July 16, 2024 | Eul Basa

Disney Parks Urban Legends And Secrets


Strange things have happened here

Disney Parks are iconic for their magical atmosphere, but beneath the surface lies a collection of creepy urban legends and cool secrets. From ghostly sightings to secret areas, the happiest place on Earth is full of mystery.

Walt’s frozen body is in the park

There is a longstanding myth that Walt Disney's preserved body is at Disneyland. The claim is that he was cryogenically frozen beneath the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction. Despite lack of evidence, this eerie rumor continues to convince many.

Pirates of the Caribbean Magic Kingdom Walt Disney WorldMichael Gray, Flickr

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Walt’s frozen body is in the park

What is known about Walt Disney’s death is that he died from lung cancer in 1966 and was not immediately cremated. His remains were later laid to rest at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California in a publicly accessible area.

A Faux Grave for Walt DisneySteven Miller, Flickr

Disneyland once used real skeletons

As crazy as it may seem, the Pirates Of The Caribbean ride at Disneyland once contained real human remains due to inadequate fake alternatives during the ride’s construction in 1967. Former producer Jason Surrell revealed in his tell-all book that the “faux skeletons of the period” were “just too unconvincing.” 

Pirates of the Caribbean DisneylandJoe Seer, Shutterstock

Disneyland once used real skeletons

Though all authentic skeletons were said to be removed, rumors persist of a lone human skull remaining on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. Along the river track, visitors may encounter it in "The Captain's Quarters Treasure Room" bedroom scene.

Pirates of the Caribbean, Adventureland, Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World ResortJoe Penniston, Flickr

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Walt’s ghost still haunts the park

Walt Disney had a private apartment above the Firehouse in Town Square at Disneyland. He would light a lamp in the window to signal his presence. After his death, there were reports about the lamp mysteriously turning back on.

Walt Disney ApartmentKen Lund, Flickr

Walt’s ghost still haunts the park

Replicas of the lamp at Disneyland's fire department are often mistaken as the original continuously lit since Walt Disney's death. The famous apartment is not accessible to the public, but guided tours during events offer a chance to see it (and maybe even Walt's ghost).

Walt Disney with Mickey Mousewood26, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

A secret abandoned Disney island

Disney World's official map features an off-limits, unidentified island in Bay Lake, Orlando. It was once known as Discovery Island, a former Disney theme park that closed in 1999. 

Discovery Island DisneylandSteven Miller, Flickr

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A secret abandoned Disney island

The island has remained inaccessible for almost 20 years, with no entry allowed for visitors or staff. It’s widely believed that the park was abandoned and intentionally left to rot.

Tree of Life, Disney's parkMichael Huey, Flickr

Country Bear Jamboree

The Country Bear Jamboree at Disneyland is said to have been built on an old cemetery, causing ghosts to haunt the site. Visitors have reported eerie noises and movements, claiming them to be restless spirits. 

Frontierland SignMichael Gray, Flickr

Country Bear Jamboree

Aside from the ghost rumors, critics found the characters on the show "offensive," leading to Disney closing attraction in 2024. The show first debuted in 1971 in Magic Kingdom's Frontierland, and it was deemed unique at the time.

Big Thunder MountainJennifer Lynn, Flickr

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Disneyland’s underground tunnels

Disney theme parks, including Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom in Florida, have a large utilidor system of tunnels. Employees, or "cast members," use them to maintain the magical illusion for guests. 

Disney construction undergroundIwerks & Co., The Imagineering Story (2019)

Disneyland’s underground tunnels

The system was originally built for the Magic Kingdom, with a smaller version under Epcot's Future World and Tomorrowland at Disneyland. Cast members continue to use the tunnels today.

Disney construction undergroundIwerks & Co., The Imagineering Story (2019)

Matterhorn Mountain’s basketball court

In the highest point of Disneyland's Matterhorn structure, there is a small basketball setup in an attic-style area. This area is not a complete half-court, however, the phrase "basketball court" is used casually.

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Matterhorn Mountain’s basketball court

The rumor is that the basketball court was installed to get around height restrictions, but some investigations report that this was not true. Some people claim that the basketball court is still intact today.

