We Debunked the Disney Park Rumors You Need to Stop Believing

Within the Disney community, there are many different myths and rumors surrounding the Disney Parks. Unfortunately, Guests are led to believe these myths even though a large number of them simply aren’t true.

Some of these rumors gain traction on various social media sites or through word of mouth which further gives them traction.

Today, we’re going to take a look at 10 of these rumors. Keep reading to see which Disney Parks rumors are completely false and learn their truths today.

1. Adults Can't Order Kids Meals

While full service restaurants may have set age limits on meals, the quick service restaurants do not. If you’re in the mood for smaller portions or simply aren’t interested in the options that are available on the adult menu, you can order from the kids menu.

This is something that I personally do often. A lot of times, the portions on the adult meals are too large for me and I end up wasting quite a bit of food. To save money and avoid wasting food, I order off of the kids menu.

The kids meals have smaller portions, often offer lighter options, and are cheaper. Unlike the adult meals, they also come with a drink, which makes them even more affordable.

2. The Toy Story Characters Fall to the Ground if You Shout, “Andy's Coming!”

In the Toy Story movies, while we get to enjoy watching the toys in their lively manner, they are very careful to keep their lifelike personalities hidden from Andy. On multiple occasions in the movies, when Andy was approaching, the toys would shout, “Andy’s coming!”, to warn each other that it was time to return back to their toy-like state. When this would happen, the toys would immediately stop what they’re doing. Oftentimes, the they were seen simply flopping to the ground.

Many Guests are under the impression that the costumed Toy Story characters at the Disney Parks will follow suit. It’s believed that if you shout, “Andy’s coming!”, in their presence, they too will stop what they’re doing and drop to the ground. This, however, is not true. If you shout, “Andy’s coming!”, near the characters, they will not drop to the ground. Most likely, you’ll receive no reaction from them at all. This is partially due to the fact that the costumed performers are instructed not to react to this phrase.

However, things weren’t always this way. In the past, the characters did fall to the ground when hearing that Andy was nearby. Disney enjoys making experiences as fun and as immersive as possible. Therefore, this additional touch was an experience that Disney wanted to be make available to Guests.

Unfortunately, this lesser known piece of Disney magic went viral on the internet and soon became overused. Guests were continuously shouting, “Andy’s coming!”, whenever they were near the Toy Story characters. Eventually, the continuous dropping motions became unsafe for the performers and added unnecessary wear and tear to the costumes.

3. Outdoor Disney Rides Close in the Rain

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There are multiple rides at the Disney Parks that are located outside. When bad weather approaches, these rides experience temporary closures. It’s often thought that these closures occur as soon as it starts to rain, but that’s not true.

If you start to feel raindrops as you’re walking through the parks, don’t fret. It takes a lot more than rain to shut a Disney ride down. In order to warrant a temporary closure, there would need to be a storm in the vicinity. Rides won’t close due to rain, but they will always close for nearby thunder and lightning.

Since this myth is so widely believed, it provides the perfect opportunity to get on your favorite outdoor rides. Whenever rain starts to fall, rather than heading to the indoor rides and attractions with the rest of the crowds, take advantage of the short wait times that many of the outdoor rides are undoubtedly experiencing.

4. Walt Disney World is Covered By a Weather-Proof Dome

For years, a rumor has circulated that Walt Disney World sits under a protective weather-proof dome. Some say that Disney controls the weather within the dome, while others claim that the dome is used to protect the property from Florida’s natural weather conditions.

This myth is completely untrue. A dome of such a size and purpose would be extremely expensive, both in regard to constructing it and maintaining it. This is something that Disney simply wouldn’t spend money on.

If you’ve visited Walt Disney World, chances are you’ve experienced less than perfect weather. Depending on when you visit, you may experience extreme heat, heavy rain showers, hurricanes, or even chilly conditions.

While Disney doesn’t control the weather, offerings are always made available to Guests to make them as comfortable and as safe as possible. Weather gear such as umbrellas, ponchos, raincoats, jackets, hats, sweatshirts, sunglasses, and cooling rags are always available for purchase. Guests can also take advantage of free ice water that is readily available throughout the parks.

If you’re not sure what kind of weather to expect for your Walt Disney World vacation, check out our article “Disney World Weather By Month – Tips For Each Month of the Year”.

5. You're Required to Order a Whole Meal

Generally including and entree and sides, the meal that you’re interested in may include more than you want or come with items that you’re simply not interested in. At full service restaurants, Guests seem more comfortable asking for customizations to their meals. However, contrary to popular belief, you can do the same at quick service restaurants as well.

