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30 things you may or may not know about Disney World

Did you know: There are hidden tunnels under Magic Kingdom?

Flickr/Mark Willard SOURCE: Flickr/Mark Willard
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30 things you may or may not know about Disney World
Did you know: There are hidden tunnels under Magic Kingdom?
We found 30 things you may or may not know about Walt Disney World. How many did you already know about the Happiest Place on Earth? 1. The hanging bride's ringKeep an eye on the ground as you wait in line for the Haunted Mansion ride and you might just spy something shiny.A hidden engagement ring is embedded in the concrete and is believed to belong to the hanging bride seen on the ride.2. Real skeletons in the Pirates of the Caribbean ride While creating the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, Imagineers weren't satisfied with the fake skeletons being used. They wanted something a little more realistic. The solution? Real bones.  Although the skeletons were eventually replaced over time, a few real bones still remain. Just check out the skull and crossbones on the headboard above the skeleton in bed. 3. A wooden leg named 'Smith' In Frontierland you can see a wooden leg with "Smith" written on it in the lost and found. This is a tribute to "Mary Poppins" when Berth says, “I knew a man with a wooden leg named Smith."4. Mr.Toad handing over the deed When Mr. Toad's Wild Ride was replaced by the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, the Imagineers didn't let him go without a small tribute.  Look closely at the paintings while in line for the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, and you'll see Mr. Toad handing over the deed to Mr. Owl. 5. Hidden tunnelsAt Disney's Magic Kingdom characters seem to appear out of nowhere, this is because Disney is actually built on top of 9 acres of hidden tunnels. These tunnels allow characters to walk from one location to another without being seen by guest. 6. Sewage in Liberty SquareThere's more to the brown path running through Liberty Square than meets the eye. The path is actually meant signify where raw sewage would have flowed down the streets of Colonial America before the invention of indoor plumbing. 7. Disney's Morse code speech As you enter Frontierland at Magic Kingdom, you might notice a clicking noise. That's no random Morse code. It's actually Walt Disney's opening-day dedication speech at Disneyland. 8. The hidden oil rig in Animal Kingdom Imagineers faced many obstacles when building the iconic Tree of Life for Animal Kingdom.One of the largest obstacles was how to support such a large structure in a state that is often hit by hurricanes. Imagineers found that an oil rig turned out to be ideal structure to build the large tree around. Since it's completion, the Tree of Life has survived five major hurricanes. Tree of Life Vid 9. Epcot, the community of tomorrow Have you ever been to the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow? Now known as Epcot, the park was originally supposed to be a model community with 20,000 residents. 10. The third Presidential Seal There are only three official Presidential Seals: The seal in the Oval Office, the seal in the hall by the Liberty Bell and the seal in the Hall of Presidents at Magic Kingdom. It took an act of Congress for Disney to be allowed to use the seal. 11. The real American flag on Main Street USAWalk down Main Street USA and you'll see an American flag on almost every building. However only the flag on the flag pole at Main Street USA's square is real. The rest of the flags intentionally contain less than 50 stars so that they don't have to be taken down in poor weather or lit up at night. 12. Hidden MickeysIt's no secret that Imagineers and Disney artist like to incorporate Mickey's silhouette throughout the park, but did you know that there are hidden Mickeys too?  Imagineers are said to have hidden over 1,000 Mickeys throughout Walt Disney World. Can you find the hidden Mickey in this picture?