his success in gathering information, he was investigated by the Gestapo for aiding the enemy.

After the war Scharff immigrated to the US where he established friendships with some of his former prisoners. He also started a small art studio which eventually caught the eye of some Disney execs.

Besides the castle mosaics, his daughter in law, who worked with him on the castle, continued his studio work and did the Land Pavilion mosaics.

Here is but one link about Scharff's work as an interrogator. I especially like this quote. I don't know whether the reference was intentional or not. "He gained the reputation of magically getting all the answers he needed from the prisoners of war, often with the prisoners never realizing that their words, small talk or otherwise, were important pieces of the mosaic."

http://www.merkki.com/new_page_2.htm
 
All courtesy of Jack Spence's blog. :thumbsup2

Liberty Belle Riverboat—(Courtesty of Jack Spence’s blog)—(1) From the very beginning, Walt knew he wanted a boat ride at his theme park and knew he needed to hire someone who could oversee this vast undertaking and remembered meeting retired Admiral Joe Fowler through a mutual friend.

(2) “Can do” Fowler spent 35 years in the navy and retired as a Rear Admiral at age sixty. Walt, being the persuasive person that he was, convinced Joe to join the Disney team where he oversaw the construction of Disneyland and later, the building of Walt Disney World. In all, he spent twenty-five years with the company. But besides his overall skill as a project manager, Fowler’s knowledge of ships was extremely useful when it came to the building of Disneyland’s paddle wheeler.

(3) The Mark Twain, as the ship would eventually be named, was the first paddle wheeler to be built in the United States in fifty years. The designers at WED conducted in-depth research on the subject and drew up plans for a vessel that resembled the riverboats that sailed the Mississippi during the heyday of steam powered ships. The 105-foot hull was built at the Todd Shipyards in San Pedro, California and the ship’s decks were built at the Disney Studios in Burbank. The decks and hull were then shipped to Disneyland for final construction. Walt felt so strongly about this craft that when corporate funding fell short, he used his own money to finish building the vessel. He was reimbursed after the park opened and began making money.

(4) In Florida, the ship’s name would be the Admiral Joe Fowler in honor of the man who helped build two Magic Kingdoms. Much of this ship was built at the Tampa Ship Repairs and Dry Dock Company, the same location where the park’s four steam trains were refurbished.

(5) The Adm. Joe Fowler began service on October 2, 1971, one day after the opening of the Magic Kingdom. During the first few years of operation, there was very little to see along the route. Tom Sawyer Island had yet to be built and there were no Thunder or Splash Mountains to enjoy as you sailed by. In an effort to make the voyage more enjoyable, musicians could often be found on deck entertaining guests.

(6) One of the biggest differences between Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom is the loading dock. At Disneyland, all loading and unloading of guests takes place on the lower deck. Thus, everyone onboard must disembark before new riders can come aboard. The Imagineers wanted to speed things up for a faster turnaround at the Magic Kingdom and devised a two-level system. Disembarking passengers leave from the lower deck while new arrivals enter the ship on the middle level. However, as the popularity of this attraction waned, this more efficient method of loading and unloading was modified and today, no one boards until the last guest from the previous journey has exited. This multi-level system was not duplicated at Tokyo or Paris.

(7) Soon after opening the Magic Kingdom, attraction demand outweighed capacity. The park needed more rides. One quick and relatively inexpensive solution was to build a second boat for the Rivers of America. This time however, the entire craft would be built at Disney World at the various shops located behind the Magic Kingdom. Construction took about six months and on May 20, 1973, less than two years after opening, the Richard F. Irvine joined the fleet and for the next seven years, two riverboats plied the Rivers of America. While one was unloading and loading passengers, the other was sailing around Tom Sawyer Island. To the layman’s eye, the ships look identical with one exception. The Adm. Joe Fowler has two smokestacks while the Richard F. Irvine only has one. It’s interesting to note, in some older Disney publications, the Fowler is pictured while the caption reads Irvine (you can tell by the smokestacks).

