Shh! 10 Disney World Secrets...

One of the few pictures of the Utilidors 

Have you ever wondered if Disney World has any secrets?

Oh yes, it does!

Behind the magical world of characters, rides, shows, and food, there's a secret world that Disney keeps hidden.

What if we revealed 10 of Disney's biggest secrets to you today?

Keep reading.

Learn About Disney's Underground City

1. Disney World is built on top of an underground city. When you walk through Magic Kingdom's gates you might notice a slight incline. That's because Walt Disney built a series of underground tunnels and utility corridors called "Utilidors" so cast members and deliveries can be transported without disrupting the park's guests. By the time you reach Cinderella's Castle, you're technically on the third-story of Disney World.

2. You can tour the underground kingdom. If you're at least 16 years old and willing to pay $229 for a ticket, Disney will take you on a 7 hour "Backstage Magic" tour. Besides exploring the utilidors, you'll get the chance to check out behind the scenes action at every park. Don't bring your camera though - photos are forbidden backstage.

3. Disney World actually is its own city! You read that right. In 1967, the Florida State legislature created the Reedy Creek Improvement District for Disney World and received a number of economic benefits in return. Disney's district has the same authority as any city's government, including the power to open a school or create a criminal justice system. Disney's board of supervisors hasn't done anything like that yet, but if it did, they would probably have full support from the district residents - all Disney Cast Members!

"Disney World's Magic Kingdom sits 16 feet above an underground kingdom of tunnels, corridors, and warehouses that spans 9 acres."
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Look for these Above Ground Secrets

4. Smells like...Have you noticed that delicious, sweet, cooking food smell on Main Street? What about the burning smells at EPCOT Center and Future World? The water and leather smell in Pirates of the Caribbean?  What you're smelling are really patented scents created by Disney's Air Smellitizer. Located in the underground kingdom, the Smellitizer wafts its scents above ground to help create the perfect experience - and keep Florida's swamp smell at bay.

5. Why is the park so clean? You won't walk more than 30 feet without finding a garbage can at Disney World. That's because Walt Disney did extensive research to create a safe and clean environment for his parks. During his research, he discovered that theme park guests would drop their trash on the ground if they couldn't find a garbage can within 40 feet. And your garbage doesn't last long in the park. It's suctioned at 65mph through underground vacuum pipes to a landfill.

Do you see the Hidden Mickey?

6. Keep an eye out for Hidden Mickeys. Throughout the park, "Hidden Mickeys" abound. Created by the Imagineers, they are hidden in plain sight and come in many forms, including the tri-circle Mickey head symbol and full figure silhouettes. Mickey isn't the only hidden character, though. Try to spot Minnie Mouse, Pluto, Goofy, and other characters, too.

7. Camouflage. Disney paints its administrative buildings, fences, and garbage bins in two shades known as "Go Away Green" and "Blend in Brown" . It's meant to blend all the non-magical parts of the park into the background so you focus on just the park fantasies.

What about Cinderella's Castle?

8. You can (theoretically) stay in Cinderella's suite. The 650 sq ft apartment was originally created for Walt Disney and his family, but he died before they could occupy the suite. Now Disney's board grants overnight access to some guests, who access the 4th floor suite via a hidden elevator. In case you were considering making reservations, some of the most recent overnight guests were Tom and Suri Cruise.

9. The castle is smaller than it looks. Thanks to the Imagineers' trick called "forced perspective", each story of the 189 foot castle is smaller than the story below. The bricks and castle windows are also smaller and spaced closer together as you look up. On Main Street, the buildings are angled to make the castle seem further away.

And One More Secret...

10. Celebrate your child's birthday at Disney World! Go to City Hall just inside the Magic Kingdom entrance and ask for birthday button. Your child will receive special attention all day from Cast Members and characters! If you're a resort guest, don't forget to the tell the resort front desk a day in advance. You can expect a few birthday surprises to show up in your room!

Do you have a friend vacationing at Disney World soon? Share these secrets with them to make their vacation even more exciting!
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