REVEALED: The nine-acre system of tunnels underneath Disney built in 1971 that connects every single area of Florida’s Walt Disney World – and is so large staff need golf carts to get around
- Disney ‘Utilidor tunnels’, a hidden world mainly beneath Disney World’s Magic Kingdom in Florida , were created over 50 years ago to ‘keep the magic alive’
- The nine-acre system of tunnels under Disney was built in 1971 and connects every area in the park
- These tunnels were designed by Walt Disney himself, to allow cast members to navigate the park quickly, avoiding crowds and maintaining the magic of Disney
Hidden deep beneath Florida’s Walt Disney World lies a long, winding secret everyday parkgoers would never know existed.
Built over 50 years ago in 1971 – and designed by Walt Disney himself – a nine-acre network of tunnels connects every single area in the park and is so large staff need golf carts to get around.
Named Disney ‘Utilidor’ tunnels, public access is strictly prohibited and exist to allow cast members to navigate the park quickly, avoid crowds and help keep the magic of Disney alive for guests.
As legend has it, Mr. Disney was disgruntled when he spotted a cast member dressed in cowboy regalia strolling around Tomorrowland, according to ATI.
So he created this special system to hide the everyday lives of workers and let them move discreetly between different themed lands without disrupting the immersive experience.
There is a hidden world underneath Florida’s Walt Disney World, where public access is strictly prohibited
Disney ‘Utilidor’ tunnels were created over 50 years ago to separate staff from parkgoers, in order to ‘keep the magic alive’
The ‘tunnels’ are actually the first floor of Magic Kingdom. Everything the public sees is on the second floor
Cast member are employees who work in the park in various roles, such as playing Disney characters and tending to rides and attractions.
Unfortunately, accidents happen and there have been numerous instances where Disney cast members have accidentally ‘decapitated’ themselves in the park – which is when the head of their costume falls off.
The tunnels were created as places employees can seek refuge in such cases in order not to ‘ruin the magic’ for parkgoers.
The utilidors, short for utility corridors, are some of the world’s largest utility tunnels and part of Disney’s ‘backstage’ (behind-the-scenes) area that separate employees from park visitors.
The ‘tunnels’ could not actually be built underground due to water levels in Florida. So Disney erected the utilidor at ground level and simply covered it with the park itself on a second floor above – which is what the public sees.
It means a Tomorrowland cast member can traverse to Frontierland without being seen, preserving the illusion.
The Utilidor tunnels not only facilitate movement but also provide spaces for cast members to take breaks and unwind.
Within these passages are locker rooms, break areas, a cafeteria known as the ‘Mouseketeria’ and even a hair salon.
The Mouseketeria offers dining options, including a popular Subway chain.
Additionally, the tunnels house facilities like costuming, dressing rooms, and makeup areas.
Entertainment cast members use costuming to check out their required athletic wear, which differs from other cast member costumes.
These outfits cannot leave Disney property and are turned in at the end of each day to maintain character integrity.
Entertainment cast members, often portraying multiple characters, use rolling black suitcases to transport their costumes discreetly, according to AllThatInteresting.
They scan their cast member IDs to track costume items, and failure to return them within a specified period can result in charges.
Before starting their roles, ‘face characters’ or those without masks, use dressing rooms and makeup areas to prepare.
Cast members also have a warm-up room led by a coach to prevent on-the-job injuries.
What makes the tunnels truly unique is the unexpected interactions you might witness: Belle chatting with Piglet or a Frontierland quick service cast member conversing with a Tomorrowland merchandise cast member creates a magical atmosphere.
Cast members can move discreetly between different themed lands without disrupting the immersive experience for guests
Entertainment cast members use costuming to check out their required athletic wear, which differs from other cast member costumes
These tunnels were designed by Walt Disney himself, to allow cast members to navigate the park quickly, avoiding crowds and maintaining the magic of Disney
As legend has it, Mr. Disney was disgruntled when he spotted a cast member dressed in cowboy regalia strolling around Tomorrowland, according to ATI
Disney didn’t want the identity of the characters to be exposed to the public, so he created a system that hides the everyday lives of workers from parkgoers
The Utilidor tunnels not only facilitate movement but also provide spaces for cast members to take breaks and unwind
The tunnels directly connect nearly all seven themed lands which are linked often times using colors and arrows
https://youtube.com/watch?v=omIJaYIM6Mo%3Frel%3D0%26start%3D389
https://youtube.com/watch?v=zXyCB79gmKM%3Frel%3D0
The tunnels occasionally host vendors, DJs, holiday parties, and rare character meet and greets, making it a fun and dynamic space for cast members.
Another intriguing feature is the trash pipes, which are like chutes on the tunnel ceilings. They efficiently transport Disney trash from one end of the park to another, ensuring guests don’t encounter cast members.
The tunnels directly connect nearly all seven themed lands which are linked often times using colors and arrows.
The utilidors are strictly off-limits to all park guests and those who are caught inside are banned from the park. It is also prohibited for employees to take photos or videos in the tunnels, so the footage available is limited.
On Tuesday, The Walt Disney Company announced it will spend $60billion over the next decade on its parks and cruise lines.
Disney has announced it will spend $60billion over the next decade on its parks and Disney Cruise Line. The plans were revealed in an SEC filing Tuesday – and showed that Disney is ‘prioritizing projects anticipated to generate strong returns’
Disney has proposed and expansion of its Disneyland park in California that includes growth in the theme park areas, retail and parking
Disney’s newest cruise ship is set to launch in 2024 and can hold 4,000 passengers
The move comes as Disney discusses selling off ABC and finding a partner with ESPN, potentially moving it away from TV and more toward a new core of theme parks, movies and cruises.
Disney has also faced criticism from some for moving too far to the left and pushing a ‘woke’ agenda.
Now, the company is focusing on its investment in experiences and the products side of the company. The plans were revealed in an SEC filing Tuesday – and showed that Disney is ‘prioritizing projects anticipated to generate strong returns,’ including their parks and cruises.
In the last 12 months to July 2023, Disney turned over $32.3 billion in revenue thanks to its lucrative experiences.
The filing read: ‘We believe that the company’s financial condition is strong and that its cash balances, other liquid assets, operating cash flows, access to capital markets and borrowing capacity under current bank facilities, taken together, provide adequate resources to fund ongoing operating requirements, contractual obligations, upcoming debt maturities as well as future capital expenditures related to the expansion of existing businesses and development of new projects.’
After the plans were revealed on Tuesday, the company’s shares were down more than 3 percent by mid-day.
Disney has not yet fully said how it plans to spend the $60billion at its parks and cruises.
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