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10 Myths and Legends at Walt Disney World

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Credit: Disney

With over 40 million guests visiting the Walt Disney World resort every year, guests love to share their experiences and advice with friends and family. The information quickly spreads, especially on popular social media platforms. Are these stories really true, or just a tall tale? It is definitely hard to figure out what is a fact and what is really just a legend. Here are the most popular anecdotes about the Walt Disney World parks that are truly just great myths, even though it might be fun if some of them were actually true! Take a look and see how many of these you’ve heard before!

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1. Cinderella Castle

Wondering how Walt Disney World attractions fare in hurricane-force winds and tropical storms? Many guests are convinced that Cinderella Castle can be disassembled to keep it safe. Knowing that Florida experiences inclement weather every year, the Castle was constructed with steel and reinforced concrete so that it stays standing in the strongest winds. It definitely was not made of blocks!

2. Toy Story Character Drama

Remember the cute scenes from the Toy Story animated movies when Andy is coming? The toys all drop lifeless to the floor so as not to reveal their adventures. Think this will happen will guests yell “Andy’s coming!” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios or the Magic Kingdom? While it would add to the charm of the parks, it would be a huge safety problem, so it only remains a myth.

3. The Ghost Named George

Dark corridors, eerie music, and skeletons lurking about give Pirates of the Caribbean a macabre atmosphere. A story about a ghost named George haunting the attraction fits perfectly, so it’s easy to believe that it’s completely true! The popular legend tells the tale of a construction worker having a fatal accident during the Pirates of the Caribbean construction, and the worker’s ghost causing mischief in the attraction. In reality, the accident never happened and the ghost simply doesn’t exist.

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4. Walt’s Cameo

As your doom buggy travels down from the attic window on the Haunted Mansion attraction and find yourself in the graveyard, filled with ghostly figures singing and socializing. Notice the three singing men’s heads and think one of them could be Walt Disney? Although it’s widely thought that this story is true, the bust in question is Thurl   Ravenscroft, whose famous voice can be heard in Pirates of the Caribbean, The Enchanted Tiki Room, and the Country Bear Jamboree.

5. That Sad “Wishes” Story

From 2003 to 2017, the Magic Kingdom said goodnight to guests by showing a fantastic fireworks display entitled “Wishes”, choregraphed to classic Disney tunes and featuring several Disney characters. The title song begins with a solo poignantly sung by a young girl. A story began circulating that the young girl was very ill and had a last wish to be remembered at Walt Disney World, and Disney granted her wish by allowing her to record the solo piece. In reality, the voice belongs to Charity Farris, who is healthy and alive. While this myth makes the song that much more emotional it is definitely not true.

6. Extending the Monorail

Cruise past the Swan and Dolphin hotels and check out the large black shapes on the outside of the structures. A popular rumor persists that the black areas can be detached and the monorail track will be extended through the buildings. Unfortunately for monorail fans, these squares are just a part of the architectural design.

7. Walt’s Apartment

As the Magic Kingdom becomes magically illuminated when the sun goes down, sharp eyes will notice lights on in a tiny window high up in Cinderella Castle. Guests might assume this window belongs to Walt Disney’s secret apartment. Since Walt passed away before the Castle was even built, this is just a myth. A Cinderella Suite does exist in this space, however, available for lucky contest winners and celebrities to spend the night.

8. Star Spangled Banners

Stroll down Main Street USA and gaze up at the American flags fluttering in the breeze on top of the buildings, giving the street a very patriotic flair. However, these aren’t really flags at all. The United States Flag Code states that the American flag should only be flown from sunrise to sunset. Because it would be impractical for these flags to be taken down every night, they are each incomplete versions of a real flag, missing a star or a stripe, and therefore only considered a patriotic banner. The only real flag in the Magic Kingdom is the one proudly displayed in the Town Square.

9. The Epcot Dome

Got your poncho? It’s a well-known fact that it rains a lot in central Florida during the summer, and having a dome covering the parks would solve a lot of problems! Many sources claim that Walt Disney even originally intended for Epcot to have a dome constructed over it. Given the size of Epcot at 300 acres, it’s easy to see how impossible that idea would be.

10. Walt Disney World is just for kids

How many times have you heard this line? In reality, Walt Disney World attract guests of all ages and attractions are continually being added that appeal to everyone. Check out the signature restaurants, spa experiences, behind the scenes tours, and nightlife, Walt Disney World has so much to offer adults as well.

About Melissa Fegely

I have been a professional writer for over 18 years with degrees in Biology and English. I am a lifelong Disney fan and a Disney Vacation Club member of over nine years. Having visited Walt Disney World several times growing up, I really caught the Disney bug after many trips with my husband. Now I am happily addicted to taking our son to Walt Disney World as often as possible and watching him experience the magic and Mickey Bars as he grows up. Traveling to Walt Disney World twice a year, I enjoy attending the Flower and Garden festival held in the spring and strolling around the World Showcase, as well as exploring all of the hidden gems that all four parks have to offer. I love helping my family and friends plan their next Disney trips based on my experiences. I also enjoy reading, swimming, traveling, and cheering for the Pittsburgh Steelers. I grew up in Southwestern Pennsylvania, attended Shippensburg University, and current live in suburban Philadelphia with my husband, son, and two cats.