Hidden Secrets of the Disney World Hotels You Haven’t Heard Of

Do you know about all these hidden secrets of the Disney World hotels?

I love exploring the different hotels at Disney World. Each hotel has so much detail that I always catch something new every time I revisit them. However, each hotel also has its own stories and secrets that, once you learn them, may change your whole perspective on Disney's attention to detail.

Let's go over the top hidden secrets of the Disney World hotels.

Wilderness Lodge's Secret Nod to MGM Studios

One of the best hidden details at any Disney resort are the nods to former attractions. However, not many nods are at the Disney World hotels. Over at the Boulder Ridge Cove Pool Area at Wilderness Lodge, there's an old mine cart and some mining equipment. For long-time Disney goers, this equipment should look familiar. That's because it used to be a part of the now-defunct Studio Backlot Tour and Disney's Hollywood Studios (formerly Disney's MGM Studios)!

Christmas at Fort Wilderness

There's no question that Christmas at Disney World is truly special, but did you know about the Christmas festivities at Disney's premier camping resort? Over at Fort Wilderness, you won't just find the buildings decked out with Christmas trees and garland. You'll also find golf carts and RV's all over the campground decorated with Christmas cheer. But the most exciting part of Fort Wilderness isn't just the decorations. The Fort Wilderness Holiday Golf Cart Parade features golf carts with the best Christmas decorations. But attending it can be tough – only guests staying at Fort Wilderness or guests who have a dining reservations for that date are allowed to watch!

Animal Spotting Guide at Animal Kingdom Lodge

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Disney World regulars know about the savanna at Animal Kingdom Lodge. But do you know about the Animal Spotting Guide? Anyone can get access to this guide through the QR code at the check-in desk. Each guide helps you identify all of the different animals that hang out at the savanna.

Character Wake Up Calls

This is one of the best hidden details of the Disney World hotels. When you stay at a Disney World hotel, you can get a wake-up call from one of your favorite Disney characters. To set this up, just pick up your in-room hotel phone, press the wake-up call button and follow the prompts. This makes it a perfect way to start your day with your kiddos!

Two Historic Moments Happened at Disney World Resorts

How do former President Richard Nixon and The Beatles tie in with Disney World?

In November 1973, then-President Richard Nixon agreed to a televised question-and-answer session with more than 400 journalists. At this session, President Nixon addressed the Watergate scandal by insisting that “I am not a crook,” which went down in history. Believe it or not, this entire session happened inside the Ballroom of the Americas at the Contemporary Resort.

Then, less than one year later, John Lennon signed the documents that officially broke up The Beatles. As the story goes, the legal documents were already signed by the other three members of the “Fab Four,” and Lennon only signed the documents after being tracked down by an attorney at a bungalow at the Polynesian.

These two moments will live in Disney World history forever.

The Story Behind the Famed Mary Blair Mural

Most fans of Disney World know about the five-legged goat, but do you know the story behind it?

The Grand Canyon Concourse Mural is a beautiful art interpretation of the Grand Canyon, complete with Native Americans, animals, and foliage. However, if you've wondered why a five-legged goat even exists on this mural, here's why. Mary Blair wanted to reflect an important Southwest Native American belief: that nothing made by man can be perfect because man is imperfect.

And thus, while the mural itself looks perfect, it serves as a reminder that human error exists.

Grocery Delivery at Your Resort

If you didn't know that you can have groceries or a package delivered to your Disney hotel, you definitely didn't know that there are refrigerators to store delivered groceries. When you order groceries delivered to your Disney hotel, they will be sent directly to Bell Services, where Cast Members will store them until you come to pick them up. Perishable items will even be stored in a refrigerator to stay cool. Voila!

Big Bertha at the Grand Floridian

While the Grand Floridian was modeled after the late 19th century railroad hotels of Florida, there so happens to be a piece of real history inside.

A 19th century barrel organ built in France, Big Bertha was originally built with 369 pipes, a bass drum, a snare drum, two bells, a tympani, castanets, a triangle, a cymbal, and another set of eighteen bells. But after several decades of costume changes, Big Bertha found its way to the Walt Disney Company to help promote the opening of EPCOT Center. By 1988, Big Bertha found its final home at the Grand Floridian inside the main dining room of 1900 Park Fare.

The next time you dine at 1900 Park Fare, make sure to pay homage to this incredible piece of history!

The Original Name for Old Key West

Long before there were sixteen Disney Vacation Club resorts across the United States, there was just one. What is now known as Disney's Old Key West Resort opened in 1991 with the original name of Disney's Vacation Club Resort. It wasn't until 1996 when Disney renamed Disney's Vacation Club Resort into Disney's Old Key West Resort, making Old Key West the start of Disney's foray into timeshare property.

The Original Name for Saratoga Springs Resort

Old Key West isn't the only resort that went through a name change. Saratoga Springs Resort is on the same land as the former The Disney Institute, a resort that focused on learning during your vacation. Originally hosting over eighty programs that varied from animation, gardening, television, culinary, and more, The Disney Institute eventually closed altogether in 2003 to make way for Saratoga Springs Resort.

Those Random Musical Notes Aren't Actually Random

Disney doesn't just randomly place small details in its architecture without a reason.

That's most certainly the case for musical notes. One example of this is the set of musical notes behind the check-in counter at Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter that when played, spell out “When the Saints Go Marching In,” a classic New Orleans tune. Another example of this is the set of notes along the check-in counters at All-Star Music. When played, they spell out “When You Wish Upon a Star.”

Next time you visit, make sure to look out for the notes!

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