(8) The ship’s namesake, Richard (Dick) F. Irvine was a set designer with a degree in architecture. He started working at the Disney Studios in 1942 and in 1953, Walt asked him to join the Disneyland team. Dick would act as the liaison between the Imagineers and outside architectural firms that were hired to design the buildings of the Anaheim park. In the years that followed, he helped design the Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean. He also oversaw the planning and design of Walt Disney World. (It’s interesting to note, Irvine’s daughter-in-law, Imagineer Kim (Thomas) Irvine is the daughter of Leota Toombs, the face in the crystal ball at the Haunted Mansion.)

(9) In 1980, the Adm. Joe Fowler needed some routine maintenance. But unlike Disneyland, that has a dry dock (named Fowler’s Harbor) connected to the Rivers of America, the Magic Kingdom has no such facility. In Florida, the dry dock is located NE of the MK and the boat needed to be sailed to this location. Have you ever wondered what the iron-truss bridge is for located just beyond Thunder Mountain? The train tracks sits on a turntable and can pivot out of the way so watercraft can gain access to Seven Seas Lagoon, Bay Lake, and eventually the backstage dry dock.

(10) While entering dry dock, the riverboat’s hull was damaged extensively. One account claims that it cracked while being lifted by a crane. Another says the boat was positioned incorrectly on its supports when water was being drained from the dry dock and split. However, by this time, two riverboats were no longer necessary. Space and Thunder Mountains had opened in the interim and the extra capacity two boats offered was no longer needed. The decision was made to scuttle the Adm. Joe Fowler. Some accounts claim that the hull was buried somewhere on property. Others say it was sunk in Bay Lake. I could find no definitive proof of either. Parts of the Adm. Joe Fowler live on to this day. The ship’s machinery was shipped to the then under construction Tokyo Disneyland to become the workings of that park’s Mark Twain. And the boat’s whistle was added to the #4 engine, the Roy O. Disney at the Magic Kingdom. In 1996, the Richard F. Irvine was in need of an extensive refurbishment and was floated back to dry dock. Luckily, it fared better than the Adm. Joe Fowler and when it reemerged, it was rechristened the Liberty Belle. The Imagineers felt that this new name would be easier for guests to remember and it fit better with the riverboat’s home port, Liberty Square. However, the two gentlemen whose names once graced these stately vessels have not been forgotten. In 1999, two of the Staten Island-style ferries that transport guests between the TTC and the Magic Kingdom were renamed in honor of these two men. The third ferry was renamed the General Joe Potter. This gentleman headed many of the early construction projects at Walt Disney World.

(11) This is also the only ride in the Magic Kingdom that allows guests to get up and walk around while their vehicle is in motion.

(12) On occasion, a family is selected to ride in the wheelhouse. If you’re the first to arrive in the waiting area, ask a cast member if you can join the captain.

(13) As the journey begins, our captain, Horace Bixby, introduces Sam Clemmons (Mark Twain) to us over the PA. Knowing that Disney never misses a trick, I knew that name Horace Bixby was selected for a reason so I looked him up and discovered he was a real person, perhaps one of the greatest steamboat pilots of his day. He met Clemens in 1857 aboard the steamer PAUL JONES and later agreed to take him on as an apprentice.

(14) Along the banks of the river, we see cargo stacked on various piers. As with everything, details are important. The number “71” is obvious. This is the year the Magic Kingdom opened. The Tell City Tool Co. is a little more obscure. Located along the Ohio River in Indiana, this real town began in 1857 and was carefully planned by a group of Swiss people looking for a better life. In many respects, this was one of the United State’s first planned communities. Three square miles of land was purchased and streets were laid out in a north-south, east-west grid. Settlers could buy tracts of land, but were required to build a two room home to be worth not less than $125.00 within one year of purchase. Factories, schools, and churches were all planned in advance and locations determined. In the early years, riverboats were the only means of transportation in and out of Tell City – which is why the Imagineers selected this town to be represented on the Rivers of America. Another name seen on multiple crates along the river is Russel’s Falls. This is in reference to Davy Crockett’s sidekick, George E. Russel played by Buddy Ebsen.

