101 Amazing Little Details You Probably Never Noticed at Walt Disney World

This article was co-authored by Amy Ziese.

The theme parks, water parks and resorts at Walt Disney World are packed full of an extraordinary number of little details.

With the exception of Universal, which has taken similar care in the creation of its various Wizarding Worlds of Harry Potter, no other theme park operator lavishes so much time, attention and money on elements that many guests will never even notice. John Wardley, the legendary designer who created classic attractions such as Nemesis at Alton Towers, once remarked that the theming budget for the UK park’s $27 million The Smiler roller coaster “wouldn’t have covered the decoration of one of Disney’s post-ride shops”. He wasn’t exaggerating.

We’ve picked out some of the best “hidden secrets” at Walt Disney World in a previous series of articles. These have proven to be very popular, but Amy’s articles about other (not necessarily hidden) details in the parks and resorts have been seen by a much smaller audience.

To try to change that, we’ve collated many of them into this detailed list, which we hope will encourage you to stop and take a closer look at your surroundings the next time you visit.

1. The raised sidewalks (Frontierland, Magic Kingdom)

Though it may seem like a strange detail, you’ll notice that all the buildings in Frontierland have a wooden sidewalk running in front of them. This is a historically accurate feature that would be consistent with buildings in the old west. Though the Magic Kingdom features clean red roads, the authentic west would have had dusty streets. The raised wooden sidewalks were designed to keep boots and skirts clean and away from the dirt of the roads.

2. The notice board across from the Boneyard (Dinoland USA, Disney’s Animal Kingdom) 

If you want an in-depth look at the storyline behind Dinoland USA, the notice board across from the Boneyard is a must-see spot. This board contains everything from a map of the area complete with notations from the point of view of the grad students at the Dino Institute (who are studying in the area), to a welcome letter from the resident professors.

As you’re examining the map in the upper right corner, take a good look at the location where you’ll now find Dinosaur. This attraction still has its original moniker on this map: Countdown to Extinction. The ride’s name was changed after the Dinosaur movie came out, to capitalize on the silver screen success. (As a side note, another little nod to the ride’s original name exists in the loading area where you’ll see “CTX” on the wall.)

Don’t miss the little notes between grad students. You can get a great feel for the relationships going on by reading these little messages. Every now and then you’ll even see that professors have to step in and mediate to keep things professional.

3. The sagging shutters (Liberty Square, Magic Kingdom)

The shutters in Liberty Square sag. Why? At the time of the Revolutionary War, colonists melted down hinges sold to them by the British to make shot for their weapons. Leather hinges were used in their place, resulting in the sagging shutters. Disney’s “leather” hinges, ironically, are made of metal.

4. The chimneys (United Kingdom Pavilion, Epcot)

The pavilions in Epcot’s World Showcase are great examples of Disney’s commitment to great theming. As an example, look closely at the ornate chimneys in the United Kingdom Pavilion. They were painted with blackened soot to give the impression that they are still working.

5. The landscaping (Disney’s Animal Kingdom)

Most guests breeze past the various plants at Disney’s Animal Kingdom without giving them a second thought. Yet more than 4 million trees, plants, shrubs, vines, grasses and more from every continent on Earth (except Antarctica) were planted during the construction of the park.

A great example is the area surrounding the Forbidden Mountain, which hosts the Expedition Everest roller coaster. To recreate the lowlands surrounding Mount Everest, more than 900 bamboo plants, 10 species of trees and 110 species of shrubs were planted.

6. The trash cans

Disney is fanatical about ensuring that its parks are kept clean and tidy. That means that every single one of its theme parks features dozens of trash cans, all carefully-spaced to ensure that guests will never be more than a short walk away from one. Cast Members are instructed not to walk past stray bits of litter without scooping them up and dropping them into a nearby bin.

All those trash cans, though, could end up looking pretty ugly and out-of-place. After all, do trash cans really belong in the Wild West (Frontierland), the jungle (Adventureland) or the future (Tomorrowland)? Any standard-issue garbage receptacle would destroy the theming of those areas.

Instead, Disney goes out of its way to ensure that its trash cans not only fit into the theme of an area, but even add to it. Take, for example, the trash can above, located on Hollywood Boulevard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, emblazoned with the image of Grauman’s Chinese Theater and imploring visitors to the “city” to dispose of their trash properly.

There are whole websites dedicated to documenting Disney’s trash cans. The company has even turned them into a line of merchandise, with trash can-themed salt and pepper shakers going on sale at Walt Disney World’s Marketplace Co Op in 2014.

7. The original Liberty Bell casting (Liberty Square, Magic Kingdom)

The Liberty Bell featured prominently in the center of Liberty Square was cast from the same mold used to create the original. The ensures that the size and shape of the bell are absolutely identical to the historic Liberty Bell. A court of flags surrounds the bell, with one flag for each of the original 13 colonies. 

