Hidden Disney World Secrets You Probably Didn’t Know About

Sharing the magic!

These hidden Disney World secrets give a fascinating insight into the minds of Disney Imagineers and other creatives that make Disney magic every day.

This post may contain affiliate links. We may receive a commission if you click and purchase something. Please see our disclosure policy for more details. 

Walt Disney World famously makes magic happen daily. That much enchantment comes with a healthy dose of secrecy. Although they don’t often like giving us a peek behind the curtain, some Disney details actually give more of an appreciation for what Walt Disney World means to everyone who visits there. These hidden Disney World secrets give a fascinating insight into the minds of Disney Imagineers and other creatives that make Disney magic every day.

The Best Hidden Mickey

Disney has been making Hidden Mickey’s since long before anybody caught on thanks to the rise of the internet. The big event we can turn to as beginning the trend we now recognize as fans dates back to the construction of Epcot in the late ’70s. There are plenty of hidden mickey’s, but there is one particularly clever one that pays homage to Mickey’s breakout role as Steamboat Willie. The image appears if you look at the rockwork outside of the Little Mermaid ride at the Magic Kingdom. If you catch it at the right angle you can see how the rocks lined up to match the iconic pose.

Mississippi Crossing

One of the very subtle details added to the Magic Kingdom is the transition from Liberty Square to Frontierland. If you don’t know to look for it, you will probably miss the fact that you are walking over a bridge. That is not an arbitrary choice. The bridge has symbolic significance. As you head west, the bridge signifies crossing over the Mississippi River. Another detail on the westward expansion of Frontierland is that the addresses are actually dates that reflect the period of the architecture.

Hidden Loading Dock

Epcot hides many secrets. Although many blew wide open with the rise of Hidden Mickey hysteria. It’s common for there to be references to dates and former attractions. one hidden secret attempts to hide the existence of one such attraction. The Germany Pavilion was meant to have a Rhine River cruise ride and there is a show building and loading dock to prove it. However, the ride never got built. The show building is a warehouse and the loading dock was hastily patched up with drywall. You can see the artificial wall covering up what should have been the entrance to the ride. Now, with Adventures By Disney, you can take a Rhine River Cruise for real.

Hidden Wave Machine

When Walt Disney World opened nearly 50 years ago one of the major attractions at the Polynesian Village Resort was surfing. Disney had installed a wave machine on an island off the beach of the resort. Unfortunately, it was not long before the machine was shut down. The problem was that it worked too well. The force of the waves eroded the man-made beaches of the resort. The dream of surfing at Walt Disney World would not resurface until the opening of Typhoon Lagoon in 1989.

Disney World Solar Farm

Walt Disney World is more than a vacation spot. Disney dabbles in conservation and alternative energy. When it was built, the Universe of Energy at Epcot had a solar panel decked roof that could power 5% of the attraction. Earlier this Year Disney quietly announced its newest solar farm which is near twice the size of the Magic Kingdom. The new plant is capable of generating enough electricity from solar energy to power two of Disney’s theme parks.

Make Your Disney Vacation More Fun With These Items

Hidden Mickey’s Guide

Family Vacation Shirts

Disney Backpack

Disney Planning Kit

Portable Battery Charger

Save the Hidden Disney World Secrets post for later. Pin the image below to your favorite Pinterest board.