(15) Over on Tom Sawyer Island we see Tom’s Landing, Potter’s Windmill (named after Muff Potter, a friend of Injun Joe), Superstition Bridge, and Fort Langhorn. From 1973 to 1997 this outpost was named Fort Sam Clemens – both in reference to Mark Twain whose real name was Samuel Langhorne Clemens. It’s interesting to note, the Imagineers misspelled his middle name on the fort, dropping the “E.”

(16) Just beyond Fort Langhorn is an abandoned cabin. For many years, real flames could be seen lapping at the logs and a settler was lying on his back out front with an arrow piercing his chest. Guests were told he was the victim of an unfriendly Indian attack. As sensibilities began to change toward Native Americans, the story was rewritten and we were told that the settler had passed out from his moonshine and his cabin was ablaze due to his still exploding. Today, the cabin sits deserted and the fire extinguished. Neither Captain Bixby nor Sam Clemmons even mention its existence as you pass by. I’ve read that the flames were turned off during the Liberty Belle’s extensive rehab in 2005. By the time the ship was back in service, the gas pipes, originally installed in the early 70’s, had deteriorated badly and it was decided not to replace them. Too bad. However, if you visit Tokyo Disneyland, their cabin still excites guests with real flames as they pass by on the Mark Twain.

(17) The next sight along the ride is an old gentleman sitting on the dock of his riverside shanty. This is Beacon Joe and he keeps track of the river’s occasional course changes and marks the river accordingly. Pay attention to Beacon’s dog. His head turns from left to right as a fish jumps out of the water.

(18) The river also has a number of buoys marking various locations along the journey. Shortly after passing Beacon Joe’s bait shop, we come to a Powhatan Indian settlement. When the movie Pocahontas was released, Disney wanted to add a “tie-in” for the Liberty Belle and the WDW Railroad. However, the Powhatans were primarily found in Virginia, not as far west as the Mississippi or Ohio Rivers. Captain Bixby explains this incongruity by mentioning that they must be following the abundance of wildlife found in this vicinity.

(19) Just past the Indian Village are their sacred burial grounds. Those who fall in battle are placed upon the traditional “bed of death” and after nightfall, the tribesmen will return to mourn the great warriors who brought honor to their families.

(20) A rather peaceful section of the river lies ahead until we come to Cut-Throat Corner and Wilson’s Cave Inn. Here, river pirates hide away, waiting to attack a passing riverboat. But during our journey, it’s apparent that the scoundrels are celebrating and in no condition to ambush the Liberty Belle. Knowing Disney as I do, I knew there had to be a reason the name “Wilson” was selected, so I did a little research. I found that on the Ohio River in Illinois, a real location called Cave-In-Rock exists. After the Revolutionary War, this hideout became a lair for river pirates who attacked passing vessels. During the 1890s, Jim Wilson became synonymous with the cave, calling it home and stocking it with provisions and opening a business called Wilson's Liquor Vault and House of Entertainment. He would entice unsuspecting river travelers to his establishment, then rob them of their goods and usually kill them. This true story inspired an episode of the TV show Disneyland titled “Davy Crockett and the River Pirates.” As we return to civilization, our boat once again passes Fort Langhorn and Superstition Bridge.

(21) The last major sight we see along our passage is the Haunted Mansion. Sam Clemens tells us that this house was built on sacred Indian burial grounds and is filled with spirits. But he doubts this story and thinks the folks that told him the tale might be filled with 100-proof spirits.
 

WOW! Deb seems like you are going back to WDW every other week:lmao: I wish I was there, Have a Great Time. I don't get to go back till the Dec. Dis Dad trip:goodvibes
 
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Here is an updated edition of some TSI trivia and secrets:

Tom Sawyer’s Island

Be the first to find the six hidden paintbrushes and receive a special Fastpass! (Seems this switches between a paper Fastpass for your entire family or real Fastpasses for everyone.)

While in Harper's Mill on Tom Sawyer Island, look closely at the wooden gears operating. On one of the gears that rotate horizontally, look closely between the cogs. You will see a little bluebird sitting there.