8. A real hotel? (Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Disney’s Hollywood Studios)

From the front of the Hollywood Tower Hotel (which houses the Tower of Terror), you can see a window with a light in it. This is just a dummy room to add to the impression that this is (or was) a real, working hotel. In his autobiography, former Disney CEO Michael Eisner reveals that he suggested that the Hollywood Tower Hotel be an actual hotel, as well as hosting the Tower of Terror. This proved to be impractical.

9. Landscape of Flavors light fixtures (Disney’s Art of Animation Resort)

The Landscape of Flavors is the food court at Art of Animation. It’s regularly praised for being one of the best quick service food courts on property. The atmosphere in the dining room is one of the most enjoyable parts of eating here. Don’t let the wall art draw your attention away from the ceiling. The dining room is separated into four areas, each themed around one of the movies featured at this resort.

In the Cars area, the light fixture features a blue sky criss-crossed by clouds in the shape of tire tracks. The Lion King dining room has a light fixture that looks like a tree canopy, as though you’re sitting in the jungle with Timon, Pumbaa, and Simba.

Head to the Finding Nemo section, and you’ll find that you’re predictably under the sea. This light fixture features a swirling school of fish.

Over in The Little Mermaid, you look up through Ariel’s grotto. Unlike the other light fixtures where the sides are simply a continuation of the image on the bottom, this one has a different look. Since the story of The Little Mermaid focuses on a girl torn between two worlds, the light, too, features her undersea home on the bottom, and the sea and sky along the sides.

10. Hidden Memorabilia (Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Disney’s Hollywood Studios)

As the elevator rotates towards the exit, look out for some items of Twilight Zone memorabilia. Among these is Caesar, the creepy ventriloquist’s dummy from the episode Caesar and Me. You can also see the slot machine from another episode, The Fever.

11. Larger than it appears (The American Adventure, Epcot)

The USA Pavilion is five stories tall, but enormous doors and windows are used to make it appear only three stories tall. The façade was created using 110,000 bricks handmade from Georgia red clay – each of which was aged to look authentic.

12. The ski lift with footwear provided (Blizzard Beach)

The ski lift at Blizzard Beach offers a fun and perfectly themed way for guests to get to the top of the mountain. Look closely and you’ll notice that the riders look a bit overdressed for the waterslide. The design of the lift chairs makes it look like each guest is wearing a pair of skis. Though the dangling skis aren’t really on your feet, they can make for some fun pictures if you can catch a shot of friends or family on the way up. It’s not often you’ll see skis and swimwear paired together, but silly contrasts like these are what Blizzard Beach is all about.

13. A unique address (Living with the Land, Epcot)

On the Living with the Land boat ride, check out the address on the mailbox in front of the farm house – it reflects the year that Epcot opened.

14. Signs of the ice gator (Blizzard Beach)

The mascot of Blizzard Beach is the Ice Gator. This happy Florida local loved the idea of having a chilly retreat where he could ski. Though this character loved this pastime, you can see evidence of his antics which indicate that he wasn’t as talented as he may have hoped. Signage warns of low flying gators. If you look closely beyond the sign, you’ll see that there’s a good reason for such warnings. Ski tracks are still evident in the melting snow on the roof. Opposite this, you’ll see where the Ice Gator landed – plummeting right through the wall of the gift shop across the street.

15. The entryway mural’s hidden delights (Conservation Station, Disney’s Animal Kingdom)

The animal mural that you encounter when you first enter Conservation Station is stunning simply for the many beautiful animals featured in it. The really fun part of viewing this mural, however, comes in the form of over two dozen “hidden Mickeys”. Disney officially recognizes 26 hidden Mickeys in this single painting. However, some guests have reported spotting up to 100. Take a few minutes and see how many you can find.

16. The towering totem poles (Disney’s Wilderness Lodge)

The two massive totem poles in the Wilderness Lodge lobby are impossible to overlook, but you may miss the story if you don’t know what you’re looking at. Each totem pole is 55 feet tall and tells its own story. The Raven Pole tell the story of how Raven put the sun, moon, and stars in the sky. The Eagle Pole tells the story of Bear Chief who is undertaking the task of educating his nephew Bear Cub. Each character on the pole relates to a specific portion of the story. Stop by the concierge desk for a printout of the complete tale associated with each totem pole.

17. Cast signage (Muppet Courtyard, Disney’s Hollywood Studios)

Every part of Walt Disney World has Cast Member-only doors that guests can’t enter. Don’t worry, most of them don’t lead to anything more exciting than a stock room or break room. What’s more interesting is the signage featured on these doors. While some are drab and to the point, others really get into the theming of the area. The signs in Muppet Courtyard are obviously the latter. All the Cast Member doors are marked by Pork Security for Muppet Labs Personnel Only.

18. Special details in the pavement (Fantasyland, Magic Kingdom)

Disney Imagineers always carry their theme through an environment from top to bottom, so you can catch a lot of great details by looking down. In Fantasyland, you’ll find peanuts littering the ground in Storybook Circus. In other parts of Fantasyland, marks from horseshoes lend an authentic touch to a kingdom where you’d expect these hooved friends to provide transportation through the streets.

