Disneyland and Walt Disney World are home to an endless array of Fun Facts, from luscious landscaping to trash can distancing, there is always something new to learn! Here, we take a deep dive into some of the most interesting and random tidbits we have found regarding both the happiest and most magical place on earth.
Huge Treks of Land
The Magic Kingdom is an extraordinary 107 acres! Though Walt Disney had his hand in plans for the parks on both coasts, he only personally designed one attraction for Dinseyland. Any guesses? The answer… Tom Sawyer Island.
Give Me Liberty or… a Restroom
In an admirable effort to present historical accuracy of the time-period, there are no bathrooms throughout Liberty Square!
Disney’s Underground City
The rumors are true! There really are secret underground tunnels throughout Walt Disney World. In order for those access those tunnels to exist the Magic Kingdom is actually built above ground level.
The Presidents Seal
Disney paid such close attention to detail within the Hall of Presidents attraction that the Presidential Seal in the waiting room’s rotunda is one of only three such seals to exist, with Disney receiving permission from Congress to place it there. The other seals are located in the Oval Office at the White House and at the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, and the exhibit’s building is modelled after Independence Hall.
A Room For Every Season
There are almost 30,000 Disney World hotel rooms throughout Disney Resorts.
Looks Can Be Deceiving
The Magic Kingdom castle is made of fiberglass!
Animatronics...
Each animatronic president in the Hal of Presidents is given a costume designed using fabrics, styles, and sewing techniques based on their time in office. Therefor, early leader’s suits were hand-stitched, while recent presidents’ suits were made with updated sewing machines.
Cleaning the Kingdom
You are never more than 30 steps away from a trash at Walt Disney World.
I Spy With My Little Eye…
The Hidden Mickey’s can be found in décor, table settings, buildings and numerous other places throughout Walt Disney World.
Just Reading This Next Fact Will Get A Certain Song Stuck In Your Head
The “happiest cruise that ever sailed” can be found at every Disneyland park around the globe except for Shanghai Disneyland, and the cheerful theme song is now played somewhere on the planet every hour of every single day, according to ABC News.
Yo-Ho That’s A Lot of Dough
Disneyland’s Pirates of the Caribbean cost as much to build as the entire park itself.
Chew ‘Em If Ya Got ‘Em
Chewing gum is not sold on-site at Walt Disney World.
The Deal of a Lifetime
Adult admission at Walt Disney World was only $3.50.
Hidden Hoops
The classic steel coaster in Disneyland’s Fantasyland area houses a hidden secret at the very top: a basketball court. Although you won’t find any NBA players secretly shooting hoops up there, the Disney Channel program Walt Disney World Inside Out, which ran from 1994 to 1997, confirmed that there was in fact a basketball court smaller than a regulation half-court inside the attraction, which served as a resting space for climbers that used to periodically scale down the side of the Matterhorn mountain.
Better Pack An Extra Pair of Shades
An average of 200 pairs of sunglasses turn up at the lost and found daily at Walt Disney World.
Be Sure To Keep An Eye Out
Aside from sunglasses, a glass eye, prosthetic leg, and potty trainer have also been lost at Walt Disney World.
It’s Turkey-Lurkey-Time
Almost 2 million pounds of Turkey Legs are eaten each year at Walt Disney World.
Go, Tink, Go!
Flying Tinkerbell must be no more than 95-pounds as her costume and battery pack weighs upwards of 35-pounds.
H20
At 5.7 million gallons, Epcot’s Aquarium of the Seas is second only to the Georgia Aquarium in terms of sheer size.
It’s A Zoo Out There
If you’ve ever ridden Kilimanjaro Safari, you’ll no doubt have seen exotic species like on the move and in easy-to-view places. How do they always cooperate with guests so easily? The naturalists on staff use a few tricks, such as shooting raisins towards the gorillas and putting honey on the top of safari vehicles for elephants. And that rock the lion is leisurely enjoying? It’s air-conditioned. The zebras and giraffes, however, are free roaming and even cause road blocks at times!
This Next Fact Is A Scream
The screams you’re hearing on the ground and around the park aren’t real. Sure, some of them are but to induce an even more terror-filled allure the majority of what you hear has been pre-recorded.
Stars and Stripes
American flags are required to be raised, lowered and flown at half-mast due to regulations. As a result, each flag on Main Street U.S.A. is missing a star and a stripe so they can be flown permanently.
Yeti… More Than Just A Thermos
The hydraulic thruster and cylinder used to propel the Yeti on Expedition Everest uses more power than a 747 jet engine.
199 Happy Heights
Both Animal Kingdom’s Expedition Everest and Disney’s Hollywood Tower of Terror are built just shy of 200-feet . This is due to the fact that any building over 200-feet would require red flashing aviation lights.
Goodnight, George
When the Pirates of the Caribbean was being built, an Imagineer named George was killed. Legend has it his ghost haunts the ride to this day. Cast members say “Goodnight, George” at the closing of each night as a superstition to prevent ride closures the next day.
Ashes to Ashes
Several fan wish to have this ashes spread throughout Walt Disney World. It’s such a common phenomenon Disney World has cleaning protocols in place for this exact occurrence.
The Hollywood The Never Was…
Disney’s Hollywood Studios used to be a real studio, not a theme park.
Season’s Greetings
Over 150 trailers are needed to haul all of the décor Disney World uses during the holiday season.
Oh, Christmas Tree
During the holiday season, more than 1,500 Christmas trees can be found on display throughout Disney World Theme Parks. In addition, there’s miles and miles of garland used to turn this park into a winter wonderland.