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Real ghosts of Disney’s Haunted Mansion

Legend has it that Disney Parks' Haunted Mansion houses real ghosts. Guests and cast members have experienced weird sightings, mysterious sounds, and cold spots. There have also been reports of a weeping boy ghost and deceased loved ones who haunt the site due to visitors secretly spreading ashes.

Disney - Haunted MansionJoe Penniston, Flickr

Real ghosts of Disney’s Haunted Mansion

According to some past and current Disney park cast members, finding and removing human ashes is an  undisclosed part of their job. While they find it unpleasant, some families see it as an emotional and healing tribute.

Haunted Mansion ExteriorDisney - Haunted Mansion, Flickr

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“Small World” dolls come alive 

At night, Disney's "It's A Small World" transforms into a nightmare-like scene as animatronics continue moving in the dark. A TikTok video with 3.7 million views reveals the dolls' unsettling silent movements.

It's A Small WorldSteven Miller, Flickr

“Small World” dolls come alive 

A former cast member commented that the “It's A Small World” dolls are not the only animatronics to stay turned on during power outages. “I used to work there—all the rides are like this. I used to get off work at 3 am and walk through the park to go home and it was very eerie."

It's A Small World dollsLoren Javier, Flickr

Tom Sawyer Island treasure

Tom Sawyer Island at Disneyland is riddled with a legend that says real pirates once buried treasure somewhere in the area. Some people still believe the treasure is hidden there.

Fantasmic Stage on Tom Sawyer's IslandJ Etzel, Flickr

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Tom Sawyer Island treasure

Today, Tom Sawyer Island exists in both Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Tokyo Disneyland in Japan. Up until now, nobody who visited or worked at the locations has reported discovering any sort of treasure.

Pirates' Lair at Tom Sawyer IslandCarlos, Flickr

Cinderella Castle has an apartment

Cinderella's Castle in Walt Disney World Resort is open to all visitors, but only the luckiest fans have the opportunity to stay in the luxurious Cinderella Suite. The suite is located on top of the clock tower and offers views of the park from the top of the castle.

Cinderella's CastleChad Sparkes, Flickr

Cinderella Castle has an apartment

Reservations for the Cinderella Suite are not open to the public. In fact, Disney has rejected $40,000 offers for a single night before. Previously accessible by invitation only, the suite now has limited availability for rare promotions. 

Disney - Cinderella Castle After the StormJoe Penniston, Flickr

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Cursed water at River Country

Disney's River Country, the first water park at Walt Disney World opened in 1976 and closed in 2001. Due to mysterious illnesses and accidents including deaths from brain-eating parasites and drownings, a myth that the water was cursed began to circulate.

Rivers of America, Frontierland, DisneylandKen Lund, Flickr

Cursed water at River Country

River Country officially closed due to safety regulations and competition. Today, the water park remains abandoned and rotting—but the myth of the cursed water keeps the curiosity and interest of Disney fans alive today.

Rivers of America, Frontierland, DisneylandKen Lund, Flickr

Animal Kingdom’s lost section

Disney's Animal Kingdom was a major undertaking for Disney and included plans for a luxury hotel. It’s rumored that the park was originally set to include Beastly Kingdom, a section featuring mythical creatures.

Disney's Animal KingdomDave & Margie Hill / Kleerup, Flickr

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Animal Kingdom’s lost section

The section didn't get built largely because of budget reductions. It was quickly replaced with Camp Minnie-Mickey, a zone primarily purposed for meet-and-greets and interacting with characters.

The main entrance to Disney's Animal KingdomSteven Miller, Flickr

A hidden area inside Spaceship Earth

According to some park goers, a hidden lounge can be found within Spaceship Earth. This exclusive VIP area is located right above the post-show space. Throughout the years, it has been utilized by corporate sponsors for relaxation and meetings.

Disney - Spaceship Earth at NightJoe Penniston, Flickr

A hidden area inside Spaceship Earth

Today, Spaceship Earth provides a stunning backdrop for weddings. According to some sources, the hidden lounge inside the geodesic sphere may serve as a reception venue for special events. 

