Disney theme parks could also be often called the happiest locations on earth, however their workers typically see a facet of the magic that visitors aren’t aware of. Beneath these princess robes and outsized character heads are common folks attempting to earn a paycheck. And as with all job, there are additionally some particulars in regards to the parks which are stored behind the scenes and below wraps. Curious to know extra? We have dug up some intel to clue you in on what actually goes on on the parks. Learn on for 20 Disney worker secrets and techniques they will by no means let you know.
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Whereas the sight of Disney World’s Cinderella Fortress and Disneyland’s Sleeping Magnificence Fortress are awe-inspiring for a lot of—particularly if you see them for the primary time—it is an optical phantasm. In response to the Duchess of Disneyland weblog, Sleeping Magnificence Fortress is barely 77 ft tall. Cinderella Fortress is taller, however nonetheless reaches simply 189 ft.
A Disney worker or solid member is not more likely to break the magic, however in actuality, the castles seem that tall resulting from pressured perspective. That is completed by reducing the proportions with every stage. This technique was additionally used with the buildings that line Predominant Avenue U.S.A.
If you happen to’ve ever walked into Cinderella Fortress and admired the 15-foot mosaics telling the princess’ story, you may not be thrilled to find out about who put in it: Hanns-Joachim Scharff, the Nazi’s lead Luftwaffe interrogator throughout World Battle II.
Scharff accomplished the Cinderella Fortress mosaics together with his daughter-in-law, Monika Scharff, and his group can be accountable for the entryway to Epcot’s The Land Pavilion.
In response to We Are The Mighty, Scharff obtained accolades for his abilities at interrogation, and he was identified for staying fully calm whereas questioning prisoners of battle. Scharff immigrated to the U.S. after the battle, additionally giving lectures about prisoner interrogation on the Pentagon.
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There are many locations to seize food and drinks at any Disney park, however there’s additionally a hidden Starbucks at Disneyland. However earlier than you get your hopes up, you must know that it is for solid members solely.
You possibly can’t order your Frappuccino right here, however you possibly can catch a fast glimpse of the shop itself when you’re driving the monorail, SFGATE reported. The key Starbucks is situated in Disney’s backstage space and shares a constructing with Disneyland Railroad’s classic Primeval World diorama.
If you happen to’ve ever questioned how Disney retains its parks so clear, it is their state-of-the-art Automated Vacuum Assisted Assortment System.
“There is a ‘tunnel’ beneath (it is really the primary ground, the second and third flooring are what you see within the park) and the AVACS is a sequence of tubes that connects the entire eating places to the principle dump that is behind Splash Mountain. The trash is whisked away below the park so the visitors do not must see it or scent it. It is fairly cool,” says one Disney insider.
Whereas there is likely to be an entire community to eliminate trash behind the scenes, there’s additionally a way to the trash cans you see above-ground.
Walt Disney himself did energetic analysis on how far a customer would stroll earlier than dropping trash to the bottom. In response to his findings, 30 ft was “the magic quantity.” So, everytime you’re at Disney, you are by no means greater than 30 ft away from a trash receptacle.
This could go with out saying, however do not use Disney as a burial floor. Quite a few workers report catching visitors dumping ashes on Disney property, notably within the Haunted Mansion.
This unusual secret was detailed in a 2018 article in The Wall Avenue Journal, with custodians telling the outlet that this occurs about as soon as a month. When Walt Disney World put in customized commemorative bricks in 1994, the phrases “In Reminiscence Of” had been really banned out of concern they’d remind guests of demise.
Cannot think about this being that widespread? Suppose once more. Somebody allegedly tried to unfold ashes on the Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance trip at Disneyland in March. Because of this, the trip was pressured to briefly shut down, SFGATE reported.
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Sadly, when you do resolve to unfold your family members’ ashes in Disney, you aren’t getting to come back again.
In response to SFGATE, when you try to unfold ashes at a Disney park, you may be eliminated and doubtlessly banned.
Whereas it is definitely a spot the place guests are at their “happiest,” there’s additionally been a couple of lower than ideally suited historic occurrences at Walt Disney World.
Imagine it or not, The Beatles formally broke up at Disney World. In Dec. 1974, John Lennon made issues ultimate when he signed his identify to the ultimate web page of the contract on the Polynesian Resort. Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr had already signed the paperwork, making Lennon’s signature the one to disband The Beatles for good.
The yr earlier than, President Richard Nixon additionally gave his notorious “I’m not a criminal” speech in entrance of 400 journalists within the Ballroom of the Americas contained in the Modern Resort.
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Disney is intent on maintaining the magic alive for each visitor, so undercover officers are throughout.
“I do know some individuals who work undercover safety at Disneyland. I’ve seen them once they’re working and so they seem like the largest dork vacationers you might presumably think about (huge hats, zinc on nostril, foolish character shirts tucked into unwell becoming shorts, mountain climbing boots, and so forth.) so that they match proper in,” says one Redditor. Because of this, “It is nearly inconceivable to be anyplace within the park with out being nearby of somebody from safety, uniformed or not.”
