Disney Dining Serving up the latest Disney Eats, Treats, News, and More!
No visit to the Walt Disney World Resort is complete without spending tons of time in the Magic Kingdom, enjoying a variety of beloved attractions, experiences, dining, shopping, and more. With so much to see in the Park, Guests might think that they are experts on the Magic Kingdom, but there are plenty of great small details and trivia tidbits that often go overlooked. Every Magic Kingdom fan should check out this quiz to see just how much they really know about the favorite Disney Park!
RELATED: Celebrating Walt’s Legacy in Walt Disney World
Credit: @bioreconstruct
What date did the Magic Kingdom open on?
The Magic Kingdom debuted with the Walt Disney World Resort on October 1, 1971, along with Disney’s Contemporary Resort and Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. The Disney Park has been operating every day since, aside from several closures due to hurricanes over the years and several months in 2020 due to COVID.
Credit: Disney
What opening day attractions are still available?
Much has changed throughout the Magic Kingdom over the years, but there are also still plenty of opening day attractions from 1971 that can be enjoyed today. Guests can still enjoy the Walt Disney World Railroad, Swiss Family Treehouse, Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room, Jungle Cruise, Country Bear Jamboree, The Hall of Presidents, Haunted Mansion, Peter Pan’s Flight, “it’s a small world,” Prince Charming Regal Carrousel, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Mad Tea Party, and the Tomorrowland Speedway. The Liberty Square Riverboat, known today as the Liberty Belle, opened one day later on October 2, 1971.
RELATED: Opening Day Attractions That Can Still Be Enjoyed Today at Walt Disney World
Credit: Disney
Where can you find a Hidden Oswald?
Oswald the Lucky Rabbit was a character created by Walt Disney in 1927 that appeared in several cartoons until Disney lost the rights to him and eventually created Mickey. A hidden Oswald the Lucky Rabbit can be found on the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train in Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom, but he can be very tricky to spot. While listening to the Dwarfs sing “Heigh-Ho” and moving up the lift hill to exit the mine, Guests should pay very close attention to the wooden beams on the left-hand side of the train where Oswald’s entire body can be seen carved into the wood waving hello.
RELATED: Hidden Mickeys in the Magic Kingdom
Credit: Disney
How many bricks were used to construct Cinderella Castle?
This is a trick question, as there were zero bricks used in the construction of Cinderella Castle. With the high winds and intense weather that can come frequently from hurricanes in Central Florida, Imagineers knew that the structure had to be designed as safely as possible. Reaching 189 feet at its highest point, Cinderella Castle is made of steel, concrete, and fiberglass which can withstand extreme weather with minimal damage.
RELATED: The Details of Cinderella Castle
Credit: TouringPlans.com
What used to exist where the Tangled restrooms are?
One of the most popular restroom areas in the Magic Kingdom is the Tangled area found in Fantasyland between the Haunted Mansion and “it’s a small world.” While it’s hard to imagine a time without these beautifully themed restrooms, the location was previously home to the Skyway, which opened with the Disney Park in 1971 and transported Guests in buckets high above on a one-way trip in either direction between Fantasyland and Tomorrowland. The Skyway eventually closed in 1999 with the Tomorrowland station demolished in 2009 during construction on Space Mountain and the Fantasyland station demolished in 2012 for the addition of the Tangled Restrooms.
RELATED: The Best & Worst Restrooms in Walt Disney World
Credit: wikipedia.com
Which two attractions originated at the 1964 New York World’s Fair?
One of the most significant moments in Walt Disney’s career was his involvement with the 1964 New York World’s Fair, where he was able to gain great publicity and new attractions which were essentially paid for by corporations and companies that he partnered with. Walt Disney had four pavilions at the 1964 New York World’s Fair, and two of them can be seen in the Magic Kingdom today.
RELATED: The Best Attractions for Babies in Walt Disney World
Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress was sponsored by General Electric and originally titled Progressland before spending a brief stint in Disneyland from 1967 through 1973 and ultimately finding its home in the Magic Kingdom in 1975. “it’s a small world” was the end result of a partnership with UNICEF and Pepsi and the original attraction was moved to Disneyland after the conclusion of the fair, with alternative versions in every Disney Park throughout the world.
RELATED: The Legacy of the Sherman Brothers
Credit: Disney
Who is the entertainment at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café?
Nothing jazzes up a meal like some live entertainment, and Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café in the Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland is a favorite of many Guests. The quick-service location serves up American favorites for lunch and dinner in a futuristic setting, complete with a lounge where Sonny Eclipse performs all day long. This massive alien audio-animatronic croons out some classic lounge hits that will leave Guests chuckling, and his backup singers the Space Angels sound heavenly!
RELATED: Our Favorite Disney Parks Characters
Credit: Disney
Where can you find Orinoco Ida?
One of the most beloved attractions in the Magic Kingdom is the Jungle Cruise in Adventureland where Guests can embark on an unforgettable adventure down some of the most exotic rivers in the world. While the adventure is fun, it’s the groan-worthy signature humor of the Skippers who make the experience so enjoyable, and each boat that they sail features a catchy name that honors some locations from their explorations. Guests should be on the lookout for boats with names such as Orinoco Ida, Nile Nellie, Amazon Annie, Ganges Gertie, Senegal Sal, Irrawaddy Irma, and Congo Connie.
Credit: sandandorsnow.com
The name of Walt Disney’s grandfather can be found where?
A very subtle nod to the history of the Disney family can be found outside of the Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe in the Liberty Square area of the Magic Kingdom. A small sign can be found signifying that the German family who lives inside of the shop have the last name Kepple established in 1779. Kepple was actually the first name of Walt’s paternal grandfather, making this a wonderful detail with a rich history that many Guests don’t know about!
RELATED: Patriotism & History: The Details of Liberty Square