Spaceship Earth, Looking Up, Ultra WideJoe Penniston, Flickr

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Penny press at your own risk

Many Disney Parks fans believe in the “Penny Press Curse,” a legend where using penny press machines at the parks for souvenir pressed pennies brings bad luck. 

Splash Mountain Penny Press MachineLoren Javier, Flickr

Penny press at your own risk

Despite the superstition, many park goers still seek the penny press machines. After all, penny presses represent a century-old tradition—and they’re a fun and budget-friendly way to keep a souvenir.

pressed coins from Disneyland26ShadesOfGreen, Shutterstock

Walt’s last ride on Earth

The Disneyland version of Pirates of the Caribbean opened on March 18, 1967. It’s reportedly the last ride Walt Disney himself worked on before his death. Originally intended as a wax museum, the success of the boat ride concept at the 1964 World's Fair led to its development.

Publicity photograph for Walt Disney - 1956Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons

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Walt’s last ride on Earth

Walt never got to see the ride, or the opening of his next biggest project: Walt Disney World. Still, Walt Disney World quickly became one of the world’s most popular tourist attractions, and it remains to be a top vacation destination today.

Old photograph of Walt Disney front of old buildingsBibliothèque nationale de France, Picryl

Debbie Stone’s tragic day

Debbie Stone, an 18-year-old Disneyland cast member in 1974, tragically died while working as a hostess on the 'America Sings' ride. According to reports, she was crushed between the stage and auditorium after moving too close to a spinning wall.

Debbie Stone’s tragic day

Stone was declared dead at 11 p.m. while the carousel was being prepared for a new round. An audience member heard Stone's shouts and informed park employees. Others thought it was just a part of the performance. By the time they reached her, the teenager had succumbed to her injuries.

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George The Ghost

Cast members at the Pirates ride often talk about George, believed to be the ghost of a past park worker who died while setting up the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. Cast members are superstitious about him, believing that he can disrupt the ride if they don't acknowledge him.

George The Ghost

Though there is no record of any construction worker who died during the construction of the ride, many people (including cast members) still believe in the tale, given that many news stories were covered-up back in the day.

Club 33

For years, rumors swirled about a mysterious secret in Disneyland's New Orleans Square called Club 33. Initially thought to be an exclusive club for the wealthy and powerful, it was even rumored to be a secret meeting place for sinister activities. 

The piano in Club 33Steven Miller, Flickr

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Club 21

Disney has since clarified that Club 33 is not as exclusive as once believed—but this only led to the creation of new myths about a non-existent Club 21 at Disney World.

Club 33Inside the Magic, Flickr

“Andy’s coming”

A myth spread that yelling "Andy's coming" makes the Disney characters from >Toy Story fall limp. While it may have happened informally, Disney had to stop it for safety reasons. 

Disney - Cinderella CastleJoe Penniston, Flickr

“Andy’s coming”

Performers are not banned from having fun, but safety comes first. Also, stunt falls are not part of their training—despite the large, soft costumes, they are not designed to take sudden falls and are difficult to get up in.

happy girl in Toy StoryCamila Romeiro, Shutterstock

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A collapsible Cinderella Castle

Rumor has it that the Cinderella castle at Disney World's Magic Kingdom can be dismantled in case of a severe storm. However, this is just a myth, with no evidence to support it. 

Disney - Cinderella CastleJoe Penniston, Flickr

A collapsible Cinderella Castle

Disney has said, however, that the castle is designed to withstand strong winds. The main structure of the Magic Kingdom is constructed of gypsum, plaster, and fiberglass. No part of the castle, including the spires, requires removal during a hurricane.

Construction of a Cinderella CastleIwerks & Co., The Imagineering Story (2019)

Skyway scandal

Disneyland and Disney World both had Skyway rides, gondola-style lifts, providing views of the parks. Tragically, individuals have died by suicide or survived attempts in the park by jumping out of moving vehicles. In 1994, a man fell from a gondola, and admitted to purposely leaping.

Skyway from Tomorrowland to FantasylandATIS547, Flickr

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Skyway scandal

Despite rumors that the attractions were closed due to fatal incidents, the closures were actually due to safety regulations and pre-planned discontinuation, not specific accidents.

Mickey's Fun WheelThank You (24 Millions ) views, Flickr


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