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It was on this day in 1971 that Walt Disney World in Florida opened up to the public. It might not mean much to some of you, but I’m pretty grateful that it opened – I was born to a Disney-holic mom so I took many a family vacation to Florida just to spend a few days at Disney. In fact, my first trip was when I was not even a year old. That’s a good 18 hours in the car (we never flew, oh no). Luckily, I’m an only child, so I had the whole backseat to myself all of those years. No fighting over someone crossing the invisible line that divided the backseat territory or anything like that. My parents spent a lot of time yelling at me to get my nose of out my books and pay attention to the scenery, but to no avail. To this day, I have no idea what Tennessee looks like (I’m kidding).
Anyway, to show my appreciation for the creation of Disney World, today’s Q10 is trivia about the Magic Kingdom, which is the WDW park that actually opened on this date. The other parks that comprise Walt Disney World are EPCOT, which opened on October 1, 1982; Disney-MGM Studios (now Hollywood Studios), which opened on May 1, 1989; and Disney’s Animal Kingdom, which opened on April 22, 1998.
1. Cinderella Castle is what most people think of when they think of the Magic Kingdom. It’s an amalgam of several different castles, but most sources cite Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria as the main inspiration. It’s 189 feet tall, which is more than twice the size of Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland (77 feet tall). I’m outing myself as a huge Disney geek here, but oh well: Disneyphiles like to stump one another by asking, “How many bricks were used to build Cinderella Castle?” But any self-respecting Disney buff knows the answer: None. The castle is only made to look brick. The castle is redecorated from time to time, and I was there for one of the most hideous transformations ever – in 1996, Imagineers made the castle look like a birthday cake to celebrate the 25th anniversary. It gave me a toothache just looking at it. Picture from Wikipedia user Ciccone39.
2. Walt was into the railroad, big-time. He even built a miniature steam railroad in his back yard. So, it makes sense that special attention was given to the Walt Disney World Railroad, the steam-powered railroad that takes you around the perimeter of the Magic Kingdom. There are four trains, named the Walter E. Disney, the Lily Belle (After Walt’s wife), the Roger E. Broggie (he helped acquire the trains) and the Roy O. Disney (Walt’s brother). It takes three people to run each train: the conductor, of course, the engineer, and a fireman.
3. Liberty Square is probably my favorite part of the Magic Kingdom – we’ll get to why in a minute. It’s small but packed full with details – if you look in the upstairs window of the House of Burgesses, you’ll see lanterns that symbolize Paul Revere’s “One if by land, two if by sea”. The replica of the Liberty Bell was actually cast from the mold of the real Liberty Bell in Philly; it’s the only other bell ever to be cast from that mold. There are 13 lanterns in the Liberty Tree, which represent the 13 colonies, and the Liberty Tree is an actual 100-year-old oak tree that has been grafted with a younger oak. I’ve read that there are buildings and architectural elements that represent each of the 13 colonies, but I can’t vouch for that – I guess I’ll have to pay more attention when I am there in three weeks!
4. Liberty Square is my favorite land because it’s home to the Haunted Mansion. I could make a whole post out of the Haunted Mansion (and perhaps I will, closer to Halloween), but I’ll stick to this for now: Paul Frees, who is the voice of your Ghost Host at the Mansion, was also the voice of lots of other beloved characters: John Lennon and George Harrison in the Beatles cartoon, the Pillsbury Doughboy, Toucan Sam (also voiced at other times by Mel Blanc and Maurice LaMarche), and Boris Badenov from Rocky and Bullwinkle. I’m amazed at how people can make their voices sound so different.
If you’ve never experienced the ride, here you go:
5. Cinderella’s Golden Carousel in Fantasyland was made by the most prestigious carousel company in the States – the Philadelphia Toboggan Company. But it wasn’t made specifically for Disney. Nope, Walt bought it from the Olympic Park in New Jersey when it closed in 1967. There are 90 horses, all maintained by one woman who hand-paints each one with unique patterns and color schemes. If you snag the horse that has a golden bow on its tail, you’re in luck – that’s said to be the horse of Cinderella herself.