What you see isn’t what you have to get. When you make your way up to the Cast Member that’s running the register, talk with them about what you want. If you only want the entree and not a full meal, let them know. They’ll be more than happy to make the adjustments on their end so you can get exactly what you want. Not only will this help prevent food waste, you’ll save a couple dollars on your food bill as well.

6. Disney Turkey Legs Are Emu Meat

Guests often wonder how the turkey legs at Disney are so large. One myth that surrounds the turkey legs is that they actually aren’t turkey, but are really emu legs.

This rumor took flight after Tangled actor, Zachary Levi, appeared on CONAN and announced that the turkey legs are actually emu legs. During the interview, Zachary said, “I have friends that have worked for Disneyland, and I was talking about how the turkey legs tasted more like ham than they taste like turkey… and they said, ‘Well, they're actually emu.'” Shocked, Conan O’Brien insisted that this must be an urban myth, but Zachary insisted that it was true.

However, Conan was right, and this is indeed a myth. The turkey legs at Disney are legitimate turkey meat and are not emu. Disney sources these turkey legs from a Texas-based meat packing company called New Braunfels Smokehouse.

As farm-raised turkeys, they have a specific environment and diet, which gives them an advantage to grow larger in comparison to wild turkeys. The legs that are found at Disney are presumably from toms (male turkeys), since their legs grow much larger than the legs of hens.

7. One of the Singing Busts in the Haunted Mansion Graveyard Scene is Walt Disney

As Guests pass through the graveyard scene in Haunted Mansion, they find themselves in the middle of a swinging soiree. An upbeat and peppy tune is sung as the Happy Haunts all come out to socialize. Towards the end of the scene, it is found that a quintet of singing busts are the ones singing the catchy song.

It’s rumored that one of these singing busts is meant to be Walt Disney. The bust in question is the one whose head is broken off and sitting to the side. With similar facial features and a mustache, it’s understandable how some Guests may draw a comparison between this bust and Walt.

However, the face on this bust actually belongs to Thurl Ravenscroft. Thurl is a Disney Legend and was a member of The Mellomen – the vocal group whose voices you hear singing the song “Grim Grinning Ghosts”.

Throughout his career, Thurl’s voice talents were used for many different Disney projects such as Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella, One Hundred and One Dalmatians, Pirates of the Caribbean, Splash Mountain, the Enchanted Tiki Room, and more. Thurl is also known for popular non-Disney roles such as the voicing the character Tony the Tiger and singing the song “You’re a Mean One, Mr.Grinch”.

8. The Time on the Sleeping Beauty Castle Clock is Significant

Inside Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Park, there’s a gorgeous chandelier clock. This piece is nothing more than a regal decoration that hangs within the walkway of the castle. The clock, itself, doesn’t actually work.

This, however, is not a flaw. Since the installation of the clock in 1996, it has not functioned. Because of this, it is frozen in time. Many Guests speculate that the time on the clock has an important meaning. Some think that the clock is set to the time that Disneyland opened, while others theorize that it marks the time of Walt Disney's death.

However, the time that the clock is set to has no significance at all. Over the years, the time has actually been changed multiple times. While many hidden items and meanings lie within the Disney Parks, this is one thing that has no backstory or significant meaning. It’s simply a beautiful piece of decor.

9. You Can Only Get Free Water From Restaurants

At the Disney Parks, free water is always available for Guests. This is something that is especially appreciated during the scorching hot days of summer.

Many Guests believe that free water is only available at the restaurants within the parks. It is true that these are the most popular places to quench your thirst. However, these aren’t the only places where complimentary drinks are available. Guests can also get free water from select food carts throughout the park. If the cart has a fountain machine, they will be able to provide you with water.

Starbucks and Joffrey’s locations also have free water available for Guests.

10. Walt Disney's Body is Frozen

One of the most common myths surrounding Disney is that Walt Disney was cryogenically frozen after death. This rumor is simply untrue. Shortly after his passing, Walt was cremated. His ashes were laid to rest at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in the Disney Family plot.

Even though Walt wasn’t frozen, he did show interest in the process, which is most likely how this myth got started. In 1972, Bob Nelsen, president of the Cryonics Society of California, told the Las Angeles Times, “Walt Disney wanted to be frozen. Lots of people think that he was, and that the body’s in cold storage in his basement. The truth is, Walt missed out. He never specified it in writing, and when he died the family didn’t go for it. They had him cremated. I personally have seen his ashes. They’re in Forest Lawn. Two weeks later we froze the first man.” Nelson continued to discuss how prior to Walt’s death, The Walt Disney Company had called to discuss details about the process, facilities, and staff.

While Walt was indeed not frozen, it’s amazing to know that he almost was. Even in the face of death, Walt clearly continued to use his imagination and dream of the possibilities that the future could hold.

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