The happiest place on earth earned its iconic nickname not only because of the magical experiences happening around every corner, but also due to the magic happening behind the scenes. So, buckle up and get ready to discover thirty fun facts that’ll make you an expert on Disney magic during those wait times in the rides.
Disney University
If you want to work at Disney, you better be ready to go to school. They don’t just teach you to clock in and out and get the job done. They teach you how to talk, walk, and even answer the guests’ questions. You’ll even have a graduation day, which is when you’ll earn your ears.
Cast Members
Since visiting Walt Disney World is a whole experience, employees are more than just employees. They’re called cast members. Walt Disney wanted his team to feel as much a part of the experience as the artists did on stage. Everyone is important, and keeping the magic alive and people happy is everyone’s job. Everyone has a role to play.
They’re Gonna Know
Since Cast Members attended Disney University, they’re taught everything humanly possible about the parks. They’re not allowed to say “I don’t know.” There’s no way they could fake it since their knowledge will be put to the test every day by guests. If a cast member happens to forget something, they have an emergency phone line where they can call an operator for help.
It Smells Like Disney Spirit
Did you know there are different scents in every land? Imagineers created the “Smellitizers” — machines that pump specific scents into various areas of the park to make your experience more vivid and memorable. So, which land would you like your living room to smell like?
Secret Tunnels
Walt Disney paid a lot of attention to detail, and since Magic Kingdom has different lands with different costumes, he created an underground city where characters, employees, and even trash could travel out of sight of guests. This way, it wouldn’t interfere with the atmosphere of each land.
Cast Members VoluntEARS
Disneyland was concerned about the amount of food wasted, even when it was still in perfect condition. So, in 2014, they started a food donation program. By 2019, they served over 20,000 meals to people in need, successfully reducing food waste and contributing to a noble cause.
One of a Kind Autographs
Cast members who play characters are taught their signatures and have to practice them over and over again. Disney wants to maintain the illusion of magic as strongly as possible. Which is why if you go to Disneyland in California and get Mickey’s signature, it’ll look the same as the one you can get at Walt Disney World.
Talking Mickey
Even though it’s rare, you can encounter a talking Mickey Mouse that moves its eyes and mouth. There used to be a spot where you could talk to him and take pictures, but after a couple of years, it was shut down because some kids cried when meeting a talking Mickey.
Secret Menus
Disney loves constantly making its guests feel special, and they certainly enjoy Easter eggs and mysteries. You can find secret menus in restaurants across the parks, such as the Mickey-shaped chili mac bread bowl at the Main Street Refreshment Corner or even some mystery ice cream flavors that change each season at Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor.
They Look Real, They Might Be
Pirates of the Caribbean is one of Disney’s most iconic attractions, thanks to its realistic animatronics and props. To keep it realistic, they got their hands on bones from the UCLA Medical School. Some of these real bones are still embedded in the head of the bed where a fake skeleton takes a nap.
Disney Lingo
Disney has its own lingo, and we think it’s amusing. If someone throws up, they call it a “code v” for a “protein spill,” and if they find a lost child, cast members will tell the little one that their parents are “lost adults” so the kids won’t feel guilty.
Go Away Green
Imagineers are wizards when it comes to hiding things that are necessary but not pretty or magical. They created a special shade of green called “Go Away Green” to make things uninteresting for the eyes, so guests focus on the bright colors and shapes of the things they want them to see.
The Disney Point
If you ask a cast member for directions, you’ll notice they point with two fingers. There are two stories behind this. The first one says it’s an ode to Walt, who was a smoker and would point with two fingers because he was probably holding a cigarette. The other explanation is that pointing with one finger can be insulting in some cultures, so they avoid doing it.
Hidden Mickeys
Imagineers added Hidden Mickeys to give guests a scavenger hunt experience while visiting the parks. There are over 1,000 Hidden Mickeys scattered across all Disney Parks. Some are small, while others are so big that you might not notice them even if you’re standing right in front of them, like the one in the middle of Hollywood Studios.
It’s Always Sunny at Cinderella’s
When taking a picture in front of Cinderella’s castle, your ring light is the sun. The castle was purposely built facing south so people would get pictures with the best lighting on both them and the castle.
Flawed Flags
In Disney, everything is curated and pristine. Since the park has many American flags in areas such as Liberty Square and on top of buildings in Main Street, those flags are actually fake. Some of them are missing stripes or stars, so Disney doesn’t have to follow flag codes, like raising and lowering them at specific times.
Face Characters: Always in Character
All face characters must stay in character at all times. Since their costumes don’t hide their faces and they can speak, they have to fully embody their roles at all times
Cast Members Get Free Guest Passes
Some of the perks cast members receive include free guest passes, discounted merchandise, restaurants, and even Disney Cruises. They also get the opportunity to go on secret tours or special events.
Costumes Are Fully Zipped
Fully costumed characters have to stay silent at all times. Since their faces don’t move and they have specific voices, speaking would ruin the magic.
Treasured Guest = Bad Guest
If a guest is being rude or causing problems, cast members will address the situation calmly and refer to them as “treasured guests.” This secret code allows them to handle the situation without being tasteless.
Disney Jail
It may sound like a myth, but it’s completely true. If you’re behaving like a “treasured guest” or breaking the law, real police officers will hold you in Disney Jail. You could even be banned from the parks for life or for a certain amount of time.
The Cats in the Parks
There are also Cat Cast Members. Late at night, a group of cats is released in the parks to keep the rodent population under control.
One of a Kind
You’ll never see the same character being played by two cast members in the same park at the same time. This helps maintain the magic, so kids won’t realize that those are people dressed as their favorite characters.
Ashes in the Park? They’ll End Up in the Trash
Cast members try to discourage guests from spreading their loved one’s ashes in the parks. It might sound poetic, but if they’re caught, the ashes will likely be vacuumed up and disposed of. And if you’re caught, you could be banned from the parks for life.
Calling a “Code V” in the Tea Cups
If you want to be the fastest spinner while riding Mad Hatter’s Tea Cups, pick the orange or purple teacup. Not all of them spin at the same speed, and these two are the fastest. Just a heads up, Cast members might have to call a “Code V,” but that’s up to you.
Top Secret Identity
While working at Disney, you have a lot of secrets to keep to maintain that characteristic magical ambiance. One of those secrets is the role you play while portraying a character.
Stage Names
Having a name tag is essential in the Disney experience. Cast members keep their polite and helpful personalities when interacting with guests, and the name tag is part of that. If they ever forget or lose their name tag, Disney will assign them a new one with a stage name.
Suite Life in Cinderella’s Castle
The rumors are true: you can stay the night in Cinderella’s Castle. The only problem is that it’s the most exclusive place to stay at Disney World, and you can’t buy your way in. It’s rarely been used in the last decade and can only be accessed by invitation or if you win a prize. It fits up to six people and is decorated in a way that’ll make anyone feel like royalty.
The Hot Dog Method
Rumor has it that Walt Disney decided trash cans should be thirty feet apart because that’s how many steps it took him to finish his hot dog and dispose of the wrapper. This way, they prevent littering and make it easy for everyone to dispose of their trash.
Goodnight Kiss
Did you know there’s an extra show late at night? Right before the park closes, there’s a short performance in Main Street called the “Kiss Goodnight” show. It wishes you a good night with music and twinkling lights on the castle. It’s cute, magical, and an amazing way to end your day at Magic Kingdom.