6. Out of the 289 dolls that you’ll find on “it’s a small world”, only two of them are American – and you won’t find either bedecked in red, white and blue. One is a cowboy and one is Inuit.
7. The Carousel of Progress is an attraction in Tomorrowland that is often overlooked because people are rushing to get to more exciting rides such as Space Mountain and Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin. But it’s a nice, relaxing attraction that features the voice of one of the best narrators of all time: Jean Shepherd. Who? He’s the narrator of A Christmas Story (and author of the book it was based on). In the Carousel of Progress, he plays the dad. One of the grandmas is voiced by Judy Jetson (Janet Waldo) and Debi Derryberry, who voices the daughter, is also the voice of Jimmy Neutron.
8. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is a crazy roller coaster trip through the Old West – and those artifacts you see scattered throughout the ride are real. Disney bought pieces such as a double-stamp ore crusher, an ore-hauling wagon and an old ball mill at auctions.
9. The Swiss Family Treehouse is another attraction that I think goes overlooked a lot. It’s a super-detailed replica of the tree the Swiss Family Robinson lived in. To support its 60-foot height, the structure goes 42 feet below ground. The 330,000 leaves might look real, but they aren’t – they are polyethylene. The whole thing weighs more than 200 tons.
10. Much to my chagrin, the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh replaced Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride in 1999. But if you pay enough attention during the ride, you can still catch a glimpse of old Toadie – at the very beginning of the ride, you’ll see some picture frames. Check them out – one of them is Mr. Toad handing off the deed to the attraction to Owl from Winnie the Pooh.
If you’re more loyal to Disneyland in California, never fear: I did a Q10 on it in July, the anniversary of its opening.
Comments (41)
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GREAT post! (says a fellow Disneyphile).
Sadly, the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse is currently under refurb, so my son couldn’t experience it when we were there last month.
Also, the CoP was originally narrated by Rex Allen, but when it was updated it was changed to Jean Shepard. Rex is still in the show though…he voices the grandpa in the last scene. Mel Blanc in CoP as the voice from the bathroom (”No privacy”). Supposedly CoP is going to be rehabbed so that it is more up to date (the last “current” scene is actually from the 1980s and it shows!).
posted by beth on 10-1-2008 at 3:13 pm
yay! I’m from the east coast and therefore cinderella’s castle is the best, by my husband from LA loves tiny disneyland castle…
Ah well….
posted by Cheri on 10-1-2008 at 3:21 pm
Wow, I must say I am impressed! When I first saw the article, I did not expect to read much new information as I am a self-proclaimed Disneyphile. I’ll also be there in 3 weeks! Small World, eh? :)
Please, please, please write the article on the Haunted Mansion! Even though the ride still spooks me a bit (and I’m 25!) I have a special place in my heart reserved for it.
The only disappointment of this article? A picture of the CASTLE CAKE?! REALLY?! Gaaahhh it is infamous amongst WDW fans as being a dark, dark time. Much like the “Wand” on Spaceship Earth, I would like to forget it ever happened!
posted by Nikki on 10-1-2008 at 3:38 pm
I MUCH prefer World over Land, but it is a special dream of mine to see the inside of Club 33. I wish Disneyworld had something like that.
posted by Caitlin on 10-1-2008 at 3:43 pm
WDW is my favorite place! I actually am planning my wedding there in about a year. My fiance thinks I’m out of my mind but loves me anyway. The thing I can’t get over still was the ‘update’ to my favorite childhood ride at Epcot – Journey into Imagination with Figment.
posted by Jill on 10-1-2008 at 4:07 pm
@ Caitlin,
I took one of the Disneyland guided tours a couple years back (which was pretty pricy, as I recall…somewhere between $40 and $60), and, among other things, they took us into the foyer of the club. As I recall there was a stairway that led to the main part of the club, but they didn’t let us go there. We went in the door that in New Orleans Square.
