Interesting Facts About Disney World – Originally called Disney World, Walt Disney World has been in existence since October 1, 1971. Today, Walt Disney World has over 57,000 employees.
There are four major theme parks within Walt Disney World: Epcot Center, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, The Magic Kingdom and Disney MGM Studios. There are also five 18-hole golf courses located within Walt Disney World. Here are some fun facts about the most magical place in the world.
The Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in Florida opened in October 1971. The second theme park to open was Epcot, which opened in October 1982.
Two other disney theme parks have since been added, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The parks, hotels, water parks and other areas all make up Walt Disney World Resort.
26 Interesting Facts About Disney World
Epcot Icon
Each of the Walt Disney World theme parks and main attractions has an icon. For Epcot, it’s Spaceship Earth, a ride that some people think looks like a giant golf ball.
Other Icons
The icons at the other Walt Disney World parks are Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom, the Sorcerer’s Hat at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the Tree of Life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Epcot Lands
Epcot is divided into two distinct lands, Future World and World Showcase. Some of the most thrilling rides of the happiest place in all of Walt Disney World are in Future World. Eleven countries are represented in World Showcase with their food, culture, music and merchandise.
Other Parks
The other parks are also divided up into lands. The Magic Kingdom’s lands are classic Disney, Disney’s Hollywood Studios has movie-themed lands, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom has lands that deal with continents.
Epcot Name
The name Epcot is an acronym for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow.
Area
Walt Disney World encompasses 40 square miles; 25 percent of the 40 square miles is set aside as wildlife preserve.
Mickey’s Wardrobe
Mickey Mouse has over 290 outfits to choose from. Minnie Mouse has over 200 outfits she can wear.
Landscapes
Over 4,000 acres at Walt Disney World is used for flowers and other garden landscapes.
Buses
There are over 270 buses available to take you on your tour of Walt Disney World.
Mouse Hats
Every year, Walt Disney World sells enough Mickey Mouse ear hats to cover 175 miles if put ear to ear.
Photos Galore
Over 100,000 photos are taken almost daily at Walt Disney World.
Tons of Laundry of different outfits
The Disney employees of Walt Disney World washes about 285,000 lbs. of laundry every day using a lot of gallons of water.
Ariel and Belle
If Ariel and Belle seem too perfect for reality, think again; their dimensions are inspired by real-life model Sherri Stoner, who served as both inspiration for two of Disney’s hottest ladies as well as writer/producer on animation shows like Animaniacs and Caspar the Friendly Ghost.
Hurricane-related disruptions
Walt Disney World has only closed several times during the past 50 years – most often for hurricane-related disruptions, like Hurricane Floyd and Hurricane Irma, but also on 9/11 and during COVID pandemic outbreak.
Network of utilidoors
Though many are aware that the Magic Kingdom features a network of utilidoors – which allegedly originated due to Walt Disney seeing a Frontierland cowboy walking through Disneyland’s Tomorrowland — these tunnels weren’t constructed underground at all – rather, they were built at ground level before construction of the park was undertaken on “second levels.”
Hollywood of the East
Disney MGM Studios opened as Disney Hollywood Studios theme park in 1989 with plans of becoming the “Hollywood of the East.” Unfortunately, however, this plan did not go as planned and Disney eventually shut it down in 1997 due to declining attendance numbers and competition from Universal Orlando Resort and other Florida theme parks.
Cinderellas Castle
Disney World’s tallest structures – Cinderella Castle and Hollywood Studios’ Tower of Terror attraction, for instance – all fall below 200 feet due to federal aviation regulations that mandate that any structure over 200 feet have an illuminated red beacon atop it; such a requirement would disrupt their theming.
MGM Studios
At its debut, MGM Studios featured the world’s largest Hidden Mickey. Visible only from above, its main elements were: Chinese Theatre was its mouth; Echo Lake served as right ear; roof of Brown Derby restaurant provided left ear; planters and trees made up the eyes, eyebrows and nose. Over time however, some elements of the disney characters have been taken away or diminished to still make this character easily recognisable from above.
Smellitzer
Theme parks use a patented “Smellitzer” device designed to disperse scents throughout the park. From sea salt in Pirates of the Caribbean to vanilla on Main Street, your senses are constantly being teased.
The Roar
Clarence Nash, better known as Donald Duck’s voice actor, created dog barks for 101 Dalmations. Because lions weren’t loud enough for The Lion King movie, tiger roars were used instead as animal noise.
World’s Largest Aquarium
EPCOT’s Seas with Nemo and Friends Aquarium is one of the world’s largest other than Atlanta Aquarium; in fact, Spaceship Earth itself can fit inside it!
Liberty Square
One of the more intriguing areas of the magical world you might not have heard much about is Liberty Square at Magic Kingdom, created to look as authentic to colonial America as possible. No bathrooms exist here due to limited plumbing at that time. Furthermore, a path stained brown to mimic remnants of raw sewage running down colonial town streets was installed with no smellitizers whatsoever!
Fireworks
Disney World hosts multiple fireworks shows almost nightly, making Disney the largest purchaser of explosives outside the U.S. military – that’s an awful lot of bang and bucks spent!
Harmony Barber Shop
Harmony Barber Shop is an unassuming treasure on Main Street that provides haircuts, beard trims and first haircuts for children. However, did you know that when cast members aren’t providing haircuts to customers they tend to other attractions such as It’s a Small World dolls and Pirates of the Caribbean dolls with new hair? And while conspiracy theorists may object, this hair doesn’t grow back; rather it just gets replaced!
Easter Eggs
Easter Eggs, or hidden surprises throughout Disney parks, are among its hallmarks of excellence. From Mickeys (hidden Mickeys are mickey mouse shapes that you may spot hiding among buildings or decorations) to nods to former rides like Mr Toad’s Wild Ride or 20,000 Leagues Under Sea being referenced on Winnie the Pooh rides, Easter Eggs add another element of fun that makes waiting lines bearable.
The First Roller Coaster Fully Controlled By Computer
Disney World is no stranger to innovative technologies, great moments and setting records. When Space Mountain opened at Walt Disney World in 1975, it was the first roller coaster fully controlled by computer, as well as being entirely housed within an indoor structure.
Expedition Everest opened at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in 2006 as one of the most expensive roller coasters and fastest ride ever built; costing approximately $100 million dollars to complete construction.