(From Disney Shawn) - Tom Sawyer Island in the Magic Kingdom is a kid's paradise. Take a raft across the Rivers of America, and step back in time to Mark Twain's Missouri of the 1800s. In fact, most of the locations on the island, from Aunt Polly's to Injun Joe's Cave, take their name and inspiration directly from Twain's classic novels The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

The fort out on the back island, Fort Langhorn, actually takes its name from Mark Twain himself. "Mark Twain" was the pen name used by the author Samuel Langhorne Clemens. (From 1973 to 1997 this outpost was named Fort Sam Clemens – both in reference to Mark Twain whose real name was Samuel Langhorne Clemens. It’s interesting to note, the Imagineers misspelled his middle name on the fort, dropping the “E.”)

The references aren't exclusively tied to the island, either. Take a closer look at the crates sitting on the dock across the river. The labels mention S.L. Clemens, Hannibal, Missouri, and "Doc" Robinson, a character from Twain's books.

There's one other reference here that doesn't come from literature. Harper's Mill on the island is a nod to Imagineering Art Director Harper Goff, best known for his designs of the Jungle Cruise, Main Street and the Nautilus from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. (It could also be named after one of Tom Sawyer's best friends was Joe Harper.)

Potter’s Windmill was named after Muff Potter, a friend of Injun Joe.
 
My best theme parks secret??? Hmmm... one word: Fastpasses!!!!!


Obviously I don't know many other secrets.
If FP even count as a secret... :goodvibes
 
Updated EE information (thanks to Jack Spence's blog for Allears):

1,800 tons of steel were used in the mountain structure. That is about six times the amount of steel used in a traditional office building of this size.

There is a difference between the FP and standby lines--in the standby line, you buy your supplies in the line and go to the booking office. In the FP line, you only get your supplies. The whole thought is that you are on a fast track to get on your journey.

Imagineering used hammers, chainsaws, and blowtorches to "age" wood and buildings used in the Expedition Everest attraction, queue, and surrounding areas.

Look at the little temple in Asia in front of Expedition Everest. When viewed from the specific angle, these tiny temples form the exact shape of the mountain behind them!

(From Jack Spence’s blog) -Tthe Imagineers decided to introduce the abominable snowman’s cousin, the Yeti, who is fabled to live in the Himalayan Mountains of Asia, a land that already existed in the park. Yeti is a Sherpa word meaning "magical creature.”

When people think of the Himalayan Mountains, they automatically think of Mount Everest, the tallest peak in the world. But unfortunately, this mountain lacks a distinctive shape like the Matterhorn. In fact, it’s rather unremarkable in appearance. So lead Imagineer Joe Rohde decided to create a “range” of mountains and place Everest in the background. By doing this, Everest didn’t need to be the “tallest” mountain in the range since it was “far off” in the distance. This also allowed the Imagineers to come up with a more interesting peak to build their story around (see previous picture).

Although most people call this attraction Expedition Everest, its full name is Expedition Everest - Legend of the Forbidden Mountain. This can be seen on the banner and partially hidden poster near the entrance of the attraction.

In an effort to make Disney’s Himalayan range as authentic as possible, the Imagineers made a number of trips to Nepal, Tibet, and China to study the topography, architecture, and myths of these areas. What they brought back with them was knowledge of a rich culture and heritage that they hoped to recreate in the Animal Kingdom.

When the Animal Kingdom was in its planning stages, Michael Eisner insisted that the park portray an environmental message -- a message that promotes harmony between man, the planet, and the animals that coexist with us. While researching the yeti, the Imagineers learned that this creature was far more than a ferocious beast. It was the protector of the mountains and its surroundings. Much thought went into the design of the yeti. The Imagineers wanted to create a realistic animal that might actually live in the high altitude and cold environment of the Himalayans, not a sci-fi monster. A number of primates, including the golden monkey and orangutan, were studied and various aspects of each were used, along with other practical adaptations, to create what we see today. When these concepts were transitioned from paper to machinery, the largest, most dynamic, and fastest AudioAnimatronics figure ever created was designed and built. So intense is the yeti’s movement that he had to be placed on a separate foundation that did not touch the track or mountain’s structure.