Nevertheless, I am happy to say that I have been inside of it.
posted by Bryan on 10-1-2008 at 4:15 pm
I’ve been inside Club 33 as a guest. It’s so weird to remove yourself from all the noise and color of everything going on outside for awhile and then re-emerge into it onto unsuspecting parkgoers.
posted by andrea on 10-1-2008 at 4:18 pm
@Nikki – really? MNSSHP? If you’re there on Tuesday the 21st, keep an eye out for Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett… that will be the hubby and me :)
posted by Stacy on 10-1-2008 at 4:20 pm
I recently found on YouTube the videos for the singing busts for the Haunted Mansion (click on my name for the vid)
Thurl Ravenscroft’s facial expressions are hilarious
posted by Jordan on 10-1-2008 at 4:22 pm
I worked there for 3 summers. The Magic Kingdom was originally built to withstand hurricanes. The castle supposedly gets pulled underground. Never has happened.
In which, Magic Kingdom is actually on the second floor. There is a huge tunnel system underground. You can get from one end of the park to the next without having any tourists get in your way.
posted by ella blue on 10-1-2008 at 4:52 pm
Gasp! They got rid of Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride? That was my favorite ride as a kid! *sobs*
posted by Zach on 10-1-2008 at 5:02 pm
I realize the article was about Attractions but I have to remark that one of my favorite places in WDW is the Crystal Palace buffet. Not only is there an endless variety of eats, it is also where Winnie-the-Pooh, Tigger, Piglet and Eyeore interact with the patrons and sign autographs.
posted by Todd S. on 10-1-2008 at 5:19 pm
What?!? No more Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride???? What is this world coming to?? That was my favorite ride! (Next to Space Mountain, of course. And the Space Mountain at Disneyland is far superior to the Space Mountain in Disney World, IMHO.)
reCaptcha: him promised (that Mr. Toad would never go away! *sob*)
posted by Amy D on 10-1-2008 at 6:15 pm
We are Disney fans as well. I remember getting to go in the tunnels UNDER Disney as a child. It was fascinating.
Didn’t they just do a refurbishment of The Haunted Mansion?
I love the Presidents show which is current no only getting ready to add a new President but undergoing a whole new update as well.
We camp at Disney every Thanksgiving, but this year I neglected to reserve my spot a year in advance. So far, I have been unable to get a camping spot. My family is going to be very disappointed if we can’t go. I call every day and hope to catch a cancellation. You haven’t had Thansgiving Dinner until you have cooked it outside at a campsite!
My kids have been raised on Disney and I have noticed that when we go alot of places, they aren’t impressed. They expect Disney quality every where we go.
posted by Karen on 10-1-2008 at 6:42 pm
@Stacy
YES! My group of 10 will be at MNSSHP on the 21st! 6 of them are first-timers ranging from age 12-45. I can’t even tell you how excited I am to be showing them the ropes. The other 4 are my parents, brother and myself.
I’m dressing as Alice (sewing my own costume…I’m crazy like that) and my mom is going as Mary Poppins. Everyone else is still deciding on their costumes…should be interesting!
I’m also doing the Segway tour around World Showcase in Epcot…very excited for that! Also doing the dining plan for the first time…good thing for all that walking or I’d be gaining 20 lbs! I have been counting the days down for months, we’ll be there 19-26.
posted by Nikki on 10-1-2008 at 6:45 pm
I was at Disney in 96 too and remember that pink cake/castle. Later in college I worked in the magic kingdom as a custodian/college intern. It was an interesting summer. I could list 10 “behind the scenes” secrets here, but hey, that would ruin the “magic” (and I’d probably get my ass sued off).
posted by James Kurtz III on 10-1-2008 at 6:50 pm
What did they do to Figment!?!?!?
That’s one of the few rides I remember gooing on when I was 7 (now 22), and I have been dying to go back ever since. I even still have my stuffed Figment.
posted by Sarah on 10-1-2008 at 7:45 pm
I just thought of this when you mentioned the Haunted Mansion…
When I was at WDW with my family in ‘96, I can remember my Dad telling me a story about a wedding band that is set into the concrete just outside the gates of the Mansion. I distinctly remember seeing the ring, but forget the story. Anybody have any insight into this?? Is there really a story here, or was it just a good yarn for an impressionable young lad? I’m really curious now!
posted by Ben on 10-1-2008 at 8:03 pm
For everyone that misses Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, it’s still at Disneyland… just not WDW :(
@Nikki – Those are our dates exactly! I’m running the TOT 13k on Saturday the 25th for an extra-spooky vacation experience :) I’m making my own costume as well, so I relate to your craziness. Have a blast and I will keep an eye out for Alice and Mary!
posted by stacy on 10-1-2008 at 8:12 pm
Great blog! I too am a fan of all things Mickey. I haven’t put it on my top 10 blog yet, but I will.
