Disney has just announced a year-long global event called the Ultimate Princess Celebration. Check out how Disney is celebrating our favorite heroines and how you can get in on the fun, too! Ultimate Princess Celebration When you think of the traits of Cinderella, Mulan, and Moana do you think of generosity, courage, and an adventurous […]
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Disney World is a BIG place with a whole lot of detail.
Main Street, U.S.A.
There are lots of hidden secrets tucked into the four parks and die-hard Disney fans know a LOT of them. Maybe you’re the one who’s spouting about Hidden Mickeys and Imagineer touches, but we’ve got a few facts that even Disney World LOCALS might not know.
When you’re standing on Sunset Boulevard gazing up at The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, you probably hear your fair share of screams. Hey, that drop is no joke! Still, not ALL of the screams you hear are real.
Tower of Terror
Sure, you might hear a few actual guests hollering for dear life, but Disney actually plays a recording of screams to make the Hollywood Tower Hotel more intimidating. Listen closely and you might notice they sound the same every once in a while!
Lots of folks know that Liberty Square in Magic Kingdom doesn’t feature any bathrooms. This is for historical accuracy since plumbing wasn’t a thing yet in the historical time period the area is based on. That brown streak in the pavement? That represents the river of waste known to flow through the streets!
Liberty Tree Tavern
But what you might NOT know is that the bathrooms in Liberty Tree Tavern and Columbia Harbour House are far enough back in the buildings that they’re technically in other lands. So there are REALLY no bathrooms in Liberty Square!
We’ve got another Tower of Terror fact for you! There just might be a real jar of pickled sausages tucked away amongst the theming. The story goes that while the Imagineers were working on the attraction, one brought the jar of pickled sausages to a pal as a prank gift.
Tower of Terror Photos
Well, what happens when you leave your pickled sausages in an attraction overnight and the glue crew comes to glue everything down? That jar gets cemented in place for all time! Take a look to your left in the PhotoPass window and you just might spot the jar in question.
Have you ever found yourself drooling at the case of donuts at a Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea kiosk or the location in Disney Springs? We don’t blame you. Well, we have a secret that is not only little-known for locals but it’s also VERY important info.
Joffrey’s Revive S’mores Donut
Those donuts actually come from a local bakery called Donut King! You can find locations in Minneola, Winter Park, and Leesburg. Yup, Joffrey’s donuts without ever stepping foot in Disney World!
When you’re in Magic Kingdom, you’re probably heading for Haunted Mansion when you’re looking for ghosts. Sure, those grim grinning ghosts are a scream and a half, but did you know there might be a REAL ghost in Magic Kingdom!
Pirates of the Caribbean
Pirates of the Caribbean is said to be haunted by a ghost named George. Apparently, if Cast Members don’t say “Good Morning,” and “Good Night,” to George, the attraction will have problems.
Have you ever looked up at the ceiling in the ballroom of Be Our Guest Restaurant? This iconic Magic Kingdom spot has some seriously gorgeous detailing including a fresco on the ceiling that features lots of little cherubs.
Ceiling in Ballroom of Be Our Guest Restaurant
Did you know that each cherub’s face is a depiction of an Imagineer or one of their children? What a fun (and kind of whacky) homage!
Many a Disney fan has had a BLAST joining up with a Na’vi avatar and cruising along on a banshee through the Mo’ara Valley. Yup, we’re talking about Flight of Passage.
Flight of Passage Creators’ Handprints
In the queue for this attraction, you’ll spot lots of human and Na’vi handprints but a few are especially notable. In the exit corridor, look for three handprints marked with initials. These are Joe Rohde’s, James Cameron’s, and Jon Landau.
When headed into The Land Pavilion in EPCOT, you’ll probably spot some glorious mosaics that represent the layers of the Earth. Near the door, you might spot one stone out of place. This stone actually represents the artist’s birthstone!
Land Mosaic
Hanns Scharff is the same mosaic artist who constructed the mosaics in Cinderella Castle. Interestingly enough, Scharff was also a former Nazi interrogator who helped to develop modern U.S. interrogation techniques after his post-war immigration.
There are Hidden Mickeys ALL OVER Disney World. Seriously, there are estimated to be over 1,000 Hidden Mickeys across the resort. Some of those Mickeys are bigger than others.
©Google Maps
You’ve probably never spotted the biggest Hidden Mickey in Disney’s Animal Kingdom because it’s actually the WHOLE MOUNTAIN at Expedition Everest!
EPCOT has some awesome shows, but none are so impressive from a robotics front as The American Adventure in The American Adventure Pavilion. Surely you’ve felt your jaw drop watching the Ben Franklin animatronic walk upstairs!
The American Adventure
One secret you might not know is that the two brothers in the song “Two Brothers” are based on the likeness of two of the Imagineers that worked on the project.
For most folks who ride Kilimanjaro Safaris in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, seeing the African Dogs in the Savannah is a delight. But, did you know this spot is also home to Hyenas?
