Oh Disney is magical, there’s no doubt about that. Here are some interesting, cool and possibly incorrect “facts” about Disney parks, courtesy of an article by Swifty.

 

Under the park

Under the Magic Kingdom, there is a series of “utilidors” that allow workers to cross the park quickly and stealthily. The tunnels can also be used in emergencies, for ambulance access. So, when you see the park itself, it’s actually the second level of the park. Well, according to Swift’s article, anyway.

Cinderella statue

Disney has a knack for looking at the world through the eyes of a child. We can see this especially through the statue of Cinderella outside of her castle. From an adult perspective, the statue shows Cinderella as a peasant. From the shorter view of a child, Cinderella is seen smiling with a crown behind her head.

That smell-good stink

Main Street typically smells good, right? Well that’s because an artificial vanilla scent is pumped into the air via air vents. During Christmastime, peppermint permeates the street air.

Mythical creatures in the Magic Kingdom

The original plan was to include a mythical creature land in the Animal Kingdom. Sadly, it was decided against. There is still a dragon featured in the Animal Kingdom logo/sign, though.

You get the point

Disney workers are instructed to point with either two fingers or the whole hand because pointing with one finger is insulting in some cultures.

Dirty pavement

In this part of the park, the “dirty” streets are dirty on purpose. Liberty Square in the Magic Kingdom is meant to show colonial America. The streets are “dirty” to signify the sewage problems that colonial streets often suffered from.

Repurposing the prez

Spaceship Earth is a well-known attraction where riders take a journey through Earth’s present, past and future. Some of the robotic characters featured in Spaceship Earth are actually repurposed presidents from the Hall of Presidents attraction. John Adams is a monk, Theodore Roosevelt is a Roman senator and William Taft is an Egyptian priest.

Firepower

According to Swift, Disney World purchases the second highest amount of explosives in the United States, second to the U.S. Military.

The court in the mountain

In a small, attic-like room at the top of Disneyland’s Matterhorn Mountain, there’s a half-court basketball area. The area is used as a resting and prep area for costumed workers who climb the mountain for guests. One day one of the employees brought in a basketball hoop for recreation.

Try the Grey Stuff

In the movie “Beauty and the Beast,” Belle is offered countless dishes to suit her fancy during the song “Be Our Guest.” At one point, Lumiere has her “try the grey stuff”; Belle finds it to be delicious. At the Be Our Guest restaurant, “the grey stuff” is a menu item.