Disney World is full of secrets and easter eggs tucked throughout the parks. From Hidden Mickeys to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge easter eggs, there are some cool secrets in the parks! We’re taking a look at some little known secrets from the Disney World rides. See if these are secrets you already know!
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Legacy
Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid opened in Magic Kingdom in 2012. The new attraction took over the area where 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea once stood. These two attractions share more than just the words “under the sea”. When 20,000 Leagues closed in 1994, Imagineers bottled some of the water from the attraction and saved it. When Under the Sea – Voyage of the Little Mermaid opened, they poured the water into the ride. It was a great nod to its predecessor!
There are other nods to 20,000 Leagues in the new ride as well. The most prominent perhaps is the distinctive Nautilus submarine shape carved into the rock in the queue line.
Pirate Skeletons Playing Chess
There are many great hidden secrets throughout Pirates of the Caribbean. This secret can be found in the queue. As you navigate the line, take a look down into an abandoned prison cell. You will see two pirate skeletons playing chess. The chess pieces are set in a stalemate which signifies they are stuck in the game forever.
Interactive Queue Surprise
The queue for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is interactive and keeps guests entertained while waiting in line. This is not the hidden secret though! There is a cool effect where guests spin some barrels full of gems and the seven dwarfs appear projected on the ceiling! The secret comes if all of the barrels are turned at the same time. Once all seven dwarfs are revealed, Snow White appears and dances! It’s really neat because it takes multiple guests working together to make it work.
Thunder Mountain Proprietor
This easter egg is located on the Wildest Ride in the Wilderness! In 2013 Big Thunder Mountain Railroad got an upgrade with a more interactive queue that gave it an enhanced story. Featured in that story is the proprietor of Big Thunder Mining, Barnabus T. Bullion. His portrait can be seen in the queue and you might realize he looks familiar. He is actually based on Imagineer Tony Baxter who helped to design Big Thunder Mountain Railroad!
A Familiar Whistle
The newest attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios features a vintage hidden secret but you won’t be able to see it. When riding along on the train on Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, listen for a whistle. This iconic sound is the exact same whistle used in the original “Steamboat Willie” short — the first-ever to feature Mickey Mouse!
Retired R3X
The original Star Tours attraction was piloted by a droid called R3X. He is now retired (C-3PO took over for him) but you can still see him in the attraction. This model of droid is now retired but you can actually still spot them in the queue for Star Tours in their out-of-commission retired state! You can also spot R3X at his new job in Oga’s Cantina. He is now DJ R3X! Also, a little known fact, he is voiced by Paul Reubens, also known as Pee-Wee Herman.
Maelstrom Puffins
This secret comes from another ride replacement. Frozen Ever After replaced Maelstrom in Epcot a few years ago but the new attraction still pays homage to its predecessor. The ride vehicles are the same ones used for Maelstrom. Also, towards the end of the ride, you can see puffins that were featured alongside trolls and polar bears on the Maelstrom attraction.
Bugs Exit First
Over at It’s Tough to be a Bug in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, you will find a small hidden secret. This is one creepy crawly adventure, but at the end take a look at the exit signs! Before the audience is dismissed, you’ll hear that the creepy crawlies are allowed to go first. If you look at the exit signs, you can see fireflies flying past as they exit. So cool!
How many of these secrets did you already know?
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Those are fun little details to know!