Designing the mountain range was another arduous task. The Imagineers created twenty-four models before they settled on a final design. Then, using laser technology, their six-foot model was scanned into a computer. Once digitalized, the Imagineers could fine tune the ride sequence and create detailed drawings that would be needed to construct the attraction. What we see is an accurate depiction of the northwest face of Mount Everest In addition to the yeti standing on his own foundation, the track and mountains also stand on their own, separate foundations and do not touch one another. The designers endeavored to put six inches of space between the track and the mountain. This was necessary to insure that the vibration of the trains rumbling through the mountain and the swaying of the track did not shake, crack, and damage the mountain’s structure. Unfortunately, the yeti’s intense movement proved to be too much for its foundation and it cracked sometime ago. Because of this, the yeti has been switched from Mode “A” operation (movement) to Mode “B” operation (stationary with strobe lights and fans). It’s my understanding that the damage is great enough that repairs will need to wait until the attraction is closed for rehab.

The mountain range sits on six acres of land and was crafted using more than 3,000 prefabricated “chips” created from 25,000 individual computer –molded pieces of steel. The mountains contain 1,800 tons of steel. That is about six times the amount of steel used in a traditional office building of this size. The mountains’ surface contains 18.7 million pounds of concrete and 2,000 gallons of paint. The track length is approximately one mile and reaches a top speed of 50 miles per hour at the bottom of the 80 foot drop.

At the base of Disney’s Himalayan Mountains is the village of Serka Zong. Serka Zong means “fortress of the chasm.” This community was based on the styles of several locales but mostly on the Kali Gandaki region of the Annapurna Conservancy in Nepal. Building techniques (or the appearance of which) remained true to the area by using stone and hard packed earth as building blocks.

Artists used hammers, chainsaws and blowtorches to "age" wood and buildings in the village to give the appearance of being longstanding parts of the landscape. More than 2,000 handcrafted items from Asia were used in the queue and surrounding area.

Careful attention was also given to the surrounding plant life. More than 900 bamboo plants, 10 species of trees, and 114 species of shrubs were planted around the mountain to simulate the lowlands surrounding the Himalayas.

Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain officially opened April 7, 2006.

Just beyond the Yak & Yeti Restaurant is a clearing and temple. Here you’ll find an Information sign describing the mountain range in the distance. Each peak is named and elevations given. The middle peak is labeled Forbidden Mountain and is said to be the legendary home of the yeti.

Next to this sign is a temple. If you study it carefully, you’ll notice that its shape matches the mountains in the background. In addition, the center temple (Forbidden Mountain) contains a representation of the yeti which has been adorned by the local inhabitants.

If you approach Expedition Everest from Dinoland U.S.A., you’ll discover tea growing on the slopes of the mountains. More tea can be found around the village of Serka Zong. In years past, this area was a thriving tea plantation complete with steam trains to transport the crops to nearby Anandapur. Several of the buildings were once used for the processing of the tea as can be seen by a sign located in what is now the Yeti Museum.

However, for some mysterious reason, the plantation was shuttered and the trains stopped running. Rumors abound that the yeti played a part in the plantation’s demise and locals have erected a number of shrines to appease the creature.

Years after the closing of the plantation, Norbu and Bob came along and opened Himalayan Escapes – Tours and Expeditions. They refashioned a number of the plantation buildings to suit their new business and rerouted the train to take adventure seekers to the base of Mount Everest where they would be dropped off to make their final ascent of the mountain by foot.

Your adventure begins in the booking office. This building was once the headquarters for the Royal Anandapur Tea Company. Here you’ll find secondhand furniture and equipment as supplies are expensive in this remote area. Also pay attention to the board mounted on the back wall. All of the recent tours are listed and their current status and position are noted.

Once outside the booking office, the desolation of the land becomes apparent. Shrubbery is sparse and a dry riverbed can be seen running between the buildings. Also notice the prayer flags waving in the breeze. These pennants are used to promote wisdom, strength, compassion, and peace. As the wind slowly unravels the fabric, the threads are carried to heaven and these benefits rain down and help all.

Signs have been posted from the booking office to the train depot to make sure your tour group stays together and doesn’t get lost.