(Hint: Look to the right of the third face) 13. Talking trashcan at Epcot Inside the Electric Umbrella restaurant in Epcot, you might throwaway your trash and get a little sass in return.One of the trashcans within the restaurant talks back when you throwaway your food. See if you can find this clever can the next time you're at Epcot. (Hint: look for the trashcan that's plugged in) 14. Hard to be"leaf" There are over 100,000 fake leaves on the Tree of Life in Animal Kingdom. Each leaf is over one foot long and is attached to a hinge that allows them to sway in the wind. 15. Eight whole new worlds When Epcot was created, there were 10 spots left open for expansion in the World Showcase.Since then, Morocco and Norway have been added, leaving eight remaining spots for new countries to join. 16. Mythical creatures in Animal Kingdom Originally in the plans for Animal Kingdom was a section named Beastly Kingdom. This section was supposed to include mythical creatures such as unicorns and dragons. There are still remnants of this scrapped project in Animal Kingdom today. One of the most noticeable ones being the dragon seen in the sign for Animal Kingdom. 17. The Florida State gopher As you approach the drop on Splash Mountain, you might just hear the high-pitched squeal of a gopher shouting "FSU!" You can listen for yourself, here. 18. Lucky number 13 If the wait for the Haunted Mansion ride says "13 minutes," it actually means that there is no wait at all. 19. Star Wars hieroglyphics If you look closely at the hieroglyphics in the Indiana Jones sections of The Great Movie Ride, you might notice Mickey and Donald along with C-3PO and R2-D2 looking awfully Egyptian.20. 'Smelltilizers' Hidden devices called "smelltilizers" are located throughout the park to further enhance the atmosphere.While waiting in line for the Pirates of the Caribbean, ride you may notice a salty sea scent washing over the air, or how about the sweet honey scent that in line for the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh?21. Aladdin's spitting camel Outside Aladdin's Magic Carpet ride there is a camel that squirts water on guests. The camel's "spit" isn't random or timed. Instead there is a person that actually controls the camel from a secret location and judges whether or not they can hit the unsuspecting guest. 22. Pilot The Mark Twain River Boat RideIt's rumored that if you ask nicely you will be allowed to pilot the Mark Twain River Boat alongside the captain.Just ask a park employee and you might be the next co-captain.23. The Seas Aquarium At 5.7 million gallons, the Seas Aquarium is the second largest aquarium in the U.S. The Seas Aquarium is so large that you can fit the entire Spaceship Earth sphere inside it. 24. Cinderella's royal suite Inside Cinderella's castle is a luxurious suite fit for a princess.The suite cannot be booked no matter the offer, but is occasionally used for promotional giveaways. Youtube video - A full tour inside The Cinderella Castle Suite25.The secret to Pride Rock When you go on the safari ride in Disney's Animal Kingdom, you are sure to spot a few of your favorite African animals.Pride Rock in particular is always sure to have a lion or two perched on top. The secret? Cool air is pumped through tubes on the rock. Keeping the rock nice and cool and the perfect place for lions to relax on a hot Florida day.26. Don't cry over a popped balloonDon't fret if your Mickey Mouse balloon has suddenly met its demise, it's rumored that Disney park employees will replace any popped balloon with a new one.  27. You are always 30 steps away from a trashcan While designing the Disney parks, Walt Disney himself went to other theme parks and observed how long someone would hold onto a piece of trash before dropping it. He came up with 30 steps. 28. The grey stuff There's a secret dessert not on the menu at the Be Our Guest restaurant. Just listen to the song by the same name in "Beauty and the Beast" and you'll hear the dessert mentioned by name. "The grey stuff is delicious. Don't believe me? Ask the dishes." 29. Flying trashThe central trash center is located underneath Disney in the secret tunnels known has "utilidors." Here, trash is shot through tubes up to 60 mph to be collected and sorted through. Worried about recycling? Not to fret, all recycling is done manually in the central trash center as well. 30. Forced perspectiveThroughout Disney parks you can see the use of forced perspective being used to make buildings and structures look larger or smaller than they actually are.Checkout Cinderella's castle: The windows are smaller the higher up they are, creating the illusion that they are actually much farther away.   

