Guests who visit Walt Disney World love filling their vacations with visits to the four theme parks, two water parks, Disney Springs, and dozens of Disney Resorts. There they can enjoy attractions, shopping, entertainment, dining, amenities, spas, recreation, and services which are so amazing they keep guests coming back to Walt Disney World time and time again. Many guests spend the bulk of their Disney vacations in the four theme parks, exploring differently themed lands, riding attractions, and taking it all in. Many of those guests might think that they know all there is to know about the Disney Parks given their familiarity with them, but they might be surprised to learn that there are many facts about the parks that are slightly hidden! From small details to Hidden Mickeys, guests can search for these interesting facts on their next Disney vacation. Here are seven totally true facts about Walt Disney World Parks that some guests might not have known!
7. Utilidors
Many guests who visit the Magic Kingdom spends lots of time exploring the different lands of fantasy and adventure but might not realize that they are walking around on the second floor of the park the whole time! The Magic Kingdom was constructed to be on the second floor with a series of underground tunnels beneath making up the first floor. The Utilidors (named to combine utility and corridors) house Cast Member services, garbage collection, costuming, and other employee and operations happenings that Imagineers wanted to keep out of the sight of guests. For those who would like to sneak a glimpse of the Utilidors, there is the Keys to the Kingdom Tour which briefly takes guests into the tunnels to see behind the scenes.
6. No Bricks!
One of the most iconic buildings in Walt Disney World is Cinderella Castle at the end of Main Street in the Magic Kingdom. Cinderella Castle beckons guests further into the park with beautiful details including a massive drawbridge and blue and gold turrets soaring into the sky. While Cinderella Castle might look as authentic as can be, guests might be surprised to learn that there is not a single brick or piece of stone featured in the entire structure! Instead, Imagineers built Cinderella Castle out of fiberglass, steel, and concrete making it safely able to withstand the high winds that often accompany hurricanes in Central Florida.
5. Spaceship Earth’s Size
Like Cinderella Castle, Spaceship Earth stands near the front of Epcot to welcome guests into the park. The massive geodesic dome is home to an attraction of the same name which brings guests through time to celebrate the history of communication. The structure can be seen from throughout the entire park and is truly impressive. Nearby in Future World is the Seas with Nemo & Friends Pavilion which features a massive aquarium that is home to dolphins, fish, sharks, turtles, and manatees. Many guests might not know that The Seas with Nemo & Friends houses such a large aquarium that Spaceship Earth can fit inside of it!
4. Eiffel Tower To Scale
In the rear of Epcot is World Showcase which celebrates eleven different countries from around the world with unique pavilions full of architecture, culture, dining, entertainment, attractions, and shopping. A favorite pavilion of many is the France Pavilion which transports guests to the charming streets of Paris complete with the Eiffel Tower in the distance. The experience feels so authentic to many guests because the Eiffel Tower was constructed using the exact blueprints designed by Gustav Eiffel, just at one tenth the scale!
3. Tin Toy
Head over to Disney’s Hollywood Studios Toy Story Land to find Toy Story Mania. Toy Story Mania invites guests to shrink down to the size of toys and compete in a series of 3D midway games hosted by Woody, Buzz, and the gang. Guests love engaging in a little friendly competition and seeing who can score the highest in this dizzying game. After disembarking the attraction and moving towards the exit, guests pass by a massive Little Golden Book titled Tin Toy and written by a man named Lasseter. Most guests might not realize that John Lasseter was the creator of Toy Story and originally came up with the concept of Tin Toy. After many years, Lasseter’s ideas from Tin Toy ultimately shaped the story of Toy Story that guests know and love today.
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2. Tree of Life’s Support
The icon of Disney’s Animal Kingdom is the Tree of Life which soars high into the sky with vibrant green leaves and a trunk intricately carved with hundreds of animals. The Tree of Life can be seen throughout the park and is also home to the show It’s Tough To Be A Bug which is housed in the roots. When Imagineers were trying to come up with an idea that would support the massive structure and leave room for the attraction inside, they encountered some difficulty. Finally Imagineers decided to use an old oil rig which was the perfect shape for the Tree of Life, had plenty of support, and left room for the attraction.
1. Kilimanjaro’s Size
Located in the back of Disney’s Animal Kingdom is an attraction which simply can’t be missed on a Walt Disney World vacation. Kilimanjaro Safaris invites guests on a two week safari inside the Harambe Reserve where guests can have up close and personal experiences with animals like lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, and cheetahs. Each experience is totally unique thanks to live animals and guests move through various environments including the savanna and forest. While the attraction might seem large to guests, many might not realize that it is so massive the entire Magic Kingdom can fit inside!