Next visitors pass by the Yeti Mandir. A Mandir is a Hindu temple that is usually dedicated to one deity -- in this case, the yeti. The ringing of the surrounding bells is one way worshipers show respect to the deity. It’s at this point that tourists start to wonder if the legend of this mythical creature just might be true.

While admiring the Mandir, be sure to pay attention to the intricate carvings found throughout the structure.

At Tashi’s Trek and Tongba Shop you can pick up the supplies you’ll need for your climb to the top of Everest. As the sign says, “We provide the finest in mountaineer equipments for all needs new and used.”

Be sure to pay extra attention to the “Mystery of the Lost Expedition” exhibit. These artifacts were retrieved from the slopes of the mountain and leave little doubt as to what happened to these adventurers.

As you approach the train platform, pictures of your staff line the wall. Under each photo you’ll find their title and job function. For example, it’s the responsibility of the Expedition Leaders to organize the food, supplies, and gear, select team members, and monitor their health and well-being. The Porter carries equipment and food weighing in excess of 125 pounds.

After boarding the old converted tea train and securing the lap restraint, your journey begins. With a toot of the whistle, the train pulls out of the station and passes a siding before easing down a slight dip in the track. It then begins a small climb as you hear the sounds of birds native to Nepal.

The train glides down another hill as you pass beside a waterfall and underneath an old trestle. The track straightens out for a few moments as you cross the lowlands that surround the mountain chain. Once again, the arid nature of the area is noticeable by the sparse placement of the plant life.

After another hairpin turn, the train starts up a steep incline. To the left is a ceremonial stairway leading to an ancient fortress. As the train passes through a tunnel beneath this citadel, ceremonial drums, gongs, and low churning horns can be heard. Overhead on the back wall is a fresco of the Yeti, guardian of the Forbidden Mountain.

As we exit the tunnel the train whistle blows and we discover we’re high above the ground on the old trestle seen earlier and remember that Serka Zong means “fortress of the chasm.” Off to our right is a stunning view of this charming village and Discovery River. Ahead are the inhospitable mountains beckoning us forward.

Across the 110 foot high trestle we cross a mountain crest and speed downhill along a curve and into an ice cavern.

On the other side of the cavern the train speeds up a sharp incline and comes to an abrupt stop. It seems that the track ahead has been ripped up, preventing us from going forward.

The train sits perched for several moments on this precarious slope. Overhead, prayer flags flap in the wind. To the side of the cars, large footprints and claw marks can be seen in the snow. At the same time, gravity is tugging on the train whose brakes are not equipped to handle this sort of stress. Soon the train begins to shake and rumble and eventually, the brakes fail. The cars begin to move backwards, picking up speed as they travel back into the ice cave. But this is not the same route that was used to ascend the peak. We now find ourselves hurtling in reverse deep within the mountain. Eventually, we come to a second stop within a large cavern. On the wall before us we can see the shadow of the Yeti ripping up more track.

A few moments later, the train reverses directions again and starts moving forward down an eighty foot hill, reaching a speed of fifty miles per hour. The train passes through a bamboo forest then races up the other side of the mountain and disappears into another cave.

Emerging on the other side of the mountain, the train spirals upwards through another forest before plunging back into the cave and darkness. As the track straightens out, we see the actual Yeti perched on a ledge above us, reaching out to grab anyone within his reach.

Narrowly escaping the Yeti’s clutches, the train rumbles forward and out into the open once again. Fortunately, the Serka Zong Station and safety are close at hand.

After exiting the train, you enter Serka Zong Bazaar, a shop set up by the townsfolk to cash in on the tourist trade. Besides the normal souvenir purchases, a number of handicraft items are on display.

******

I know the journey of the train (i.e., the ride itself) isn't really a secret or even true trivia, but it does offer the ride from the story's perspective, and I thought you might like to read it!
 
...Much thought went into the design of the yeti. The Imagineers wanted to create a realistic animal that might actually live in the high altitude and cold environment of the Himalayans, not a sci-fi monster. A number of primates, including the golden monkey and orangutan, were studied and various aspects of each were used, along with other practical adaptations, to create what we see today. When these concepts were transitioned from paper to machinery, the largest, most dynamic, and fastest AudioAnimatronics figure ever created was designed and built. So intense is the yeti’s movement that he had to be placed on a separate foundation that did not touch the track or mountain’s structure....

