How well do you know Disney World’s iconic theme park? We’re sharing some of the best-kept secrets about Magic Kingdom Park.
As the very first theme park to welcome guests at Walt Disney World Resort, the Magic Kingdom has quite a lot of history – and plenty of lore! Disney fans who’ve visited the park many, many times might think they know every last detail. But there are actually quite a few hidden secrets hiding past the entrance gates (and no, we’re not just talking about those utilidors underground!)
Magic Kingdom Secrets to Know
Test your knowledge and brush up on some of the most surprising Magic Kingdom secrets with us below.
Trash Flies Underground at 60 Miles Per Hour
Yep, you read that right: While you’re walking around Magic Kingdom, underneath your feet there’s trash whizzing by at a top speed of 60 miles per hour!
The famed utilidor system that runs underneath the theme park features a pretty cool waste removal system that speeds up trash collection and removal. According to an official announcement back in April 1969, Disney uses an Automated Vacuum Collection (or AVAC) system built in Sweden to handle all that trash.
The AVAC system is still in use today, collecting trash from 17 different locations across Magic Kingdom. The trash is pulled underground via a system of vacuum tubes, which then suck that waste over to a compactor at 60 miles per hour.
Once it makes its way over to the compactor (which is located behind Tiana’s Bayou Adventure), that fast-flying trash is compressed and taken off Disney World property.
Oh, and here’s another cool fact for you: Magic Kingdom is one of only two places in the entire world that uses the AVAC system, and the only Disney theme park to do so.
There’s a Secret Logic to the Location of Shops and Restaurants on Main Street
Have you ever noticed that all of the snacks, coffee shops, and restaurants you might want to grab a morning bite at while entering Magic Kingdom happen to be located on the right as you walk towards Cinderella Castle? Conversely, all of the shops where you can pick up souvenirs are on the left.
That isn’t accidental; the location of restaurants and snack stops versus souvenir shops is designed with careful intent. While Min Street, U.S.A. is designed to make the walk towards the castle feel longer than it really is, the opposite is true when you’re walking away and towards the park exit.
Similarly, the shops and restaurants are designed to cater to the direction most guests head when they arrive and leave. All of the food stops (including the Magic Kingdom’s one Starbucks, Main Street Bakery) are located on the right because most people walk on the right side of the street when entering – and they’re going to want to grab a morning coffee or meal.
All of the retail shops, meanwhile, are designed to fall on your right-hand side when you’re exiting the park for the day. That’s because guests are far more likely to stop in and grab some souvenirs when they don’t have to carry them all day!
Only One of the American Flags on Main Street is Real
Photo by Danny Shuster
Main Street is meant to be an idealized version of turn-of-the-century America, with the feel of a classic small town just as you’d find it in the early 1900s. Touches of Americana dot the corners of Main Street inside Magic Kingdom – include plenty of Americans flags hanging from the buildings.
At a quick glance, those flags look perfectly normal. Take a closer look, however, and you’ll find there’s something a bit unusual about each one… not a single one is actually a real American flag.
The catch? None of the flags on Main Street have 50 stars.
Any flag that features less than 50 stars isn’t an official flag (which makes perfect sense, of course.) But it’s actually in Disney’s best interests to not use official American flags. That’s because a real flag is protected by federal law and requires special handling, particularly when it comes to how the flag is presented, flown, and folded.
If Disney was flying real flags in Magic Kingdom, each one of the hundreds of flags would have to be removed at night – or properly illuminated, according to federal regulations – and when inclement weather strikes. But because there’s only one real flag flown (the one in Town Square), it’s a lot easier to manage Main Street’s decor.
The Presidential Seal Isn’t Inside the Hall of Presidents
Here’s another little surprise that’s connected to American “history” in Magic Kingdom. When you enter the Hall of Presidents in Magic Kingdom’s Liberty Square, you’ll be greeted with some wonderfully cool air conditioning – and the Presidential Seal on the floor, guarded by a railing to keep feet off its surface.
But take another look at this supposed Presidential Seal the next time you visit the attraction, because this is one of the big secrets of Magic Kingdom: It’s not actually the Presidential Seal!
As the wording above the seal implies, it’s the Great Seal of the United States. It might look like the Presidential Seal, but that’s simply because the Great Seal is pretty similar to the Presidential Seal. Both seals feature a bald eagle at their center, and that eagle holds an olive branch in one talon and 13 arrows (to represent the original 13 colonies) in the other. And both feature eagles with a scroll in their mouths that reads “E pluribus unim” (out of many, one), though the placement is slightly different.
Cinderella Fountain Looks Different to Kids and Adults
Photo by Cliff Wang
The next time you pass by the Cinderella Fountain outside the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, you might want to change your perspective – and your height. There’s a magical little illusion hidden in this fountain (well, technically, it’s behind the fountain.)
When adults stand before this fountain, it looks like Cinderella is simply hanging out with her critter friends. However, if you’re the same height as a young child, you’ll see a totally different point of view. Cinderella remains the same, but she appears to be wearing the crown from the colorful artwork on the wall behind her.
Some say this unique illusion is also meant to be viewed by getting down on one knee, as if signaling Cinderella’s royal status. Whether you check it out from your child’s point of view or drop down yourself, it’s a very cool sightline play worth seeing firsthand.
The Cherubs Inside Be Our Guest Are Inspired by Imagineers
Look up at the painted ceiling inside the Grand Ballroom of Be Our Guest Restaurant while you’re dining there, and you’ll be wowed by the overhead mural. But there are also a few secrets hiding in it – especially if you train your eyes on the cherubs.
According to planDisney, the cherubs’ faces are actually the faces of Disney Imagineers! In fact, if you look really closely, you might notice that while some cherubs feature Imagineers’ faces when they were babies (an absolutely adorable touch) and some have adult Imagineer faces on baby bodies.
Now that’s a creative way to get your work represented inside the Magic Kingdom!
Hidden Mickeys and More Await in the Rock Work of Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid
You’ve probably heard about the hidden surprise that appears just once a year on Mickey’s birthday (November 18) in the queue for Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid. Well, we’re here to tell you that’s not the only surprise hiding in the exterior of this Magic Kingdom attraction!
While you’re hanging out near this Fantasyland ride, you’ll want to take a close look at all of the details of the rock work. Sure, it’s designed to inspire some beachside theming. But there are also quite a few different surprises hiding in there.
For example, you can spot a hidden Nautilus submarine – a nod to the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea attraction that once sat in the very same spot – in the rock work of the standby queue.
There’s also a special kind of Hidden Mickey in the attraction’s rock work: a Hidden Steamboat Willie. This one is a bit tricky to spot, since it’s actually quite large and is made up of multiple rocks. Ask a Cast Member for help, and they can point out the hat, steering wheel, and face of Steamboat Willie next time you stop by!
How Does Disney Do That?
Want to learn even more about Walt Disney Imagineering? The book How Does Disney Do That? dives deep into the subject through interviews with Disney Imagineers and experts, speaking to how and why the Disney Parks are so beloved. Authored by James Warda, the book fatures a foreword by former Imagineer and Disney Legend Joe Rohde, as well as quotes from WDW Magazine CEO and owner Stephanie Shuster.
Like what you just read?
That tells us you’re the type who never misses a Hidden Mickey. Respect.