We found 30 things you may or may not know about Walt Disney World. How many did you already know about the Happiest Place on Earth? 

1. The hanging bride's ring

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Keep an eye on the ground as you wait in line for the Haunted Mansion ride and you might just spy something shiny.

A hidden engagement ring is embedded in the concrete and is believed to belong to the hanging bride seen on the ride.

2. Real skeletons in the Pirates of the Caribbean ride 

While creating the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, Imagineers weren't satisfied with the fake skeletons being used. They wanted something a little more realistic. The solution? Real bones.  

Although the skeletons were eventually replaced over time, a few real bones still remain. Just check out the skull and crossbones on the headboard above the skeleton in bed. 

WESH-TV
Flickr/Cliff Johnson

3. A wooden leg named 'Smith' 

In Frontierland you can see a wooden leg with "Smith" written on it in the lost and found. 

This is a tribute to "Mary Poppins" when Berth says, “I knew a man with a wooden leg named Smith."

4. Mr.Toad handing over the deed 

When Mr. Toad's Wild Ride was replaced by the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, the Imagineers didn't let him go without a small tribute.  

Look closely at the paintings while in line for the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, and you'll see Mr. Toad handing over the deed to Mr. Owl. 

WESH-TV
Flickr/Michael Gray

5. Hidden tunnels

At Disney's Magic Kingdom characters seem to appear out of nowhere, this is because Disney is actually built on top of 9 acres of hidden tunnels. These tunnels allow characters to walk from one location to another without being seen by guest. 

6. Sewage in Liberty Square

There's more to the brown path running through Liberty Square than meets the eye. The path is actually meant signify where raw sewage would have flowed down the streets of Colonial America before the invention of indoor plumbing. 

WESH-TV
Flickr/J. Rob McCullough

7. Disney's Morse code speech 

As you enter Frontierland at Magic Kingdom, you might notice a clicking noise. That's no random Morse code. It's actually Walt Disney's opening-day dedication speech at Disneyland. 

8. The hidden oil rig in Animal Kingdom 

Imagineers faced many obstacles when building the iconic Tree of Life for Animal Kingdom.

One of the largest obstacles was how to support such a large structure in a state that is often hit by hurricanes. Imagineers found that an oil rig turned out to be ideal structure to build the large tree around. Since it's completion, the Tree of Life has survived five major hurricanes. 

9. Epcot, the community of tomorrow 

Have you ever been to the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow? 

Now known as Epcot, the park was originally supposed to be a model community with 20,000 residents. 

10. The third Presidential Seal 

There are only three official Presidential Seals: The seal in the Oval Office, the seal in the hall by the Liberty Bell and the seal in the Hall of Presidents at Magic Kingdom. 

It took an act of Congress for Disney to be allowed to use the seal. 

WESH-TV
Flickr/Luciano Silva

11. The real American flag on Main Street USA

Walk down Main Street USA and you'll see an American flag on almost every building. However only the flag on the flag pole at Main Street USA's square is real. 

The rest of the flags intentionally contain less than 50 stars so that they don't have to be taken down in poor weather or lit up at night. 

12. Hidden Mickeys

It's no secret that Imagineers and Disney artist like to incorporate Mickey's silhouette throughout the park, but did you know that there are hidden Mickeys too?  Imagineers are said to have hidden over 1,000 Mickeys throughout Walt Disney World. 

Can you find the hidden Mickey in this picture?

WESH-TV
Flickr/Tom

(Hint: Look to the right of the third face) 

13. Talking trashcan at Epcot 

Inside the Electric Umbrella restaurant in Epcot, you might throwaway your trash and get a little sass in return.

One of the trashcans within the restaurant talks back when you throwaway your food. See if you can find this clever can the next time you're at Epcot. 

(Hint: look for the trashcan that's plugged in) 

14. Hard to be"leaf" 

There are over 100,000 fake leaves on the Tree of Life in Animal Kingdom. 

Each leaf is over one foot long and is attached to a hinge that allows them to sway in the wind. 

WESH-TV
Flickr/Jeff Krause

15. Eight whole new worlds 

When Epcot was created, there were 10 spots left open for expansion in the World Showcase.

