The Disney company is known for packing details into every space, which gives even the most frequent visitor something new to see. During a recent visit to the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, I snapped a few photos of some neat little details that are often overlooked.
Cinderella Drinking Fountain
In the castle courtyard, there is a neat fountain with a bronze figure of Cinderella, depicted in her peasant clothes and talking with the mice and birds. Around the fountain and statue are several drinking fountains, which were intentionally placed at a low level. To get a drink of water, you have to “bow your head” to Cinderella – which makes sense when you look up.
If you look up while getting a drink, the crown painted on the alcove lines up with Cinderella’s head, showing that she is royalty. It is a pretty neat little detail that most children probably see (since it all lines up from their vantage point anyway). But adults will need to bow to the princess in order to see this optical trick.
Winnie the Pooh’s Tribute to Mr. Toad
Many people were saddened to see Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride replaced by the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh attraction. When rides are replaced, Disney will often leave little tributes in the new attraction, which are fun for the frequent visitor to discover.
Just as you enter the first set of doors on the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, look back and to your left. Along the row of photos is an image of Owl shaking hands with Mr. Toad, showing that there were no hard feelings about the new occupants. If you want to see Mr. Toad, you can find him on the west coast. Disneyland still has a Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride attraction in its Fantasyland.
Haunted Mansion Chess Pieces
I found that the shade canopy over the queue and the mature trees now make this harder to see, but there is a chess set on top of the Haunted Mansion. The designers used chess pieces as the inspiration for the finials around the roof. In the picture above you can see a topper that looks like the King chess piece.
From the front of the mansion, you can see the Rook and Bishop chess pieces. The full chess set is up there, except for the Knight. You just have to find a good vantage point to see them all. Inside the mansion, as you will see the guy in the suit of armor, the Knight, which completes the set.
It seems that no matter how many times I visit the Disney theme parks, I always discover something new. Whether it is a clever tribute to the ride’s designers, a hidden Mickey, or a nod to the past. Little details like this are what set Disney theme parks apart from the rest and are what keep me coming back year after year.