19. The metallic foliage (Tomorrowland, Magic Kingdom)

The metal palm trees located close to Space Mountain in Tomorrowland are not just there for show. They fold up at night and open during the day, and are even used to collect solar energy.

20. A familiar beverage (Expedition Everest, Disney’s Animal Kingdom)

Image: Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola has spread across the world, and there’s evidence of this in Expedition Everest. Nepalese coke bottles are visible thoughout the queue line.

21. Pascal’s Garden (Fantasyland, Magic Kingdom)

Across from the Rapunzel restrooms, you’ll find a very special garden. Look closely along the brook and on surrounding buildings for friends of Pascal, Rapunzel’s chameleon companion. Rumor has it that there are a total of 10 of these little lizards tucked away throughout the garden. How many can you find?

22. The kiosk claw (Tomorrowland, Magic Kingdom)

Some of the best details in Disney’s theming are easily overlooked. This gift kiosk is located between the Tomorrowland Transit Authority entrance and Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin. Though you’re likely to look down at the goodies lining the shelves, you’ll get a delightful surprise if you step back and look up, instead. Not only is the top of the kiosk lined with Toy Story‘s little green aliens, it even features “The Claw” (OOoooo) reaching down to select its next victim.

23. The hull entrance to the Swiss Family Treehouse (Adventureland, Magic Kingdom)

The Swiss Family Treehouse is constructed from bits and pieces of their wrecked ship. Nowhere is this more obvious – and more overlooked – than the very entrance to the attraction. Check out the awning as you enter the queue for this walk-through area and you’ll notice that it bears a remarkable resemblance to an overturned boat.

Continue past the entrance toward the suspension bridge and you’ll see even more nautical details. Apparently this boat was well-stocked in oars, as they support awnings all along this walkway. The end of a broken oar also serves as the entrance sign. When you get to the suspension bridge, you’ll see where the ropes and riggings for the boat were creatively reused.

24. The Victory Garden and WWII Memorabilia (Sunset Boulevard, Disney’s Hollywood Studios)

The Sunset Boulevard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is not a modern representation of the street. Here you find yourself in the late 1930s to early 1940s, around the time of World War II. The area is instantly dated with its numerous war references. Beside Catalina Eddie’s you’ll find a Victory Garden, easily identifiable by the giant sign. If that’s not clear enough, the scarecrow wearing a gas mask will help complete the setting.

Victory gardens were planted in the United States during World War II to help prevent food shortages. Canned vegetables were rationed and trains and trucks that would have otherwise transported produce were put into use transporting soldiers and weapons. Victory Gardens were responsible for 40% of the vegetables grown in the U.S. by 1944.

This entire outdoor seating area along Sunset Boulevard is dedicated to the WWII era with everything from signs along the buildings to tiny pieces of memorabilia in the center of the condiment stand.

25. The manhole covers

Image: Anna Fox, Flickr (license)

Manhole covers are one of the dullest, most generic products that you can buy. In order to keep costs low, almost every cover is designed to be basically identical.

Disney could save money by buying generic manhole covers – but that’s not the company’s style. Instead, the Imagineers at Walt Disney World have ordered up customized manhole covers that include a Mickey Mouse logo in the center. Almost nobody will actually notice these – but Disney has incurred the extra expense just in case.

26. Canvas flooring in the circus tent (Fantasyland, Magic Kingdom)

The Storybook Circus Big Top Souvenirs tent is decorated to look like a real circus tent. Colorful details are abundant in the shelving, which often looks like circus podiums. Don’t forget to look down here, too. The flooring in the store features grassy turf, wooden circus floorboards, and detailed canvas.

27. The Cozy Cone Motel (Disney’s Art of Animation Resort)

The pool in the Cars area of the Art of Animation Resort is themed to the Cozy Cone Motel and truly looks like a life size representation of it. Take a moment to peek in the windows for some fun finds. You’ll see themed alarm clocks stacked in a pyramid and a postcard display highlighting all the best sights in Radiator Springs.

28. Maurice’s Popping Machine (Fantasyland, Magic Kingdom)

Popcorn carts are nothing new around Disney World, but the one in Fantasyland is truly something different. This cart is carefully designed to look like a wacky invention of Belle’s father Maurice. Though the product is the same, this is a great intricate detail that you don’t want to miss.

29. The Pacific Electric Red Cars (Sunset Boulevard, Disney’s Hollywood Studios)

The Pacific Electric Red Cars were a major means of transportation at the turn of the century. The track gradually grew until it ran up and down Sunset Boulevard. The streetcars continued running until the mid-1950s. On this version of Sunset Boulevard, the trolley car has taken the form of a souvenir and popcorn stand. Though they don’t move, you can see trolley tracks peeking out along the street near the Tower of Terror.

30. The stunning light fixture in the lobby (Disney’s Art of Animation Resort)

The lobby at Art of Animation is so bright and colorful, you might miss this stunning detail – but it’s worth your time and trouble to pause and look up. At first glance you’ll notice that the light fixture features a series of small sketches. But look closer – that’s not all.