A Tree Grows In Disney
Over 500 trees around Disney World Theme Parks started as acorns from the “Liberty Oak,” the featured centrepiece of the Magic Kingdom’s Liberty Square.
Veggie Fruit Fruit, Veggie Veggie Fruit Fruit
Epcot is more than just a theme. In fact, it’s a real working garden producing over 30 tons of fruits and vegetables each year for park visitors.
Sorry We’re Closed
Walt Disney World has only closed five times since opening in 1971. The first was for Hurricane Floyd in 1999. The second was for the terror attacks on 9/11. And the third was a power failure in 2002. The fourth was for Hurricane Matthew in 2006. And, most recently, due to COVID-19.
Never Forget
American Adventure Pavilion is home to an American flag taken from the rubble of the Twin Towers from the 9/11 attack.
Living It Up
U2 was the original choice for Hollywood Studios’ Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. In addition, Rocking Roller Coaster was the first inverter coaster in Disney and the first coaster ever to have a synchronized soundtrack.
That’s A Lot of Ears!
If connected end to end, Mickey Mouse ear hats would span over 175 miles. That’s a lot of mouse ears!
That Mouse Is One Snappy Dresser
Mickey Mouse has quite the fashionable wardrobe—almost 300 pieces fill his closet. Minnie’s is only around 200 pieces.
No Eavesdropping!
Visit The Hat Shop on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom and you’ll see an old pay phone on the wall. Pick up the receiver and you and eavesdrop on an interesting conversation.
Clang, Clang, Clang Went The Trolley!
In the Magic Kingdom Train Station, look closely for articles left by other “guests,” including Mary Poppins and other characters from Disney films.
The Deal of a Lifetime
The 48 square miles of Florida swampland now home to Walt Disney World was originally purchased by Walt for $5 million dollars.
The Price of Magic
The Avatar section of Disney’s Animal Kingdom cost more than $400 million dollars to build.
Magic Journeys
Disney Transportation System is the third largest bus system in Florida with over 290 buses.
An Ode to Toad
Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride was an original park favorite. After it closed a tombstone was placed in the pet cemetary of the Haunted Mansion for J.Thaddeus Toad.
Can’t Swim? No Problem!
The Lake used for Fantasmic is only about 1 foot deep.
Out of this World
Epcot’s Mission Space Attraction needs more computer power than NASA’s real space shuttle.
Track Fact
The fastest ride at Disney World is Test Track which reaches speeds of 65 mph.
Move Over, Spud
Mr. Potato Head in Hollywood Studios Toy Story Mania used to be the most advanced audio animatronic character to date. That is, until Hondo Ohnaka overy at Galaxy’s Edge.
Pepper’s Ghost Fish
Technology used to make ghosts dance in the Haunted Mansion was also used to make “Finding Nemo” characters swim under water with the real fish found at Epcot’s The Seas.
Walt’s Last Words
Walt Disney died of lung cancer in 1966. His last words were “Kurt Russell” who at the time had just been signed to a 10 year contract for Disney Movies.
Honestly, Abe!
Disney’s first Audio Animatronics were first introduced to the world at the 1966 World’s Fair in Flushing NY. “It’s A Small World” and “Great Moments with Abraham Lincoln” which later evolved into today’s Hall of Presidents.
Mickey, The Movie Star!
Mickey Mouse was the first cartoon character to receive a plaque on Hollywoods legendary walk of fame.
Stay Hydrated, My Friends
You never have to pay for water in Disney World. Just go to any quick service restaurant in the park and ask for a cup.
What Time Is It? Mickey Time!
One of the most popular Disney souvenirs of all time was the Mickey Mouse watch. It was first introduced in 1933 and sold for $2.95. Walt Disney himself was presented with the 25th million watch in 1957.
Say Cheese!
Talk about a photo op -it is estimated that 4% of all amateur photographs in the U.S. were taken inside a Disney Park.
The City That Never Was
EPCOT stands for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow, and it was originally supposed to be a living, working city of the future. Sadly, Walt’s death detoured the original plan. Imagineers couldn’t decide between the future concept or the world showcase concept. Supposedly, one Imagineer had the brilliant idea to just push together the two tables with the separate park models on them, thus merging them into one mega park.
Feeling Thirsty?
More than 50 million cokes are consumed each year at Disney Parks. You won’t find a Pepsi.
Spinny Teacups
At Disneyland, the orange diamond cup spins the fastest, followed by the purple cup. The cups with hearts spin the slowest.
Spring Has Sprung!
Every year over 3 million flowering plants are planted at Walt Disney World while the horticulture staff maintains over 2 million shrubs, 13,000 roses and over 200 topiaries.
Hot-Diggity-Dog
Over 10 million hamburgers, 7 million hot dogs and 9 million pounds of french fries are consumed by hungry Walt Disney World guests every year.
A Haunted Mansion
There are many haunted gems at Walt Disney World’s The Haunted Mansion, including “diamond wedding ring” ” that used to be located in the line’s cement walkway,. According to Theme Park Tourist, the “ring” is actually just remains of a pole that used to exist for crowd control, but it remained stuck in the shape of a diamond ring in the cement. The ring was removed as part of a renovation of the attraction in 2007, but a replacement ring was returned to its rightful spot after Disney fans protested in 2011.
Dress For The Occasion
Walt Disney World Costume Department is home to over 1.2 million pieces of clothing making it the largest wardrobe department in the world. Each Cast Member has 3 costumes.
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