14 Complete Lies Everyone Believes About Disney World

“Walt’s body is frozen and hidden under Cinderella Castle!” “The Castle can be deconstructed in case of a serious hurricane.” We’ve heard a whole LOT of rumors and tales about Disney World.

We’ve already shared some big lies about Disney World and some incorrect things people believe about the Most Magical Place on Earth, but we couldn’t resist tackling this topic again. Maybe we’ll even demystify a few lies you believe about the parks and resorts?!

Today we’re sharing 14 complete LIES everyone believes about Disney World.

1 — Walt Disney is Frozen and Buried Under Cinderella Castle

We’ll start with a big lie that many of you have likely heard referenced through popular TV shows or even shared on the internet. Some seem to believe that Walt Disney (either his whole body or just his head) has been cryogenically frozen and stored under Cinderella Castle, ready to “rise from the dead” (so to speak) when the technology is so advanced that he can be brought back to life.

According to PBS, it’s hard to actually tell when this rumor started. But back in early 1967, one reporter for a tabloid newspaper claimed that he snuck into the hospital where Disney was treated during his final illness. The reporter claimed that he saw Disney’s body suspended in a cryogenic cylinder. And the rumors just kept on swirling from then.

PBS notes that the website Snopes.com made a point-by-point analysis dispelling these rumors. But perhaps the most convincing evidence comes from Disney’s own daughter, Diane, who once wrote “There is absolutely no truth that my father, Walt Disney, wished to be frozen. I doubt that my father had ever heard of cryonics.”

In actuality, Disney was cremated, and the urn with his ashes were placed at the family’s mausoleum in the Forrest Lawn Cemetery of Glendale, California. Would it be fascinating to speak with a revived Walt now to get his thoughts on how far the company has come, what it has accomplished, and what future plans could/should be? Sure. Is it likely we’ll find a once frozen Walt reawakened from his cryogenic slumber? Evidence points to “no” on this one.

Click here to see 50 details you’ve never noticed at Walt Disney World.

2 — All of the Food is Bad Theme Park Food

While the Walt’s frozen body/head rumor might strike you as more outlandish, this lie about the food at Disney World is probably one you’ve heard mentioned many times before or maybe even one you believed before visiting Disney World. Some might think that the food at Disney World is all standard theme-park/fair food — corn dogs, hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken fingers, French fries, popcorn — you get the idea.

And while those items are certainly available (and many are delicious!), there’s a whole culinary side to Disney World that you don’t want to miss!

From some tasty school bread in Norway to German spaetzle, EPCOT is full of dishes that you may have never tried before.

But EPCOT isn’t the only park with unique eats. Try a whole host of unique dishes at Nomad Lounge in Animal Kingdom, stop by for what will likely be one of the best Cobb Salads you’ve ever had at Hollywood Studios, get a sweet and spicy chicken & waffle dish that’ll knock your socks off in Magic Kingdom, or stop by one of Disney World’s many hotels for upscale or casual dining that’ll make your taste buds sing. And you can’t forget about all of the spots to eat at in Disney Springs!

From the amazing ‘Ohana noodles to the fried Mac & Cheese bites at Wine Bar George — Disney World truly can be a foodie’s paradise. You do not by any means have to stick to chicken and fries during your trip (though you can if you want!).

Click here to see the 18 best restaurants you’ve probably never visited in Disney World!

3 — All of the Lines Are Always Long

Now, don’t hear what we’re not saying here. There ARE long lines in Disney World. Particularly during Disney World’s busiest seasons — around the holidays and during the summer — the lines for rides, restaurants, and even restrooms can be very, very long.

But it’s not true that ALL of the lines are ALWAYS long in Disney World.

If you visit Disney World during it’s less busy seasons (typically when kids are back in school and there are no nearby big holidays), you can find plenty of spots that are much emptier in Disney World.

And even during the busy seasons, you can find some rides with relatively short wait times, particularly during the early morning hours. For example, on December 20th (just days before the big Christmas holiday), some rides had just 5 minute waits in Magic Kingdom at 9AM.

You may also be able to utilize special perks, like Early Theme Park Entry or Extended Evening Hours, to get access to the parks without the main crowds.

If you plan your trip carefully, you could avoid some of those crowds.

Click here to see the best times to visit Disney World to beat the crowds!

4 — It’s Only for Kids

This is a BIG one that we hear a lot and you’ve probably heard a lot too. “Why should I go to Disney World as an adult/teenager? It’s just for kids.” And while most of Disney World is certainly kid-friendly, the parks and resorts aren’t “only for kids” by any means (at least, not in our opinion).

There are SO many things to do as an adult in Disney World, or things that adults can appreciate. For starters, there are lots of amazing details to admire in Disney World when it comes to planning, design, technology, and more. If you’re interested in learning more about these things, you could consider taking a backstage tour to really get a sense for how the whole thing operates from a more nitty gritty perspective.