I think the preference between Disneyland and Magic Kingdom is one of exposure. Growing up I preferred Disneyland because I really missed seeing the Matterhorn in the middle of the park and I liked the giant Smallworld Centerpiece. Now I have no preference, I like them both for what they have to offer and would gladly go to either.
There are a few other Disneys to consider as well. The Haunted house in Land and Kingdom is wonderful, BUT the haunted house in DisneyParis actually follows a storyline that’s quite chilling. Certainly worth a mention.
Feel free to burgle any ideas from my blog that you like, it’s g-pg and not read by many. I write it more for my own entertainment than anything else.
Thanks for a great blog.
posted by Mark Wright on 10-1-2008 at 8:29 pm
No more Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride? I LOVED that ride as a kid! It’s been over 10 years since I have been to Disney. Hearing that news is so saddening to me. I remember it like it was yesterday.
Definately do the Haunted Mansion post. I love that place!
posted by Emma on 10-1-2008 at 9:31 pm
Oh my gosh – great post! If you haven’t done the “Keys to the Kingdom” Tour, I highly recommend it. Has lots of little behind the scenes facts similar to what you’ve posted.
We just got back a couple weeks ago (yes, we still fly there all the way from New Zealand!) and had an awesome time. We also went to MNSSHP as Snow White and Prince Charming. Many kids were confused when we walked around – esp when we were in the Haunted Mansion!
Speaking of, yes – it has recently been refurbished and the changes are incredible. It’s a *must do* during MNSSHP!!
Oh, and speaking of Liberty Square…it’s the best place to see the Headless Horseman that opens the MNSSHP parade. We sat in the face-painting chairs right before the bridge (on the Liberty Square side) and had an excellent view.
Have a great time! Are you staying on property? Our favorite resort is the Wilderness Lodge!
posted by Dawn on 10-1-2008 at 10:03 pm
@Ben
I almost hate to share this bit of trivia as it ruins the magic a bit! I’ll tell you the tale and then fact. The story was that the wedding ring embedded in the cement belonged to the bride who we see in the attic scene.
However…the reality is that it was the remainder of a pole that had been cut off. I’ve read that after the extensive refurbishment the mansion received, the “ring” is no longer there. My trip in a few weeks will be the first since the refurb and I was planning on checking it out. This would be great in the Haunted Mansion post that Stacy is going to write (hint hint!) ;)
@Stacy
That is GREAT! I wish I could do that, I’ve considered doing the marathon in January but I’m just not up for the training :(
I’m looking forward to the Food and Wine festival at Epcot! This is our first October trip but we went in November a few years ago and loved F&W.
@Mark
I’ve heard wonderful things about Phantom Manor in Paris. I had the opportunity to study abroad in France during college but never got to check out Disneyland Paris :(
@Dawn
Wilderness Lodge is my favorite resort as well! However, on this trip we will be staying at Port Orleans Riverside, which is a great moderate. Another favorite is Beach Club…nothing beats being within walking distance of Epcot!
Annnndd I’ve been treating this as a make-shift disney world message board! :)
posted by Nikki on 10-1-2008 at 11:06 pm
Disney? Yuck. Almost single handedly has destroyed the useful role of Myth with a bastardized griefless Deathless and ultimately Lifeless fiction. Walt was Fascist leaning and early Nazi sympathizer. The Disney corporation has continued the assault on American liberties by pouring Millions into the repeal of time tested oopyright laws (keeping Mickey out of the Public Domain) to change the rules after they temselves had plundered many ideas in there.
posted by AntiDisney on 10-1-2008 at 11:45 pm
AntiDisney, you sound a bit off your rocker, dude. Nevermind you need to learn which words should be capitalised. You also don’t have a clue about Disney – Walt or the company.
