Disney World. You probably know it for the rides, the food, the entertainment, and the overall experience. But, we may not always think of the people behind it. These are the Imagineers who thought up all the ideas for the rides, shows, and even the park layout. These are some pretty talented people who have thought everything through, down to the last detail to make sure you have the most immersive and magical experience you can in the parks. They have filled the parks with hundreds of hidden details you may not even notice but help bring you their iconic Disney Experience. So today, we are going to be sharing some of our favorite secret (or some not so secret) hidden details!
Party-line Telephones
There are many telephones around Disney World, most of which are just props. But, there are a few special ones, including the telephone boxes in the UK Pavilion of Epcot which you can actually make calls from, and the ones in Tony’ Town Square Restaurant and the Hat Shop on Main Street. In these last two, you can pick up the phone. When you do, you’ll be listening to the neighbors on a party line. They’re having an interesting conversation, don’t you think?
The Confectionery & Hat Shop
The Liberty Tree
Moving from Main Street to Liberty Square, you will see a large Oak tree in the center of the square. There are lanterns hanging down from the tree too, thirteen in fact! These represent America’s original thirteen colonies. It’s little details like this that if you know them, just show the detail and add to the magic. Another fun fact, this tree is real and when Magic Kingdom was under construction, was taken from the edge of the property and moved to its spot today.
The Ring
To be… or not to be? The ring says it all. Although it started unintentionally, this is now one of my favorite hidden gems. In the queue of the Haunted Mansion, you can find Bride Constance’s wedding ring. As you will soon learn as you journey on the ride, she has been married multiple times since her previous husband always seems meets a suspicious demise. Somehow, one of her wedding rings got out on the mansion and can be found in the concrete of the queue! Keep an eye out for it next time you dare to take ride….
The Haunted Mansion
The Tangled Restrooms
Going to the best restrooms on property in our opinions, the Tangled restrooms are stuffed with hidden details. The bathrooms themselves don't have too many details and are always really crowded but the area outside is amazing. If you look around, you can spot several items from the movie including Rapunzel's frying pan, Flynn's satchel, Maximus' chest plate, and more! There are also a few items like a bag of half eaten apples Maximus left or a poster for Hook Hand playing the piano near you that fit in perfectly. Finally, if you look hard enough you will find 20 Pascals camouflaging into the surrounding area. In Disney, even the bathrooms have been extensively thought about!
Rapunzel's Frying Pan at the Tangled Restrooms
Sir Mickey’s
Right behind Cinderella Castle, there is a gift shop called Sir Mickey’s. It is incredibly themed to a variety of Mickey Mouse shorts. This place is special for a variety of reasons. For one, you can get pixie dust (sparkles) in your hair there, for free! All you have to do is ask. But most importantly, the hidden details are in the ceiling. As you can see as you walk in, there is a beanstalk growing along the ceiling. And where there’s a beanstalk, there’s a giant! Look up when you get in the shop at the corners and you might see a friendly face of Willy the giant peaking in.
Back of Cinderella Castle by Sir Mickey's
Change in Ownership
Sticking in Fantasyland, the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh ride used to be a ride called Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride. Even though Mr. Toad has moved out, he still has some presence in the ride. When you enter Owl’s house, turn around, and on the wall by the door you come in you’ll find a picture. This is of Mr. Toad giving Owl the deed to the ride. This is something very small you would never notice if you never had heard about but I think it is the cutest thing ever.
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh Queue
Two Vultures
Around 2013, Fantasyland had a major expansion. During this time, a dark ride called Snow White’s Scary Adventure closed to become Princess Fairytale Hall. Although this ride was gone, a few friends from it have just changed homes. Part of the new expansion was the roller coaster Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. As you are about to enter the mine when you are on the ride, you can see two vultures who originally were in Snow White’s Scary Adventures! Then as you end your ride, you come up to the dwarf’s cottage where they are all dancing with Snow White. A few of the dwarfs dancing were also originally from a scene in the Scary Adventure ride!
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Prince Eric’s Chef
Walk across the way and you’ll find Under the Sea- Voyage of the Little Mermaid. This is a very immersive ride, even before you get on it! During the queue, you may walk by a hallway in Prince Eric’s castle that has some food and kitchen items outside (sometimes this portion of the queue is blocked off so you may not see it). This actually goes to the castle’s kitchen. If you listen closely, you may hear the chef singing as he cooking up a meal for the prince!
Creepy Yet Amazing
Switching parks, we’re going to take a look at the Tower of Terror in Hollywood Studios, specifically the lobby. The Tower of Terror is meant to be scary but there are a few details in the lobby that just blow your mind. For example, all the clocks have stopped at 8:50 p.m. exactly… the time lightning struck the hotel, plummeting the elevator to its doom. That’s some theming in my opinion. Then, there are various items around the lobby that look like they were left in a hurry including suitcases, a telephone that isn’t even hung up, and a game unfinished. These little touches, and of course the cobwebs, are the little details that just make this ride all the more creepy.
Hollywood Tower of Terror
Don’t Pull the Door
Finally, our last hidden detail will be taking us over to Animal Kingdom. A fun dinosaur themed playgroup called the Boneyard may seem very straight forward but is full of tons of hidden details. My favorite is a tiny door in the wall towards the back by the musical footprints. On it, it says DON’T PULL THIS DOOR. So of course, you should pull it. Chances are you’ll get a reply and wake someone up in there. I do it every time I go.
And that’s a list of our top 10 favorite hidden details! Make sure to keep an eye out for them on your next trip and we’ll keep looking for more too. A few of these secrets came from the book The Hidden Magic of Walt Disney World 2nd Edition by Susan Veness and if you want all the secrets, we highly recommend it. What are your favorite hidden details? Let us know! And I hope knowing these details will help make your trip as magical as it can be!
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