As we mentioned above, the food and drinks are also a big draw. From drinks at La Cava del Tequila in EPCOT’s Mexico pavilion to a fancy meal at Victoria & Albert’s (temporarily unavailable), there are so many things that are geared more toward the adults or which the adults will especially appreciate.

You can also take part in other unique things in Disney World, like fishing excursions, horseback riding, and other specialty experiences. There’s more to the resort than just the parks!

And even if you do just stick to the parks, there’s plenty for adults to enjoy there too including some of the more thrilling rides!

You could also get a more adult feel by heading to one of the many lounges available in the parks or resorts or by stopping at Disney Springs to check out their amazing dining. Disney World is kid-friendly, but it’s not something that only kids can enjoy.

Click here to see why adults unabashedly love Disney World!

5 — You Only Need a Day or Two to do Everything

With 4 theme parks, water parks, many hotels, Disney Springs, and more — there’s so much to do and see at Disney World that you couldn’t get done in a week or even 2 weeks, much less 2-3 days.

If you’re planning to visit Disney World soon there’s no “right” answer to how many days you’ll need to accomplish your goals, but rest assured it’ll take you more than 1-2 days to do most of the things there.

If you want to do Disney World the “right way” — eat the things you want to eat, ride the things you want to ride, etc. — you’ll need several days. Check out our video below to see our thoughts on just how many days you really need to accomplish your goals in Disney World.

Most importantly, understand that you likely won’t be able to see EVERYTHING in Disney World within just 1 vacation, even if that vacation is a week long or longer. There are a lot of things to do and see there. Our advice is to come up with a list of items that are must-dos for you and prioritize them.

Click here to see more about how many days your next trip should be.

6 — There Aren’t Any Thrill Rides

Disney World certainly has many rides that kids of all ages can enjoy, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any thrill rides. Those seeking a bit of action can head for things like Test Track and Mission: SPACE in EPCOT. Test Track is actually the resort’s fastest ride, racing in at 65 mph!

You can also go upside down on Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster or feel your stomach (and heart) jump a little as you drop on Tower of Terror in Hollywood Studios.

At Animal Kingdom, Expedition Everest will have you screaming or laughing (and maybe crying?) with its backwards section. Or you can hop on one of the mountains in Magic Kingdom to get a bit of a thrill.

Overall, there’s no denying Disney World doesn’t have as many thrill rides as other theme parks do, but that doesn’t mean it’s devoid of them. You’ve just got to know what to ride!

Click here to see the rides for your Disney-hating friends

7 — You “Need” a Park Hopper

Disney World has 4 theme parks, so you might think that getting a ticket with the Park Hopper option, which allows you to hop between those parks (after following certain rules) is a must. But in reality it might not end up being worth the additional cost for you. It all depends.

A 1-park-per-day ticket can be expensive enough as it is when multiplied across various days or various family members. The Park Hopper option is an additional cost. That cost might be worth it depending on your plans. But if after identifying all of the things you want to do, you’d really only be using the Park Hopper option in a very minimal way, it might not be worth the cost. You might just be better off staying in one park each day and really maximizing your time there.

This could be particularly true right now since Park Passes are still required for the first park you want to visit, and you can only park hop starting at 2PM each day. Before buying the Park Hopper option, sit down to consider how much you’d use it and whether the cost will be worth it for you.

Click here to see our thoughts on whether a Park Hopper ticket is worth it.

8 — There Are No Bugs

When you’re in Disney World you might feel so blissful and happy that you feel like you never even notice a bug fly by. Or maybe you’ve heard rumors that Disney has a special method that prevents any and all bugs from coming anywhere near their property.

While Disney World does its best to manage bugs, you will still find creepy crawlies in the Most Magical Place on Earth!

NO! Not animatronic bugs! REAL bugs! (Though you will find animatronic bugs, too.)

We’ve recently spotted a lot (and we mean a lot) of bees in parts of Disney World, especially near sweet things like the syrups at Joffrey’s Coffee kiosks.

Disney also gets part of the “fun” of love bug season. The team at Disney does a fabulous job of managing bugs so that (for the most part) they don’t interrupt guests’ days. But that doesn’t mean the parks and hotels are entirely bug free, so keep an eye out for those little critters!

Click here to see 7 things we take for granted in Disney World

9 — The Castle Can Come Apart for Hurricanes

This is another popular legend, sort-of along the grand rumor lines of Walt’s frozen body. As Snopes.com notes, some believe that Cinderella castle was built in such a way that it can be taken apart (at least partially) in the event of a serious hurricane. This rumor, while very cool-sounding, is not true.

