The magic of Walt Disney World doesn’t happen by accident. The park runs on a strict set of rules that may seem quirky to outsiders.
Walt and the Imagineers thought of everything when they created their masterpiece destinations.
Only the true Disney-obsessed might know these trivia tidbits.
Wow your friends and family, when you whip these out during your next line wait.
1. Cast Members Can’t Point
In some areas of the world, pointing is considered rude or offensive, so cast members are never allowed to point with one finger.
When they need to give someone directions, they’ll either gesture with two fingers or their whole hand.
2. Disney World Has Only a Few American Flags
This may come as a shock, and you might try to argue the point, but next time you’re there, take a really close look at what you think are flags.
Most of the American “flags” in the park are missing a star or stripe, making them pennants.
The perk is that Disney isn’t required to follow federal or state laws regarding flags, including lowering to half-mast.
Doing that throughout the park would take far too long, so they stick to only a few real flags.
3. You Can’t Buy Gum
None of the shops at Disney World have gum for sale. As a result, you won’t find chewed-up gum stuck to the bottom of every service. Chewing gum isn’t against the rules, but you’ll have to bring your own if you want it.
4. Smellitizers Mess With Your Senses
When you walk by the Main Street Bakery and can’t help but stop in, or you’re drawn to the salty sea air coming from the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, thank the Disney Imagineers.
Smellitizers are installed at key locations throughout the parks to ensnare your senses and add to the magical experience.
5. The Castle Is an Optical Illusion
Cinderella’s castle is smaller than it would seem.
The base uses large “bricks,” but they get smaller the farther up you go, creating the illusion that the top looks small because it’s far away.
Also, the castle isn’t made of stone or bricks at all but sturdy fiberglass to keep it sturdy against Florida hurricanes.
6. A Cast of Cats Keep the Parks Mouse-Free
Disney doesn’t purposely bring cats in, but they don’t get rid of them either.
Mostly, the feral cats stay hidden from guests during the day and come out at night to help control the mouse population.
However, being a theme park based on the legacy of a mouse, Disney isn’t quick to advertise the cats’ help.
Every cat they find on the property is spayed or neutered and given veterinary care if needed.
Cats that become too familiar with people or kittens born onsite are adopted out to cast members.
7. Liberty Square Has a Not-So-Hidden Secret
You may have noticed the lines of brown brick running through Liberty Square. These are symbolic of the sewage that would have run through the streets during the colonial period.
You also won’t find bathrooms anywhere directly in Liberty Square, so plan your liquids accordingly.
8. Halley’s Comet Influenced Disney Design
Main Street USA’s architecture and theme are set in 1910, while Tomorrowland was designed to look like a “futuristic” 1986.
While those numbers may seem random, Disney chose both because they’re years where Halley’s comet is visible.
9. The Plants in Tomorrowland Are Edible
Walt Disney thought of every little detail when designing his parks. In his mind, the future would be self-sufficient, so he wanted only edible plants in Tomorrowland.
Today, you could still eat most of them. Look around, and you might see familiar fruits, vegetables and leafy greens.
10. There’s an Underground Network of Tunnels
Walt Disney didn’t like the idea of cast members walking through lands they didn’t belong in to get to their own.
He said it ruined the magic. Instead, each park has an intricate underground tunnel network for cast members to travel through. The tunnels also provide extra storage for food and goods.
11. Even Trash Clean Up Is Magical
That system of tunnels is also useful for taking care of garbage. Custodians drop waste into a system of ducts that carries everything away from the action.
Disney also requires cast members to do their part and discretely pick up any trash they see.
12. Walt Disney World Isn’t in Orlando
Orlando is the next closest large city and the nearest airport location. However, Disney World is essentially its own city and can govern itself similarly.
Walt worked with Florida to establish the Reedy Creek Improvement District. It created the towns of Reedy Creek and Bay Lake, which are occupied by friends, family,0 and employees of Disney.
13. Hidden Mickeys Are Everywhere
The iconic three circles of Mickey’s ears are scattered throughout the parks — literally thousands of them. Next time you visit, see how many you and the kids can spot.
14. Trashcans Are Never Far Away
Walt was disgusted by litter-ridden theme parks he toured and wanted a way to avoid it in his own parks.
So, he studied how far people will walk with trash before dropping it on the ground — 30 steps.
He solved the problem by placing discrete trashcans every 30 steps. You’ll never have to look far to throw away your churro wrapper.
Disney Is a Mystery
It’s practically impossible to know everything there is to know about Walt Disney World. Even cast members don’t know all the inner workings of the entire compound.
Each time you visit, you’ll learn something new, and that’s part of the fun.