Elephant on Kilimanjaro Safaris
Hyenas switch out with the African Dogs in the late afternoon each day — but only if they want to. So, you might spot hyenas if you ride Kilimanjaro Safaris towards the end of your day!
When you’re walking down Main Street, U.S.A. in Magic Kingdom, you’ve probably got your eyes up to look at Cinderella Castle, the amazing theming, the different shops, characters, or performers like the Dapper Dans and Main Street Philharmonic.
Walt Disney World
But try looking DOWN next time. You’ll notice that the pavement has different colors. This is to help guide guests and keep them from tripping at night.
If you’ve spent some time in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, you may have spotted Cast Members feeding animals or performing training and enrichment activities.
Gorrilla!
Did you know that one of the enrichment activities for the gorillas on Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail involves shooting raisins out of cannons for the gorillas to catch?
Most Disney fans have heard about the tunnels that run under Magic Kingdom. In fact, if you’ve been on some behind-the-scenes tours, you might’ve even stepped foot in the famous Utilidors.
©Google Maps
BUT, did you know that these tunnels also hold a Cast Member-only barbershop and a Subway sandwich store? You can even see the Subway on Google Maps!
This post would be a LOT longer if we detailed all the secrets of Haunted Mansion, but there is one that’s lesser-known and it has to do with a familiar musical tune.
Welcome, foolish mortals.
You’ve probably found yourself singing along to the catchy “Grim Grinning Ghosts” song on the ride. Well, you’re not the only one who’s inspired by that melody! The ghostly piano player early in the ride is silently plodding out the notes for “Grim Grinning Ghosts!”
When we’re getting on Soarin’ Around the World (or its predecessor, Soarin’s Over California), we’re usually focused on our favorite parts of the ride: the smells, the sights, and our beloved Patrick Warburton pre-show.
Soarin’ Pre-Show
We might not think too much about the flight number of our supposed vehicle. Well, the flight number, Flight 5505, is actually a reference to the attraction’s original Disney World opening date — May 5th, 2005.
People aren’t the only thing that travels below Magic Kingdom. The Utilidors are useful for getting supplies and Cast Members around Magic Kingdom, but there are other tubes entirely for trash.
New Trash Cans
In many parts of Disney World, trash is managed in a system that shoots waste through pipes at speeds of around 60 miles per hour. Woah! Talk about garbage management!
We’ve got another BIG hidden Mickey for you! Northwest of Disney World is a forest that’s planted in the shape of a perfect Mickey Mouse. It’s aptly called Mickey Mouse Forest.
©Google Maps
In the early 1990s, hundreds of volunteers came together to help plant the trees. Pretty neat!
Alright, we’ve talked a little bit about Magic Kingdom’s Utilidors, but Disney World’s flagship park isn’t the only one with tunnels and activities just below the service.
Jaw. Dropping. Beauty.
EPCOT has a tunnel too! This one is just 700 feet long, located partially under Spaceship Earth. It’s used for deliveries to the stores and construction in the front area of the park.
Wow, that’s a lot of secrets! Did you know them all? Stay tuned to DFB for more fun Disney World details.
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Which of these facts did you know? Tell us in the comments!
The post 20 Disney World Secrets Even Locals Don’t Know first appeared on the disney food blog.
A few days ago, we told you all about a new short coming to Disney+!
©Disney
22 vs. Earth is a spin-off of Disney/Pixar’s Soul, which was a BIG hit last December (and came with plenty of merch and snacks in the parks!). It’ll follow 22, the rebellious soul we know and love, BEFORE she meets Joe Gardner. We’re excited to see what mischief she gets up to!
Today, Disney dropped a sneak peek of the short, and it gives us a better idea of what exactly will be goin’ on. 22 is recruiting 5 other souls to join a “secret organization” that’ll help stop other souls from going to Earth. Sounds pretty characteristic of her, right? You can watch the full clip below!
©Disney
Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney news!
Are you going to watch 22 vs. Earth? Let us know in the comments!
The post VIDEO: Disney Releases Teaser for ‘Soul’-Inspired Short first appeared on the disney food blog.
It feels like we’ve been waiting forever, but on July 9 we will finally get to see the next feature from the Marvel Cinematic Universe when Black Widow comes to both theaters and Disney+. The Avengers’ resident spy will finally get her time in the spotlight as she explores her dark past and comes face to face […]
The post Summer Movie Preview: Black Widow appeared first on LaughingPlace.com.
Here’s the thing, I love theme parks, but I don’t like intense thrills. I have been working to improve this as best I can, but there was a time when I was nervous about riding attractions that many would consider “not that bad.” Soarin’ at EPCOT is one such an attraction. When it first opened, I felt butterflies as I read the words “thrilling” and “swooping” on the ride’s descriptions. But after that first initial ride, I became a fan. I realize there may be some other folks out there who have some trepidation about feeling a soaring sensation, so I am here to help.