Finally? Your comments have no place on this blog.
posted by Dawn on 10-2-2008 at 2:34 am
I’m not really what you’d call a Disneyphile, but I did grow up just an hour or so from the parks so I have been to Disney World many, many times. I’ve probably been to Epcot the most, because we went there a few times for school field trips. I now live *in* Orlando, about 15 minutes from Downtown Disney, which is wonderfully convenient for concerts at the House of Blues (among other things). =)
Orlando would be nothing without Disney, so I’m pretty appreciative of it! As many times as I’ve visited, though, I didn’t know any of this stuff.
posted by Celeste M. on 10-2-2008 at 4:51 am
@AntiDisney: I think most people realize Disney is not perfect and puts on a front to keep up the illusion of “magic.” And yes, they are a business and behave as such. But they also create things which bring millions and millions of people happiness and enjoyment. Walt’s politics are irrelevant to this end, whatever they may have been.
I’m not exactly sure what you mean by “bastardized griefless deathless and ultimately lifeless fiction,” but while Disney’s versions of stories tend to be more optimistic and superficial than their source materials, they are at their hearts the same stories. The themes and lessons are generally the same, and they can be as emotionally impactful. If nothing else, Disney has taken fairy tales and legends from various cultures and brought them to the whole world.
posted by Celeste M. on 10-2-2008 at 5:02 am
I’ve been a Cast Member at WDW down here in Orlando for 2 years now. Since Liberty Square is your favorite land, you may already know this: The Streets of Liberty Square are what you find in Colonial America, complete with a brown faux-stream running in the middle of the streets. What does this brown stream represent? You guessed it: sewage!
posted by Eric on 10-2-2008 at 7:48 am
For those sad about Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, go check out The Haunted Mansion. at the end of the ride is a graveyard, and in the top back corner is a gravestone for Mr. Toad. It can be hard to see, but when we asked a cast member about it, he was very nice and pointed it out for us.
My family and I just got back about two weeks ago from WDW. I’d been to Disneyland as a kid, and it was great to see my two little ones in awe everywhere we went.
posted by bhp on 10-2-2008 at 8:33 am
Another fan of the world here. I get a weekly newsletter from “All Ears” about the goings-on in Disney. A wonderful resource, I put the URL in: click on my name.
My lifelong goal is to see all of the Disney Parks. I’ve done 3: FL, CA and Paris. I LOVED the Phantom Manor.
posted by KJ on 10-2-2008 at 8:47 am
Answers to WDW questions (don’t remember who posed what)
HM: The ring is gone and yes, it clearly was the imprint of a pole (I never thought it looked like a ring). The rehab of the place is great…the bride in the attic is a million times better and look for Madame Leota outside (her tombstone — look closely) and inside.
Mr. Toad: It’s gone, but Pooh really isn’t that bad and at least they acknowledge him in the ride.
Pink Castle: Stupidist thing they ever did. And the first time I visited the place (yet, I still went back) Stupider than the Wand over at Epcot (thank God that’s gone) and the Hat at Hollywood Studios
Journey Into Imagination: Dreamfinder & Figment were taken out. Much protest. Then Figment was put back in. It currently features Figment “disrupting” a tour you are taking of the Imagination Institute (to tie it in the Honey I Shrunk the Audience also in the same building) with Dr. Nigel Channing (AKA Eric Idle). Not as much fun as the original, but much better than the original rehab.
Crystal Palace: Food is so-so (most buffets are). Of you want a good meal with character interaction try the Garden Grill (in the Land at Epcot). It’s going to cease to be a character meal soon, so get it while you can.
MNSSHP: Is one of the best after hours parties around. They’ve added more dates this year than ever (starting in Sept). Seeing the Headless Horseman is a must (he starts the parade). Try the 2nd parade as there are less crowds. Don’t forget to trick or treat and check out the characters in their Halloween finery.
With all these responses this topic needs another post. How about the actors you will find in attractions? Like: Phyllia Rashad, Patrick Warburton, Martin Short. And if you include attractions that have closed you could even include Tim Mattheson and Elisabeth Shue.