Some of the sketches bear famous signatures. The picture of Lightning McQueen is signed by Cars director John Lasseter. Jodi Benson, who voiced Ariel, signed a picture of the mermaid. Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff, the directors of The Lion King, autographed a picture of Mufasa, Rafiki, and baby Simba.

A sketch of Ariel and Eric bears the signatures of Ron Clements and John Musker, the directors of The Little Mermaid. Pat Carrol, who voiced Ursula, autographed a sketch of her.

31. The Original Starbucks Logo (Sunset Boulevard, Disney’s Hollywood Studios)

The new Starbucks location at the head of Sunset Boulevard has a distinctly vintage look. The logo outside is brown instead of green and features the original Starbucks mermaid. Though the logo only dates back to 1971 when Starbucks debuted at Seattle’s Pike Place Market, it’s as close as you can get to a period appropriate pick, and any Starbucks fan is sure to notice that it looks distinctly different from the stylized icon used today.

32. The Mickey in the fountain (Muppet Courtyard, Disney’s Hollywood Studios)

The Miss Piggy fountain outside Muppet*Vision 3D is hard to miss, but if you don’t stroll all the way around you might not see the fountain’s own signature hidden Mickey. He’s not a classic Mickey and instead resembles the imposter Mickey that Waldo transforms into during the show, but it’s a fun find nevertheless.

33. The paint jars (Disney’s Art of Animation Resort)

The theme of the Art of Animation Resort revolves around the creation process for the four films highlighted in the resort’s buildings. Along with images from the films, you’ll also find many details that reference the process of animating these movies. The walls of the gift shop are lined with shelves set into giant paint buckets. Though the rainbow of color will catch your eye first, on closer examination you’ll see that the check-in desks look like paint jars as well.

34. The devil incarnate (Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Disney’s Hollywood Studios)

As you board the Tower of Terror’s elevator, look to the left hand-side. There’s an inspection certificate, dated October 31, 1939 and signed by “Cadwallader”. This was a character in another Twilight Zoneepisode, Escape Clause, who was eventually revealed to be the devil. The inspection certificate’s number is 10259, celebrating the date that the first Twilight Zone episode aired.

35. Historic building facades (Frontierland, Magic Kingdom)

The buildings in Frontierland are designed with historic accuracy in mind. This town takes you through the 1800s. If you’re itching to pinpoint the exact year that various buildings were modeled after, just look above the door. The town hall is structurally consistent with buildings from 1867.

Progress down the street and you’ll travel to 1878 in the styling of the saloon that’s home to the Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Café.

Grizzly Hall, home of the Country Bear Jamboree, is consistent with historic buildings from 1898.

36. The sounds of the Big Blue World (Disney’s Art of Animation Resort)

If you’re a guest at the Art of Animation, you’ll have access to the resort’s pools. The Big Blue Pool in the Finding Nemo section is by far the most stunning – and most popular – pool on property. The design and atmosphere is fun just to look at, but Disney takes the experience to a whole new level when you’re actually in the pool. Put your head under water and you’ll hear music playing.

37. The sign board in the entrance (Muppet*Vision 3-D, Disney’s Hollywood Studios)

Pause a moment in the entrance to Muppet*Vision 3-D and really read the sign board. You’ll find a guide to the many Muppet-led departments in the building. Statler and Waldorf are Curmudgeons in Chief of the Institute of Heckling and Browbeating. Check the location and you’ll see it’s listed as “Box A Mezz” which is right where you’ll find them sitting during the show. The Swedish Chef is the Tippy Top Cookie Guy for the Muppet Kitchens and Pyrotechnic Research. The Department of Poulty and Mold Cultivation is headed by The Great Gonzo, and Kermit heads the Academy of Amphibian Science.

The suite numbers are worth reading on the sign as well. Miss Piggy doesn’t just have a suite, she’s in “Very Suite 4444.” Bean Bunny is “2 Suite 4 U.” There are several more gags on the rest of the directory so make sure you pause and give it a read. Unless a show is about to start, you can afford to take your time getting in the building because you’ll simply wait in the preshow room once you’re inside anyway.

38. Antique equipment (Frontierland, Magic Kingdom)

Look out for some real antique mining equipment strewn around the Big Thunder Mountain site. This includes an old ball mill used to extract gold from ore, an ore-hauling wagon and an ore crusher.

39. The key under the mat (Muppet*Vision 3-D, Disney’s Hollywood Studios)

Heading into the Muppet*Vision building, you’ll spot a sign that says “Back in 5 minutes.” Keep reading and you’ll see it helpfully lets you know that the key is under the mat.

Lift up the mat on the ground and you really will spot the hidden key. This fun find is particularly amusing to children who like peeking under the rug to see what’s there.

40. Gift shop signage (Muppet Courtyard, Disney’s Hollywood Studios)

The signs only get wackier when you enter the gift shop. Though your eyes will probably be drawn to the merchandise, don’t miss all the fun extras that adorn the shop. Notices like “No Point Beyond This Point”” and “Chickens Only Beyond This Point” give you a hint as to what you’re getting into. Here you’re fully ensconced in the world of the Muppets and their humorous out-of-the-box thinking is evident everywhere you look.

