5 Disney Ride Secrets From the Cast Members Who Worked Behind the Scenes

Disney World is chock-full of incredible rides. From undeniable classics like Pirates of the Caribbean and The Haunted Mansion to modern marvels like Rise of the Resistance and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, the resort is defined by its attractions.

Each and every one of these rides holds operational and design secrets that make them the legendary experiences they are. We spoke to some former Cast Members about these behind-the-scenes tidbits.

As with much of Disney World, Disney rides are also hiding secrets of their own! We are going through some Disney World ride secrets from former Cast Members.

Tower of Terror

Safety is the priority! Cast Members are frequently being audited and watched for safety violations and to make sure they are operating the attraction safely. We know some rules may seem weird or unnecessary, but trust us that they are there for a reason. 

Each attraction has a different operating procedure, and Cast Members are trained extensively on proper operation, have read the entire operating manual to operate the ride, and have been assessed on their ability to operate the ride.  It can be a stressful job, and Cast Members are often monitoring A LOT at once. However, it is also a magical job, and seeing the reactions of people getting off the ride always makes the day a bit better!

When you are moving through the queue of Tower of Terror, make sure you take some time to look at the items inside the pre-show room. In these libraries, you will see all sorts of objects. There are lots of nods to Twilight Zone episodes hidden in the libraries.

As you are getting ready to ride Tower of Terror, make sure you are holding onto your items well! You may think you have a good grip on your phone or wallet, but if it is something you care about, you’d be best to put it in a backpack or somewhere very secure. The drops on this ride are no joke, and if your items aren’t secure, you may not be seeing them again.

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster

Also, while you are in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you may find yourself taking a ride on Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster… while you STILL CAN. See, in 2026, the coaster will be closing to be refurbished with a new Muppets theme that’s scheduled to open in the summer of 2026.

Before the ride transforms, though, you can keep an eye out for a few things. When you first walk into the building, make sure you take a look at the concert posters on the walls. You might just see a familiar name! The posters link up with Magic Bands to display the name and city of guests in the room.

Also, as you are waiting to board your limo, take a peek at the license plates of the vehicles. There are some fun ones, and each limo has a different license plate. The song is different on each limo, so if you really want to know what song you are getting, you can look it up based on the license plate or limo number.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

Next up, when you are in EPCOT, make sure you are paying close attention to two parts of Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. There are two hidden Mickeys that you will want to keep an eye out for. The first one will be while you are walking through the queue. Take a moment to really look at the display showing Xandar. You may just find a Mickey hiding in the display.

Toward the end of the ride, you can also spot a hidden Mickey on the moon. Your vehicle will spin around the moon, and as it does, you can spot a hidden Mickey in the craters.

DINOSAUR

Much like the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, this Disney’s Animal Kingdom original is about to close.  However, unlike the Muppet-ized coaster, there are a few fun  DINOSAUR is disappearing totally, be be replaced by an Indiana Jones ride system. However, since that’s not happening until February, you still have some time to spot these secrets!

The first part of the queue is actually a museum and has a curator who is responsible for it. Make sure you spend some time browsing on your next ride.

Also, there is a hidden Mickey on the head of the Carnotaurus where your picture is taken. It is hard to spot (especially with the blinding light), but it is there! While we are on the topic, too, there aren’t any T. rex dinosaurs in the ride; they are all Carnotaurus.

Thrill Ride Queues

The last item isn’t a secret, but just something that some people may not realize. There is ALWAYS a way to exit the ride without actually getting on the attraction. You are more than welcome to walk through the queue with your family and then exit before actually getting on the ride.

These exits exist, and you shouldn’t feel bad about using them! You don’t need to give a reason for using it. Just ask a Cast Member how to exit, and they will happily direct you.

Want to find out even more Disney World secrets? Check out our video that covers 40 secrets about Disney’s Hollywood Studios:

Stay tuned to AllEars for more Disney World tips, tricks, and news!

Check out some behind-the-scenes ride secrets from a former Disney Imagineer!

What is your favorite Disney World ride? Let us know in the comments!

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