...(sigh)... :sad:
 
...from Disney Shawn.

I may have to break this post up into several parts. All these are from Disney Shawn's blog.

Here is the first "secret/trivia" bit. It is abou the Main Street Railroad station:


The bulletin board, found on the lower level of the Main Street Station at Walt Disney World, pays homage to Disney's railroad heritage.

CAROLWOOD PACIFIC - This was Walt Disney's miniature railroad, built in the backyard of his home in Holmby Hills.

GRIZZLY FLATS EXPRESS - Grizzly Flats was another backyard railroad (albeit full size), operated on animator Ward Kimball's property. Ward was a fellow train enthusiast, and it was his invitation for Walt to join him at the Chicago Railroad Fair in the late '40s that inspired many of the ideas behind Disneyland.

C.K. HOLLIDAY/E.P. RIPLEY/FRED GURLEY/ERNEST S. MARSH - These are the names of the trains on the Disneyland Railroad, each named for a key figure in the history of the Santa Fe Railroad, the original sponsor of the Disneyland attraction.

RAINBOW CAVERNS LINE - The Rainbow Caverns Mine Train toured Guests through the Living Desert in Frontierland at Disneyland, starting in 1956. In 1960, the area was expanded, and the attraction became part of the Mine Train thru Nature's Wonderland. The line was retired in 1979 with the opening of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

RIO GRAND/COLORADO/MISSOURI/MISSISSIPPI - These locomotives operate on the Western River Railroad in Tokyo Disneyland. Different from their American counterparts, the trains in Japan don't provide transportation from one point to another. They simply run a circuit around Adventureland and Westernland, returning to the same station.

W.F. CODY/G. WASHINGTON/C.K. HOLLIDAY/EUREKA - The trains of the Disneyland Paris Railroad bear the names of William F. Cody (better known as Buffalo Bill), George Washington and C.K. Holliday (founder of the Santa Fe Railroad). A fourth engine was added after the park opened in order to increase capacity. It's name, Eureka, comes from the exclamation often used by prospectors when they found a bit of gold.

WILDERNESS LINE - This narrow gauge railroad operated from 1973 to 1980 at the Fort Wilderness Campground in Florida, taking Guests from the parking lot back to Pioneer Hall and River Country.

ROGER E. BROGGIE/WARD KIMBALL/LILLY BELLE - These trains, along with the Roy O. Disney and Walter E. Disney, run at the Magic Kingdom. The Ward Kimball, named for the animator, was only in Florida for a short time while some of the other locomotives were being refurbished. It now calls the Disneyland Railroad its home.

WHISPERING CANYON LINE/SILVER CREEK EXPRESS - These names don't refer to specific trains, but to locations at Disney's Wilderness Lodge (Whispering Canyon Cafe and Silver Creek Springs pool area). In the lobby of the adjacent Villas is the Carolwood Pacific Room, featuring a display of memorabilia from Walt's early backyard railroad.

D. CROCKETT - Apart from Fess Parker's connections to Davy Crockett, Frontierland and Disneyland, the actor also starred in the Disney film The Great Locomotive Chase in 1956.

WILDLIFE EXPRESS/EASTER STAR - This reference comes from Disney's Animal Kingdom, where the Easter Star Railway operates the Wildlife Express route between Harambe and Rafiki's Planet Watch.

This prop was added to the Main Street Station prior to the opening of Hong Kong Disneyland, so that's why there are no references to the trains from that park (Walter E. Disney; Roy O. Disney and Frank G. Wells, named for the former President of the Walt Disney Company).
 