41. The Strait of Gibraltar (World Showcase, Epcot)

As you walk from Morocco to France, notice that the walkway becomes darker. This is intended to represent the Strait of Gibraltar. It’s not geographically correct, however, as it actually lies between Spain and Morocco.

42. Brer Rabbit’s home (Splash Mountain, Magic Kingdom)

Splash Mountain introduces you to Brer Rabbit, and you’ll see this wily character throughout the queue and ride. However, it’s not the mountain that Brer Rabbit calls home. A little ways from the exit of Splash Mountain is a gift shop called the Briar Patch. Look up after you enter, and you’ll see Brer Rabbit’s home just above the store.

43. Hidden meaning (Japan Pavilion, Epcot)

The Japanese pagoda has five stories. Each represents one of the elements that Buddhists believe make up everything in the universe – in ascending order: earth, water, fire, wind and sky.

44. The Mahjong set (Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Disney’s Hollywood Studios)

In the lobby, look out for a Mahjong set. The pieces are placed in an accurate manner as if the game was abandoned.

45. Authentic materials (Asia, Disney’s Animal Kingdom)

The queue line for Expedition Everest begins in the village of Serka Zong. All of the buildings in the village were made using “rammed earth” bricks, which are created by mixing water, dirt and straw together and hammering the mixture until it becomes rigid.

46. Unusual eyes (Muppet Courtyard, Disney’s Hollywood Studios)

The obvious Muppet characters aren’t the only things that take on a life of their own in Muppet Courtyard. This lamp has an interesting feature on top. It’s sprouted its very own eyes, and it looks a bit suspicious. Two more sets of eyes are hidden in the scrollwork above the Miss Piggy clock.

47. The collection of Tall Tales memorabilia (Pecos Bill’s Tall Tale Inn & Cafe, Magic Kingdom)

Whether you’re hungry or not, Pecos Bill’s is a fun stop for taking in the theming of Frontierland. This restaurant was founded by Pecos Bill himself, as the framed story on the wall attests. Bill is mighty popular among the other tall tale characters of the west, and his inn and café instantly became a popular destination for popular players in beloved stories. Each patron who stopped by left a little something that belonged to them as a gift to Pecos Bill.

Browse the walls of this restaurant and see how many pieces of tall tale memorabilia you can find. Some items even feature personal inscriptions to the innkeeper.

48. The “flawed” tiles (Morocco Pavilion, Epcot)

Look at the mosaic tiles in the Morocco Pavilion. Each mosaic has at least one flawed tile in it – as local beliefs dictate that only Allah can create something that is “perfect”.

49. The untidy paint job (Muppet Courtyard, Disney’s Hollywood Studios)

Muppet Courtyard appears to be getting a new paint job, but as you might expect, the professionals doing the job aren’t too professional at all. The new yellow paint has been used on the old walls to make notes like “Gone to Lunch” and “Wet Paint.” In several places you’ll see splatters and spills that add just the right feel of whimsy and chaos to a space overrun with Muppets.

50. The Wild Footprints (Disney’s Wilderness Lodge)

Take a stroll around the exterior of the lodge and you’ll notice a plethora of footprints in the pavement. As in many areas around Disney, the ground here tells a story. Around the Lodge, these footprints represent various animals in keeping with the theme of the resort. You’ll see deer, bear, and even wolf prints at various spots along the paths.

51. The drainage system (Spaceship Earth, Epcot)

Stand under Spaceship Earth when it is raining, and you won’t get wet. The structure boasts a special drainage system designed to collect rainwater, funnel it through the support structure and let it eventually run off into the park’s lagoon.

52. The “urine trough” (Liberty Square, Magic Kingdom)

Notice the brown “stream” flowing down the middle of the streets in Liberty Square. In frontier times, this acted as a urine trough to catch waste from horses!

53. The dressing rooms (Muppet Courtyard, Disney’s Hollywood Studios)

Looking upward is a great way to spot details that often go unnoticed around the theme parks. The second level of the Muppet gift shop features a hallway of dressing rooms that look identical to the ones used on the original Muppet Show set from the 70s. Haphazard clotheslines are strung across the corner and you’ll see several Muppet-size outfits hanging from them, including a pair of shorts that look suspiciously like something worn by a well-known mouse.

54. Standing tall (Liberty Square, Disney’s Hollywood Studios)

The enormous Liberty Tree is a live oak tree, and commemorates the meeting place of the Sons of Liberty (as seen in Disney’s Johnny Tremaine). It was transplanted from elsewhere on Walt Disney World property, is more than 135 years old and weighed some 35 tons when it was moved. 13 lanterns hang from it, representing the 13 original colonies.

55. Man’s best friend (Main Street USA, Magic Kingdom)

Take a look at the pavement outside Tony’s Town Square Restaurant. You’ll see the paw prints of both Lady and the Tramp – a special homage to the dogs in the classic Disney animated movie (which is the inspiration for the restaurant itself).