TikToker and former Disney solid member Thomas (@dappermanatee) alleges in a Sept. 2022 video that “when you’ve ever walked by a queue, you’ve got walked subsequent to safety.”
Thomas says that you would be able to spot an undercover safety member by what they put on, which is probably going classic clothes from the late twentieth century. It is not all middle-aged males, both. In response to Thomas, youthful folks could also be undercover, in addition to “girls of their 80s.” Nonetheless, they will all have earpieces in, Thomas says.
Regardless of everybody’s greatest efforts, there are additionally considerably common scuffles at Disney parks. Worse but, the folks on the receiving ends of most beatdowns are the costumed solid members.
There have been a number of studies in latest months, together with a Nov. 2023 incident the place a visitor attacked a Disney solid member by grabbing the again of their vest. One other TikTok from Dec. 2023 additionally confirmed Disney safety allegedly clearing the monorail “as a result of a visitor punched a solid member.”
Touchdown a job at a Disney park is surprisingly arduous, with hundreds of candidates vying for only a few spots. Sadly, maintaining a job at Disney is even tougher. One Redditor reveals {that a} pal was fired for consuming a bit of popcorn that fell on their shirt, and a princess was canned for a damaged ankle.
One other former worker really filed a lawsuit in Dec. 2023, saying she was fired after she requested for a stool resulting from her incapacity.
In one more state of affairs, an ex-Disney character actor who performed Snow White advised TMZ that she was fired for posting photographs of herself dressed up because the princess when she was slightly woman. (Sources advised TMZ this allegedly interfered with Disney’s statutes on “character integrity.”)
Disney workers are all about making your go to magical, so do not be stunned if a few of what you hear them saying to at least one one other does not make sense. To maintain visitors from getting freaked out, workers use code phrases for emergencies.
In response to the WSJ, there are extra fundamental ones like a “Code V” or “Code U” cleanup—signaling vomit and urine, respectively. There are additionally reported codes for misplaced youngsters (Sign 70), smoke or fireplace (Sign 25), and a closed attraction (Code 101).
And since visitors attempting to unfold cremated human stays is so widespread, there is a code for that, too. So, beware when you hear a solid member name for a “HEPA cleanup.” (The HEPA vacuum is an ultrafine selection that sucks up the ashes, per the WSJ.)
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Not solely do fights escape amongst individuals who really feel like they have been ready for too lengthy, visitors can get mighty salty about sick children slicing the road, too. A number of workers recount visitors complaining and even utilizing derogatory language when youngsters on Make-a-Want journeys had been allowed to skip to the entrance.
Currently, much more discourse has surfaced about folks faking disabilities to keep away from ready for rides. In response, Disney really up to date its insurance policies for visitors who exploit the incapacity program. Now, anybody who lies about their incapacity will obtain a lifetime ban, Enterprise Insider reported.
If Goofy will not let you know the right way to get to Splash Mountain, he isn’t simply being impolite. Many costumed characters are required to remain silent in entrance of visitors.
“We’re NOT ALLOWED TO EVER TALK IN COSTUME IN FRONT OF GUESTS. EVER. Backstage nevertheless, something goes,” says one former Goofy.
These rumors about Disney jail are true. Nonetheless, do not depend on Mickey bringing you your meals or having fun with a Disney princess mattress to relaxation your head on. “They’ve a holding place,” says one former Disney World worker.
It is also probably not as intense as you may assume. Slightly than the bars of a jail cell, it is basically a separate room that is manned by safety officers, per Distractify.
If you must make the not-so-difficult selection between sitting out a trip along with your child or bringing them on board, sit it out each time. Sadly, many Disney visitors do not perceive why attempting to smuggle an toddler onto rides is such an enormous deal.
“This couple had been attempting to trip Area Mountain, and had a black duffel bag. [A crew member] heard one thing come from the bag, so he requested them to open it. They refused. Safety comes, forces them to open it. It was their 6-month-old child,” says one Redditor. A number of former workers report visitors attempting to do the identical.
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Though solid members can get into Disney parks each time they need at no cost, their low cost does not lengthen to their family and friends.
“It was once that we may get [anyone] into the parks each time we wished, however that modified,” says one former Disney performer on Reddit. Nonetheless, they do sometimes get a free trip, however “it is solely on sure days for sure parks.”
The person-made tree was constructed over a retrofitted 14-story oil rig. The 145-foot creation is roofed with greater than 100,000 leaves which are every greater than a foot lengthy. The tree’s trunk is manufactured from concrete, not wooden.
In an effort to shield the park from unpleasant globs of gum, Disney World stopped promoting the stuff. It is not banned, but when visitors desire a piece, they will must deliver their very own.
The 18-minute safari trip in Animal Kingdom permits guests the prospect to stand up shut and private with animals which are seemingly roaming free. However don’t have any concern, these creatures cannot run up and get you—or one another. Boundaries corresponding to water options and moats are added to the reserve to maintain the animals in particular areas.