Town Square Info (from Disney Shawn) –

(a) On the western edge of the square sits City Hall, an imposing edifice for sure, but one where the front doors are always open as a sign of welcome

(b) The walls of City Hall are decorated with paintings depicting historic figures and events (including the Golden Spike ceremony, also shown in the train station mural). These are actually copies of the paintings created for the original Hall of Presidents show back in 1971

(c) Appropriately, City Hall's decor also includes portraits of the town's founding fathers, Walt Disney and his brother Roy

(d) The Harmony Barber Shop gets its name from the Dapper Dans, the harmonizing quartet which performs here regularly

(e) Across the square is the Hotel of Main Street, featuring Town Square Exposition Hall. When the Magic Kingdom opened, this was the Gulf Hospitality House (sort of a City Hall for the rest of the Vacation Kingdom, where one could book everything from a night at the Contemporary Resort to a boat excursion on Bay Lake or tickets for the Polynesian Luau). It was clearly designed as a hotel, with its broad porch and second-story balconies. Located near the train station, this would be where folks would stay when visiting the town of Main Street or just stopping over for the night; The hotel was later expanded to include the Expo Hall exhibit space, currently showcasing the newest "Photographic Marvels... & Innovations."

(f) Tony's Town Square Restaurant draws its inspiration from Disney's 1955 animated classic, Lady and the Tramp, set in roughly the same time period as Main Street itself. An image of Tony presides over the entrance, and his "spaghetti speciale with-a the meats-a-ball" is always on the menu

(g) On the windows and throughout the restaurant can be found images of that famous pair of pooches, the one Tony calls Butch and his little "Cocker-o-Spanish girl." Look closely, and you'll even discover the place out front where Lady and Tramp left their paw prints, forever cementing their love for one another.
 
Honoring the Town Fathers (from Disney Shawn) –

(a) In the Central Plaza at the end of Main Street is "Partners," honoring the most prominent individual of all, Walt Disney

(b) The "Partners" statue was sculpted by Disney Legend Blaine Gibson and added to the Magic Kingdom in 1995 (it's actually a copy of the original "Partners" statue made for Disneyland). The statue was based on a life bust sculpted by Gibson during Walt's lifetime. Walt was far too humble to accept such a thing, and the bust was discarded, only to turn up years later in Roy Disney's garage. The bust provided the foundation for "Partners" (it was also used to create the bust of Walt seen at the Television Academy Hall of Fame Plaza at Disney's Hollywood Studios)

(c) A few notes about "Partners": The statue of Walt is actually sculpted slightly larger than life. In reality, Walt was 5'10". The "STR" logo on Walt's tie is for Smoke Tree Ranch, a popular vacation destination for Walt and his family. Walt is depicted leading Mickey, representative of Walt's overall philosophy to "keep moving forward

(d) Down in the Town Square is "Sharing the Magic," another Blaine Gibson piece honoring co-founder Roy Disney. Of the two brothers, Walt was the leader. Roy was the supporter, so he is depicted supporting Minnie's hand. It's also appropriate that Roy is sitting on a bench, as he often did after the opening of Walt Disney World, observing and listening to his Guests; copies of "Sharing the Magic" were later added to the Disney Studio lot in Burbank and to the Tokyo Disney Resort, but this was the first. Fitting, since there would potentially not have been a Magic Kingdom without Roy.
 
(Again, from Disney Shawn):

Main Street Fire Department/Station (from Disney Shawn)

(a) Located off Town Square is the Main Street Fire Department's Engine Co. 71 (a reference, of course, to the year the Magic Kingdom opened)

(b) There's also a collection of patches, donated by visiting firefighters from around the world

(c) Notice the ladders that support the shelving and the pile of fire hoses forming the fixtures; e sure to look down as well-that wooden circle on the ground speaks to the period of the place. Shortly after the turn of the 20th century, Main Street would have just gotten their motorized fire engine (like the one used to carry Guests through town). Prior to the engine, they would have used a fire wagon pulled by horses. When the wagon returned to the station, the horses would be unhitched and the wagon turned back around on this turntable, ready to head out for the next call

(d) Head all the way to the back of the shop, and you'll discover the horse stalls, filled with vintage accessories and firefighting equipment

(e) Also found in the rear is this antique chemical wagon, the century-old equivalent of today's ABC fire extinguishers. Here at the Main Street Fire Department, though, it's been "pressed" into service flattening pennies into fun keepsakes for visiting Guests
 
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