Or how about events you might not know about at WDW? Like the Marathon, Star Wars Weekends, Super Soap weekend etc?
Have I proven myself to be the total Disney Dork yet?
posted by Beth on 10-2-2008 at 8:52 am
Stacy, as a fan of both the haunted mansion and Mr. Toad’s wild ride, you should like the following tidbit:
When you exit the Haunted mansion, look for the pet Cemetery which will be by the handicapped entrance to the ride to your left. You will see a bevy of tombstones for critters, but if you look closely, in the upper left hand side of the cemetary, the very top row, there is a tombstone for Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride!
posted by Ashley on 10-2-2008 at 9:09 am
Another ani-disney person here. Disney is great when you are 7, after that it’s pretty useless. The so called coasters go slower than old “snowbirds” that plague Florida ever winter. The fake buildings and cheesey design loose there magic once you realize its all fake. Anyway my point is that to like disney as kid is fine but to continue to go there and like it as an adult is akin to being 30 and saying Barney or the Wiggles is your favorite TV show.
posted by Ted on 10-2-2008 at 9:58 am
I thank my parents for my Disney obession. We visited MK in October of 71, school field trip to Epcot in Dec 81, seasonal passes when MGM opened. That’s one of the benefits of living within an hour.
For other events, don’t forget Grad Nite. And has everyone registered their birthday yet? I have already informed work I will be off on June 22, 2009 cause I’m going to Disney World!!!!
Actors in attractions that have been taken away, Robin Williams and Rhea Perlman in the Time Traveler that used to be next to Buzz Lighyear in Tomorrowland. the old American the Beautiful in CircleVision 360.
posted by Mary on 10-2-2008 at 10:16 am
I LOVE DISNEY WORLD!! My favorite rides were always: Big Thunder Mnt Railroad, the Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean.
I want to go back! I was thinking about going (for at least a day or two) while on my honeymoon but December is really ultra-peak season so I dont know if I will. My fiance has never been so I dont want him to remember his first time as intolerably long lines, huge crowds, etc. When do you all think is a good time to go?
posted by GTT on 10-2-2008 at 10:35 am
I like all of the above save Antidisney really like WDW and everything about it. Unfortunately I live in NJ and when I go to FLA it’s to visit relatives so my family has never had a chance to do a WDW vacation. I’m looking forward to the time that I can bring both of my kids there for an extended stay.
My wife and I did stay at Disney before my first son was born. We were there at the beginning of November and he was born at the beginning of August….you do the math.
posted by Bill on 10-2-2008 at 10:39 am
@GTT – if you can hold off til January, it pretty much dies as of January 3rd or so. No lines for ANYTHING.
posted by stacy on 10-2-2008 at 10:51 am
Disney is a fun place and “magical” but antiDisney has every right to post their opinion here as much as anyone else. Sure it is not sugar coated like everything in WDW, but speaking your mind is rarely a Disney attraction.
posted by ella blue on 10-2-2008 at 11:13 am
@ STACY: thanks for the tip! Actually our HM starts right before Christmas and we´re going away for two weeks so that might be perfect! :)
THANKS!
posted by GTT on 10-2-2008 at 11:42 am
Castle preference has to be based on exposure and what you knew as a kid. As an east coaster I grew up going to Disney World, so as an adult living in SoCal, the first time I went to Disneyland, I laughed at the teeny tiny castle and wondered how anyone could prefer it. I think if you go to Disneyland first, you’ll like it. But I didn’t like it at all, after having seen Disney World!
posted by Bug on 10-2-2008 at 7:15 pm
I grew up in Orange County, CA. For years, the main entrance to Disneyland was across the street from a place called Melodyland, some type of church. Anyway, there was a very simple entrance to Disneyland and a scrollwork sign that said “Gateway to Happiness.” The employees called it the “Gateway to Hell.” You drove under that sign and directly in front of you was handicap parking, to the right was employee parking and to the left was general parking. All this is where the tram stop is now. The main entrance was moved south down Harbor sometime in the 90s. Melodyland was eventually demolished after the church moved to another building, and now where it stood is a restaurant and hotel.
posted by SoCalGal on 10-22-2008 at 3:15 pm