Disney Tidbits

[tiggerguy]

In 1994 Disney World dropped the word "Center" from the "EPCOT" name and changed the letters to lowercase "Epcot".

[tiggerguy]

Castaway Cay, an island in the Bahamas purchased by Disney to use as a stopover for its cruise line ships, was originally known as Gorda Cay.

[tiggerguy]

Paul Winchell (the voice of Tigger) got his start in show biz at the age of 14. He was part of a ventriloquist act on the Major Bowes Amateur Hour radio show.

[tiggerguy]

Brooklyn-born architect Robert A.M. Stern designed Disney's Boardwalk, the Yacht and Beach Club resorts, and the Casting Center building. Along with Jaquelin Robertson, he is also the master planner for the Florida community, Celebration.

[tiggerguy]

Tokyo Disney Resort's shopping, dining, and entertainment complex is called IKSPIARI.

[tiggerguy]

President Harry S Truman refused to ride Dumbo the Flying Elephant at Disneyland because elephants are a Republican Party symbol ... and Truman was a Democrat.

[tiggerguy]

A working title used early in the development of the movie Monsters, Inc. was The Hidden City.

[tiggerguy]

Audio-animatronics were originally a creation of Lee Adams, who started his career with Disney as an electrician at the Burbank, California studio and was one of Disney's original Imagineers.

[tiggerguy]

The giant red torii gate is a recreation of the Itsukushima Shrine in Hiroshima Bay, and ia meant to symbolize honor.

[tiggerguy]

Perey Turnstiles, a leader in turnstile design and manufacturing, supplies Disney World (as well as other amusement parks all over the world) with its products.

[tiggerguy]

A popular misconception is that Walt Disney World exists in Orlando. In fact, the entire Disney property is outside Orlando city limits. Most of Walt Disney World's Central Florida land, and all of the public areas, are located in the cities of Bay Lake and Lake Buena Vista, located southwest of Orlando and a few miles northwest of Kissimmee.

[tiggerguy]

Walt Disney World's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa covers 54 acres.

[tiggerguy]

All the lakes at Walt Disney World are controlled by computers which are able to keep the water levels constant.

[tiggerguy]

Disney's "it's a small world" attraction was originally supposed to feature a medley of national anthems from countries represented. But the result would've been a cacophony of noise. So it was decided that the Sherman Brother's catchy tune would be used throughout the attraction instead.

[tiggerguy]

The telegraph at the Frontierland Train Station in Disneyland types out part of Walt's Opening Day speech.