Back in March, I did a post featuring some of my favorite hidden secrets located throughout Walt Disney World. It had a great response, so I have been gathering up some other secrets to share with you once again! If you have read my previous blog posts, you know that I love to spend most of my Disney days taking my time, exploring the parks and appreciating the small details that are located throughout the World. Some of these details are fairly obvious and some take a keen eye to spot, but regardless, they add a whole new level of storytelling by Disney which continually enhances my appreciation of the parks. So I am going to share a few of my favorite hidden details and secrets this week, but limit it to ten as I think that half the fun of finding these secrets is searching for them yourselves. So let’s check out some hidden secrets of Walt Disney World!
- Upon entering the Magic Kingdom and walking through Cinderella Castle there are some pretty neat little details depicting the emotions of Cinderella’s evil step-sisters. Take your time examining the mosaic on the left hand side of the breezeway headed towards Fantasyland and pay close attention to the expressions and colors of the step-sisters. See if you can figure out what they are feeling!
- Over in Adventureland, look above Jack Sparrow in the last scene of Pirates of the Caribbean for a great tribute to an Imagineering legend. Marc Davis was one of the driving forces behind this attraction as well as countless others including the Haunted Mansion. Look for a crest bearing his name, but with a Spanish twist.
- Over in Epcot, if you are brave enough to ride Mission:SPACE be sure to look all around you during the pre-launch sequence. You might just spot a Hidden Mickey.
- After traveling through space, head over to Soarin’ to continue your high flying day and pay special attention during the pre-show speech. Watch as the host says the title of the attraction. Notice how he closes his mouth unnaturally fast? That’s because this is the same clip featured in the original version of the ride in Disney’s California Adventure titled “Soarin’ Over California.” In this version, the additional words in the attraction title had to be edited out, resulting in a subtle strange mouth movement by your host.
- Moving over to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, as you travel through the history of film on The Great Movie Ride you will spy the back half of a plane in the Casablanca sequence. The other half of that plane is featured as a prop somewhere over in the Magic Kingdom. Anyone know where I’m talking about?
- At Muppet Vision 3D, there are more visual puns than I even know what to do with. So check back here next week for a post entirely dedicated to this amazing attraction. However as you pass by the fountain outside, look for a character that seems to resemble a certain famous mouse…
- As you enter into the Animal Kingdom, I recommend taking your time to really examine the Tree of Life and appreciate all of the magnificent detail that went into carving each animal featured on its trunk. There are also several Hidden Mickeys scattered throughout the bark, so check out near the hippo to spot one.
- Walk around Tusker House for a great example of how Disney utilizes detail to really tell as story. Look for a sign honoring Joe Rohde, the Imagineer most closely associated with the Animal Kingdom. The sign displays: “JORODI Masks & Beads.”
- Over at the Contemporary Resort resides a beautiful mural created by Mary Blair- who also created much of the whimsical façade of it’s a small world over in the Magic Kingdom. This mural features a number of individuals and animals, but there is one goat that might seem a little strange, since he has five legs. This five legged goat was intentionally added by Blair as an example that nature holds imperfections.
- If you are checking into Port Orleans French Quarter Resort, look at the musical notes featured behind the front desk. They actually represent the old jazzy favorite “When the Saints Go Marching In.”
So there you have it, some more of my favorite hidden secrets and details in Walt Disney World! If you enjoyed reading these, let me know in the comments and perhaps I will feature another list of additional secrets next month!
Love hidden secrets? Do you have a favorite one that wasn’t on this list? Want to see more in the future? Let me know in the comments below, I would love to hear from you!
Caitlin Corsello was born and raised in New York. She graduated from Adelphi University with a Masters in Mental Health Counseling in 2012. Her love for Disney started as an infant and has continued to grow with family vacations to Disney parks almost every year since. She holds a particular interest in WDW’s parks and attractions, never passing up an opportunity to visit. She looks forward to continuing to explore and learn about all things Disney and to share that passion with readers.
