I was a Disney fantasy for 8 years. Here are 9 little-known facts about the parks.

There is a version of Dumbo the Flying Elephant in all six Disney properties, but one has a special mechanic.

Dumbo the Flying Elephant is the only ride that exists at all six Disney properties around the world.

But the merry-go-round at Magic Kingdom in Florida is the only one with “Duel Dumbos” (two carousels that work side by side).

The rumors are true – there are “tunnels” under Magic Kingdom and Epcot, but they aren’t actually underground.

There are “utilidors” located under Magic Kingdom and Epcot which consist of complete infrastructure of pavements and walkways.

But they are not technically tunnels because they are not actually located underground. They form the ground floor of the property and the current park is on the second floor.

Utilidors have multiple purposes, including secretly moving park workers, characters, trash, food, and merchandise. They are also used for emergency purposes.

Visitors can even get a behind-the-scenes look at the utilidor system if they sign up for Disney’s Keys to the Kingdom tour. When available, the five-hour tour costs $ 99, but it’s worth it if you love to uncover the secrets of Disney.

Disney World Florida ownership isn’t all about theme parks and hotels.

Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida is home to thousands of acres of wetlands beyond theme parks.

The area is protected by a wildlife management and conservation easement.

Walt Disney originally envisioned Epcot as a fully functioning utopian city.

Epcot, or Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow, was not originally going to be a simple theme park. Walt Disney intended to build a true community incorporating methods of town planning and embodying an ideal way of life.

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The plans included a futuristic approach to life, commerce, transportation and recreation. To make it even more futuristic, Walt envisioned that the whole thing would be housed inside an air-conditioned dome.

A few months into the process, Walt passed away, and plans for Epcot finally changed.

The tallest Disney castle in the world is in China.

Of the six Disney castles in the world, the Shanghai Storybook Enchanted Castle, which opened in 2016, is the tallest at around 197 feet.

The shortest is the original Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland California, which stands 77 feet tall.

Disneyland was not originally supposed to be located in Anaheim, California.

In the 1950s, Walt initially proposed that Disneyland be located in Burbank, California, about 36 miles northwest of where he ended up in Anaheim.

As the vision for Disneyland grew, Walt set his sights on more land, which was the main reason for the move.

The park opened on July 17, 1955, and the resort expanded to include Disney California Adventure Park in 2001.

Imagineers consulted feng-shui experts when they designed Hong Kong Disneyland.

When planning and designing Hong Kong Disneyland, the Imagineers consulted with feng-shui masters and experts. Ancient Chinese practice focuses on creating spaces that strike a balance with the natural world.

The Imagineers wanted to make sure there was a sense of harmony in their designs. So, as you walk through the park, know that every building and aisle has been placed for a more important purpose.

All of Disneyland’s opening day rides are still operating 66 years later.

Guests can travel back in time by jumping on attractions that debuted when Disneyland opened in 1955.

The original rides – which still operate today – are Jungle Cruise, Storybook Land Canal Boats, Mark Twain Riverboat, Snow White’s Scary Adventures, Mad Tea Party, Peter Pan’s Flight, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, King Arthur Carousel, Autopia and Chemin Disneyland Railroad.

Previously, tourists had to buy “E” tickets to browse the most popular attractions, and the term is still used today.

Between 1955 and 1982, visitors to Disneyland and, later, Disney World had to purchase separate tickets for each attraction they wanted to visit. By the late 1950s, the rides were divided into five levels – A, B, C, D, and E – based on their popularity.

The “E” ticket rides were the most coveted attractions, and although Disney got rid of the system, the term is still used to refer to the main, prominent attractions in the parks.

Today, rides like Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway would be considered “E” ticket attractions.

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