56. Too many diamonds (Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Disney’s Hollywood Studios)

On the wall next to the concierge’s desk in the lobby, you can see a plaque that awards the Hollywood Tower Hotel 13 diamonds from AAA. In reality, the AAA system tops out at 5 diamonds.

57. The rooftops of Restaurantosaurus (Dinoland USA, Disney’s Animal Kingdom)

Grad student hangout on the roof of Restaurantosaurus

Keep your eyes focused upwards when you’re approaching Restaurantosaurus and you’ll see that this spot is a favorite hangout for the grad students inhabiting the town. Lawn chairs on the roof offer a comfortable spot for lounging. Plungers stuck to the water tower are just one example of the pranks that grad students like to play in this area.

58. A royal horse (Prince Charming Regal Carrousel, Magic Kingdom)

Image: Disney

On Prince Charming Regal Carrousel, look for a horse that has a gold ribbon on its tail. This is Cinderella’s own royal stallion!

59. Listening in (Main Street USA, Magic Kingdom)

 Turn right on Center Street while you are walking towards the castle down Main Street, USA. Stand under the windows marked “Singing Lessons” and “School of Dance” and you may just hear someone practicing the piano or exercising their vocal chords.

60. Beep…beep…beep (Main Street USA, Magic Kingdom)

As you climb the stairs to the Main Street Railroad Station, listen out for an old-fashioned telegraph sending out a message. It’s a morse code version of Walt Disney’s opening day speech at Disneyland on July 17, 1955.

61. Unusual footprints (Pirates of the Caribbean, Magic Kingdom)

As you exit Pirates of the Caribbean, take a look at the “footprints” on the moving walkway. You’ll see single boot prints followed by a small circle – these belong to a peg-legged pirate.

62. The “moving” bomber (American Adventure, Epcot)

Image: Disney

Take another look at the pictures on the walls inside the American Adventure. See the one hanging in the corner to left as you enter the rotunda? It’s a painting of a World War II-era B-17 bomber. If you stand on the gray strip of tiles on the floor in front of it and walk backwards and forwards, the plane appears to swivel to follow you.

63. An unusual chess set (Haunted Mansion, Magic Kingdom)

Take a look at the spires on the Haunted Mansion – each one is shaped like a chess piece.

64. Uninviting waters (Rivers of America, Magic Kingdom)

The murky color of the water in the Jungle Cruise and the Rivers of America is artificial. A biodegradable dye is used to create a natural look.

65. A former resident (The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Magic Kingdom)

Image: Michael Gray, Flickr (license)

As you enter Owl’s house on The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, look out for a framed picture of Mr. Toad handing a deed to Owl. Controversially, the Winnie the Pooh ride replaced Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride.

66. The gas pump (Entrance, Disney’s Hollywood Studios)

The gas pump on the right as you enter the park is marked with the opening date of Disney-MGM Studios.

67. A date of significance (Great Movie Ride, Disney’s Hollywood Studios)

The car in the gangster shoot-out scene of the Great Movie Ride features the license plate number “021-429”. This is the date of the infamous Valentine’s Day Massacre – February 14, 1929.

68. The Log Bundle Characters (Disney’s Wilderness Lodge)

The colorful totem poles take center stage in the Wilderness Lodge’s lobby, so you may not notice the more subtle characters carved into the log bundles in each corner of the room. You’ll find 16 figures carved into the tops of the poles, including a bird of prey on each column. The iconic American Bald Eagle is featured twice with a different look on each version.

69. Office space for rent (Echo Lake, Disney’s Hollywood Studios)

A window above Hollywood and Vine features a sign advertising “Office space for rent”. This is a reference to the early days of the Disney animation studios, when brothers Walt and Roy spotted a similar sign above a real estate agency.

70. A tribute to a Mouseketeer (Muppet*Vision 3-D, Disney’ Hollywood Studios)

In the pre-show room for Muppet*Vision 3-D, notice the net full of green Jell-O hanging from the ceiling. This is a reference to actress and former Mouseketeer Annette Funicello (a-net-full-of-jello). Take a look at the graffiti on the walls, too.

71. Planning a heist (New York Street, Disney’s Hollywood Studios)

Image: Disney

Listen carefully as you pass down New York Street. You may hear gangsters plotting their next heist!

72. Studios A and B (Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, Disney’s Hollywood Studios)

While you are waiting to tour Studio C on Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, try listening at the doors to Studios A and B. You’ll hear sounds from real recording sessions.

73. A tribute to Mickey (Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Disney’s Hollywood Studios)

Image: Disney

In the Echo Library (one of the pre-show areas for the Tower of Terror), sheet music can be seen that is a copy of an actual 1930s tune dubbed “No Mickey Mouse? What kind of party is this?”.

74. Just like home (Pixar Place, Disney’s Hollywood Studios)

The large gateway that you pass through as you enter Pixar Place is a replica of the gateway at company’s studios in Emeryville, California. The bricks used in the area also match the original.