Florida does have to deal with hurricanes, sometimes ones that are very strong, and the Castle was constructed with that in mind, but it was not built to be taken apart like some kind of LEGO set. Instead, Cinderella Castle is actually built to withstand hurricane winds of up to 90 miles per hour. The inner structure of the castle is steel covered with fiberglass, secured to a concrete foundation. Disney may tie down certain things in the parks ahead of a hurricane or otherwise adjust certain items to prepare, but don’t expect to see parts of the Castle being removed ahead of the next big storm.

Click here to see more fun facts about Cinderella Castle!

10 — It’s Too Expensive

This is another one where we have to caution — don’t hear what we’re not saying. Disney World trips can be very expensive. In fact, it can be one of the most expensive trips you’ll ever take in your life. But it doesn’t necessarily always have to be “too expensive.” There are ways to make a Disney World trip much more affordable.

For starters, you can look to see what ticket and/or hotel discounts or deals are being offered by Disney. You could also consider buying tickets for fewer days, sticking to 1-park-per-day tickets, or looking at Disney World’s Value Resorts or staying at nearby spots like the Disney Springs Area Hotels. You could also look at staying further off property, using Airbnb, enjoying “free” things like Disney Springs or exploring Disney World’s hotels, bringing your own food to cut down on expenses, and more.

We’re not saying your next Disney World trip can be accomplished for under $100 a person or anything like that. But if you’re determined to go to Disney World, there are things you can do to make it hurt your wallet a lot less.

Click here to see 7 things that will save you money at Disney World

11 — You Can’t Bring Outside Food or Drinks

You’ve probably visited other theme parks, regular parks, or experiences where outside food and drinks are not allowed to be carried in, so you might think the same rule applies at Disney World. But that’s simply not the case. Outside food and drinks CAN be brought into Disney World, with some exceptions.

According to the Disney World website, “Guests are allowed to bring outside food and nonalcoholic beverage items into the park for self-consumption, provided they are not in glass containers and do not require heating, reheating, processing, refrigeration or temperature control and do not have pungent odors.” If you decide to bring any food items into the park, be sure to let a Security Cast Member know when you enter the park.

Also note that alcoholic beverages (except at Disney World hotels and Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser) cannot be brought onto Disney World property. There are also other rules about certain things that are prohibited. You can click here to see Disney’s full rules.

If you’re looking to save money by bringing your own food or just like to have snacks from home, you can pack up those sandwiches, chips, water bottles, sodas, etc. and bring them along with you!

Click here to see more about bringing food and drinks into Disney World!

12 — Nothing is Free

Lots of things have changed at Disney World lately. Some of the things that used to be free in the parks and resorts (like the free cards you could get with Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom) are gone. But that doesn’t mean that there are no free things in Disney World anymore! You can still get some things in the parks and resorts for free, but you have to know where to look.

You can still get free birthday (and other celebration) buttons, participate in the Wilderness Explorers activity in Animal Kingdom, and enjoy some free perks like Early Theme Park Entry and Extended Evening Hours, if you’re staying at a qualifying Disney World hotel.

Click here to see 8 things that are still free in Disney World!

Check out our video below to see more!

13 — There Is a Dome that Controls the Weather in Disney World

Disney World does a lot to make each guest’s experience magical in the parks and hotels, and they’ve worked very hard to make the whole place feel like an escape from the real world. But there are a few things from the real world that the parks can’t really get rid of or control — one of them being the weather.

Contrary to what some may believe, Disney World does not have an invisible weather dome that surrounds its entire property to control the weather.

We hate to break it to ya, but if you’re planning on visiting Disney World, weather can impact your plans. There are hurricanes that sometimes affect Florida, thunderstorms, lightning that can sometimes cause rides to shut down, heavy downpours, days that are so hot you’ll feel like you’re walking on the sun, and sometimes very random cold days scattered in there, too.

It’s important to be prepared for the different weather Florida can throw at you, particularly heavy rains, so you can continue to enjoy your trip without missing a beat.

Click here to see what it’s like to do Disney World in severe weather!

 

14 — If You Yell “Andy’s Coming” the Toys in Toy Story Land Will Drop

If you’re a big Disney fan, you’re probably familiar with Toy Story and the portion of the movies where the toys drop to the floor when their owners come into the room. A number of years ago, a photo went viral which featured the characters in Toy Story Land down on the floor. A Cast Member had taken this photo, which was staged. The photo was later edited to say that if a guest yells “Andy’s coming!” near the characters, they’ll fall down, just as they do in the films.

While the photo is neat and the story is fun, the toys won’t fall to the ground if you yell “Andy’s Coming!” at/near them. It’d frankly be unsafe and really not feasible for them to do this constantly as guests yell it out to them.

Click here to read about the biggest scandals in Disney World history!

And that’s our list of complete lies lots of people believe about Disney World. What lies from this list did you once believe? Tell us in the comments below! And be sure to check back with us for more Disney news and updates.

Comments (5)