After publishing my Everest Shrine and Cool Wash blogs, I received a number of requests for similar bits of information. It seems you all love this type of Disney trivia. I’m not sure I can deliver, but I’ll do my best. This next item isn’t so much a “hidden but obvious” detail. It’s just sort of a “hidden” detail.
When the Mr. Toad attraction closed to make room for the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, the Imagineers wanted to give J. Thaddeus a proper burial. They thought, “What better place than the pet cemetery perched on the hill next to the exit of the Haunted Mansion.” (If I had to guess, I bet many of you didn’t even know there was a pet cemetery here.)
Anyway, if you look all the way to the back left corner of the burial ground you can see a grave marker in the shape of this famous croaker.
While we’re in the general area, let’s take a look at the benches that line this brick wall. These seats are unique to the Haunted Mansion and if you look closely, you can see menacing hound’s heads on the arms and legs. Look even closer and you can see that their eyes are red. Spooky.
Legend has it that a number of years ago, a teenage girl was sitting on one of these benches painting her fingernails. She noticed the hounds and decided to paint their eyes red, the color of the polish she was using. Months later, when it came time for the benches to be repainted, the Imagineers liked the red eyes and decided to keep them.
Now I want to tell you, this is a legend. I have absolutely no proof to back up this story. Also, I’m not giving anyone permission to deface Disney property. But it does make for a good tale.
And now for the sad news”¦ While talking with a Haunted Mansion cast member I was informed that these benches are being retired. In fact, two have already been removed and it’s only a matter of time before the others are gone too.
I agree these tidbits are great and I love this blog. Basically, I love anything to do with Disney. lol
Question though. Is there a comprehensive list of all these tidbits anywhere? Would be cool to have a list to take on a trip so we can be on the lookout for these things as we’re walking around the parks.
Keep them coming.
Answer:
I don’t know of any “list” of Disney trivia like what I’ve been writing about recently. I do know there have been several trivia books written about Walt Disney World, but to be honest, I haven’t read them so I can’t tell you what information is contained in them. My suggestion is to search the internet. I know that’s what I’m going to have to do myself once I exhaust my own personal knowledge if I’m to continue providing all you Disney fanatics with this type of information. LOL
I am a Disney fanatic, and any of my friends will tell you the same. I love these posts for added Disney knowledge. Please keep them coming! Thanks thanks thanks
Thanks for that tidbit. I’ve walked by that cemetery many times and would have never noticed. We’ll be going to the Big D in 11/09 so I’ll make it a point to look for it and point it out to my daughter as that ride was retired before her time and I have told her about it many times. Great memories.
I loved your Mr. Toad/Haunted Mansion comments. As a fan of the Mr. Toad ride, I clearly remember riding it as a kid at Walt Disney World. Thanks for your trivia (the pictures are great too)…keep it coming!
I did know about Mr.Toad but i had no idea about the benches. Please dont stop telling all of us about these little tidbits i love learning about them.
Jack, our family missed out on Mr Toad’s Wild Ride as it had already been closed before we ever made it to a Disney park. As much as we love Winnie the Pooh we sometimes feel ‘if only we had had the chance’. What are your views on the loss Mr Toad/replacing him with Winnie?
Best wishes, Nicki Selley (UK)
Comment: I have no problem with Disney replacing Mr. Toad with Winnie the Pooh. Most kids, and many adults, have no idea who Mr. Toad is. Pooh is a much more recognizable character. And the continual long lines for Pooh prove that this was the right move.
However, if you’d like to see Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, it’s still delighting guests at Disneyland in California.
Jack