75. The poorly managed Packages at The Jungle Cruise (Adventureland, Magic Kingdom)

The Jungle Cruise is a busy outpost cluttered with incoming and outgoing luggage, packages, and shipping crates. Predictably, these packages rarely receive the care and attention they need. Check out the warnings and notices on these boxes and you’ll see fragile packages turned on their end, upside down animal crates reused as water fountains, and some boxes that don’t even know which way they should go.

Most alarming of all in this area is the indication that many of these mismanaged packages once included live animals. You’ll see indications of an orangutan gone AWOL, and something with very sharp claws that’s been wandering about the live cargo area.

Not all the live creatures in the Jungle Cruise queue are gone, however. Keep your eyes open for one eight-legged inhabitant who hasn’t made a run for it…yet.

76. Historic Route 66 (Sunset Boulevard, Disney’s Hollywood Studios)

The original 1926 alignment of Route 66 took it right across Sunset Boulevard. Though the junction is less quaint today, the two are still connected. On this historic stretch of Sunset Boulevard, you’ll find a sign for Route 66 with a pile of vintage luggage at the base. Clearly this signpost is a much-visited landmark for hopeful stars to land and take in their surroundings.

77. The cracked walkway (Africa, Disney’s Animal Kingdom)

In Africa, take a look at the walkways. The leaf prints and mud cracks were created using a mold – with Imagineers going as far as making casts of patches of mud. The cracks were widened using pressurised water jets.

78. The Cradleboard Collection (Disney’s Wilderness Lodge)

Behind the check-in desk in the lobby of the Wilderness Lodge, you’ll see a framed collection of Native American cradleboards. Native American mothers bound their infants to these sturdy boards so they could carry them on their backs, prop them up to see the world, and keep them safe. Cradleboards were traditionally crafted by a close female member of the family. The cradleboards on display in this collection include pieces from the Crow, Apache, Arapaho, Cheyenne, Ute, Kiowa, Navajo, and Comanche tribes.

79. Totem poles (Canada Pavilion, Epcot)

There are three totem poles on show in the Canada Pavilion. Only the one on the left is real – it was carved by Tsimshian Indian carver David Boxley, and weighs some 700 pounds. The other two totem poles are made of pieces fiberglass stacked on top of each other.

80. Glowing pathways (Future World, Epcot)

The pathways in Future World are pretty to look at after the sun sets – tiny lights in the ground will light up.

81. Hit the road (Dinoland USA, Disney’s Animal Kingdom)

 Check out the highway sign in Dinoland, USA (located between the restrooms and Primeval Whirl). It reads “Route 498” – a reference to the park’s opening day in April 1998. There’s a parked truck with a license plate that calls out the park’s opening day as well. 

82. The fence that’s not a fence (Liberty Square, Magic Kingdom)

Though this looks like a convenient piece of fencing that separates the stroller parking from the rest of the street, it’s actually more interesting than it seems. This is a hitching post for horses. The clever little accent gives a humorous nod to the differences in “parking” in the Magic Kingdom and Colonial America.

83. The prayer trees (Asia, Disney’s Animal Kingdom)

In Asia, take a look at the trees. Many are draped with scarves that commemorate lost lost loved ones.

84. Abruptly renamed buildings (Blizzard Beach)

A lot of work went into building the “ski resort” at Blizzard Beach, but it was turned into a water park abruptly when the snow started to melt. This is evident throughout in the quick changes that local business owners made to their buildings to accommodate the changing environment.

Look closely at the signage and you’ll see how buildings have been cleverly repurposed. In the picture above, Snow Joe’s Ski Rental became Snowless Joe’s Locker and Towel Rental. Other elements like this are common around the water park so keep your eyes open and see if you can spot what each area used to be.

85. Blown on the breeze (Asia, Disney’s Animal Kingdom)

In Asia’s Anandapur township, have a look at the various prayer flags. Several types have been used, including the traditional Lung ta, which are in square or rectangular shapes attached to a long string. These promote peace, compassion, strength and wisdom. The mantras written on the prayer flags are blown by the wind to spread these gifts.

86. The Boneyard sign (Dinoland USA, Disney’s Animal Kingdom)

Have a closer look at the sign for The Boneyard. It’s a replica of a Stegosaurus’ shoulder blade.

87. The important pair of lanterns (Liberty Square, Magic Kingdom)

The poem “Paul Revere’s Ride” by Henry W. Longfellow features the line “One if by land, and two, if by sea.” This refers to the lantern signal that would alert colonists to the advance of British forces. One lantern would indicate that the forces were taking the longer land route. Two lanterns indicated the faster water route, which would give colonists less time to prepare.

The British forces would, indeed, arrive by boat, traveling from Boston Common to Cambridge. The two lantern signal was placed in the Old North Church in Boston’s North end.

Paul Revere’s successful ride made the lantern signal redundant, but this failsafe was put into place in case Revere was captured before he could successfully pass the warning.

In homage to this tale, you’ll see an upper window in Liberty Square that features two lanterns – “two if by sea.” The window is along the side of the Hall of Presidents and faces the Haunted Mansion.