Since then, Morocco and Norway have been added, leaving eight remaining spots for new countries to join. 

16. Mythical creatures in Animal Kingdom 

Originally in the plans for Animal Kingdom was a section named Beastly Kingdom. This section was supposed to include mythical creatures such as unicorns and dragons. 

There are still remnants of this scrapped project in Animal Kingdom today. One of the most noticeable ones being the dragon seen in the sign for Animal Kingdom. 

WESH-TV
Flickr/ckramer

17. The Florida State gopher 

As you approach the drop on Splash Mountain, you might just hear the high-pitched squeal of a gopher shouting "FSU!" 

You can listen for yourself, here. 

18. Lucky number 13 

If the wait for the Haunted Mansion ride says "13 minutes," it actually means that there is no wait at all. 

WESH-TV
Flickr/ John Skodak

19. Star Wars hieroglyphics 

If you look closely at the hieroglyphics in the Indiana Jones sections of The Great Movie Ride, you might notice Mickey and Donald along with C-3PO and R2-D2 looking awfully Egyptian.

20. 'Smelltilizers' 

Hidden devices called "smelltilizers" are located throughout the park to further enhance the atmosphere.

While waiting in line for the Pirates of the Caribbean, ride you may notice a salty sea scent washing over the air, or how about the sweet honey scent that in line for the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh?

WESH-TV
Flickr/Joe Penniston

21. Aladdin's spitting camel 

Outside Aladdin's Magic Carpet ride there is a camel that squirts water on guests. The camel's "spit" isn't random or timed. Instead there is a person that actually controls the camel from a secret location and judges whether or not they can hit the unsuspecting guest. 

22. Pilot The Mark Twain River Boat Ride

It's rumored that if you ask nicely you will be allowed to pilot the Mark Twain River Boat alongside the captain.

Just ask a park employee and you might be the next co-captain.

WESH-TV
Flickr/Jeff Krause

23. The Seas Aquarium 

At 5.7 million gallons, the Seas Aquarium is the second largest aquarium in the U.S. 

The Seas Aquarium is so large that you can fit the entire Spaceship Earth sphere inside it. 

24. Cinderella's royal suite 

Inside Cinderella's castle is a luxurious suite fit for a princess.

The suite cannot be booked no matter the offer, but is occasionally used for promotional giveaways. 

25.The secret to Pride Rock 

When you go on the safari ride in Disney's Animal Kingdom, you are sure to spot a few of your favorite African animals.

Pride Rock in particular is always sure to have a lion or two perched on top. The secret? Cool air is pumped through tubes on the rock. Keeping the rock nice and cool and the perfect place for lions to relax on a hot Florida day.

26. Don't cry over a popped balloon

Don't fret if your Mickey Mouse balloon has suddenly met its demise, it's rumored that Disney park employees will replace any popped balloon with a new one.  

WESH-TV
Flickr/Joe Penniston

27. You are always 30 steps away from a trashcan 

While designing the Disney parks, Walt Disney himself went to other theme parks and observed how long someone would hold onto a piece of trash before dropping it. He came up with 30 steps. 

28. The grey stuff 

There's a secret dessert not on the menu at the Be Our Guest restaurant. Just listen to the song by the same name in "Beauty and the Beast" and you'll hear the dessert mentioned by name. 

"The grey stuff is delicious. Don't believe me? Ask the dishes." 

WESH-TV
Flickr/Peter Lee

29. Flying trash

The central trash center is located underneath Disney in the secret tunnels known has "utilidors." Here, trash is shot through tubes up to 60 mph to be collected and sorted through. 

Worried about recycling? Not to fret, all recycling is done manually in the central trash center as well. 

30. Forced perspective

Throughout Disney parks you can see the use of forced perspective being used to make buildings and structures look larger or smaller than they actually are.

Checkout Cinderella's castle: The windows are smaller the higher up they are, creating the illusion that they are actually much farther away.   

WESH-TV
Flickr/HarshLight