Some folks describe Soarin’ as a simulator. This description is not wrong, but it is not altogether correct, either. You do get close to a screen and watch as a film filled with sweeping landscapes fills the visual field before you. The ride “vehicle” does move in relation to the visuals on the screen. However, it is a much smoother and tamer experience than the average simulator attraction. You are not in an enclosed vehicle like other simulators, such as Star Tours or Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run. I don’t do so great with most simulators either, but Soarin’ is cinch for me because it is wide open and the motion is not too dramatic.
There is a somewhat famous story about an Imagineer working on the ride during its development. The ride vehicle system needed to pull off the sensation of soaring over a beautiful landscape and one did not really exist prior to Soarin’. The Imagineer came across his childhood erector set and tinkered around with it, and soon he had the model for what would become the ride system.
In the preshow area, you are assigned a row. These rows represent the three rows of seating that you will see once you enter the attractions theater. As you walk in you will file into your corresponding row. The theater initially does look like a strange movie theater, with rows of seats and a big screen in front. If you look above you before you get in your seat, you will get a sense of how the rows will soon glide into the air.
Once everyone is in their seat and buckled in, the experience starts. The lights dim and soon the rows lift off the ground, and glide toward the screen. Each row stacks on top of the other. So if you are in the front row as you board, you will be the top row once the attraction starts, this means you will be the highest row. The back row as you board is the bottom row and the lowest off the ground, once the attraction starts.
If you have a fear of flying or of heights, I personally would not feel comfortable recommending that you ride Soarin’. However, these tips may prove helpful for some individuals, depending on your specific needs and condition. I do get motion sick easily and this does lead me to have hesitations with thrilling experiences.
If you are going to ride Soarin’ for the first time I highly recommend requesting to sit at the bottom / last row, if you have concerns with being too high up. The center seats of the row have a slightly better view. But, if you are seated at either end of the row you can look to the side, away from the screen, if the motion gets to be too much. My first few times riding Soarin’ I would look away from the screen and either look at my feet or look off to the side. This helped me a lot.
If you are in the middle row or bottom row you will see the dangling feet of the guests in the row above yours. This also helped me my first few times.
It also helped to see the faces of other guests who were thoroughly enjoying the ride. Soarin’ is not very intense, and if you look to the side and watch the ride mechanism itself, you will see you do not move all that much. At the end of the experience you may hear others guests clapping or cheering. This was much more of a prominent occurrence when the attraction was new, and when it had its original film featuring California. Pretty much everyone you ask says they prefer the California film over the new-ish Soarin’ Around the World option. Still, Soarin’ is a great attraction for many guests, and if you have some hesitation, I hope these tips have helped.
Are you a fellow ride wimp? What tips do you have for riding Soarin’? Let us know in the comments!
The post A Ride Wimp’s Review of Soarin’ appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.
Set to debut on April 30th, exclusively on Disney+, 22 Vs. Earth is a new short set before the events of Soul, the original short is directed by 21-year Pixar veteran Kevin Nolting. In the short, 22 defies the rules of The Great Before and refuses to go to Earth, enlisting a gang of five other new souls […]
The post Tony Sits Down With Pixar Editor/Director Kevin Nolting To Talk About New Short “22 Vs Earth” appeared first on LaughingPlace.com.
Disney fans who love Stitch aka Experiment 626 but know that he’s definitely not a dog will appreciate Disney’s upcoming collection, Stitch Crashes Disney. While the alien entity may already have an entire day dedicated to him (June 26th), Disney figured it was time to honor this character with his very own merchandise series, and we’re […]
The post Stitch Crashes Disney Collection Series 4 and 5 Coming Soon to shopDisney, Disney Parks appeared first on LaughingPlace.com.
The Disney Parks Blog has shared details about their Global Ultimate Princess Celebration that kicks off today and will last all year.
Along with details of the campaign, they’ve also shared a new image from an updated scene inside Snow White’s Enchanted Wish at Disneyland.
You may remember that the attraction was previously called Snow White’s Scary Adventure and featured the Witch. More details on the updates can be found in this article.
The reimagined attraction will open with the rest of Disneyland Park on April 30, 2021.
As Disney continues to bring back the magic, some Cast Members are reportedly being called back for one of the most fun shows at Disney World. Do you miss this show? Cast Members Disney Cast Members are what make a visit to Walt Disney World magical. They go above and beyond to make your vacation […]
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Snow White’s Enchanted Wish, a reimagined version of Snow White’s Scary Adventures, will be opening with the rest of Disneyland on April 30. While we only have a few more days before we can ride the attraction ourselves, we’re enjoying every look inside that Disney is giving us. A new photo reveals a scene of Snow White surrounded by animals on a cliffside. Snow White has a bluebird perched on her finger, with several other forest creatures gathered at her […]
The post FIRST LOOK: Seven Dwarfs and Witch Removed, Replaced with Happy Snow White Scene in New Snow White’s Enchanted Wish Ride at Disneyland appeared first on WDW News Today.