88. A significant color (Asia, Disney’s Animal Kingdom)

Throughout the village of Serka Zong, notice that many of the corners of buildings, doorways and other elements are colored red. This is considered by Himalayan locals to keep evil spirits away.

89. The totem poles (Asia, Disney’s Animal Kingdom)

Take a look at the totem poles in front of Expedition Everest. These were hand-carved by Nepalese craftsmen.

90. The Metrophone (Tomorrowland, Magic Kingdom)

Pay phones may be out of vogue in most locations, but the technology is still going strong in Tomorrowland, where visitors can use the Metrophone to make intergalactic phone calls. This futuristic phone booth is widely underutilized. It sits outside the Lunching Pad, beneath the load area for the Tomorrowland Transit Authority.

Step inside and pick up the phone for toll free calls anywhere in the galaxy. Pressing different buttons on the keypad will connect you to various messages, filled with quirky quips. Drop in and make a few calls to join in the fun.

91. Unique pagodas (Flame Tree Barbecue, Disney’s Animal Kingdom)

Image: Disney

 

The Flame Tree Barbecue features a host of pagodas to provide shade for diners. Each is themed around a different combination of predator and prey, such as anteaters and ants and owls and rabbits. Painting on the ceilings of each pagoda match the theme. Appropriately, the tables are decorated by the prey, with the chairs showing the predators.

92. The architectural progression of the doors (Liberty Square, Magic Kingdom)

The Haunted Mansion anchors the far side of Liberty Square, with an architectural style that’s inspired by New York’s Hudson River Valley in the early 1700s. As you progress through Liberty Square, the architecture advances along with you. The Hall of Presidents represents Philadelphia architecture of the late 1700s. Moving into Frontierland, the architecture follows the same trend, advancing you into the old west of the 1800s.

In Liberty Square, the architectural changes are at once subtle and strikingly obvious. Once you notice this feature, it’s difficult not to see it all around you. The doors that make the up facades of Liberty Square each represent a different time period. You can pinpoint the exact year that’s referenced simply by looking at the number over the door. This represents the year when that particular style was used.

93. The Country Bears’ claw marks (Country Bear Jamboree, Magic Kingdom)

Country Bear Jamboree is a classic attraction that’s appropriate for guests of all ages. The jamboree is popular among bears of all ages and breeds as well, as you can see from the condition of the lobby. As you’re waiting for the next show to begin, take a moment and look down at the floor. You’ll see that the wood is covered in deep gouges that could only have come from the anxious feet of some very big patrons.

94. The Fort Wilderness Railroad coach (Typhoon Lagoon)

 

Image: Disney

Keep your eyes peeled in the Typhoon Lagoon parking lot. One of the coaches from the defunct Fort Wilderness Railroad (which closed back in 1980) is used as a prop there.

95. The water tower (Fort Wilderness)

Image: Disney

Head for a swim in Fort Wilderness’ Meadow Pool, and you’ll notice that the water tower is now in place there. This was one of few items to be salvaged from the abandoned River Country water park back in 2009, becoming part of a new water slide.

96. The historic fire mark (Liberty Square, Magic Kingdom)

The symbol of four clasped hands featured on this façade in Liberty Square is known as a fire mark. This particular fire mark belongs to the Philadelphia Contributorship and appeared in Philadelphia from 1752 to 1830. A fire mark let firefighters know a building was insured and by whom. Insured buildings would receive priority attention, both from the firefighters and from policyholders who would see a profit or loss from the building’s outcome.

97. Broken glasses (Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Disney’s Hollywood Studios)

Image: CBS

As you walk through the lobby, look out for a pair of glasses with the lenses broken. This is a reference to Time Enough at Last, an episode of The Twilight Zone. The glasses belong to Henry Bemis, played by Burgess Meredith, who loves books, yet is surrounded by those who would prevent him from reading them. When a nuclear war devastates the earth, he suddenly has all the time in the world to read them…but his glasses fall off and shatter, leaving him virtually blind.

98. Creative features at the Disney Vacation Club (Fantasyland, Magic Kingdom)

The Disney Vacation Club booth in Fantasyland features a striking sign with several hidden details. The globe, sun, and moon create a hidden Mickey. The sign reading “H. Goff Cartography” pays tribute to Imagineer Harper Goff. Goff was deeply involved in the set design for 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. He later contributed to concept art for both Disneyland and Walt Disney World.

99. Cinderella’s Kingdom walls (Fantasyland, Magic Kingdom)

The new Fantasyland area added a separate section to the land that stands apart from the classic Fantasyland streets. The old and new are divided by kingdom walls that match the architecture of Cinderella’s Castle. When you see them side by side, the similarities are unmistakable. Head past the walls of her kingdom, and you’ll find other castles, including Eric’s castle from The Little Mermaid and Beast’s castle from Beauty and the Beast.

100. Giant lance supports (It’s a Small World, Magic Kingdom)

The bright pink pillars around it’s a small world may look a little strange when you really examine them. This is because these distinct architectural features are designed to look like lances, fitting in perfectly with the theme of the Fantasyland kingdom.