With four theme parks and over 35 years of history behind it, there is so much to learn about Walt Disney World. And even if you’ve been to the parks a thousand times, chances are there’s still plenty of interesting Disney World facts you may have never heard before. So in honor of one of our favorite Orlando theme parks (or rather, several), here’s a sprinkling of Disney knowledge to brighten your day.


Spaceship Technologies

It’s no secret that Spaceship Earth at Epcot possesses one of the coolest architectural designs in the country. Designed with the help of science fiction writer Ray Bradbury, the park icon is a geodesic globe made out of more than 10,000 isosceles triangles, and it opened along with Epcot in 1982. However, did you know that when it rains, not a drop of water running through Spaceship Earth’s grooves actually falls to the ground? The cladding was designed so that when it rains, all the water is absorbed through one-inch gaps in the facets and collected in a gutter system – which eventually is channeled right into the World Showcase Lagoon. Neat, huh?

Disney’s No Dummy

When Disney was first acquiring the property for Walt Disney World as we know it today, the company used various dummy corporations to avoid a burst of land speculation. The first five-acre lot was bought in 1964 by the “Ayefour Corporation,” a subtle pun on Interstate 4. Other interestingly named and secretly Disney-owned lot purchasers included “M.T. Lott Real Estate Investments” – get it? Empty lot!

Royally Cool Construction

Cinderella’s Castle, the iconic figure of Magic Kingdom, was inspired by several French castles. Completed in 1971 after 18 months of construction, the castle reaches a height of 189 feet. However, an optical trick called forced perspective makes it look much larger than it really is. As you proceed to look up at the castle, the proportions get smaller the higher up it gets, making the castle look taller. Also, despite appearances, no bricks were used in the castle’s construction. Two of the spires, however, were built using actual gold and gold leaf.

Hidden Mickeys

Sure, you can find Mickey Mouse in any number of Disney parades every afternoon, such as the Mickey’s Jammin Jungle Parade at Animal Kingdom. But did you know that Mickey’s famous round head and two round ears can be spotted all over the Disney parks in random, secret places? Called Hidden Mickeys, these little stamps can be seen in restaurants, on the sidewalk, on the art of attractions, and even on parade vehicles. Keep your eyes peeled for a broccoli Mickey in the Body Wars mural in Epcot, for a row of hidden Mickey railings underneath a window at Disney’s Hollywood Studios Tower of Terror, and for a Mickey at the center of the manhole covers at all of the parks.

If you want to learn more about your favorite Disney theme park, one of the best and most fun ways to do that is to visit! Score your Walt Disney World tickets at OrlandoFunTickets.com, and you’ll be on your way to becoming a Disney expert.